Minnesota White-Tailed Deer: Vehicle Collision aftermath and Movement during the Firearm Season (2025-04-11)

Abstract

Minnesota is a high-risk state for deer-vehicle collisions, which damage vehicles and can cause injuries and, occasionally, deaths. Deer hit by a vehicle often die. Deer carcasses not removed from the roadway can be an important resource for scavenging animals. The role of carcasses near roadways in scavenging communities has often been overlooked in colder climates. Analyzing scavenger activity and the persistence of deer carcasses provides information on what species benefit from the deer-vehicle collisions in Minnesota. White-tailed deer are an important biological and cultural resource. Each year, about 300,000 deer are harvested in the fall in Minnesota. Hunting also affects deer behavior, leading to movement patterns and home range changes. Many studies have found that hunting affects movement and home range sizes for male and female deer. However, few studies have focused on comparing the effects of hunting on both female and male movements in the same area. We evaluated how hunting affects deer movement and home range characteristics in southeastern Minnesota, using data from deer wearing GPS collars.