COMPARISON OF IMMOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR WHITE-TAILED DEER

Safe and effective immobilization techniques for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are valuable tools for researchers and managers. The use of chemical immobilization agents is common to immobilize white-tailed deer, however, effects of immobilization are rarely monitored past the active immobilization period. Conducted electrical weapons (CEWs) have been used to immobilize other wildlife, but no research has been published on the use of CEWs on white-tailed deer. I tested immobilization efficacy of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM), nalbuphine-medetomidine-azaperone (NalMed-A), and CEWs for immobilizing white-tailed deer by collecting physiological metrics, behavioral observations, feed measurements, and fecal samples pre-, post, and during immobilizations.