Deer Utilization of Clearcuts in Southwestern Virginia

Abstract

Abstract An investigation of a 2-year-old and a 6-to 7-year-old clearcut compared with an uncut 60- to 100-year-old area, based on snow-track counts and mean pellet groups per acre, showed that the 2-year-old cut was most heavily used by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The 300 feet nearest the forest edge received the greatest utilization. Results suggest that clearcuts 10 chains in width would probably best meet deer management considerations, with the cut acreage adjusted within the range of 20 to 50 acres, depending upon the density of the deer population, topography, and logging economics.