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AUTHOR(S):
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G. Jean Doucet - doucet.jean.2@hydro.qc.ca
TransÉnergie
Montréal, QC, Canada
Eric R. Thompson
E. R. Thompson and Associates Inc.
Île Perrot, QC, Canada
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The Rigaud
white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) winter yard is located approximately 100
km west of Montreal, QC. The forest stands attractive for deer in the yard
are those provided by white cedars (Thuja occidentalis), an excellent
cover for wintering deer in the northeast. Two powerline rights-of-way (120
and 735 kV) bisect cedar stands in the southwest section of the yard. In
January 1998 the 120 kV powerline collapsed due to a major ice storm, which
deposited more than 50 mm of ice on the structures. The line was rebuilt in
the summer and fall of 1998. During and after the reconstruction period we
monitored the fate of winter browse in the right-of-way. The objectives of
the paper are to discuss the implications of the reconstruction of the 120 kV
powerline for deer browse production and to present the 1999 and 2000 browse
survey results. In the spring of 1999 it was obvious that no food was yet
available to deer in the right-of-way. The 2000 spring survey established the
available browse at 16,644 stems/ha and 35,196 twigs/ha. The rate of browsing
by deer was 81.0%, which is similar to that of previous winters in that right-of-way.
Keywords: Deer browse, monitoring, ice storm, reconstruction,
right-of-way
Ref#: 6-10
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