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Many research projects involving deer require humane handling of animals to obtain blood samples, give injections, or attach identification tags. Chemical and physical restraints have been used by investigators to immobilize deer (Odocoileus spp.), but both of these methods have drawbacks, primarily the safety of deer and handlers. Squeeze chutes have been used for safe and efficient handling of cattle. Mautz et al. (1974) described a restraining apparatus for obtaining blood samples from white-tailed deer (O. virginianus). This paper describes a squeeze chute that combines the basic design of a cattle squeeze chute and the Mautz et al. deer restraining apparatus, and adds concepts developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
In mid-2001, the author of this report was invited to undertake an exploratory analysis of Michigan Department of Natural Resources' data on bovine tuberculosis (TB) infection in wild white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the state. The aims of this analysis were to quantify the geographic spread of tuberculosis deer in Michigan, to investigate key factors influencing the prevalence of disease in the core of the infected area, and to interpret the results in light of overseas experience with wildlife TB, with a view to recommending how current management of the disease might be enhanced. The results of this analysis are contained in this report.
Extensive logging in the 1800's, subsequent fires, and heavy trapping through the 1920's led to the extirpation of the fisher (Martes pennanti) from its former range in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Fisher were first reintroduced in the 1960's on the U.P.'s Ottawa National Forest. By 1989, they had become sufficiently abundant in all or parts of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon counties to allow a limited harvest by trapping. In 1994, additional areas in Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette and Menominee counties were opened to fisher trapping. Trappers were limited to 1 fisher from Unit B as part of their bag limit. Regulations remained the same in 1995. In 1996, the remainder of the Upper Peninsula, with the exception of Drummond Island, was added. The regulations remained unchanged in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Since the first trapping season, trappers have been required to submit to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the skulls of fisher for examination and pelts for sealing. In 2001, there was a registered harvest of 381 fisher. Of the 293 fisher submitted for examination, 145 (49.5%) were males and 148 (50.5%) were females. Of the legally trapped fisher submitted for examination, 65.5% (192 of 293) were 1.5 years old or younger. By comparison, last year's fisher harvest consisted of 74.4% (131 of 176) yearlings and juveniles.
Report on the results of a survey of deer losses in the fall and winter of 1954-1955 that combined surveying losses by starvation and losses by illegal hunting.
This is a list of diseases and other conditions that affected the Michigan wildlife population in the year 1988. The list is organized by disease/condition.
Report on various biological data collected at checking stations and in spring productivity surveys since 1951.
Report on the results of the 2001-2002 Bobcat Survey. In order to allow the export of bobcat (Felis rufus) pelts under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service compiles data on the harvest and status of bobcats. This documentation is necessary to verify the stability of bobcat populations to allow for their continued harvest and the exportation of pelts.
Summary of pollution studies initiated in the spring of 1949, focusing on ducks in the Detroit River and lower tributaries.
Report on the hunting, conditions and results of the 1964 waterfowl season at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, with discussion about a botulism outbreak nearby.
Report on the status and testing of brucellosis in wild deer and the possibility of their spreading it to cattle.
Report on the results of a survey to determine the incidence of brucellosis and leptospirosis in the wild deer of Michigan.
Report on changes to winter feeding of deer on North Manitou Island for the 1941-1942 winter.
Report on a study of penned white-tailed buck fawns to examine levels of aggression related to food shortages and differing levels of confinement.
The Wildlife Disease Laboratory monitored the health status of the various species of pheasants, housed at the Mason Wildlife Facility, Rose Lake Hatchery Unit, Midland Sportsmans Club, Jackson Pheasants Forever chapter, and Pigeon Sportsman's Club. Monitoring was done in order to detect diseases and other conditions which might threaten the success of the Southern Michigan Pheasant Program. When available, sick and dead pheasants were collected and examined on a weekly basis by personnel of the Wildlife Disease Laboratory. Necropsy results have been tabulated for the birds which were examined from the 6 units. These are the results for the year 1990.
Wildlife Division has been collecting and tabulating certain measurements from hunter killed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for many years. These measurements are believed to reflect, in part, the physical condition of the deer herd. For the last 28 years, data have been collected on antler beam diameters and the number of antler points in yearling bucks. Some of the data presented in this report were collected at three roadside check stations set up along various major north-south highways across the state. A large number of deer were also checked at field stations throughout the state. Records from the examination of over 30,000 deer were submitted. Since some of the records contained either partial or unusable information, analyses were conducted on less than 30,000 records.
The Wildlife Division has been collecting and tabulating measurements from hunter killed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for over 46 years, including data on antler beam diameters and the number of antler points in yearling bucks. These measurements are believed to reflect, in part, the physical condition of the deer herd. This report contains summaries of the deer physical data collected during 1998 and is intended to encourage comparison with similar data from past years. Some of the data presented in this report were collected at three roadside check stations set up along major north-south highways across the state. A large number of deer were also checked at field stations throughout the state. In 1998, records on over 35,000 deer were submitted.
Study of fish cultures from inland waters to test for the possibility of type E botulism to assist in explaining cases of botulism poisoning in wildlife following fish management chemical reclamation projects.
The Wildlife Division has been collecting and tabulating measurements from hunter killed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for over 40 years, including data on antler beam diameters and the number of antler points in yearling bucks. These measurements are believed to reflect, in part, the physical condition of the deer herd. This report contains summaries of the deer physical data collected during 1994 and is intended to encourage comparison with similar data from past years. Some of the data presented in this report were collected at three roadside check stations set up along major north-south highways across the state. A large number of deer were also checked at field stations throughout the state. Records on almost 33,000 deer were submitted. However, some of the records contained incomplete or inaccurate information, so analyses were conducted on over 32.500 records. The number of deer checked in 1994 was up 52% from 1993. Part of this increase may be due to an increased harvest, a special commemorative successful deer hunter patch, and the publicity surrounding Michigan's 100th licensed deer hunt.
Report on problems facing breeding programs, with a particular focus on losses by disease.
The percentage of ether extractable fat in fresh bone marrow from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is used in Michigan as an index of physical condition. The dried weight of femur marrow has been shown to be correlated with marrow fat levels in deer, in caribou, and in elk. Mandibular marrow and femur marrow have been shown to be equally suitable for detecting and assessing changes in the physical condition of deer. There are two problems with this methodology: First, many marrow specimens collected in spring surveys from deer that died during the winter months are dehydrated, making it impossible to directly determine the percentage that fat would have made up of the fresh sample. Secondly, the ether extraction process is a costly, time-consuming step which significantly delays the availability of results. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationships between fresh wet weight, oven dry weight, and ether extractable fat of both mandibular and femur marrow. The results show that by oven drying and ether extraction, it is possible to accurately calculate what the level of either femur or mandibular marrow fat would have been at the time of death in a deer, even though the marrow has undergone subsequent dehydration. The study also found that the level of fat can be determined in fresh marrow from the wet weight and dry weight of the marrow, meaning the costly and time-consuming step of ether extraction for fresh samples is no longer necessary.
Extensive logging in the 1800's, subsequent fires, and heavy trapping through the 1920's led to the extirpation of the fisher (Martes pennanti) from its former range in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Fisher were first reintroduced in the 1960's on the U.P.'s Ottawa National Forest. By 1989, they had become sufficiently abundant in all or parts of Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Marquette and Ontonagon counties to allow a limited harvest by trapping. In 1994, additional areas in Alger, Delta, Dickinson, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette and Menominee counties were opened to fisher trapping. Trappers were limited to 1 fisher from Unit B as part of their bag limit. Regulations remained the same in 1995. In 1996, the remainder of the Upper Peninsula, with the exception of Drummond Island, was added. The regulations remained unchanged in 1997. Since the first trapping season, trappers have been required to submit to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the skulls of fisher for examination and pelts for sealing. This year, 332 of the 455 (73.0%) legally trapped and registered fisher were examined at the Rose Lake Wildlife Disease Laboratory. In 1997, Nearly equal numbers of males, 234 (54.2%) and females, 198 (45.8%) were examined. Of the legally trapped fisher submitted for examination, 69.7% (301 of 432) were 1.5 years old or younger. By comparison, last year's fisher harvest consisted of 71.3% (248 of 348) yearlings and juveniles.
This is a list of diseases and other conditions that affected the Michigan wildlife population in the year 1994. The list is organized by disease/condition.
This is a list of diseases and other conditions that affected the Michigan wildlife population in the year 1996. The list is organized by disease/condition.
Blood samples were taken at 6-8 week intervals from 18 captive, female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis) over a 2-year period to examine circannual changes in serum thyroid hormones and the effects of 3 levels of dietary iodine added to a basal diet generally containing 0.26-0.29 ppm iodine. Iodine (I) supplementation of the diet did not significantly affect T4, FT4, body weight, reproductive performance, milk I concentration, serum T3 and T4 levels of offspring, or dry weight and I content of the thyroid gland. Total thyroxine (T4) levels were higher in early winter and spring than in late winter, summer, and fall, and showed a close relationship with cyclic changes in feed intake and body weight. Free T4 (FT4) levels were highly correlated with T4. Total tri-iodothyronine (T3) did not follow a clear seasonal pattern, Serum T3 and T4 levels were higher in fawns than in adult does and in non lactating does than in lactating does. These results indicated 0.26 ppm I in a diet consumed ad libitum was sufficient to meet requirements for growth and reproduction in white-tailed deer.
Extensive logging in the 1800's and subsequent fires plus heavy trapping through the 1920's led to the extirpation of the fisher (Martes pennanti) from its former range in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.). Fisher were reintroduced in the 1960's on the U.P.'s Ottawa National Forest. Fisher have become sufficiently abundant in Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, and Ontonagon counties to allow the Department of Natural Resources to permit a limited harvest. This was the second consecutive year with a legal trapping season for this species and resulted in a harvest of 125 fisher. In addition, four fisher were killed by vehicles, and 29 were accidentally trapped. Younger age classes were more susceptible to trapping and accidents with 109 of the 130 (76.9%) animals aged being 1.5 years old or younger.
