Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

herbicide can greatly improve the quality and quantity of deer forage in
a forested stand. Use of herbicides in unsuitable areas or under unfavorable
conditions by persons inexperienced in their use can result in
the loss of many valuable trees and other desirable plants. As with any
forest management technique, herbicides only should be applied by professionals
trained and experienced in their use. A professional can
determine if the site to be treated is suitable for herbicide and then can
make the application without causing harm to the non-target trees and
plants.
MOWING/DISCING
Limitations due to location, money, or available equipment may
not allow the use of fire or herbicides in some situations. In these cases,
other methods can be used to control plant succession, remove accumulated
plant matter, and encourage the growth of quality deer foods.
Techniques such as mowing or discing are great ways of improving food
production in abandoned agricultural fields, natural forest openings,
roadsides, utility right-of-ways, etc. Using these techniques just prior
to the growing season encourages new plant growth during the spring
and summer months and in many cases, normal farm implements can
be used to maintain these openings. As with prescribed fire, mowing
and discing should be done on a regular basis (two or three year cycles)
to maintain the desired plant species. When managing larger openings,
it is best to mow or disc only part (1/2 or 1/3) of the opening each
year. This provides deer with more of a variety of food plants in various
stages of development.
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