Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

DEVELOPING A DEER MANAGEMENT
PLAN
Interest in deer management, quality deer management (QDM)
and trophy deer management (TDM) in particular, has grown significantly
during the last few years. As a result, an increasing number of
hunting clubs and landowners are implementing new deer management
programs on their properties. Most of these sportsmen undertake these
new approaches to deer management because they are looking for something
better. They want a healthier deer herd, more adult bucks, and/
or a higher quality hunting experience. Unfortunately, many of these
programs are doomed for failure from the start. The primary reason for
most of these failures is the lack of a plan detailing how to achieve the
desired objectives. Taking the time to develop a sound deer management
plan can minimize the headaches experienced when managing a
deer herd.
An assessment of both the habitat and deer herd must be made
before an appropriate deer management plan can be developed. Collecting
deer harvest and observational data provides insight into the
condition of the deer herd. An assessment of habitat quality shows
what components of the habitat are limiting. Without this information,
it is impossible to determine the practices needed to achieve success.
Furthermore, it is impossible to assess the program’s progress in future
years.
Short- and long-term goals should be established once an assessment
of the herd and habitat have been made. These goals should
focus on the numbers and/or size of deer to be harvested, as well as the
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