Three study sites (heavy cattle stocking, moderate to light cattle stocking, and no cattle stocking) were used to determine how cattle (Bos taurus) stocking rates influence white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) nutritional condition. Deer that were analyzed in February from areas with cattle grazing had lower carcass weights, fat attributes (femur marrow and kidney fat), and reproductive rates (fetuses/doe) than deer in areas without cattle grazing. Deer analyzed in August from areas with moderate cattle stocking had greater eviscerated carcass weights, serum glucose, albumin, and albumin/globulin ratios than deer in the heavy cattle area. The reproductive rate, morphometric and biochemical indicators of deer were negatively impacted in heavy cattle stocking areas. Jenks and Leslie suggest that cattle be taken off these habitats during winter to decrease competition for forage with deer.
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