712 - Dr. Duane Diefenbach: Deer Hiding Spots, Escape Routes, Core Areas—Revealed by Massive GPS Study

Beginning in 2013, the Penn State Deer-Forest Study is the crown jewel of Dr. Duane Diefenbach's career in research.

With over 1200 whitetail deer trapped and fitted with GPS collars, the study has collected an absolutely massive amount of data on how deer navigate the big woods and avoid hunters! Today Dr. Diefenbach reveals some of the most interesting information for hunters that has come from the study so far.

00:00 Introduction and Initial Challenges in Deer Tracking 01:23 Meet Dr. Dwayne Diefenbach: Background and Research 01:59 Long-Term Deer Research and Key Findings 04:31 Insights from GPS Tracking and Deer Movements 09:29 The Fascinating Story of Buck 8917 15:55 Techniques for Capturing Deer 18:56 Understanding Deer Home Ranges 30:11 Terrain and Deer Behavior During Hunting Season 41:11 Hunting Strategies for Steep Terrain 42:35 Deer Population and Density 45:13 Terrain and Vegetation Impact on Deer Movement 46:14 Hunter Density and Deer Harvest Rates 49:14 LIDAR Technology and Deer Habitat Mapping 51:11 Hunting Tactics for High-Pressure Areas 52:40 Deer Behavior During Hunting Season 55:47 Food Sources for Deer in Big Woods 01:10:07 Deer Movement Patterns and Home Ranges 01:18:01 Doe Movement and Family Groups 01:26:05 Antler Point Restrictions and Genetics 01:27:03 Impact of Antler Point Restrictions on Buck Population 01:31:42 Comparing Different Antler Restrictions 01:38:41 Historical Context of Deer Populations in Pennsylvania 01:42:48 Effects of Deer on Forest Vegetation 01:50:36 The American Chestnut and Its Decline 01:56:44 Challenges in Deer Management and Hunting Culture 02:02:12 Future of Deer Management and Hunting 02:09:21 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

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