Seasonal elevational movements of sika deer on Mt. Goyo, northern Japan

• Published in: Mammal study Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 107 - 114
• Main Authors: Takatsuki, Seiki, Suzuki, Kazuo, Higashi, Hideo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo BioOne 01.01.2000
• Subjects: Cervus nippon; Deer
• ISSN: 1343-4152; 1348-6160
• DOI: 10.3106/mammalstudy.25.107

In order to observe seasonal movements of sika deer, Cervus nippon, on Mt. Goyo in northern Honshu, the main island of Japan, 18 deer were radio-equipped and their locations were monitored from October 1989 through January 1992. Four deer showed elevational movements (migratory type) and 5 deer stayed in the lower areas (sedentary type), but the movements of 9 other deer were unclear. The migratory type ascended to the higher areas in summer and descended to the foothills in winter, presumably to avoid snow. For a typical migratory deer, the difference between the highest and lowest elevations used was about 620 m, while it was only 230 m for a typical sedentary deer. High density deer populations in the foothills wintering range contained a mixture of the migratory and the sedentary types.