Deer hunting Odocoileus virginianus, Mazama americana (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in three communities of Yucatan

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to characterize the hunting of deer O. virginianus and M. americana in three
rural communities in the municipality of Tzucacab, Yucatán, Mexico. The snowball technique was used to
identify the peasants/hunters, and with them applied the techniques of survey, open and depth interviewing,
participatory observation and the recording of biometric data of specimens hunted. The results showed that
the main technique of hunting is the “batida”. The number of hunters for the batida fluctuates between 3 and
14, this activity is carried out throughout the year. The total number of animals in a week of record for each
of the four months was 12 individuals, with a total biomass of 512 kg, of which 455 kg were of meat of O.
virginianus and 57 kg of M. americana. Males and females of different weights are hunted, however,
reported the removal of deer that are not exploited, called “heridos-mal tirados”, because they suffer from
the impact of the shot but they are not broken down and escape to harvest. The impact of frequent hunting
of deer on the viability of their populations is unknown and it is necessary to investigate.