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In the early years of UP Whitetails Association, starting in 1989, an aggressive wildlife project was initiated through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE). It was to be history setting in more ways than ever considered and stands today as a science model in understanding the true migratory patterns of the whitetail deer across the Upper Peninsula.

It was the single most detailed study ever done with a very strong return on data not seen prior.

With all the present concern over predation, there is plenty of speculation as to what is happening by what source, with wolves remaining in the forefront.

There is another study to differentiate just what is happening to deer regarding predation that will provide, perhaps as importantly to what was learned through UP Whitetails, so that wildlife managers can consider policies for control based on real numbers.

The Predator, Prey, Habitat Study regarding fawn deer recruitment is in the third year of it first phase. After the third year is completed, the working company of wildlife biologists made up of students through Mississippi State University in cooperation with the MDNRE, will move onto the second phase, and after that the third and final stanza. The project is sponsored by the MDNE, Safari Club International and the Safari Club International - Michigan Involvement Committee.

The purpose of the research is to see and compare statistical data from the three snowfall zones in the UP. It will also compare habitat and environmental conditions in the different regions to see what role they play in the survival of fawns.

The big thrust of the study is on predators and while the high profile wolf has been fingered as the primary culprit, the mix of other wildlife that includes the black bear, coyotes, bobcat and others has never been clearly defined. Anyone with woods experience has most likely found evidence of wildlife predation and further learned to understand the source based on what is left behind.

Some of the numbers listed within the September 14^th Progress Report issued through Mississippi State are revealing numbers that project a constant, making it possible to eventually determine patterns.

It has been believed that almost 50% of all fawns die in their first year from either the elements/environment or predation. A lot has to do with the condition of the doe that delivered it in the first place.

If the doe has a rough winter experience, causing undue physical stress, the fawn’s chances of survival are limited. It is susceptible to the elements and may even be abandoned given its failure to thrive. The bleating calls for the doe is also a dinner bell for predators, enhancing the chances it will perish.

It is further theorized that another 50% of those that do survive will die in the next winter, unable to handle the stressors that again include environment and predation.

So it is possible that we only see an average of 25% survival of fawns on to maturity in the wild. It is here that the study will perhaps differentiate what the primary source of mortality is in those 75% of fawns that don’t make it to maturity.

In 2009 57 whitetail deer were captured (43 females, 14 males) utilizing clover traps and cannon nets. 27 pregnant females captured were outfitted with radio collars and devises that would trigger and send a signal once the fawns were born.

As of the end of this August, 14 radio collared 2010 fawn (4 females, 10 males) mortalities occurred, 11 (78.6%) were predations.

In comparison from the results in 2009, 31 radio collared fawns (14 females, 15 males and 2 unknowns) mortalities occurred (22 predations ), representing 37% annual survival.

While it is not clear as to what physical condition the fawns lost from predation were in when death occurred, samples of the habitat in the areas they were found have also been collected to determine what role it may have played in the outcome.

The mix of predators is also being analyzed with 15 black bear (5 females, 10 males), 3 bobcats (2 female, one male), 11 coyotes (6 females, 5 males), and 3 wolves (2 female, 1 male) were captured and immobilized during spring and summer and fitted with GPS or VHF collars and all within the study area.

In all 555 cluster (immediate home range) found locations that includes 203 black bear, 121 bobcat, 136 coyote and 95 wolf, and 408 non-cluster (broad range) found locations that includes 128 black bear, 77 bobcat, 120 coyote and 83 wolves, were investigated to determine potential predation locations.

It is but part of the overall sample of what is being done and in time and with year to year comparison, will paint a picture of the most likely trend over varying years to determine what the direct impact of each predator species is, and what numbers will be necessary to help bring some type of balance back to all wildlife.

It is from here we can rest assured these species, like the soon to be delisted wolves, can remain as part of our natural resources landscape but now at an acceptable managed level.