MacKenzie Hoffman

Areas of Expertise

• Management of native and invasive ungulates
• Mammal husbandry
• Disease ecology

Professional Summary

MacKenzie Hoffman is pursuing a Master of Science in rangeland, wildlife and fisheries management under the direction of Ty Werdel Ph.D., and and Walter Cook, Ph.D. Her research is Spatial Interactions of Free-ranging native and exotic ungulates. Axis deer (Axis axis) are a free-ranging, non-native species in Texas with a similar ecological niche as native white-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The co-occurrence of these two species is widely understudied. The adaptability of these ungulates to the climate and environment of the state of Texas allows axis deer to thrive in the Hill Country, and be less susceptible to native diseases, making them a prime candidate for sympatry. To understand the
spatio-temporal interactions of white-tailed deer and axis, we aim to capture and collar roughly 30 free ranging axis deer, and white-tailed deer, respectively, from low-fence properties in Edward’s Plateau – Hill Country areas.