Response of White-tailed Deer to snowmobiles and snowmobile trails in Maine

During three winters of [1972][1973][1974][1975] in Somerset County, Maine, we studied White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of a 17-km snowmobile trail system. Use was significantly correlated with deer density (as determined by pellet group counts) and with winter severity. Temperature, wind, snowfall, and deer sinking depth in snow was used as the winter-severity index. Most deer followed snowmobile trails for short distances and used them near major bedding areas. Disturbance of deer by snowmobiles did not cause them to abandon preferred bedding and feeding sites. Sinking depth of deer on snowmobile trails was significantly less than off trails and was inversely correlated with hardness of snowmobile trails. They traveled and fed along 9.1 km of snowmobile trails made in openings adjacent to existing concentration areas. Deer were induced to move up to 1.9 km by use of snowmobile trails, cedar foliage, and chain-saw noise. Deer ran from snowmobiles or stayed in place; the response varied between winters, within winters, with time of day, cover type, proximity to deer trails, snow depth, and deer sinking depth in snow but not with temperature or deer group size. Deer management could be enhanced by use of snowmobiles.