But I still would find it unlikely a whitetail to have a 30 acre home range. That means he has to survive on that 30 acres for 365 days. Which doesn't make any sense.. theirs just not nearly enough food to permit this. I think the author should re-check what a core area is.. and what a home range is.
Outside the rut, Duke....we have to remember that part.
And I can show you (though I'm not disagreeing with you) a 30acre patch where a mature whitetail would NEVER have to venture outside of......and he/she could eat, sleep drink and mate in that acreage, just fine. I'm betting little spots like this are NOT uncommon. Ihave a fewspots like this really close to home. Some....I'll be hunting, this fall. They can bed; they have ag crops; they have mast producing trees; they have water and they have does......in less acreage than what you cite (which could be smaller than what the author is citing).
Like I said....I'm not saying they're "right"......but in some settings....I find it plausible.