Sampling and genetic analysis
We collected 300 non-invasive white-tailed deer fecal samples in 2016
and 401 samples in 2017 during two (2016) and five (2017) sampling
occasions (Table 1). Samples were found on 72% (2016) and 79% (2017)
of the 92 sampling plots.
In total, 32% of the samples were successfully genotyped to the level
permitting individual assignment (11 to 14 loci) in both years. Genetic
summary statistics with per locus and mean values are presented in
Supplementary Table S1. We identified 38 different white-tailed deer
individuals (26 females and 12 males) in 2016 and 66 individuals (41
females and 25 males) in 2017. In total 17 (14 females and 3 males) of
the individuals captured in 2017 were also present in the 2016 data set.
In 2016, samples of identified individuals were found on 43% of the
plots and in 2017 in 51% of the plots. In 2016, we recaptured 50% of
the individuals one to four times and in 2017, 44% of the individuals
one to six times (Table 1). In 2016, only 17% of the genotyped males
were recaptured, whereas 65% of the genotyped females were recaptured
(Table 1). In 2017, 40% of the genotyped males and 46% of the females
were recaptured.