Deer habitat use after prescribed burning in Northern California

Abstract

Prescribed burning was used to improve blacktailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) habitat in Trinity County, northern California. Deer response was measured by comparing pellet group deposition on one burned and three unburned areas. Pellet group counts were highest on the burned area for 3 years after burning. One year after burning, pellet group deposition on one unburned areas was lowest adjacent to the burned area and increased with distance from the burned area. Using control areas adjacent to the burn led to an overestimate of increase in deer activity. Prescribed burning caused some increase in deer activity, but it is difficult to quantify because annual deer habitat use and defecation rates vary. Any beneficial effects of burning did not appear to continue into the fourth year.

Citation

Kie, John G. 1984. Deer habitat use after prescribed burning in Northern California. Res. Note PSW-RN-369. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 3 p.