Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of female sika deer in eastern Hokkaido, Japan

Survival and cause-specific mortality rates of female sika deer (Cervus nippon) were studied using radio telemetry in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. We captured and radio-collared 18 female deer, and monitored their survival from April 1993 to May 1996. Estimated annual survival rate for adult females was 0.779 (95% confidence interval was 0.609-0.997). The harvest mortality rate of adult females was higher than the natural mortality rate. Experimental female hunting during 1994-1996 contributed to an increase in the mortality rate for females and was useful in the control of the sika deer population.