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vol. 1, nr. 3 (2003)
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Carcass weight of bull deers (Cervus elaphus L.) in the Lubelszczyzna region
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Roman Dziedzic, Marian Flis, Mariusz Wójcik, Mariusz Wójcik
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Department of Ecology and Game Animals Breeding, University of Agriculture, Akademicka str.13, 20-950 Lublin |
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vol. 1 (2003), nr. 3,
pp. 417-425
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abstract:
The estimation included carcass weight of 404 bull deers obtained over the hunting seasons 1992/93-1996/97 in the Lubelszczyzna region. The analyses were made regarding animal age, obtainment site and a period of the hunting season. The animal age was established considering a wearing out degree of the animal's teeth set and this method is widely used in the game practices. In the Lubelszczyzna area there are distinguished four districts of different soil quality, soil moisture and plant cover. A hunting season that lasts from 20thAugust to the end of February was divided into six periods subject to differentiated trophic conditions and estrus occurance. In the individual life carcass weight increased from 83kg at animals aged 2 years, the peak being recorded at the age of 13 and reached the maximal value 215 kg. Afterwards a decrease of carcass weight was observed. The highest weight gains were reported between 2nd and 4th year of life. The carcass weight of the bull deers aged 2 and 3 years was equal in all the districts, whereas at other age groups the animals from the Polesie district were heavier by 2-40 kg. Despite serious disproportions noted in a group of 11-13 years` bulls due to low numbers and high variation, the differences proved to be statistically insignificant. In the period from August to February the carcass weight of 2 and 3 years old bulls was stabile, in other age groups however, a weight increase depended on animal age. At the final period (21.01-28.02), compared to the first one (20.08-10.09), the bull deers aged 11-15 years lost 39% of carcass weight, whereas those 6-10 years old - 24% and in 4-5 year of life - 9%.
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keywords:
bull deers, carcass weight, age, hunting season
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original in:
Polish
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