Resources

Below is a collection of resources containing information about caring for deer and forests.

Antlered Buck Harvest - Kip's Korner - December 2009

The 2009-10 deer season is closed or nearing so for states across the whitetail's range, and biologists will be crunching data in the coming months to assess the outcome of this past season. Until that data is available, let's look at harvest data from the two most recent seasons — 2007/08 and 2008/09. Of the 37 states in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast that comprise the majority of whitetail habitat, we (QDMA) acquired harvest data from all 37 for 2007, but 2008 data is not yet available for Alabama and Florida.

Buck Fawn Harvest - Kip's Korner - September 2009

The most important tenet of Quality Deer Management (QDM) is to balance the deer herd with the habitat’s ability to support it. Critics often speak of trophy bucks and antlers as the driving force, but hunters and managers who truly delve into the QDM philosophy quickly learn the correct number of deer for the landscape comes first, followed by balanced sex ratios and complete age structures. Fortunately, you can work on these three objectives simultaneously by harvesting the biologically appropriate number of antlerless deer and passing young bucks.

Doe Fawn Breeding Rates - Kip's Korner - July 2009

Doe fawn breeding rates are the percentage of doe fawns that conceive during their first year (generally six to eight months of age). This is governed by nutrition, and doe fawns attain sexual maturity when they reach a specific weight threshold. In general, southern fawns reach it at approximately 70 pounds and northern fawns at approximately 80 pounds live weight. Fawns hitting this threshold tend to do so in December and January, and are one reason for an apparent “second” rut in many areas.

Browse Preference and Browsing Intensity of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) In Allegheny High Plateau Riparian Forests, USA

Decades of chronic browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman) has strongly influenced forest pattern and process on the Allegheny High Plateau Ecoregion of northwestern Pennsylvania, USA. Previous research has found that riparian forests contain the greatest herbaceous plant species richness of regional plant communities but little is known about the impacts of deer browsing on the structure and composition of the herbaceous layer (all vascular plants < 1 m tall) of Allegheny High Plateau riparian forests. We examined browse preference and browsing intensity by white-tailed deer on the herbaceous layer of five riparian forest study sites in the Allegheny National Forest during the summer growing season (July, September). Browsing intensity was low to moderate and differed significantly among sites and sample periods. Deer selectively foraged on a few preferred plant species during certain sampling periods, particularly Aster divaricatus, A. prenanthoides, Chelone glabra, Impatiens capensis, Pilea pumila, Polygonum virginianum and Ranunculus hispidis. We found that plant species richness and composition, and browsing intensity by white-tailed deer, are highly variable across riparian forests of the region. In order to assess or predict deer browsing impacts to regional riparian forests, we suggest that riparian sites be studied individually, perhaps on a watershed basis, as the surrounding landscape and available habitat may influence deer densities and foraging activity in an individualistic manner.

Use of turtlehead (Chelone glabra L.) and other herbaceous plants to assess intensity of white-tailed deer browsing on Allegheny Plateau riparian forests, USA

One of the key factors affecting the integrity of forest ecosystems in portions of the eastern United States is heavy browsing by overabundant populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus Zimmerman). Deer impacts to upland forests of the Allegheny Plateau in northwestern PA, USA, have been especially intense; high levels of deer browsing over the past 60 years have strongly influenced forest pattern and process. ...

Effects of White-Tailed Deer on Populations of an Understory Forb in Fragmented Deciduous Forests

The effects of grazing by white-tailed deer on populations of Trillium spp. were examined in remnant, old-growth patches of the highly fragmented Big Woods forest ecosystem in south-eastern Minnesota. We conducted three separate studies involving an exclosure experiment, transplant experiments, and comparisons of Trillium populations among study sites.

Defining deer overabundance and threats to forest communities: From individual plants to landscape structure

Changes in habitat and reduction in predation and hunting pressure are two primary causes of high-density populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus viginianus) in many areas of eastern North America. Despite increasing recognition of the major effects deer exert on forest communities, deciding when deer are overabundant remains a major challenge to managers charged with conserving native plant communities. In this context, we define overabundance as a condition where deer are causing the local extinction of a native plant species.

Evidence for Two Alternate Stable States in an Ungulate Grazing System

Simple models describing plant-herbivore interactions predict complex dynamics that depend on both herbivore density and plant abundance. We examined interactions between white-tailed deer, Odocioleus virginianus, and a dominant forb species, Laportea canadensis, in the understory of deciduous forests by measuring the functional response of deer to this forb and by conducting exclosure experiments under different deer and forb densities.

The “Modern” Deer Hunter - Kip’s Korner - June 2007

Webster’s dictionary defines modern as “characteristic of recent times.” With respect to hunting, then what is a modern deer hunter? Is it a hunter who wears the most recent camouflage patterns? Is it a hunter who shoots the latest sporting arm or bow? Maybe, but modern hunters also have other attributes. They are more likely to wear scent-blocking clothing than hunters of one or two decades ago. Modern hunters also tend to have more gadgets and treestands than hunters of the past. Of all their characteristics however, the most important is that modern hunters are much more knowledgeable about deer biology and management than hunters at any point in our history. I’ll acknowledge that some of our forefathers had exceptional hunting skills, but as a group, today’s hunters are in the honor society with respect to deer knowledge.

High Deer numbers hurting state forests

It is said that some people have a difficult time seeing the forest through the trees. It appears some Wisconsin landowners are now having a hard time seeing the trees due to the deer population. This article was written by Tim Eisele for The Capital Times, April 26, 2006.

"White-Tailed Deer Issues" Lesson Plan Grade 9

Objectives of the Lesson: Describe the typical white-tailed deer in PA; Discuss the positive and negative impacts that white-tail deer have on the flora and fauna of PA; Explain the concept of managing a deer herd; Describe how abiotic and biotic factors can affect the size of a deer herd. Graph the result of the "Managing your Deer Herd" activity; Compare your results with your team and explain the differences observed; and Answer the questions at the end of the activity. This lesson plan was written and prepared by Barbara Neuburger, General McKlain High School.

"White-Tailed Deer: Beauty or Beast?" Lesson Plan Grades 10-12

Goals for the Lesson: Students will be familiar with the natural history and reproductive patterns of the white-tailed deer; Students will be able to list the favorite foods and most ideal habitat of the white-tailed deer; Students will be able to trace the history of the white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania and relate environmental changes to historical events which caused their numbers to increase to present levels; Students will be able to list attributes that have made the white-tailed deer a valuable resource and the negative factors that have caused conflicts with humans; Students will be able to compare and contrast biological carrying capacity and cultural carrying capacity; Students will be able to relate different types of habitat to the maximum sustainable densities of deer that each will support; Students will be able to rate several deer population control methods as to their effectiveness; and Students will be able to explain why white-tailed deer must be managed rather than allowing natural control methods to operate. This lesson plan was written and prepared by Allen D. McLaughlin, science teacher, Eisenhower High School, Russell, PA.

"Deer Population" Lesson Plan Grade 9

Goals for the Lesson: The students will be able to estimate the deer population in a given area over a 5-year period; and The students will be able to suggest possible management tools to prevent overpopulation. This lesson plan was written and prepared by Robert Cooper, Wilmington Area School District.

"White-Tailed Deer Issues" Lesson Plan Grade 9

Objectives of the Lesson: Describe the typical white-tailed deer in PA; Discuss the positive and negative impacts that white-tail deer have on the flora and fauna of PA; Explain the concept of managing a deer herd; Describe how abiotic and biotic factors can affect the size of a deer herd. Graph the result of the "Managing your Deer Herd" activity; Compare your results with your team and explain the differences observed; and Answer the questions at the end of the activity. This lesson plan was written and prepared by Barbara Neuburger, General McKlain High School.

"Must We Shoot Bambi?" Lesson Plan Grades 3-4

Goals of the Lesson: Students will understand the role of hunting to control population of deer; Students will understand carrying capacity and the alternatives of disease and starvation for deer; Students will see the plant destruction caused by deer and car accidents causing deer and human death. This lesson plan was written by Barbara Neuburger, General McKlain Elementary School.

People & Wildlife: Conflict Resolution Manuals

Practical manuals on non-lethal techniques to alleviate human-wildlife conflicts, targeted to various stakeholders and specific problems.

How to Get Involved in Mininimizing The Impacts of Roads on Florida's Wildlife

When a construction crew lays the pavement for a new or expanded road, it also paves the way for more subdivisions, more shopping centers, more business parks ... and more impacts on our natural places and wildlife. Some of these impacts are as noticeable as the roadside carcass of an animal killed by a vehicle. But the real ecological impacts go largely unseen and reach well beyond the shoulders of the road. This book was published by Defenders of Wildlife.

Growing and Managing Successful Food Plots for Wildlife in the Mid-South

Planting food plots is an excellent way to improve available nutrition, increase the carrying capacity and concentrate wildlife on your property. Food plots do not take the place of habitat management in general, but are intended to augment the quantity and quality of food occurring naturally in an area. Whenever habitat improvement is desired, other management practices (e.g., timber management, prescribed burning and discing) should be implemented as well. Food plot plantings should depend upon which wildlife species you want to attract and the seasonal requirements of those species. Not all wildlife species benefi t from all food plot plantings. Certain food plot mixtures provide benefi t to different wildlife species. For example, doves do not get much benefi t from a clover patch planted for white-tailed deer. This article was written by Craig A. Harper, Associate Professor, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries at the University of Tennessee.

More Harm than Good: Here's why the New Hampshire Fish and Game urges you NOT to feed the deer

Feeding deer in the winter has become an increasingly popular activity here in New Hampshire and throughout the Northeast. For the most part, folks who feed deer care deeply about wildlife, enjoy watching deer in their backyards, and sincerely think they’re helping the deer by supplying food in the winter. Problem is, in most cases they’re probably not helping them in any measurable way. In fact, they may be harming deer in many ways. Ironically, this activity often makes deer more vulnerable to starvation, predation, disease, and vehicle collisions, among other things. Although the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has long held serious reservations about feeding deer, the harsh winter of 2000-2001 made it clear that the activity was making a bad situation even worse. This article was written by Kip Adams, Deer Project Leader, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and Darrell Covell, UNH Wildlife Extension Specialist.

More Harm than Good: Here's why the New Hampshire Fish and Game urges you NOT to feed the deer

White-tailed deer in New Hampshire are at the northern limit of their range and have several natural adaptations that help them survive the winter. These include a thick winter coat of hollow hairs and the storage of fat in fall for later use during winter. Adult deer lose up to 20 percent of their body weight during winter, regardless of the amount or quality of food present. Adult deer get as much as 40 percent of their daily energy during winter from their fat tissue. This brochure was published by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.

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