2006-07 deer Report - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMAAugust-September and December-February.Photographs were reviewed and total bucks,does, fawns and unknowns were recorded, aswell as the total point numbers on bucks. Thesurvey indicated a buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1, afawn-to-doe ratio of 1:3, and a density of onedeer per 37 acres. Of the 99 photographed, 75were branch antlered with 52 of those having 8or more points. Camera surveys are still used todetect multi-pointed bucks.3. Hunter Observation – Permit hunters areasked to fill out daily observation surveys.Data has been collected from 1998-2006.Information recorded includes number ofhunters, observation hours, bucks, does, fawns,and unknowns (see Page 31). In 2004 theobservation data sheets were changed to includethe total number of points for bucks (see below).These observations provide information on deerdensity, buck-to-doe ratio, and fawn-to-doeratio. So far the eight years of data has foundan average density of one deer per 13 acres,an average buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1.3, and anaverage fawn-to-doe ratio of 1:3.4.4. Herd Health Analysis – The SoutheasternCooperative Wildlife Disease Study Groupperiodically conducts necropsies to determineoverall health related to the existing habitat,and any sign of disease. These investigationsrevealed normal levels of parasites and nosignificant disease risk.Late winter sampling has been conductedto monitor changes in herd conditions overtime. Using Kidney Fat Index (KFI), age,weight, numbers of fawns and breeding dates,baseline levels were established and subsequentsampling has been conducted to detect changes.Long-term values for KFI (105.91), averageweight (90.5 lbs dressed), average numberof fawns (1.92 fawn/doe), and average doeTable 2: Grandview Prairie Hunter Observation Data 2004 - 2006YearNumberofHuntersHours ofObservationSpikesBuck Total # of Points3 to45 to6Does Fawns Unknown2004 N/A 862 15 33 18 37 12 85 26 246 4722005 14 N/A 10 13 9 25 4 101 52 82 2962006 40 N/A 53 23 20 73 36 202 80 33 5207 to89+Total32