U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Department of the Interior

Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks

at Point Reyes National Seashore, California

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5149

USGS Western Ecological Research Center, Point Reyes National Seashore
Inside front cover.
Sacramento, California

2006

Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at 

Point Reyes National Seashore, California 

By Gary M. Fellers and Michael Osbourn

Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5149
U.S. Department of the Interior

Dirk Kempthorne, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

P. Patrick Leahy, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2006

For product and ordering information:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

For more information on the USGS--the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, 

natural hazards, and the environment:

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Fellers, G.M. and Osbourn, Michael, 2006, Distribution and abundance of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes 

National Seashore, California: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006–5149, 19 p.
Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Study Areas........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Methods.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Delineating Leks........................................................................................................................................................ 5

Measuring Rutting Pits ............................................................................................................................................ 5

Vegetation Condition................................................................................................................................................ 5

Photo documentation............................................................................................................................................... 6

Mapping ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Results ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6

Leks and Rutting Pits................................................................................................................................................ 6

Vegetation Condition................................................................................................................................................ 7

Riparian Impacts....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Vegetation and Soil Condition Scores................................................................................................................... 7

Photograph documentation .................................................................................................................................... 9

Discussion........................................................................................................................................................................ 10

Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................................................... 10

References....................................................................................................................................................................... 11

Appendix........................................................................................................................................................................... 12

Figures

1. Distribution of high and medium/low density areas for fallow deer at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California ................................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Fallow deer lek sites in the Olema Valley study area, Point Reyes National Seashore, California ................ 3

3. Fallow deer lek sites in the Estero trailhead study area, Point Reyes National Seashore, California ........... 4

4. Typical location for a fallow deer rutting pit, at the interface between a tree and the adjacent grassland or 

the edge of the low-hanging canopy, Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California ..........................9 

5. Rutting pit and bare ground associated with a fallow deer lek in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National 

Seashore, California..............................................................................................................................................................9

6. Rutting pit and bare ground associated with a fallow deer lek in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National 

Seashore, California..............................................................................................................................................................9

7. Broken willow branches at a fallow deer lek in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.....10

8. Fallow deer buck with vegetation caught in his antlers, Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California ...............................................................................................................................................................................10

Tables

 1. Codes used to evaluate ground surface disturbance, vegetation cover, tree damage, and root 

exposure at fallow deer leks in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California ................. 6

 2. Number of fallow deer leks and rutting pits in two study areas at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California ................................................................................................................................................................... 7

 3. Vegetation damage at fallow deer lek sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, California.......................... 8

 4. Vegetation data from randomly selected fallow deer leks in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National 

Seashore, California................................................................................................................................................ 8

A1. Locations of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California................................................. 12

A2. Description of leks and associated ground and vegetation damage at the two study sites at 

Point Reyes National Seashore, California ....................................................................................................... 16

iii
Abbreviations

cm, centimeter

ESRI, Environmental Systems Research Institute

GIS, Geographic Information System

ha, hectare

km, kilometer

m, meter

m2, square meter

PDA, Personal Digital Assistant

UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator 

iv Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Introduction 

Only two species of ungulates (hoofed mammals) are 

native to Marin County, tule elk (Cervis elaphus nannodes) 

and Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus 

columbianus). In the 1940s, European fallow deer (Dama 

dama) obtained from the San Francisco Zoo were released at 

Point Reyes. When Point Reyes National Seashore was established in 1962, fallow deer were well established within the 

boundaries of the National Seashore. The fallow deer population was estimated to be 500 in 1973 (Wehausen, 1973) and 

that number increased to 860 by 2005 (National Park Service, 

unpub. data).

Fallow deer have an unusual mating system. During the 

fall mating season (or rut), male fallow deer establish areas 

known as leks where they display to potential mates (Hirth, 

1997). This behavior is unique among deer and elk, but it is 

similar to breeding systems used by grouse and a few other 

birds and mammals. Formation of leks in ungulates decreases 

the number of aggressive encounters in which dominant males 

are involved when the local male density becomes too high, 

because the spatial stability of territories in leks reduces the 

number of aggressive encounters between males (Hovi and 

others, 1996; Pélabon and others, 1999).

A fallow deer lek is typically an area of about 

100–150 m2 and typically includes two to five males. Using 

their hooves and antlers, each male clears away most or all of 

the vegetation and digs a rutting pit that he defends throughout 

the breeding season.

Stenström and others (2000) described rutting pits in a 

Swedish population of fallow deer:“Pits are large patches of 

bare soil found at the center of mating stands where most of 

the rutting activities take place. . . . Scrapes are small patches 

of bare soil found throughout the areas of deer activity. Only 

bucks showed any interest in scrapes. Within a 10 day period 

half the scrapes were rescraped at least once. Larger scrapes 

were more frequently rescraped than smaller ones. Frayings, 

i.e., removal of bark and subsequent scent marking on bushes 

and small trees close to scrapes, also had a positive effect on 

the frequency of rescraping. . . . fallow deer bucks in our study 

do not seem to mark territorial boundaries, rather the intensity 

of markings tends to decrease with distance from the rutting 

pit suggesting that scraping may instead be used in male status 

signaling.”

Establishing and defending a rutting pit is energetically 

expensive. Apollonio and others (1989) concluded that: “Body 

condition appears to be an important determinant of male 

copulatory success, because only males in superior condition 

could defend a lek territory for up to two weeks. Males do not 

feed while defending lek territories. Foraging ability during 

the year probably determines condition at the onset of the rut. 

Females appear to choose mates at least partially on the basis 

of location, preferring males located near traditional routes. 

Females may ultimately select mates in the best body 

condition.”

In the fall of 2005, we initiated a study of the leks in two 

study sites at Point Reyes National Seashore. The goal of this 

work was to determine the distribution and size of fallow deer 

leks, and to evaluate the impact of both the leks and the 

associated rutting pits on the soil and vegetation.

Study Areas

Our study was conducted in two areas of Point Reyes 

National Seashore, the northern portion of the Olema Valley 

and an area around the Estero trailhead (fig. 1). The two study 

areas were selected to represent areas of high fallow deer 

density, and medium density.

The Olema Valley was selected because it was typical of 

areas within the Seashore that have a high density of fallow 

deer, based on combined aerial and ground counts conducted 

in January 2001 (Gates, 2001). Initially, we intended to survey 

the entire high density area, but it quickly became obvious that 

the number of leks and the time required to document each lek 

site would preclude a complete survey. Hence we restricted 

our work to an area that was bounded by features that were 

readily discernable in the field (e.g., Olema Creek, Bear Valley Road, fence lines). The areas surveyed included Divide 

Meadow, Bear Valley, and portions of the pasture and riparian 

habitat along Olema Creek. The Olema Valley study area was 

147.2 ha (363.7 acres) in size (fig. 2). The predominant vegetation was coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) and California bay 

(Umbellularia californica) woodlands; red alder (Alnus rubra) 

and willow (Salix sp.) riparian zones; and grassy meadows and 

pastures.

Once field work was completed in the Olema Valley, 

a similar size area was delineated near the Estero trailhead 

for surveys in the moderate density area. As with the Olema 

Valley study area, the Estero trailhead area was defined by 

using a combination of fence lines, roads, and natural features. 

The Estero trailhead area was selected as representative of 

an area with low-to-moderate densities of fallow deer (Gates, 

2001). The Estero study area was 151.6 ha (374.6 acres) in 

size (fig. 3), roughly equal to the Olema Valley study area. The 

primary vegetation was coastal scrub dominated by coyote 

Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at 

Point Reyes National Seashore, California

By Gary M. Fellers and Michael Osbourn
38 10

123 122 50 122

38

2 0 2 4 MILES

Point Reyes National Seashore

Lek Locations

High Density

Low and Medium Density

Plot date: May 12, 2006 s:\gis\projects1\exotic deer arcview projects\lek_sampling2.apr

Fallow Deer Range

1 0 3 KILOMETERS

C A L I F O R N I A

Figure 1. Distribution of high and medium/low density areas for fallow deer at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California. Triangle symbols (see figures 2 and 3) mark the location of leks within the Olema Valley and Estero trailhead study areas.

2 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
122 48

38 3

Hwy 1

Hwy 1

Olema

Sir Francis Drake

Point Reyes

National Seashore

Major Roads

Lek Locations

Point Reyes National Seashore

Lek Survey Area

M A P L O C A T I O N

0.5 5 0.5 MILES

0.4 0 1.0 KILOMETERS

Figure 2. Fallow deer lek sites in the Olema Valley study area, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Study Areas 3
Pacific Ocean

122 55

30 5

Point Reyes

National Seashore

Major Roads M A P L O C A T I O N

0.5 5 0.5 MILES

0.4 0 1.0 KILOMETERS

Lek Locations

Point Reyes National Seashore

Lek Survey Area

Figure 3. Fallow deer lek sites in the Estero trailhead study area, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

4 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
brush (Baccharis pilularis), riparian zones with red alder, and 

pasture grasslands.

Methods

Leks were located by conducting visual surveys for 

fallow deer during, and shortly after, the fall lekking season 

(Oct. 3–Dec. 6, 2005). A total of 202 hours were spent conducting surveys. Fallow deer surveys were carried out at dawn 

from hilltop vantage points. Treelines and grasslands were 

scanned with binoculars to locate congregations of fallow 

deer, damaged vegetation, or bare ground. These areas were 

subsequently investigated to determine whether or not a lek 

was present. By repeatedly surveying the entire study area, we 

were confident that few, if any, leks were overlooked.

Leks were documented by noting the predominant 

vegetation, recording the condition of the soil and vegetation, 

measuring the length and width of the lek, and measuring each 

individual rutting pit. Leks and rutting pits were photographed, 

and data were recorded with a PDA (Personal Digital 

Assistant) for later input into a Microsoft Access database.

Delineating Leks

Only areas with disturbed ground or rutting pits were 

recorded as leks. Pits ranged from shallow depressions where 

the vegetation had been scraped away to trenches over 50 cm 

deep. Areas that showed only vegetation damage and lacked 

ground disturbance were not scored as leks. Areas with obvious cattle impacts or sites with no discernable deer signs (hoof 

prints, feces, urine stains, antler scrapes, or deer present) were 

not counted as leks, resulting in a conservative estimate of lek 

density.

Leks tended to be concentrated linearly along the 

treelines at margins of fields. Since many of these areas had 

a nearly continuous band of disturbance, it was difficult to 

define individual leks. We marked the end of a lek when there 

was at least 20 m of undamaged ground between lek areas. 

The length and width of the disturbed ground was measured 

with a digital range finder (Bushnell Yardage Pro). These 

measurements were used to calculate the area for each lek.

Measuring Rutting Pits

Within a lek, fallow deer bucks excavate numerous rutting pits. The length and width of each pit was measured with 

a fiberglass tape. Pit depth was measured with a ruler. These 

measurements were used to determine the total area of 

excavated ground and the depth of the pits.

Vegetation Condition

In addition to recording the predominant vegetation 

associated with each lek site, vegetation condition was evaluated. Disturbed ground, damaged foliage, damaged bark, 

and exposed roots were all noted. Disturbed ground occurred 

where the herbaceous cover had been scraped away, resulting in bare soil or excavated rutting pits. Damaged foliage 

included leaves, twigs, or branches that had been shredded or 

broken. Damaged bark was noted where fallow deer had used 

their antlers to break, tear, or scrape off the bark of trees or 

shrubs. Exposed roots were found in some of the deeper pits 

where the roots of trees were damaged and exposed to the air.

Damaged vegetation that was not closely associated with 

a lek was ignored, even though it might have been caused by 

fallow deer. Native black-tailed deer will feed on buds, twigs, 

sprouts, leaves, fruit, and flowers of woody plants. We never 

observed these deer in or around fallow deer leks, probably 

because fallow deer tend to be behaviorally dominant. Beef 

cattle were present in all of the Estero trailhead study area and 

part of the Olema Valley study area. While cattle will sometimes rub on vegetation and cause discernable vegetation damage, we did not observe this behavior at fallow deer lek sites. 

Additionally, most of the vegetation damage we observed was 

in riparian areas where cattle had been excluded by fencing.

During our initial surveys, we did not quantify vegetation 

condition at each lek, so we revisited 22 randomly selected 

leks in the Olema Valley to record the condition of both the 

soil and vegetation in more detail. We used a scoring system 

(Cole 1989a, 1989b) to evaluate the impacts of fallow deer 

(table 1). At each lek site, we scored ground surface disturbance, percent vegetative cover, damage to live trees, and 

presence of exposed roots. No attempt was made to quantify 

damage to individual trees or to assess likelihood of tree death 

resulting from the lek damage.

Methods 5
Surface disturbance

0 No surface disturbance

1 Little disturbance to ground cover, whether cover is vegetation or litter

2 Noticeable disturbance to litter or vegetation

3 Moderate disturbance and bare ground

4 Ground surface highly disturbed, extensive areas of bare ground

Vegetation cover

1 50–100 percent

2 15–50 percent

3 5–15 percent

4 0–5 percent

Live tree damage

0 No tree damage

1 A few small broken branches

2 Several broken branches and/or scraping of bark

3 Extensive bark gouging or scraping; broken branches may be present

Root exposure

0 No exposed roots seen

1 One to two roots are up to 10 percent exposed (in cross–section) for <1 m

2 Some roots 10–50 percent exposed for up to 1 m

3 Some roots >50 percent exposed and/or exposed 10–50 percent for > 1 m

Table 1. Codes used to evaluate ground surface disturbance, vegetation cover, tree damage, and 

root exposure at fallow deer leks in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Photo Documentation

A digital camera was used to document leks, rutting 

pits, and damaged vegetation. Bucks displaying and actively 

digging or shredding foliage were also photographed, as were 

groups of does. Photographs were also taken of deer feces, 

hoof prints, and urine stains as evidence of deer use.

Mapping

UTM coordinates were recorded using a Garmin XL GPS 

unit. ArcView 3.3 software (ESRI, http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcinfo/index.html) was used to plot lek locations 

and to determine the size of the two study areas.

Results

Leks and Rutting Pits

A total of 159 fallow deer leks were located within the 

298.8 ha (738.3 acres) surveyed at Point Reyes National 

Seashore (table A1, appendix). In the Olema Valley, there were 

116 lek sites compared with 43 leks in the Estero trailhead 

area. The mean dimensions of a lek site were 13 × 7 m with 

an area of 115 m2 (SD = 132). The total area of the leks in 

the Olema Valley was 16,188 m2, while the area at the Estero 

trailhead was 2,136 m2 for a combined total of 18,324 m2

(4.5 acres). This was 0.6 percent of the 298.8 ha surveyed. 

There was a notably higher proportion of the Olema Valley 

study site that was part of a lek, 1.1 percent compared to 0.1 

percent at Estero trailhead. In the Olema Valley, there were 0.8 

leks per ha, while the Estero trailhead area had 0.3 leks per ha 

(table 2).

6 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
A total of 705 rutting pits were found in the two study 

areas, with an average size of 1 × 2 m, and an area of 2.6 m 

(SD = 3.0) for each pit. The mean number of pits per lek was 

5.1 in the Olema Valley and 2.5 for Estero trailhead. The 

total combined area of excavated ground in rutting pits was 

1,821 m2, or 0.6 percent of the total area surveyed. Eighty-five 

percent (598) of pits were found in the Olema Valley study 

area. Though fewer in number, the pits at the Estero trailhead 

study area were larger (3.3 m2) than the pits in Olema Valley 

(2.4 m2).

Vegetation Condition

There was vegetation damage at 110 (69.2 percent) of the 

lek sites (table A2, appendix). Damaged foliage was present 

at 102 (64 percent) of the lek sites. During initial surveys for 

leks, sites were often located by broken live oak or California 

bay branches that were visible from considerable distances. 

Low branches and bark adjacent to rutting pits were often 

heavily damaged. On several occasions, bucks were observed 

thrashing vegetation with their antlers, digging in the rutting 

pits, and displaying at their lek. Bark damage was recorded at 

72 (45 percent) of the leks. Exposed roots were documented 

for 30 (19 percent) of the lek sites. In addition to having nearly 

three times as many leks, the Olema Valley study area had a 

higher percentage of sites with damaged foliage and a higher 

percentage of sites with damaged bark, but the result was not 

statistically significant when using an α = 0.05 for evaluating 

level of significance (X2 = 3.16, df = 2, p = 0.206).

Riparian Impacts

Vegetation damage was greater in riparian areas (compared with non-riparian) for both the damaged foliage and 

damaged bark categories (table 3). In riparian areas, willows 

and alders were the trees most often observed with damage. 

Several alders were completely girdled. Less commonly, there 

were exposed roots, especially in the Estero trailhead area 

(table 3). Overall, there was more damage in riparian areas, 

but the result was not statistically significant (X2 = 5.74, 

df = 2, p = 0.057). A larger sample size would quite likely 

result in a statistically significant difference.

Vegetation and Soil Condition Scores

In our quantitative evaluation of the vegetation and soil 

at 22 random sites, surface disturbance ranged from 0 (no disturbance) to 4 (ground surface highly disturbed with extensive 

areas of bare ground) with a mean score of 1.6 and a median 

of 2 (table 4). The mean score corresponds to a damage level 

between “Little disturbance to ground cover” and “Noticeable disturbance to litter or vegetation.” Both vegetation 

cover and live tree damage had a mean and median score of 

1 (50–100 percent cover, and a few small broken branches). 

There were no roots exposed in the sample plots.

Olema Valley Estero trailhead Combined

Study area size (ha) 147.2 151.6 298.8

Number of leks 116 43 159

Leks per ha 0.8 0.3 0.5

Mean lek area (m2) 140 (±142) 50 (±60) 115 (±132)

Total lek area (m2) 16,188 2,136 18,324

Percent lek area (m2) 1.1 percent 0.1 percent 0.6 percent

Number of rutting pits 598 107 705

Total pit area (m2) 1,463 358 1,821

Percent study area as pits 0.1 percent 0.02 percent 0.6 percent

Mean number pits/lek 5.1 (±5.1) 2.5 (±1.9) 4.4 (±4.6)

Mean pit depth (cm) 10 (±9) 6 (±5) 9 (±9)

Maximum pit depth (cm) 60 15 60

Table 2. Number of fallow deer leks and rutting pits in two study areas at Point Reyes National Seashore, California. 

[Numbers in parentheses are Standard Deviations. cm, centimeter; ha, hectare; m2, square meter]

Results 7
Table 3. Vegetation damage at fallow deer lek sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California. 

[The numbers under each study area are the number of leks in each category; the percents are the proportion 

of leks in that category]

Olema Valley Estero Trailhead Combined

Riparian 17 15 percent 8 19 percent 25 16 percent

Damaged foliage 15 88 percent 7 88 percent 22 88 percent

Damaged bark 14 82 percent 8 100 percent 22 88 percent

Exposed roots 1 6 percent 3 38 percent 4 16 percent

Non-riparian 100 86 percent 34 79 percent 134 84 percent

Damaged foliage 71 71 percent 8 24 percent 79 59 percent

Damaged bark 45 45 percent 6 18 percent 51 38 percent

Exposed roots 20 20 percent 6 18 percent 26 19 percent

Table 4. Vegetation data from randomly selected fallow deer leks in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California. 

[See table 1 for a description of the codes]

Lek Surface 

disturbance

Vegetative 

cover

Live tree 

damage

Root 

exposure Species composition

22 4 2 1 0 Oak, grass, hedge nettle, geranium

25 2 1 0 0 Bay, forget-me-not, nettles, cow parsnip, currant, sword fern

27 0 0 0 0 Oak, blackberry, nettles, Australian fireweed, hazelnut, grass, sedge

29 2 1 2 0 Bay, grass which is mostly purple velvet, oak, coffeeberry

33 2 2 2 0 Oak and littler, bay seedlings, grass, Italian thistle, nettles

34 2 1 2 0 Oak, litter, grass

40 2 1 1 0 Oak, grass, Italian thistle, mustard

42 3 1 1 0 Oak, grass, Italian thistle, mustard

43 0 0 0 0 Not recorded

46 1 1 0 0 Oak, bay, litter, hemlock, grass

52 2 1 1 0 Oak and litter, grass, hemlock

60 0 0 0 0 Oak, grasses

61 3 2 2 0 Oak, with little vegetation under the canopy.

64 2 1 2 0 Oak and oak litter, blackberry, fern, hazelnut, Italian thistle, poison oak

66 0 0 0 0 Oak and litter, grass (mostly Italian rye and purple velvet), bracken fern, 

blackberry

67 0 0 0 0 Oak, forbs (didn’t record what)

82 2 0 1 0 Oak, grass, thistles, radish, poison oak

85 0 0 2 0 Oak, willow, grass, blackberry, poison oak, dock

90 2 1 2 0 Oak, grass, small forbs, blackberry, hemlock, mint, dock

97 1 3 1 0 Oak and oak litter. Nearby are blackberry, some grass.

100 3 2 1 0 Oak, bay, poison oak, blackberry, Italian thistle, hazelnut.

Mean 1.6 (±1.2) 1 1 0

Median 2 1 1 0

8 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Photograph documentation

Typically, leks were found at the edge of a woodland or 

at the edge of the low-hanging part of the canopy of isolated 

trees. Figure 4 shows a large area of bare ground at the edge of 

a coast live oak. Some rutting pits were more than 50 cm deep 

(fig. 5), often surrounded by an even larger area cleared of all 

vegetation. Other leks had only a modest depression and were 

Figure 4. Typical location for a fallow deer rutting pit, at the interface between a tree and the adjacent grassland or the edge of the 

low-hanging canopy, Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California.

identified by the lack of vegetation along with associated fecal 

material, hoof prints, and damage to woody vegetation (fig. 6). 

Rutting pits in close association with bushes and trees were 

often associated with significant damage to the woody vegetation, including broken branches, stripped bark, and sometimes, 

girdled trees (fig. 7). Fallow deer were observed using their 

antlers to clear vegetation, rub the trunk of trees, break limbs, 

and dig pits. Vegetation was sometimes caught in their antlers 

(fig. 8).

Figure 6. Rutting pit and bare ground associated with a fallow deer 

lek in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Figure 5. Rutting pit and bare ground associated with a fallow deer 

lek in the Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Results 9
Discussion

Fallow deer are one of the few mammals that use a lek 

breeding system where males gather in groups and display to 

potential mates. As part of the display, male deer dig rutting 

pits with their hooves and antlers, and scrape bushes and trees 

adjacent to the pits. This results in soil disturbance, loss of 

vegetation, and occasionally damage to the trunks and limbs of 

nearby vegetation. The extent of the impacts was related to the 

density of fallow deer. This density was higher in the Olema 

Valley (Gates, 2001) and lek impacts were greater in that area, 

as would be expected. The Olema Valley had a greater mean 

lek area, total lek area, percentage of total area as leks, mean 

number of rutting pits per lek, percentage of total area as rutting pits, and mean pit depth (table 2). In the Olema Valley 

study area, more than 1 percent of the total land area surveyed 

was impacted by lek damage, with riparian areas being disproportionately affected. For example, in riparian areas of the two 

study areas, there was bark damage at 88 percent of the leks 

and 84 percent of the leks had damaged foliage (table 3).

The primary habitat impact of leks at Point Reyes was 

caused by the digging of rutting pits that resulted in a loss of 

soil and vegetation. At the peak of the rut, pits were commonly 

found in Olema Valley, especially at the woodland/grassland 

interface where fallow deer tend to congregate. The density of 

rutting pits was less in the Estero trailhead study area due to 

the smaller fallow deer population there.

Our research shows that fallow deer are having a measurable impact on the soil and vegetation at Point Reyes. In the 

Olema Valley, there were 0.8 leks per ha, while the Estero 

trailhead area had 0.3 leks per ha (table 2). The total number 

of rutting pits was 705 with a total area of 1,821 m2. Pélabon and others (1999) have shown that the formation of leks 

in ungulates is “a mating tactic that aims at decreasing the 

number of aggressive encounters in which dominant males are 

involved when the local male density becomes too high.” If 

the fallow deer population continues to increase, the number 

of leks, the number of rutting pits, and the associated habitat 

damage will likely increase.

Acknowledgments

Wende Rehlaender conducted the detailed soil and vegetation evaluations and provided those data to us for analysis. 

Patrick Kleeman provided assistance in data management. 

Kan Dhillon assisted with the initial surveys for fallow deer 

leks and with general advice on the location of fallow deer 

within the seashore. Dave Schriokaurer and Amelia Ryan provided GIS mapping assistance. Natalie Gates helped offered 

advice throughout the development and implementation of 

the project. Rick Golightly, Dale McCullough, Kurt Jenkins, 

Patrick Kleeman, and Joan Fellers provided comments on an 

earlier draft of this report. We greatly appreciate the assistance 

of all of the above.

Figure 7. Broken willow branches at a fallow deer lek in the Olema 

Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

Figure 8. Fallow deer buck with vegetation caught in his antlers, 

Olema Valley, Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

10 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
References

Apollonio, Marco, Festa-Bianchet, Marco, and Mari, Franco, 

1989, Correlates of copulatory success in a fallow deer lek: 

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 25, no. 2, p. 89–97.

Cole, D.N., 1989a, Area of Vegetation Loss: A New Index 

of Campsite Impact: U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain 

Research Station, Research Note INT, v. 389, 5 p.

Cole, D.N., 1989b, Wilderness Campsite Monitoring Methods: 

A Sourcebook: U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Research 

Station, General Technical Report INT, v. 259, 60 p.

Gates, Natalie, 2001, Aerial and ground censuses of non-native deer, November 2000 and January 2001, Point Reyes 

National Seashore: National Park Service, unpublished 

report, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, Calif., 

21 p.

Hirth, D.H., 1997, Lek breeding in a Texas population of fallow 

deer (Dama dama): American Midland Naturalist, v. 138, 

p 276–289.

Hovi, M., Alatalo, R.V., and Rintamäki, P.T., 1996, Habitat differences and variability in the lek mating system of black 

grouse: Behaviour, v. 133, p. 561–578.

Pélabon, C., Komers, P.E., and Höglund, J., 1999, Do leks limit 

the frequency of aggressive encounters in fallow deer? 

Linking local male density and lek occurrence: Canadian 

Journal of Zoology, v. 77, p. 667–670.

Stenström, D., Dahlblom, S., Jones Fur, C. and Höglund, J., 

2000, Rutting pit distribution and the significance of fallow 

deer Dama dama scrapes during the rut: Wildlife Biology, 

v. 6, p. 23–29.

Wehausen, J.D., 1973, Some aspects of the natural history and 

ecology of fallow deer on Point Reyes peninsula: University 

of California, Davis, M.S. thesis, 68 p.

References 11
Appendix

Lek Site UTME UTMN

Olema Valley sites

2 Cluster of Douglas Firs on Knob ~200 m SSW of Morgan Ranch house, Bear Valley 517496 4209939

3 Lone pit at base of small bay 517535 4209914

4 SE edge of grove of live oaks, Douglas Fir, and bay along Woodpecker and Bear Valley Trails 517625 4209915

5 Within grove of live oaks, Douglas Fir, and bay along Woodpecker and Bear Valley Trails 517620 4209967

7 Top of Knob at edge of field, along Bear Valley Trail 517460 4209845

8 At base of Douglas Fir next to meadow behind Morgan Horse Ranch 517273 4210372

9 At forest edge adjacent to Woodpecker Trail, 15 m from Morgan Trail 517390 4209948

10 Near large bay in meadow at Bear Valley between Earthquake Trail and Vadanta 517934 4209851

11 Near base of live oak in meadow at Bear Valley between Earthquake Trail and Vadanta 517924 4209878

12 Grove of bays in meadow in Bear Valley, south of Earthquake Trail 517894 4209936

13 In groove of bays ~100 m SE of SE corner of Bear Valley parking lot 517807 4209980

14 Edge of grove of bays ~100 SE of Bear Valley parking lot 517842 4210007

15 10 m S of Earthquake Trail, adjacent to bay tree 517857 4210053

16 East edge of Divide Meadow 517776 4207778

17 SE corner of Divide Meadow 517759 4207823

18 East edge of Divide Meadow, next to live oaks 517785 4207705

19 Small open area east of tree line, SE corner of Divide Meadow 517829 4207822

20 At edge of live oaks along edge of Divide Meadow 517872 4207694

21 Base of live oak at NE corner of Divide Meadow 517750 4207615

22 Edge of NE corner of Divide Meadow, live oak 517800 4207587

23 Under live oak at tree line of edge of Divide Meadow 517781 4207548

24 Inside forest edge, under bay trees, NE corner of Divide Meadow 517769 4207516

25 Forest edge under bay and alders, Divide Meadow 517706 4207462

26 Under alder at N end of Divide Meadow 517708 4207459

27 Under live oak, west of Bear Valley Trail, across from Divide Meadow 517571 4207660

28 20 m N of Earthquake Trail, at edge of meadow and bays in Bear Valley 517916 4210024

29 Base of bay between Earthquake Trail and Rift Zone Trail 518012 4209969

30 20 m from Rift Zone Trail in clearing at edge of Bear Valley meadow 518087 4209925

31 20 m N of Rift Zone Trail on knob SE of Bear Valley, under live oaks 518174 4209983

32 On knob 75 m N of Rift Zone Trail, under live oak 518217 4209989

33 Adjacent to live oak, on knob, 75 m N of Rift Zone Trail 518207 4210015

34 Under live oak, ~100 m N of Rift Zone Trail on W side of knob 518206 4210053

35 Under live oak, ~125 m from Rift Zone Trail on knob 518219 4210070

36 Under live oak, 20 m N of Rift Zone Trail 518178 4210049

37 Under live oak, 30 m N of Rift Zone Trail on knob 518150 4209982

38 At large bay, ~40 m N of Rift Zone Trail on knob 518138 4210048

39 Under bay tree, ~50 m N of Rift Zone Trail on knob 518111 4210048

40 Under lone live oak in meadow near top of knob N of Rift Zone Trail 518086 4210124

41 Area at base of large oak and bay trees, on knob near Rift Zone Tail and Earthquake Trail 518062 4210116

42 Near top of knob N of Rift Zone Trail at forest edge, ~20 m E of Earthquake Trail 518061 4210150

43 At forest edge on knob N of Rift Zone Trail and E of Earthquake Trail 518087 4210094

44 On slope 40 m NE of Earthquake Trail and 150 m SE of Red Barn parking lot 517970 4210251

45 Area around small live oak on top of knob, NE of Earthquake Trail 518025 4210213

46 Field at base of knob between Rift Zone Trail and Bear Valley Rd., ~100 m SW of BV Road 518183 4210311

Table A1. Locations of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California.

[m, meter; km, kilometer]

12 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Lek Site UTME UTMN

47 In grove of live oaks at base of knob ~100 m SW of Bear Valley Rd 518146 4210301

48 Grove of live oaks on East side of top of knob, 250 m SW of BV Rd. and 220 m N of Rift Zone Trail 518178 4210152

49 Area surrounding live oak in field on top of knob, 0.5 km W of Olema 518158 4210140

50 Edge of field at grove of live oaks, ~0.5 km E of Red Barn and 0.5 km W of Olema 518163 4210218

51 Grove of live oaks and bays on NE corner of knob, ~0.5 km W of Olema 518154 4210245

52 Grove of oaks near base of NE corner of knob, 0.5 km W of Olema 518220 4210221

53 Edge of meadow in grove of oaks 517544 4211545

54 At edge of live oak grove on SW edge of hills between BV Rd. and Hwy 1 517522 4211568

55 In grove of live oaks in pasture between BV Rd. and Hwy 1 517512 4211590

56 Grove of willows and live oaks at base of east-facing slope between BV Rd. and Hwy 1 517592 4211546

57 Edge of pasture and treeline, 390 m N of Headquarters 517684 4210871

58 Edge of pasture 410 m N of Headquarters 517682 4210887

59 Near live oak on SW-facing slope of hill NE of BV Rd., 1.15 km NNW of Headquarters 517310 4211503

60 Stewart’s pasture at base of two live oaks, 1.4 km NNW of Headquarters 517438 4211544

61 Under live oak, 1.0 km NNW of Headquarters 517420 4211507

62 Base of live oak in Stewart’s pasture NE of Bear Valley Rd., 1.17 km NNW of Headquarters 517487 4211564

63 Under live oaks in grove at NE edge of Stewart’s pasture, 1.2 km NNW of Headquarters 517492 4211601

64 Under live oaks on NE side of hill in Stewart’s Pasture NE of Bear Valley Road, 1.22 km NNW of 

Headquarters

517452 4211635

65 Underneath live oak tree, 550 m N of Headquarters 517721 4211065

66 Grove of live oaks, 550 m NNE of Headquarters 517803 4211003

67 Under live oaks at base of hill on east facing slope, 550 m NNE of Headquarters 517796 4211020

68 Stand of willows at east-facing slope of hill, 510 m NE of Headquarters 517844 4210995

69 Under alders along creek, 510 m NE of Headquarters 517903 4210968

70 Alders along Olema Creek, 600 m NNE of Headquarters 517887 4211061

71 Adjacent to Olema Creek on gravel bar in stand of alders, 560 m NNE of Headquarters 517886 4211111

72 Edge of pasture and stand of willow and alder, along Olema Creek, 580 m NNE of Headquarters 517850 4211143

73 Edge of pasture along fence, creek, and stand of willow and alder, 610 m NNE of Headquarters 517839 4211170

74 Edge of pasture along fence, creek, and willows, 860 m N of Headquarters 517785 4211309

75 Adjacent to creek in stand of willows and alders, 900 m N of Headquarters 517768 4211361

76 Pasture, 910 m N of Headquarters 517739 4211369

77 Border of pasture and riparian, 940 m N of Headquarters 517743 4211393

78 Pasture, 1.0 km N of Headquarters 517706 4211447

79 Pasture, 1.01 km N of Headquarters 517691 4211476

80 Under live oaks at base of E slope of hill, 1.02 km N of Headquarters 517618 4211496

81 Grove of willows, 1.1 km N of Headquarters 517614 4211527

82 Top of hill by lone fallen live oak, 1.25 km NW of Headquarters 517327 4211647

83 Edge of forest under live oak, near top of hill, 1.22 km NW of Headquarters 517267 4211628

84 Grove of oaks and small clearing at forest edge, 1.3 km NW of Headquarters 517185 4211672

85 Edge of treeline in pasture NE of Bear Valley Rd., 1.1 km NW of Headquarters 517268 4211494

86 Treeline 30 m NE of Bear Valley Rd. at pasture edge, 970 m NW of Headquarters 517297 4211458

87 Treeline at edge of pasture NE of Bear Valley Rd., 930 m NW of Headquarters 517405 4211330

88 Under oak in clearing 15 m NE of Bear Valley Rd., 840 m NW of Headquarters 517442 4211244

89 Grove of oak and bay NE of Bear Valley Rd., 600 m NNW of Headquarters 517570 4211039

90 Grove of oaks along Bear Valley Road, 580 m NNW of Headquarters 517594 4211046

91 Grove of oaks bordering Bear Valley Rd., 520 m NNW of Headquarters 517595 4210987

92 Grove of oaks bordering Bear Valley Rd., 480 m NNW of Headquarters 517620 4210966

Table A1. Locations of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California—Continued. 

[m, meter; km, kilometer]

Appendix 13
Lek Site UTME UTMN

93 Under lone tree at SE end of pasture, 320 m NNE of headquarters 517876 4210789

94 Grove of live oaks adjacent to Olema Creek, 480 m NE of headquarters 517954 4210882

95 Grove of oak and bay at East edge of pasture, along Olema Creek, 500 m NE of headquarters 517945 4210911

96 Grove of oak and bay along Olema Creek, 500 m NE of headquarters 517921 4210928

97 At base of live oak, along treeline at edge of pasture 1.36 km NW of Headquarters 517157 4211873

98 Forest edge of pasture, 1.30 km NW of Headquarters 517188 4211892

99 Forest edge of pasture, 1.40 km NW of Headquarters 517095 4211738

100 Edge of pasture and forest, under oak and bay 1.42 km NW of Headquarters 517079 4211764

101 Under lone live oak in pasture, 1.6 km NW of Headquarters 516983 4211907

102 Open pasture, 1.7 km NW of Headquarters 516974 4212069

103 In open pasture on top of knob, 1.73 km NW of Headquarters 517016 4212074

104 Open pasture on top of knob, 1.7 km NW of Headquarters 517045 4212027

105 Small cluster of willow in field east of Olema Marsh 517004 4212337

106 Patch of invasive plants in field east of Olema Marsh 516974 4212376

107 Edge of willows and field along Olema Creek, east of Olema Marsh 516982 4212418

108 Edge of willows and field along Olema Creek, east of Olema Marsh 517004 4212415

109 Under willows along Olema Creek, east of Olema Marsh 517034 4212360

110 Edge of riparian willows along Olema Creek, 400 m east of Olema Marsh 517136 4212262

111 Next to willow, 400 m east of Olema Marsh 517118 4212252

112 Edge of oak grove and pasture 1.45 km NW of Headquarters 517304 4211868

113 Under live oak at edge of pasture near Olema Creek, 1.37 km NNW of Headquarters 517450 4211826

114 Base of live oak in pasture, 1.27 km NNW of Headquarters 517446 4211695

115 Next to bay tree at NE end of Bear Valley picnic area 517732 4210281

116 Next to bay at edge of Bear Valley picnic area 517809 4210229

117 Edge of treeline at SE end of Bear Valley picnic area 517803 4210182

118 Grassy area at edge of tree line along road, 100 m South of Headquarters 517679 4210336

Estero Trailhead sites

119 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 200 m E of Estero Trail parking lot 507828 4214722

120 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 200 m E of Estero Trail parking lot 507835 4214696

121 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 250 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 507861 4214769

122 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 300 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 507897 4214811

123 Patch of thistle, near Home Ranch, 260 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 507870 4214797

124 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 220 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 507800 4214790

125 Open grassland on ridge top, near Home Ranch, 750 m WNW of Estero Trail parking lot 506885 4214833

126 Open grassland on ridge top, near Home Ranch, 650 m WNW of Estero Trail parking lot 507024 4214838

127 Top of point West of Home Bay, 1.5 km SW of Estero Trail parking lot 506470 4213642

128 Ridge top 1.1 km W of Estero Trail parking lot 506509 4214534

129 Ridge top 1.0 km WSW of Estero Trail parking lot 506692 4214484

130 Open grassland on ridge top 700 m NW of Estero Trail parking lot 507275 4215275

131 Open pasture, near Home Ranch, 200 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 507798 4214783

132 Top of Knob, near Home Ranch, 500 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507961 4215090

133 Top of Knob, near Home Ranch, 450 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507937 4215053

134 Top of Knob, near Home Ranch, 550 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507941 4215133

135 Side of Knob, near Home Ranch, 650 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 508097 4215160

136 Side of Knob, near Home Ranch, 600 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 508085 4215122

137 Side of Knob, near Home Ranch, 400 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507945 4214969

138 Side of Knob, near Home Ranch, 370 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507927 4214944

Table A1. Locations of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California—Continued. 

[m, meter; km, kilometer]

14 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Lek Site UTME UTMN

139 Pasture on knob 275 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507834 4214889

140 Pasture on NW side of knob 500 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 507927 4215134

141 Pasture on knob 600 m NNE of Estero Trail parking lot 507950 4215280

142 Pasture 900 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 508205 4215368

143 Bare ground adjacent to coyote brush 800 m NNE of Estero Trail parking lot 507941 4215429

144 Pasture 500 m NNE of Estero Trail parking lot 507758 4215188

145 Pasture 150 m N of Estero Trail parking lot 507667 4214877

146 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 450 m SE of Estero Trail parking lot 507965 4214373

147 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 500 m ESE of Estero Trail parking lot 508130 4214576

148 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 475 m ESE of Estero Trail parking lot 508144 4214601

149 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 510 m ESE of Estero Trail parking lot 508150 4214625

150 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 525 m E of Estero Trail parking lot 508190 4214700

151 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 550 m E of Estero Trail parking lot 508214 4214747

152 Pasture in saddle 850 m NE of Estero Trail parking lot 508297 4215253

153 Edge of pasture along unnamed stream, 650 m ENE of Estero Trail parking lot 508287 4214922

154 Pasture 600 m N of Estero Trail parking lot 507598 4215337

155 Pasture 650 m N of Estero Trail parking lot 507622 4215353

156 Pasture 400 m W of Estero Trail parking lot 507265 4214667

157 Grove of willows along unnamed creek, 350 m W of Estero Trail parking lot 507290 4214685

158 Pasture on ridge top, 800 m NW of Estero Trail parking lot 506888 4215054

159 Scrub 750 m WSW of Estero Trail parking lot 506884 4214571

160 Scrub 700 m WSW of Estero Trail parking lot 506999 4214505

161 Edge of willows along unnamed creek, 600 m WSW of Estero Trail parking lot 507116 4214443

Table A1. Locations of fallow deer leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California—Continued. 

[m, meter; km, kilometer]

Appendix 15
Table A2. Description of leks and associated ground and vegetation damage at the two study sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California.

[m, meter; m2, square meter; —, no data]

Length

(m)

Width

(m)

 Area

(m2)

Number 

rutting 

pits

Ground 

disturbance

Damaged 

foliage

Damaged 

bark

Exposed 

roots

Olema Valley sites

2 20 16 320 5 X X — X

3 7 2 14 1 X X X —

4 25 15 375 5 X X — —

5 8 2 16 3 X — — —

7 8 2 16 2 X X — —

8 3 1.5 4.5 1 X X — X

9 25 5 125 4 X X — X

10 2 1 2 1 X — — —

11 3 1.5 4.5 1 X — — —

12 13 10 130 6 X X — X

13 2.5 1.2 3 1 X — — X

14 20 20 400 8 X X — X

15 2 1.4 2.8 1 X — — —

16 25 10 250 4 X — — —

17 10 2 20 2 X — X X

18 20 15 300 4 X X X X

19 10 10 100 4 X X X X

20 4.5 1 4.5 2 X X — X

21 15 10 150 5 X — — —

22 2 1.1 2.2 3 X — — —

23 16 5 80 5 X — — —

24 20 10 200 6 X — — X

25 15 2 30 4 X — — —

26 4 1 4 1 X — — —

27 2.5 1.1 2.75 1 X — — —

28 3 1.2 3.6 2 X X X X

29 4.5 1.5 6.75 3 X X — —

30 17 2 34 2 X X — —

31 20 10 200 4 X X — X

32 5 4 20 1 X — — —

33 17 15 255 8 X X — —

34 16 10 160 4 X X — —

35 5 2 10 2 X X — —

36 10 3 30 3 X — — —

37 20 17 340 16 X X — X

38 20 18 360 7 X X — X

39 5 5 25 1 X X — X

40 20 17 340 2 X — — —

41 10 5 50 5 X X X X

42 16 8 128 9 X X — X

43 10 5 50 3 X X X X

44 10 5 50 1 X X X X

45 8 5 40 1 X X — —

46 17 5 85 6 X — — —

16 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Length

(m)

Width

(m)

 Area

(m2)

Number 

rutting 

pits

Ground 

disturbance

Damaged 

foliage

Damaged 

bark

Exposed 

roots

47 15 5 75 4 X X — —

48 17 13 221 9 X X X —

49 14 10 140 11 X X X —

50 10 5 50 3 X — X —

51 33 12 396 12 X X X —

52 20 10 200 8 X X X —

53 20 10 200 8 X X X —

54 18 10 180 8 X X X —

55 10 2 20 2 X — — —

56 25 10 250 4 X X X —

57 25 8 200 8 X — — —

58 20 5 100 4 X — — —

59 15 5 75 2 X X — —

60 35 24 840 22 X X X —

61 20 10 200 6 X X X —

62 18 10 180 6 X X X —

63 10 10 100 2 X X — —

64 5 4 20 2 X — — —

65 13 5 65 9 X X X —

66 24 10 240 9 X X X —

67 20 10 200 15 X X X —

68 10 5 50 3 X X X —

69 10 8 80 1 X X X —

70 10 5 50 1 X X X —

71 15 5 75 5 X X X —

72 5 5 25 1 X X X —

73 4 4 16 1 X X X —

74 20 4 80 9 X X X —

75 10 5 50 3 X X X —

76 8 5 40 1 X — — —

77 27 8 216 12 X X X X

78 10 10 100 2 X X — —

79 1 1 1 1 X — — —

80 34 8 272 5 X X X —

81 20 20 400 4 X X X —

82 15 15 225 6 X — — —

83 8 5 40 2 X X — —

84 20 15 300 9 X X X —

85 10 5 50 2 X X X —

86 8 5 40 1 X X X —

87 27 10 270 18 X X X —

88 16 7 112 3 X X — —

89 20 10 200 5 X X — —

90 15 12 180 11 X X X —

91 32 20 640 24 X X X —

Table A2. Description of leks and associated ground and vegetation damage at the two study sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California—Continued.

[m, meter; m2, square meter; —, no data]

Appendix 17
Length

(m)

Width

(m)

 Area

(m2)

Number 

rutting 

pits

Ground 

disturbance

Damaged 

foliage

Damaged 

bark

Exposed 

roots

92 20 12 240 7 X X X —

93 14 10 140 8 X X X —

94 30 17 510 30 X X X —

95 20 15 300 5 X X X —

96 25 10 250 7 X X X —

97 15 13 195 2 X X X —

98 15 10 150 5 X X — —

99 15 10 150 2 X X X —

100 8 5 40 4 X X X —

101 10 5 50 1 X X X —

102 10 5 50 1 X — — —

103 5 3 15 1 X — — —

104 25 10 250 5 X — — —

105 17 5 85 3 X X X —

106 20 10 200 3 X X — —

107 15 10 150 3 X X X —

108 10 5 50 2 X — — —

109 10 4 40 4 X X X —

110 15 5 75 3 X X X —

111 8 3 24 1 X X X —

112 10 3 30 1 X X X —

113 21 5 105 7 X X X —

114 10 4 40 5 X X X —

115 30 5 150 8 X X X —

116 5 5 25 1 X X X —

117 32 15 480 24 X X X —

118 17 6 102 6 X X — —

Estero Trailhead sites

119 12 7 84 5 X — — —

120 3 3 9 2 X — — —

121 20 7 140 4 X — — —

122 15 7 105 5 X — — —

123 13 10 130 4 X — — —

124 10 5 50 3 X — — —

125 3 2 6 1 X — — —

126 2 2 4 1 X X X —

127 10 10 100 6 X — — —

128 10 4 40 1 X X — X

129 10 3 30 3 X — — —

130 10 4 40 5 X X — —

131 20 10 200 4 X — — —

132 2 2 4 1 X — — —

133 10 2.5 25 2 X — — —

134 2 2 4 1 X — — —

Table A2. Description of leks and associated ground and vegetation damage at the two study sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California—Continued.

[m, meter; m2, square meter; —, no data]

18 Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Length

(m)

Width

(m)

 Area

(m2)

Number 

rutting 

pits

Ground 

disturbance

Damaged 

foliage

Damaged 

bark

Exposed 

roots

135 10 3 30 2 X X — X

136 3 2 6 1 X — — —

137 5 2 10 3 X X X X

138 2 2 4 1 X X X —

139 7 4 28 2 X — — —

140 8 3 24 3 X — — —

141 3 2 6 1 X X — X

142 25 10 250 9 X — — —

143 5 5 25 1 X X X X

144 15 2 30 2 X — — X

145 2 2 4 1 X X — —

146 10 8 80 2 X X X —

147 18 8 144 6 X — X —

148 10 4 40 3 X — X —

149 15 10 150 5 X X X X

150 15 5 75 6 X X X —

151 7 5 35 1 X X X —

152 3 2 6 1 X — — —

153 5 2 10 1 X — — X

154 12 4 48 3 X — — —

155 5 1.5 7.5 2 X — — —

156 10 3 30 1 X X X —

157 15 10 150 2 X X X X

158 4 4 16 1 X — — —

159 2 1 2 1 X — — —

160 5 1.75 8.75 2 X — — —

161 10 3 30 1 X X X —

Totals — — 18,324 705 159 102 72 30

Mean 13 6.7 115 4.4

Percentage — — — — 100 63.5 45.3 18.2

Table A2. Description of leks and associated ground and vegetation damage at the two study sites at Point Reyes National Seashore, 

California—Continued.

[m, meter; m2, square meter; —, no data]

Appendix 19
Back inside cover.
Fellers and Osbourn—Distribution and Abundance of Fallow Deer Leks at Point Reyes National Seashore, California—Scientific Investigations Report 2006

–5149