Finding common ground: how hikers influence white-tailed deer space-use patterns in a UNESCO biosphere reserve

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of North Zealand's par force hunting landscape do not avoid hikers, contrary to expectations. A study using unbaited motion-activated camera traps found no spatial or temporal avoidance of hiking trails by deer, challenging assumptions about human-wildlife interactions in protected areas. This suggests that factors such as habituation to humans, trail-altered habitats, or the use of humans as predator refuges may play a role in deer distribution. The research highlights the need for further investigation into how recreation influences wildlife behavior and browsing pressure, which could inform management strategies for overabundant deer populations.

Truchon, Frédérique. (2021). Finding common ground: how hikers influence white-tailed deer space-use patterns in a UNESCO biosphere reserve [McGill University]. https://doi.org/10.82308/45733