Ryan Hunsicker of St. Leonard presents research at PA Capitol

Related Media

No description.

YORK, PA (04/13/2010)(readMedia)-- Ryan Hunsicker of St. Leonard, a senior biology major at York College of Pennsylvania, recently presented a poster to legislators and staff during an event titled Undergraduate Research at the Capitol - Pennsylvania. Hunsicker's presentation focused on the effects of daylight and lunar cycles on activity of white-tailed deer in southcentral Pennsylvania.

A common view in popular hunting literature is that movements of Odocoileus virginianus (white-tailed deer) are influenced by ambient light, and that nocturnal activity peaks during full moon periods, according to Hunsicker. Infrared trail cameras equipped with motion detectors were used to continuously photograph white-tailed deer in southcentral Pennsylvania for 12 consecutive months.

"We found that behavioral activity was not strongly related to levels of light," Hunsicker said. "No significant seasonal differences were found between day and night. Furthermore, night activity was not significantly influenced by phases of the moon in any of the four seasons. Our overall conclusion is that the activity of white-tailed deer in our study area was less dependent on ambient light than expected."

Undergraduate Research at the Capitol-Pennsylvania (URC-PA) brings together college students, faculty, and Pennsylvania legislators to share the experiences of students engaged in research or scholarship at their colleges and universities. To that end, URC-PA provides an opportunity for students to present posters about their work at the State Capitol, and for students and their faculty mentors to meet with legislators and their staffs.

Located in southcentral Pennsylvania, York College offers more than 50 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences and humanities to its 4,600 undergraduate students. The College also offers master's programs in business, education and nursing. A center of affordable academic excellence, York is dedicated to the intellectual, professional and social growth of its students. The College helps them develop a concrete plan to attain academic growth and career success; encourages them to try in the "real world" what they learn in the classroom; and prepares them to be professionals in whatever career they pursue.

# # #