A self-sustaining reservoir of bovine tuberculosis occurs in free-ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeastern lowerMichigan. An oral vaccine delivery system to inoculate deer against bovine tuberculosis has been proposed as a method to reduce prevalence.Our objectives were to (1) quantify deer abundance on agriculture fields during winter break-up, (2) evaluate deer preferences for oral vaccine delivery unit candidates (3) quantify vegetation characteristics that may contribute to deer use of agriculture fields, and (4) quantify vaccine delivery unit consumption by deer with an effective biomarker.--From abstract.
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