Field signs of Sika Deer Cervus nippon in summer in Shikaribetsu district, Hokkaido

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  • エゾシカの然別地方における夏季の行動跡
  • エゾシカ ノ シカリベツ チホウ ニ オケル カキ ノ コウドウ アト

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Abstract

The field signs of Sika Deer Cervus nippon were surveyed in July, September, and October 1989, on the northern slope and at the foot of Mt. East-Nupukaushi, Shikaribetsu district, Hokkaido. Deer trails seemed to follow regular courses, along the U shape or V shape valley, crossing the narrow lowest ridge between Mt. Nupukaushi and Mt. Hakun, and from there radiating down in all directions to the lower slopes of the mountain. The diet of deer in this area consists of herbs, grasses, and leaves of shrubs and young trees. Seven species of herbs, and the leaves of 31 species of broad-leaved tree were recorded as being eaten. Coniferous tree needles were not eaten. Although grasses such as Calamagrostis spp. were widely distributed throughout the area, deer seem only to graze on them around their resting places. One factor leading to deer immigration into this area in summer, is that various kinds of shrubs and low, broad-leaved trees, which deer favour as food, were widely distributed in the valley. Damage caused by antler scraping was found commonly on the trunks of small Todo Fir (Abies sachalinensis) up to 10 cm in diameter of breast height, but only rarely on the trunks of Ezo Spruce (Picea glehnii). One reason for this difference is thought to be because the spruce produces many twigs below the height of a deer's head, while the fir has few low twigs to hinder deer approaching the trunks.

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