Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

areas. Very few of the crops commonly planted in the fall for deer can
survive several days of flooding. Flooding also makes these openings
useless for hunting. Upland sites usually are great locations for fall
and winter plantings.
On the other hand, summers can be very dry in Alabama. Openings
planted during the spring and summer should be located on sites
that will retain some soil moisture, even during the dry times. Upland
sites should be avoided during this time because they are generally the
driest areas during the summer.
Another factor that will determine the size and number of wildlife
openings is the purpose of the plantings. Openings planted solely
to attract deer during hunting season do not have to be numerous or
big. Under the right situation, a one-half acre opening placed in the
right location works great. If the purpose of the plantings is to provide
a supplemental food source for the deer, then larger, more numerous
openings usually are better. To get the most out of the plantings, at
least two to three percent of the total acreage should be planted with
high-quality crops. For example, a 2,000-acre property should have a
minimum of 40 acres of planted wildlife openings. Even one percent or
less of an area planted in high-quality crops improves deer diets and
enhances reproduction, growth, antler development (Johnson et al. 1987,
Vanderhoof and Jacobson 1989), and harvest (Kammermeyer and Moser
1990).
As a rule, most wildlife openings planted during the cool-season
should be one to three acres. Crops typically planted during the
cooler months can handle a substantial amount of grazing pressure. A
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