Hunter movement and habitat use affect observation rate of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Context Hunting by humans is the primary tool for population control for many ungulate species across the United States, including white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Previous research has focused primarily on the effects of hunting on prey behavior, while neglecting the potential effects that the hunter behavior has on the probability of harvest success. Aims Our objectives were to assess hunter behavior (i.e. movement and habitat use) and evaluate how these behaviors influence deer observation rates. Methods During the 2008 and 2009 Oklahoma hunting seasons, we recorded GPS and observation data from 83 individual hunters over 487 total hunts. We examined hunter movement speed, path shape, and the proportion of time hunters spent in different vegetation types, and the average distance from landscape features such as roads, water sources, etc. for each recorded hunt. Key results On average, hunters spent 3.7 h (s.e. = 0.1 h) afield during each recorded hunt, traveled 2085 m (s.e. = 79.0 m), and observed 2.7 deer/outing (s.e. = 0.15 deer). Hunters used areas with 25-50% forested cover and greater topographic roughness, and hunted close to water sources (i.e. ponds) but >50 m from roads. Behavior of hunters influenced the probability of observing deer; observation rates of deer increased as hunters used greater forested cover and as their movement rate increased. Conclusions Our results suggest that hunter movement and habitat use influence the number of deer observed during a hunt. Implications Our findings showed that land managers can leverage understanding hunter behaviors to adjust harvest success to meet various management objectives.