The Role of Sight, Scent, and Sound by the White-tailed Deer

Use and relative role of sight, scent, and sound by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to locate and select between different types of foods Introduction The foraging habits of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; hereafter deer) have been extensively researched. Studies have evaluated seasonal influence as well as other environmental influences on forage selection by deer (Moen 1981, Rogers et al. 1981, McCullough 1985, and others). However, no such research has ever tested to determine what senses deer use to locate and select between different food types or the relative importance of each sense involved in that process. We are missing much of the basic knowledge of physiology and anatomy related to the sensory capabilities of deer (D’Angelo et al. 2006). Information from this type of research is becoming increasingly important to wildlife biologists, as they can use it to improve other forage selection studies aimed at reducing crop depredation or other wildlife damage. So little is known about the role of sight, smell, and sound in deer ability to locate and select between forage types, therefore quantitative in formation in this area of research needs further attention (Sayre et al. 1992). By understanding the importance of each sense in the location and selection of different food types by deer, new studies can be set up that focus on the most important sense, while also considering what effects the other senses have on their behavior. As