Winter habitat of white-tailed deer at Thirty-one Mile Lake, Quebec

A study of the winter habitat preferences of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis) was conducted at the northern limit of the deer range in Quebec. Rates of use of various forest cover types, stand structures, topographical features, and browse species were estimated in a 50-square-mile deer wintering area. Intolerant mixedwoods appeared to be most important cover types for both browse production and occupancy by deer. White spruce (Picea glauca), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) were selected as shelter trees. Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) and mountain maple (Acer spicatum) supplied more than 50% of the winter food. Deer appeared to prefer stands offering dense clusters of mature conifers for bedding down, surrounded by brushy openings. These preferences appeared stronger as winter progressed and snow depths increased.