Seasonal migration pattern and home range of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in an altitudinal gradient in southern Norway

Abstract Seasonal migration pattern and home range of radio‐collared roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ) were studied in Lier, Norway, an area with a steep altitudinal gradient and a low population density of deer. Roe deer conformed to the usual pattern of temperate cervids with migration to low elevations during winter. Summer home‐range size increased with increasing altitude, and only a small proportion of individuals had home ranges at high altitudes. It is concluded that these high elevation areas were probably of low quality. Time of spring migration was later in deer with a high elevation summer range. A lower frequency of females (30.0%) than males (61.5%) was stationary, and more females (30.0%) than males (0%) were long distance migrators (> 10 km). This supports an earlier hypothesis that migration patterns of roe deer are also influenced by social factors.