djell
Revisé Par: Gaston Lemay, biologis e, Chef de district.
Bas St-Laurent-Gaspésie.
Ministère du Tourisme, de la Chasse et de la Pêche
yvice de la Faune
PRELIMINARY—REPORT ON THE DEER GAME
CHECKING STATIONS IN ZONE D
1973
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Par: Stan Georges, biologiste, Bas St-Laurent - Gaspésie.
Rimouski, le 28 janvier 1974.
PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE DEER GAME CHECKING STATIONS IN ZONE D
1973
Introduction:
Two game check stations were operated in Zone D during the deer hunting season this year. One station, similar to last year was located in the town of New Richmond, while another additional itinerant station travel- led in the Baie des Chaleurs region between Matapedia and Gaspé. Information collected this year was limited to that required for the "Fiche de Gros Gibier"
and measurements of the physical condition of the deer. Biological data inclu- ded:
1) The sex of the animal.
2) The weight (New Richmond station only).
3) The length of the hind leg.
4) The circumference of the antler beam as well as the nimber of points in the antler set.
5) Evidence of lactation (female adults).
6) The age of the animal. Incisor teeth were taken from all deer whenever possible. The ages of the deer were to be determined later by the cementum layer method. At , the stations, the dis- tinction was noted only between fawns, yearlings and older adult deer.
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General Results:
A total of 149 deer were registered by the two game check stations in zone D this year. Of this total 89 deer were checked at New Richmond and 60 by the itinerant station. This sampling represents 42.6% percent of the total harvest of 350 deer taken in this zone this year.
In comparison during the 1972 hunting season 111 deer were registered at the game check station out of a total of 588 deer shot that year (19.9% of the harvest).
The yearts harvest of deer in zone D is notably lower than the 1972 total. This reduction is attributed mainly to the reliati- vely poor hunting weather conditions experienced in the region this year rather than an indication of a diminishing deer population. Three conse- cutive days of rain and four days of strong winds were recorded during this hunting season. Also, no appreciable amount of snow fall occuried in the region until after the closure of the season.
The results this year are presented in two sections. In order to facilitate the comparison with last years hunting results which were taken only in the New Richmond area, the data from deer taken in this area this year are first treated seperately. All data, including those from New Richmond are then presented collectively for Zone D.
Biological.results:
Although the results for the various age classes are not availAble at this time, the following points are still evident.
1) The percentage of fawns in the total harvest is greater this year.
2) The average weights of fawns and yearlings has increased.
3) The average circumference of the antler beem of yearling males has increased.
4) There is no incidence of "spikehorner in the age class 03 this year.
These results reveal that both the survival rate and the physical development of the deer in the region has improved from last year.
Rapport des sexes
New—Richmond
Adultes: 84 M : 100 F
Jeunes : 146 M : 100 F Adultes et Jeunes: 102 : 100 F
TOTAL ( ZONE p )
Adultes: 129 M : 100 F
Jéunes : 160 M : 100 F
Adultes et Jeunes : 136 M : 100 F
Répartition des âges et sexes des chevreuils enregistrés dans la région de New-Richmond (1973)
Classe d'âge Mâles Femelles Total
01 19 13 32 35.9
02 6 6 12 13.5'
03 04 05
06 20 25 45 50.6
07 08 09
Total: 45 44 89 100.0
Répartition des âges et sexes des chevreuils enregistrés dans la Zone D - 1973
Classe d'âge Mâles Femelles Total
01 29 18 47 31.5
02 9 9 18 12.1
03 04 05
06 48 36 84 56.4
07 08 09
••••••
Total:- 86 63 149 100.07
