Sampling Deer Browse for Crude Protein

Abstract

A comparison of methods for sampling witch-hobble (Viburnum alnifolium) deer browse indicated that pieces of browse contained higher concentrations of crude protein when twigs were clipped more closely behind their terminal buds; browse was collected from lower rather than upper portions of the plant crowns; and browse included flower buds or lateral buds rather than only terminal vegetative buds. Effects of these sources of variation among protein levels for pieces of browse were quantified. Sampling efficiency can be increased by standardizing collection methods to eliminate these effects. Protein levels in witch-hobble remained constant during Jan. to mid-March. It is suggested that composite samples of ground browse produce biased results. Deer on overbrowsed range may consume less protein than deer on better range to the extent that they eat more stem tissue and to the extent that overbrowsed plants fail to produce flower buds.