Research records longest-ever deer distance travel .

[phantom]

The buck stops where? Research records longest-ever deer distance
https://phys.org/news/2021-06-buck-longest-ever-deer-distance.html

Why did the deer cross the road? According to research from the University of New Hampshire to keep going and going and going. Researchers have discovered the longest distance ever recorded by an adult male white-tailed deer—300 kilometers, or close to 200 miles, in just over three weeks. The finding has important implications for population management and the transmission of disease, especially chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease.

In their study, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, researchers analyzed data from GPS radio collars on more than 600 deer in Missouri. One dispersal, or long-distance journey, of an adult white-tailed deer stood out for its length, duration and age of the deer. The buck travelled close to 300 kilometers over 22 days by moving an average of 13.6 kilometers per day (almost eight and a half miles), crossing a major river seven times, an interstate highway, a railroad and eight state highways. To confirm the findings, the researchers surveyed the scientific literature for other dispersals of white-tailed deer. The deer, known as N17003, stood head and antlers above others; his walkabout was 174 kilometers longer than any other recorded for an adult male deer.

"This extraordinary movement just jumped out from the others we tracked," said Moll. "At first, we thought it was an error. It looks like someone took the GPS collar and drove across the state of Missouri."

The findings were remarkable not only for the deer's range—he roamed a distance equal to that between New York City and Baltimore—but also because unlike juvenile males, who move to seek breeding opportunities, adult males tend to stay put. Movements were faster and more directional than those in their home territory and were faster and more directional at night than during the day when the deer frequently sheltered in forest cover. The journey, which happened in November 2017, occurred during hunting season.

"We call this a rare event, but we haven't been putting collars out for that long, and not in these large numbers," said Moll. "It's entirely possible that it could be happening with greater frequency than we've known."

Nearly eight million Americans hunt deer which contributes more than $20 billion to the U.S. economy. The researchers say that understanding the distance deer travel and how they do it is important for managing the species and controlling chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease spread by direct contact and the environment. Knowing that deer are crossing county or even state lines highlights a need for regional management coordination.

Funding for this study was provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Montana.

Co-authors are Jon Roberts and Joshua Millspaugh, University of Montana; Kevyn Wiskirchen, Jason Sumners, Jason Isabelle and Barbara Keller, Missouri Department of Conservation; and Robert Montgomery, Michigan State University.


 

[phantom]

So do you guys think this happens in new york state ?That some deer are traveling hundreds of miles ?  Or do you think that's just a mid west thing . 

Edited June 14, 2021 by phantom

[132 eight pointer]

Very interesting results. This would explain why some take bucks that have not been caught on area trail cams. I like to think of these facts when I am not seeing many deer when hunting. You just never know what could show up and from where.

[phantom]

1 minute ago, 132 eight pointer said:

Very interesting results. This would explain why some take bucks that have not been caught on area trail cams. I like to think of these facts when I am not seeing many deer when hunting. You just never know what could show up and from where.

Yea i know gives you some motivation to get out there even when you have not been seeing much . Because you never know .

[G-Man]

Deer definitely travel idk if 200 miles is normal. But I've taken a buck that was on a trail cam 7 miles away.  Dumb luck I knew the guy, he had one photo of it. I had over a dozen.. 

[suburbanfarmer]

I will once in a couple of years get a pic of deer that are never to be seen again. Those are the ones that keep me awake the night of opening day

[nyslowhand]

Read an article by a Whitetail Biologist stating a mature buck during the rut will typically travel ~5 miles from his home base. So to see a buck you've never encountered or caught on a trail cam isn't unusual. May also explain why some that may be around all summer seem to disappear in the fall.

[Robhuntandfish]

now we know how WNY has all the deer.  They all walk there to get out of CNY in the fall.  Must be leaving cause of the weather....

[LET EM GROW]

Guess its possible.. they all have personalities I suppose. Last year we took our #1 buck. Our lease consists of two 500 acre pieces. about 4 miles apart. The buck was seen and ha dhis picture taken on the neighbors to one part of our lease the day before he was killed on the other part of our lease. As well as other bucks that have been seen on one piece and killed even further away pushing the 6 and 7 mile mark. September/October vs December.. And a giant was killed  on our property line that was never seen before by any of our neighbors all year long 

[phade]

I am no biologist, but I suppose it creates alot of what ifs to consider. To me, it's not much different than that mountain lion that ran halfway across the country. It happens, but to such a low degree that is an anomaly. I don't think you manage to the anomaly, but maybe I'm wrong.

While curious and a Ripley's Believe it or Not factoid, I don't think we should look at that as any factor on our experiences - short of the perfect storm (such as a disease carrying deer spreading it for hundreds of miles. If that were really a risk, it'd have been truly realized by now (I'm sure this isn't the first deer that went that far). 

Majority of studies from I have seen show small home range changes in some deer, little-to-none in some deer, and a few go a little further, but they're much the minority. 

I have one mature buck photo - at least 5.5 or older, and that buck was killed the next day (within 24 hours) 5.5 miles as the crow flies in the third week of October. He crossed 390, too. In the same 24 hour period, he broke off 4 tines. Reminds me of that gang movie where they have to fight there way through the city.

[greensider]

On 6/14/2021 at 6:57 PM, phantom said:

So do you guys think this happens in new york state ?That some deer are traveling hundreds of miles ?  Or do you think that's just a mid west thing . 

He said midwest lol