This study evaluated how white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) home ranges, movement indices and forage availability were effected by short-duration grazing (SDG) and continuous grazing (CG) by cattle (Bos taurus). White-tailed does' home ranges were comparable for both SDG and CG. Between deer locations, the deer moved 35% more in SDG than in CG between May and August. Since this is during periods of increased energy demands from gestation and fawning, the increased travel could potentially take a toll on reproduction. During two cycles of SDG, does avoided cattle by alternating between preferred habitats, rather than predictable paddock-to-paddock movement. Various forage species preferred by deer were more common under CG than SDG. Overall, total grass and forb cover was similar in SDG and CG.
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