Comparison of the attractiveness of five baits in sika deer (Cervus nippon) and wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Abstract

 We compared the attractiveness of five baits (mineral salt, corn, hay cube, rice bran, and Japanese cedar cutting seedling) to sika deer (Cervus nippon) and wild boar (Sus scrofa). We conducted four feeding experiments using camera traps from August 16 to November 19, 2017. To evaluate the attractiveness of the five baits, we counted the number of animals photographed per hour for each bait. We then evaluated the appearance patterns of deer and boar to feeding sites and clarified the influence of the appearance of each mammal on other mammal. Deer strongly preferred mineral salt (P < 0.001), while boar preferred rice bran (P < 0.01). In addition, deer and boar showed similar appearance patterns. To capture only deer, mineral salt would be the most effective bait.