Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

on them. Since soils found in the Black Belt and the Major Floodplains
and Terraces are more fertile, plants that grow in these areas typically
have higher levels of protein and minerals, such as phosphorous and
calcium—all of which are important components in growing big, healthy
deer. Properties located in these high quality areas typically have higher
carrying capacities and are capable of supporting higher numbers of
deer in optimum condition than other poorer quality regions. The potential
of these sites, either good or bad, plays a major role in determining
how deer should be managed on the property and what can ultimately
be achieved using various management practices.
Regardless of soil type, land use practices can either enhance or
hinder to varying degrees a property’s potential for maintaining a
healthy, productive deer herd. White-tailed deer do best in areas with
more diverse habitat types.
Deer habitat quality is compromised
when land is
converted into a homogeneous
habitat.
These
homogenous habitat types
may be even-aged pine plantations,
mature hardwood
forests, large agricultural
Poor habitat is poor habitat, regardless
of the soil type. A closed canopy forest
provides very little food or cover for
deer during most of the year.
fields, or any other singular
cover type. A closed canopy
forest located in the Black
Belt has similarly poor quality
deer food throughout most
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