Blanchong Lab

The objective of this study is to quantify variation in antler characteristics across Iowa and identify if there are any ecological factors such as land-use type, the amount of vegetation, or soil type associated with that variation. We hypothesize that the row crop agriculture found across the majority of the state provides deer populations across Iowa sufficient access to quality nutrition such that age and genetics are the main factors responsible for variation in antler characteristics and that ecological factors will have minimal influence.