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

2. 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

3. 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”

4. The Whitetail – The Big Game Animal of North America

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

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

7. Management Trophy Buck Management Quality Buck Management
Deer Number Management

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

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