To evaluate the potential use and management in extensive UMAs, we estimated the population density of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus mexicanus) and the habitat characteristics in a tropical dry forest from four towns of the Mixteca Poblana, Mexico. In each location, five transects were established to count the fecal groups from March 2000 to March 2001. Principal components analysis was applied to describe the habitat and the association with deer density. The density varied notably among locations, transects and months of sampling. The average density was 1.8 ± 0.01 deer/km2. The locations of Mitepec and El Salado had higher densities (3.2 to 3.4 deer/km2), while in Huachinantla and Jolalpan they were lower (0.1 to 0.5 deer/km2). The density was associated with elevation, thermal cover, and protection cover. These conditions vary among the locations, which could explain the differences in the population density. From human use perspective, our results suggest actions be taken to regulate the hunting, to recover the habitat, and include the participation of local people for a sustainable management of the deer.
