Management of Future Whitetails Original Power Point Created by: Andy Harrison Modified by the GA Agriculture Education Curriculum Office July 2002

Status of the Whitetail Turn of the century – almost gone Habitat destruction Killing-off by hunting for food 1940’s The Whitetail begins to make a comeback Pitman Robertson Act and Hunting License Fees Helped restore habitat and populations

Status of the Whitetail Much of the land was open to public hunting Contributed to low populations In the South, poaching and dog hunting also contributed 1970’s New trends in deer hunting began to emerge “North American Whitetail Magazine”

The Whitetail – The Big Game Animal of North America

Sportsman Initiatives Improvement of habitat Buck-only laws Limited predators Overpopulation – damage to agricultural crops

Deer Populations United States Texas 15 – 17 million Texas 4 million Overall quality of bucks are in decline

Management Trophy Buck Management Quality Buck Management Deer Number Management

Trophy Buck Management Very intensive management of land and resources Herd population control Restricted buck harvest Habitat management Supplemental feeding Extremely restricted buck harvest – 1 buck per 1000 acres

Quality Buck Management A buck that best realizes the potential of his age class, living in a quality habitat, and harvested through a quality hunting experience 2 – 3 yrs old 8 pt 15” inside spread

Criteria for Quality Buck Mgmt Must allow to mature – some states still harvest 80% of buck herd Adequate nutrition # 1 cause of inadequate nutrition – overpopulation Restrictions in type of buck harvested The hunter controls what types of deer can be harvested later

Numbers Deer Management Populations maintained at or above range capacity Some held below carrying capacity to maximize production Make sure there are enough deer for hunting population

Future of Whitetail In some areas deer populations pose a threat to agriculture. Also a threat to public safety, especially on the highways State agencies now issuing off- season permits

Quality vs. Quantity Hindrances to deer management: Anti-hunting groups Reduction in clear cutting Reduction in controlled burns Sportsman groups All have allowed populations to explode

Population – Boom Crash Cycle Population grows to exceed range carrying capacity Habitat becomes insufficient Animals decline Smaller body cavity animals tend to survive In effect, smaller animals become more common

Needs of Deer vs. Man Management Agencies Current limits and guidelines Naturally existing foodstuffs and habitat Hunting clubs and land owners Hired or consulted with wildlife biologist Plant feed plots

Hunting Public lands Hunting clubs Smaller animals Not as plentiful Cost: $400 / yr