Application of Multiple Aerial Sampling to a Mark-Recapture Census of White-Tailed Deer

Abstract

A helicopter-assisted mark-recapture study was conducted on a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population in northern Ohio [USA] from late Jan. to early Feb., 1975. Deer (234) were marked with collars and the 2176-ha area was completely enclosed by a 2.44-m chain-link fence. Collared deer were visually recaptured by systematically surveying the area by helicopter. The population estimate was 2499 with a 0.95 confidence interval of 2405-2593, a density of 115/km2 (298/mi2). Compliance with model assumptions was investigated through a study of animals on a 122-ha test area separated from the rest of the auguial area by an interior fence. Modifications employed in this census effort eliminated many of the problems commonly encountered in mark-recapture work. Procedures for selecting the optimum combination of marking and sampling effort in future applications are presented.