Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify annual changes and seasonal differences in sika deer population density in the Tanzawa mountains. We investigated population density via the block-count method in spring and winter from December, 1998 to April, 2007. In the study area, artificial feeding was carried out in winter 2001.
Population density did not appear to change in winter and spring. On the other hand, spring population density was lower than that of winter in non-artificial feeding periods.
Population density did not decrease even when food condition was poor in the study area. This is probably due to the deer using new foods like fallen leaves, and a lack of heavy snowfall.
The reason for the population density depression in spring may be the migration of the deer from the wildlife protection area to the game area in the non-hunting season, and higher mortality in winter.
