Improving Ontario's Deer Management Through Research

How can we tell how Ontario's current deer hunting compares against the province's true potential? The key lies in looking at other jurisdictions where quality deer herds and hunting opportunities exist! In this research program, we use deer harvest statistics from various provinces and US states to understand how deer harvest changes depending on habitat and weather factors. Using statistical models created based on these data, we can understand how Ontario's deer harvest would look if it were managed in the same way as these other jurisdictions. So far, our results indicate that Ontario is managing its deer herds far below their true potential! Click Here to learn more.

COMING SOON! Our thermal drone deer surveys will provide a treasure-trove of habitat-use data. Armed with these data (e.g., bed site locations; presence-absence data), it will be possible to create habitat use models. This can tell us, for instance, what habitat types deer prefer to use for bedding/security cover and what habitats deer prefer to use for winter habitat. Using these models, we can predict habitat use across the landscape. These models will be helpful in prioritizing areas for regulatory protections against development and/or prioritizing areas for restoration. Habitat use models can also help guide land managers on where to focus their habitat improvement efforts.