Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Fort Knox Military Reservation began to show signs of overbrowsing eight years after stocking with white-tailed deer (Odicoileua virginianus). Data collected annually on the reservation's deer herd during the deer hunting season indicated a rapid decline of the deer's physical condition as the wintering population increased from 5,500 to 9,000 over the period 1962-1965 and the deer range became overpopulated. Average dressed weights of yearling bucks and fawns decreased 16-18% while those of yearling does decreased 11% from 1958-1965. Average antler beam diameters of yearling bucks deteriorated 18% and "spiked" yearlings increased from 10% to 24% from 1960 to 1965. The reproductive rate dropped 47% from 1960 to 1965. Selective buck hunting during conservative "any deer" seasons reduced the buck:doe ratio among wintering deer from 106:100 in 1962 to 68:100 in 1966.

Feeding trials, in which ten white-tailed deer fawns, five bucks and five does, were fed a balanced ration, were conducted over an 18-month period. The commercially available ration which contained not less than 13.0 per cent protein or 2.0 percent crude fat and not more than 9.5 percent crude fiber or 4.8 percent minerals was fed ad libitum. Daily food consumption of each deer was recorded to the nearest ounce and weight of each deer was determined at weekly intervals to the nearest pound. Analysis of the data indicated that seasonal variation in food consumption and body weight of the experimental deer was statistically significant at the one percent level of probability. Sex by season interaction in food consumption was highly significant. Buck deer averaged 10 percent weight loss and doe deer averaged a three percent weight loss during the second winter of the study.

An evaluation of published work on the deer track count census method indicates the popularly used 1:1 relationship between tracks across roads and number of deer on an area can be neither rejected nor accepted. The day-to-day variability in deer track crossings usually requires a large number of consecutive counts to detect changes in populations. Procedures for determining the required number of counts are presented. A perennial problem confronting game technicians is that of obtaining an accurate population census of wildlife. The deer track count method, commonly employed in the coastal plain of the Southeast, is a census technique that is in obvious need of careful analysis and possible refinement. A critical evaluation is required to determine its limitations as an estimator of animal numbers or to relegate it to more appropriate uses, if possible, such as an index to population changes or as a "show me" type indicator of animal presence.

Daily and seasonal variations in drinking habits of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were observed in the Coastal Bend area of Texas. Data were collected from February, 1961, to February, 1963, on the Welder Wildlife Refuge. Information regarding drinking behavior was collected by observing deer directly from observation towers located near lakes or water tanks and by making track counts on a cleared, 10-foot wide strip surrounding the water tanks. Both direct observations and track counts were made at all hours throughout the 24-hour period and at all seasons of the year. The following inferences regarding drinking activities can be made from my data. (I) Deer use any water available, but prefer that which is not within fenced enclosures. (2) Deer drink more often in hot seasons than in cold. (3) Peaks of drinking activity are at 7 a.m., 11 a.m., and 4-6 p.m. (4) Deer do not have a specific time of drinking in relation to feeding.

Rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufidulum) , yaupon (!lex vomitoria), common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) , and yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) are major sources of deer food in upland pinehardwood forests of the South. In the study reported here, the quality of forage on these plants was related to their rate of growth. Rusty blackhaw is a deciduous shrub; yaupon, an evergreen shrub; greenbrier, a deciduous vine; and yellow jessamine, an evergreen vine. The plants studied were growing near Nacogdoches in east-central Texas in a well-stocked pine-hardwood timber stand. Shortleaf and loblolly pines dominated the overstory. The understory contained a multilayered assortment of hardwoods and shrubs. The study area had not been burned or grazed by livestock for at least 10 years. The soil is fine sandy loam with good surface and internal drainage.

White-tail deer (Odecoileus vi'1'Uinianus) were collected on twelve different areas of Alabama to obtain reproductive data. The earliest average conception date was December 4 for Black Warrior Management Area in north Alabama where there was some breeding as early as November 10. Latest average conception date was February 11 for Fred T. Stimpson Sanctuary in south Alabama where some breeding occurred as late as March 21. Conception dates are thought to be influenced by the genetic stock. Fetal sex ratios were nearly 60/50 on all areas. Production per adult doe varied from 2.0 fawns on Barbour Management Area to 1.1 in Baldwin County.

It is recognized that there are a number of ways that industrial lands can be administered to develop the wildlife resources and at the same time provide a recreational opportunity for the public. Gulf States Paper explored a number of these possibilities and we fully realize what has worked successfully for us may not for other industries. The Corporation was founded in 1884, in Marseilles, Illinois, by Herbert Eugene Westervelt. After 44 years of growth and expansion the home office was established in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the late 40's and early 50's improved conservation protective systems in Alabama began to show promising results in the rapid build up of game populations. Because of the unique nature of the Alabama trespass laws requiring that one obtain written permission to enter upon the lands of others, and the great increase in the numbers of people requesting this permission, the corporation was forced to employ a permit system.

For 20 years or more, there has been concern about increasing hunting pressure and decreasing hunting land. The U. S. Department of Agriculture has attempted to lessen this problem and decrease surpluses of farm products at the same time by subsidizing conversion of agricultural land to recreation land. Recreation is booming. Boaters, fishermen and water skiiers are crowding lakes faster than the Corps of Engineers can build them. New bowling alleys were built in nearly every town of any size, and cowpastures are being turned into golf courses every month. Hunters, though, are decreasing. After the first few days of the season, it is hard to find enough hunters for our biological samples in Kentucky. Even the public hunting areas are often deserted. We have fewer hunters than we had nine years ago. Our income from game is only about five percent higher than it was in 1957. Since the wildlife profession exists primarily to serve hunters, this is a disturbing situation.

Since we are entering an era of human management in the natural resources field in America, a game manager must emerge to meet the challenge of public relations in modern game management. He must have the natural ability, combined with professional training to manage people with one hand in order that they will permit hini to scientifically manage their wildlife resources with the other. A smooth working relationship must be constantly maintained with both his internal and external publics if he is to successfully mold their opinions and lead them in the cause of game management. Those who are responsible for his professional training will have to envision the need for his contribution before he can fully emerge. Furthermore, it will be necessary for his field supervisors to allow him ample liberty in the execution of his professional services before he can· succeed.