White-Tailed Deer Forage Nutrient Quality Under Varied Fire Frequencies in East Texas

Prescribed fire is a common habitat management tool for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimm.) that can influence browse quantity and quality. We tested effects of time since burn and number of burns within a decade on browse forage productivity in forested stands in the Pineywoods ecoregion of Texas. We utilized 46 plots on sites managed by the United States Forest Service National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, The Nature Conservancy, and a private landowner. Preferred browse forage species were sampled and analyzed for nutrient content, and years since last prescribed burn and the number of burns within the last 10 years were compared. Deer had strong preferences for plants with greater crude protein, magnesium, and potassium. Crude protein and net energy for maintenance were generally greater with a more frequent burn regime. Different nutrients peaked at different burn intervals. Frequent fires resulted in higher crude protein (x¯ = 14.0%) than infrequently burned sites. At four burns per decade, net maintenance energy was highest (x¯ = 0.6 Mcal Kg−1). Linear regression models only explained between 28% and 41% of utilization, although some preferences for some nutrients, such as crude protein and magnesium, were detected. To improve the nutritional carrying capacity for white-tailed deer, long-term management regimes should incorporate site-specific burn plans that include fire frequency. Timing and burn frequency are critical to achieving optimum results that improve browse forage availability, quality, and utilization.