Biology major presents research at PA capitol

Ryan Hunsicker, a senior biology major at York College, 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.