Archaeological Investigations at Yourhaney Plantation (38GE18)

164In the southeastern United States, the most commonly exploited large game mammal was thewhitetail deer. Deer remains were found in the assemblage, but their frequency seems to indicatethat they were not the primary food source for the inhabitants.The whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the most important big game species in eastern NorthAmerica (Burt and Grossenheider 1980:218). The archaeological record indicates that thisspecies was heavily ingrained in subsistence strategies during the early to late Archaic in theSoutheast (Styles and Klippel 1996:131-3). Based on density per km 2 in relation to the averageedible meat provided per individual, the biotic potential of deer is the greatest with regards tosearch time and energy expenditure. Deer frequently inhabit forests, open brushy areas, andswamps (Burt and Grossenheider 1980:218; Rue 1981:451-2). Their home range is typically 2.6km 2 in which they venture out in the "half-light" of dawn and dusk (Burt and Grossenheider1980:218; Lowery 1974:496; Taylor 1956:145). During this time they feed on plants situated onbed grounds and as evening approaches at the edge of wooded areas and clearings (Taylor1956: 145). This species is a browser and feeds on grass, shrubs, fungi, herbs, acorns, and twigsdepending on the season (Burt and Grossenheider 1980:218).The overall size of deer is dependant on such factors as age of the animal and abundance of food(Lowery 1974: 488). The largest recorded specimen of whitetail deer was 232 kg, but it must benoted that this is extremely rare (Rue 1981:446). Adult bucks begin to grow their antlers in Aprilor May, which harden after the velvet is shed in September (Taylor 1956:110). Rutting occurs inOctober and November and the antlers are dropped in December through January (Taylor 1956:110). During this time, bucks will venture further than the usual 2.6 km 2 home range in search ofdoes (Lowery 1974:496).Whitetail deer breed from late September to the first part of March (Lowery 1974:92). Thegestation period ranges from 200 to 205 days and fawns typically are borne around the end ofMay to early June (Rue 1981: 63). Depending on the herd, breeding peaks during this span havebeen recorded to occur in late October and December, as well as in early January (Lowery1974:492). While the cause of these fluctuations is unknown it has been theorized that for certainherds it may be an adaptation to allow fawns to be dropped when water levels are the lowest(Lowery 1974:92).OTHER MAMMALSSeveral species of small to medium mammals were identified in the assemblages from the site. Thepresence of most of these species is likely a result of encounter-based hunting strategies instead ofintentional logistical procurement methodologies.Raccoons (Procyon lotor) dwell in a multitude of different environments, but seem to prefer thosewhere food is most readily available. This riparian creature is extremely fond of crayfish, andtypically feeds along streams or the banks of other such bodies of water where they are found(Lowery 1974:418; Rue 1981:87; Whitaker 1980:563). This species also subsists off of insects,earthworms, fish, frogs, snakes, baby birds, mice, and rabbits, acorns, and various vegetables(Lowery 1974: 418; Rue 1981: 87). Banks also provide raccoons with an easy means of travelover a large territory.