Zoometric characteristics of Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) stags from Northern Poland.

摘要

Carcass weight, antler weight and zoometric measurements of 98 Red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) stags harvested in northern Poland were analysed in the study. In order to compare their carcass parameters, the stags were divided by age into six classes. A statistical analysis of results provided the basis for describing model red deer stags representative of particular age groups. The average carcass weight of stags in six classes was the following: stags aged two years - 67.64 kg, stags aged three to four years - 82.17 kg, stags aged five to six years - 102.40 kg, stags aged seven to eight years - 122.13 kg, stags aged nine to ten years - 143.44 kg, stags aged 11 years and older - 149.60 kg. Antler weight ranged from 0.62 kg in two-year-old stags to about 6 kg in the oldest ones. All carcass traits examined in the study were interrelated, as confirmed by highly significant coefficients of correlation (r>0.6). This suggests that they are good indicators of body conformation in red deer stags..