Effect of age on body weight at trophy value of antlers in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.)

Abstract

Taking into account the entire game resources, the roe deer is the most representative big game in Serbia. Roe deer hunting represents a significant offer in hunting tourism in our country. Determining the impact of age and body mass on the trophy value of antlers was carried out on the shot roe deer in Homolje. The shot deer were observed during three hunting seasons 2006-07, 2007-08 and 2008-09 in the courts of the Hunting Association Jovan Serbanovic in Zagubica. The total of 66 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) was shot as follows: 16 in the first season, 23 in the second and 27 in the third. Each specimen was measured after evisceration in order to determine the mass of the body, then age was determined and according to the Rules for the evaluation, the trophy value of antlers was evaluated. The data from three hunting seasons were statistically analysed by calculating the correlation coefficient and t-test. The effect of age and body mass on the trophy value of antlers was analysed. Based on the mathematical and statistical analysis of the data on the body mass and age of shot roe deer during the analysed period, we can conclude that body mass did not affect the quality of antlers in roe deer, whereas age had a statistically significant effect at the time of shooting.

Keywords

• roe deer
• antlers
• age
• body mass
• trophy value