Efforts to evaluate deer movements and response to 4-Poster devices are underway on Shelter Island and in North Haven. During January-March, deer will be captured in cages or nets that are easily set up on the properties of cooperating community members. Deer are handled humanely, in accordance with protocols filed with the Cornell Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and following NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Special Licenses Unit procedures. Captured male and female deer will be fitted with numbered ear tags allowing unique identification of individuals. A minimum of 20 mature female deer on Shelter Island, and 10 mature females in North Haven, will also be fitted with GPS collars. These collars provide movement data so that deer home ranges can be mapped in study communities. Fine scale movements of deer in relation to roads and 4-Poster devices will be examined. To determine the impact of 4-Poster device placement on the community, deer-vehicle collisions and vegetation damage, resulting from deer browsing, will be evaluated. Research staff will monitor the deer fitted with collars regularly. A vehicle equipped with antennas, receiver and other field equipment will be seen frequently during the day and night in the community.

Deer Photo Surveys

In conjunction with tracking deer movements with GPS collars, infrared-triggered cameras will be used to collect information on deer visitation to 4-Poster devices or pre-established bait piles. Photo surveys will occur on Shelter Island and in North Haven, allowing researchers to estimate deer densities, mortality, fawn recruitment, and sex ratios. Photo surveys on Shelter Island will be conducted at 4-Poster device locations to monitor use of devices by non-target wildlife, and deer-to-deer contact. Community members can help researchers locate deer and determine activity patterns. Important information to record includes the date, time, street address, tag numbers of marked deer, and total number of deer in the group observed. Please report sightings by phone to (631)749-0896.