Doctoral Candidate

STUDENT BACKGROUND

Hometown: Belfast, NY

Last University Attended: Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Interests/Hobbies: Ungulate Ecology and Biology/Hunting and Fishing

THESIS PROJECT

Factors Influencing Male White-tailed Deer Breeding Success

White-tailed deer are one of the most popular game species in North America.  As a result, deer managers and biologists want to know more about the white-tailed deer ecology and biology so that management strategies are enhanced.  Oftentimes, researchers and hunters want to know which males are doing the breeding and why.

My research will use genetic techniques to determine factors influencing male white-tailed deer breeding success.  Some of the factors I will look into are supplemental feeding, different deer densities, body condition, and buck movements.  I will use large high-fenced enclosures of varying deer densities with and without supplemental feed to determine the role of deer densities and supplemental feed on breeding success of males.  For the body condition and movements aspect, I will use GPS radio-collars on males and determine if movements affect breeding success.  Furthermore, on those radio-collared males, body fat will be measured to determine the role of body condition on movements and breeding success. 

Results will help deer managers and biologists better understand the breeding system of white-tailed deer and manage the species more appropriately.