There are 12 fundamental causes of mortality and morbidity: anomalies, stress, trauma, suffocation, neoplastic diseases, toxicologic diseases, nutritional diseases, viral and rickettsial diseases, bacterial diseases, mycotic diseases, parasitic diseases, and senility.  Table 10 contains a summary of nonseasonal deer mortalities.

 

The reported nonseasonal mortalities in Tables 10 increased six percent from 25,597 in 2001 to 27,069 in 2002.  Deer killed on crop damage permits increased in DNR Districts 2,4, and 6. Overall, deer killed through the crop damage permit system increased 33% in 2002.  Reported road kill (auto) mortalities increased in 2002 in DNR Districts 4, 5, and 6.  DNR Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 reported changes of -17%, -2%, -11%, +6%, +9%, and +12%, respectively.  Overall, roadkill mortalities decreased two percent in 2002.

 

The occurrence of reported deer vehicle collisions varies significantly through the year.  Drivers should be especially aware of deer movements along roadways in the fall and again in late spring and early summer (see graph).

Written by James M. Crum

Click On Link Below For PDF Version of Table 10.

Table 10. Nonseasonal White Tailed Deer Mortalities In West Virginia, 1978-2002.
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