Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

often are so low most hunters in Alabama would not find this system
acceptable. Even if land base and resources necessary for TDM are
available, the effort required to maintain proper herd density is often
prohibitive. For those who have the ability and resolve to implement
TDM, it can be a rewarding and worthwhile management option. True
TDM requires constant monitoring and fine-tuning of harvest and habitat
management. Consultation with a professional wildlife biologist
should be the first step in initiating a TDM program.
GENETICS AND ANTLER DEVELOPMENT
It is widely accepted among deer managers that there are three
major factors ultimately deciding a buck’s antler size. These factors are
nutrition, age, and genetics. Management of the first two parts of this
puzzle—nutrition and age—is straightforward. Bucks given adequate
amounts of high quality food and allowed to reach at least 5-1/2 years of
age will usually have large antlers.
Management of the third part of the puzzle—genetics—is much
less understood. Several factors related to genetics and antler development
require further scientific investigation. Deer managers understand
a buck cannot grow antlers larger than his genetic potential allows.
This means a buck will not grow antlers measuring 180 inches if his
genetic potential is limited to 150 inches of antler. Deer managers also
understand the other two pieces of the antler puzzle—age and nutrition—greatly
influence how much of a buck’s genetic potential will be
expressed. An immature deer or a deer under nutritional stress will
not be able to realize his full antler growth potential.
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