Mule Deer in Nebraska National Forest

The Second Derivative and Population Modeling

“…[Note that had we started with equation (9) instead, we may have produced a better fit since the initial rise time would have been slower.] Another form of growth curve is the so-called J-shaped curve found, for example, by Mohler, Wampole, and Fichter (1957) in mule deer (Fig. 3a).…”

“…The most prominent form in the literature is the sigmoidal curve exhibited by many unicellular organisms and also by the big horn sheep (Fig. Another form of growth curve is the so-called J-shaped curve found, for example, by Mohler, Wampole, and Fichter (1957) in mule deer (Fig. This curve is well approximated (Fig.…”

Some Feeding Patterns of Coyotes in Nebraska

“…are very low, as a study area relating to an investigation of coyote-pheasant relationships, might at first seem questionable. The choice seemed advisable, however, because (1) coyotes were present in good numbers, (2) efforts to secure coyote scats were very fruitful, (3) the population of sharp-tailed grouse (Pediocetes phasianellus) appeared to be representative of that over much of its range in the sandhills at that time, (4) a herd of 300 or more mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) was resident on the Forest (Mohler, Wampole, & Fichter 1951), (5) the presence of coniferous forest plantations of many ages and their juxtaposition to native grassland out of which they are rising as a result of a grand biological experiment, and not the least important, (6) primitive conditions are probably closely approximated over much of the remainder of the tract. The desirability of studies in primitive areas has been repeatedly emphasized.…”

“…The population of deer increased to an estimated 630 by 1940, and it had become apparent that herd reduction measures would soon be needed to keep the animals' numbers within the biological limits of the range, and to protect the forest plantations. The history of knowledge about mule deer in Nebraska, the nature of the range on the Bessey Division, the composition of the herd there, and other findings furnished by a controlled hunt conducted in December, 1945, have been reported (Mohler, Wampole & Fichter 1951). In this unique situation, an expanding, man-planted forest of conifers within a vast and near-primitive sandhill grassland, the relationships of coyotes with such a deer population are of special interest.…”

“…These data suggest that the consumption of deer, whether killed by coyotes or secured as carrion, or both, was twice as high among t_he coniferous plantations as in the open grassland. Deer in Nebraska National Forest tend to move into the more heavily timbered areas, even in mild winters (Mohler, Wampole & Fichter 1951). It is problematical whether these data indicate that some coyotes were hunting wholly or largely inside the planted area and others wholly or largely outside.…”