white-tailed deer - university of maryland...white-tailed deer-biology, history, and management...
TRANSCRIPT
White-tailed Deer-Biology, History, and Management
General Behavior
•Social groups•Social hierarchy
•Home range•Nocturnal•Bedding
Food Habits
•Ruminants•Compound stomach - wide variety of vegetative material•Fruits, nuts, acorns,clover, alfalfa, crops, poison ivy, honeysuckle
Breeding Biology
Scrapes & Rubs
-Peak breeding - November -Average 2 fawns/doe-Peak fawning - June -Sex ratio 1:1
Breeding Biology
Antlers
Physiology•Bone•Begin growing in March:Stop growing in September•Shed in January-February
Uses•Fighting for breeding purposes•Defense
Size dependent on:•Age•Nutrition•Genetics
Management History-Pre-colonial/Colonial
•Deer abundant•Important to eastern tribes•Legislatively protected in Maryland – 1729
Nearly Extirpated•Industrial Revolution•Market hunting•Reduced regulations•Habitat destruction•Relegated to western region
Management History-1800s
Protection and Restocking•No hunting (1902) or antlered-only hunting•Hunting license requirement 1918•Restocking efforts from Maryland & elsewhere
Management History-1900s-1960s
Population Regrowth•“Deer refuges” (e.g. Gwynnbrook WMA)•Improved habitat via forest regrowth, tree plantings, urban/suburban development
Management History-1920s-1970s
Full Recovery and Much More•“Deer Refuges” & “Open Space” programs•Food-rich suburbia•Modern farming practices•Conversion of “hunted” farmland to non-hunted suburbia
Management History-1980s-Present
Favorable Habitat+
Few Natural Predators+
Mild Climate =
A Lot of Deer
Deer Hunting Maryland 2011:-$221 million retail sales + multiplier effect-$69 million salaries/wages/business owner income-2,435 deer-related jobs-$17.5 million state/local tax revenue-$19 million federal tax revenue
Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget:-63% special funds (mainly hunting license sales)-31% Federal Aid
Agricultural Wildlife Damage Maryland:-$9 million total-$7.5 million deer annually
Forest and Landowner Damage $$?
Wildlife & Heritage Service Budget:-63% special funds (mainly hunting license sales)-31% Federal Aid
Deer-Vehicle Collisions Maryland:-30,000+ estimated collisions-$100+ million in damage annually
Deer Hunting Maryland 2011:-$221 million retail sales + multiplier effect-$69 million salaries/wages/business owner income-2,435 deer-related jobs-$17.5 million state/local tax revenue-$19 million federal tax revenue
Deer Management Today-DNR Statewide Deer Management Plan (2009)
Primary Management Options•Hunter Harvest•Deer Management Permits (i.e., crop damage permits)•Deer Cooperator Permits/Sharpshooting/LOAs•Fencing•Repellents/Deer resistant plants
•Deer Contraceptives / Sterilization
#1 in U.S. for antlerlessharvest per square mile
Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
Early September – January 31 annually
30+ deer bag limit
Unlimited antlerless deer bag limit for archery hunters
Liberal allowance of weaponry (modern muzzleloaders, crossbows, etc.)
Encourage the harvest of antlerless deer (i.e., females)
Expanded Sunday hunting
Crop Damage Permits
•Deer Cooperator Permits
•Sharpshooting
•Letters of Authority
•Managed Hunts
Other Lethal
Fencing
Non-Lethal Options
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Resistant Plantings/Repellants
Deer Contraceptives/Sterilization
Private Land Deer Management
1. Provide Habitat for Food, Shelter, & Water Needs
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
-Water and Shelter1. Food, Water, and Shelter
-Forbs and Woody plants (browse)1. Food, Water, and Shelter
-Mast1. Food, Water, and Shelter
-Food Plots1. Food, Water, and Shelter
Food & Cover Plots• Do not plant without a soil test (pH, N,P,K)
• Avoid “shotgun” mixes advertised as suitable for “all soils and conditions”
• Use native plants wherever possible
• Do not put your eggs in one basket
• Plant cover as well as for food
• Consult with local professional
Deer Affect Your Forest
• Overbrowsing • Consuming mast• Antler rubbing on young trees• Reduce habitat for other wildlife• Spread of invasive plants
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
Harvest Does
Harvest DoesHarvest Does
Harvest More Does
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
vs.
Antlers
Physiology•Bone•Begin growing in March:Stop growing in September•Shed in January-February
Uses•Fighting for breeding purposes•Defense
Size dependent on:•Age•Nutrition•Genetics
2. Keep Deer Numbers In Check and In Balance
vs.
How many does to harvest???
• Need data to answer
• Harvesting 20-30% of does in herd will stabilize population growth
• Small properties make it harder……so forming a cooperative = more data
• Consult local professionals
Available Resources
