Austin Killam
Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Master of Science Degree in Range and Wildlife Management
Effects of water quality and availability on the consumption of pelleted feed in white-tailed deer
I grew up hunting and fishing from a very early age. At 3 years old I went on my first dove hunt and at
age 5, I went on my first deer hunt. Since then, I have loved the outdoors. I earned my Bachelors of
Science Degree in Range and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University Kingsville in the spring
2018 and began my Master’s degree there immediately after. I worked with many species throughout
my Bachelors, but the species I enjoyed working with most was white-tailed deer. I was involved in
many ongoing white-tailed deer projects including stress hormones, social hierarchy, and various feed
studies. Now I am beginning my own nutrition based study involving white-tailed deer. We are
investigating how water salinity and water availability will affect feed consumption in white-tailed deer.
Current literature is lacking in the impact that water availability and quality will have on white-tailed
deer. This study has the potential to be instrumental in the continued management of this important
game species.
