Ethnoozological study and nutritional value of white-tailed deer odocoileus virginianus in the community of Pitzotlán, Tepalcingo, Morelos, Mexico

Abstract

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is an important resource for rural communities for the goods it contributes to peasant and indigenous families. The objective of the research was to analyze the traditional knowledge and nutritional value of O. virginianus in the community of Pitzotlán, Morelos, Mexico. In-depth interviews were applied to eleven hunters, participant observation and guided tours. For the nutritional analysis of venison, techniques from the Official Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC International) were used. Local hunters recognize different aspects of the biology of the species such as feeding habits, sexual dimorphism, breeding season and social behavior. Three hunting techniques are recorded: "arreadas" (100 %), "espiadas" (100 %) and "lampareadas" (54 %), which are practiced in agricultural and forest areas of low deciduous forest. The "arreadas" as a collective practice for hunting deer, are conceived as spaces for recreation and community socialization. The categories of use registered were in the following proportions: food, medicinal and ornamental (100 %), tool (45 %), amulet (10 %) and sale (10 %). The main forms of preparation were "guaxmole", barbecue, "asadura", dried meat, fried meat, and steaks. Venison meat (dry basis) reported 75.14 g / 100 g of protein and 7.88 g / 100 g of total minerals. The white-tailed deer is an important wildlife resource for the rural families of Pitzotlán because the traditional knowledge about its appropriation has a role in their diet, health, worldview, and community life.