BODY AND REPRODUCTIVE CONDITIONS OF RED DEER YOUNG HINDS (CERVUS ELAPHUS L.) IN THE HUNTING GROUND PODUNAVLJE-PODRAVLJE (BARANJA REGION, CROATIA)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine inter-relation between body and reproductive conditions of young hinds of red deer living in the environmental conditions of wetland habitats. The research was carried out during the five hunting years: 2004/05 – 2008/09, on 62 young hinds in the hunting ground XIV/9 Podunavlje - Podravlje, situated in Baranja region of the eastern Croatia. Net body weight and presence of foetus in the womb were determined after the game culling. The highest net body weight was achieved during 2007/08 and 2008/09. Statistical significance (P<0.05) was confirmed in relation between years 2007/08 and 2005/06 and 2006/07. Mean net body weight of the pregnant young hinds is indicatively higher than of the non-pregnant hinds. Correlation between net body weight and fertilization is statistically significant (pregnant 66.13 kg; non-pregnant 50.71 kg). Favourable climatic and hydrological conditions during the hunting years 2007/08 and 2008/09 resulted in the above average body development of calves and young hinds, which is the requisite for reproductive conditions improvement in females and trophy potential in males.

Keywords

• red deer
• hind
• body weight
• reproduction
• habitat