Topographic home ranges of white-tailed deer in the central Appalachians

Planimetric comparisons of home range sizes of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmermann) from across their range may not be appropriate due to regional differences in topography. We compare seasonal topographic diversity between male and female white-tailed deer home ranges in the central Appalachians using percent increase from planimetric to topographic areas as a measure. Mean percent increase in home range size for all deer-seasons combined was 3.1 (range = 1.3-6.4). No differences in percent increase in home range areas occurred between sexes or among seasons. The relatively low percent increase in home range area and lack of variation between sexes and among seasons validates the common practice of comparing planimetric home range sizes from different geographic areas.