2006-07 deer Report - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

2006-07
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Deer Season Summary
c=85 m=19 y=0 k=0
c=57 m=80 y=100 k=45
c=20 m=0 y=40 k=6
Deer Decisions Start With DMAP
Every time deer hunters choose whether or not to pull a trigger, they make wildlife
management decisions. When hunters in an area make the same decisions, they can have a
dramatic effect on a deer herd’s health and population.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Deer Management Assistance Program helps
landowners and hunting clubs make the best decisions for their herds. Participants collect
and submit biological data from their deer harvests, and receive customized reports and
recommendations for future harvests and habitat work.
The program is voluntary, and participation does not affect land-access policies or restrict
land-management practices or hunting regulations.
DMAP Works Both Ways
Hunting clubs and landowners enrolled in DMAP may receive many benefits, depending
on how much information they give the AGFC. When armed with the right information,
biologists can offer recommendations and technical support, such as:
• Professional advice based on the status of the local deer herd
• Potential and limitations of local deer habitat
• Recommendations to improve local habitat
• Annual reports and harvest recommendations to manage the deer herd
• Recommendations for other species on the property
Easy Enrollment
Contact the private lands biologist in the AGFC regional office nearest the land to be enrolled.
The biologist will review the application and contact you or your club’s representative.
Participants must own or control enough land to effectively manage the deer herd (around
1,000 contiguous acres). Landowners and hunting clubs are encouraged to join with
neighboring landowners to meet the minimum acreage and increase the program’s success.
Region 1: Jonesboro
(870) 972-5438
Toll-free: (877) 972-5438
Region 5: Perrytown
(870) 777-5580
Toll-free: (877) 777-5580
Region 9: Calico Rock
(870) 297-4331
Toll-free: (877) 297-4331
Region 2: Brinkley
(870) 734-4581
Toll-free: (877) 734-4581
Region 6: Hot Springs
(501) 525-8606
Toll-free: (877) 525-8606
Region 10: Eureka Springs
(479) 253-2506
Toll-free: (866) 253-2506
Region 3: Monticello
(870) 367-3553
Toll-free: (877)367-3559
Region 7: Fort Smith
(479) 478-1043
Toll-free: (877) 478-1043
Region 4: Camden
(870) 836-4612
Toll-free: (877) 836-4612
Region 8: Russellville
(479) 967-7577
Toll-free: (877) 967-7577
Table of Contents
5 Executive Summary
Section One: Harvest Results
8 Harvest Results for 2006-07
9 Historic Deer Harvest 1938-2006
10 Statewide Harvest by Method
11 Statewide Harvest by Zone
12 Statewide Harvest by Opening Date
13 Statewide Harvest by Month
13 Statewide Harvest by County
14 Deer Management Units
14 Harvest Density by DMU
15 Harvest by WMA
Section Two: Herd Health Reports
18 Herd Health Data Collection
19 Average Kidney Fat Index by DMU
20 Average Date of Conception by DMU
21 Average Number of Fetuses per Doe by DMU
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
22 Biological Data Collection
23 Age Structure by Sex and DMU
24 Average Buck Dressed Weight by DMU
25 Average Antler Index by DMU
26 Average Doe Dressed Weight by DMU
27 Average Doe Lactation by DMU
Table of Contents
Section Four: Bowhunter Observation Data
28 Observation Data Collection
28 Comparison of 2005-06 and 2006-07 Observations
Section Five: Focus on Deer
29 Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
www.agfc.com
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 2006-07 Deer Season Summary is also available on our
Web site in Portable Document Format (PDF) at www.agfc.com/deer.
Cover photo by John Ford.
Executive Summary
I
n 1999 the Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission approved the Strategic
Deer Management Plan. The major
purpose of this plan is to provide strategic,
long-term guidance and direction for the
Commission’s white-tailed deer program.
The Strategic Deer Management Plan divides
the state into six Deer Management Units (DMU)
based on the following physiographic regions: Ozark
Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas River
Valley (ARV), West Gulf Coastal Plain (WGCP),
Mississippi Alluvial Valley (Delta), and Crowley’s
Ridge (CR). The statewide zones are subdivisions
of the DMUs. Zones allow separate management
strategies to address differences in deer populations,
habitat composition, and land-use patterns within
each DMU to maintain the established population
and biological goals.
Current Management
All regions of Arkansas support white-tailed deer
populations. The highest densities occur in the West
Gulf Coastal Plain where about 50 percent of all
harvest occurs. The deer populations in the Ozark
Mountains, Ouachita Mountains and the Arkansas
River Valley are considered stable to increasing.
Despite the high degree of habitat fragmentation,
the Mississippi Alluvial Valley supports a moderate
deer population, primarily because of high soil
fertility and high-quality food sources. Crowley’s
Ridge has soil types and habitat composition
drastically different than the surrounding
Mississippi Delta. The deer population on Crowley’s
Ridge is considered stable.
The deer database contains 69 years of harvest
data, 17 years of biological data (body weights,
lactation, age and antler measurements), 6 years
of herd health data (kidney fat indices, conception
dates, parturition dates and fetal counts), and 3
years of bowhunter observation data. Because of
lack of standardization of deer zone boundaries
throughout the years, data analysis by deer zone is
difficult. Data available can best be evaluated by
DMU because of unchanging boundaries.
A total of 165,663 deer were checked in the
2006-07 deer season. This represents a 25 percent
increase from the 2005-06 harvest of 132,415. The
buck harvest increased 26 percent (90,028) from
the 2005-06 harvest of 71,253. The doe harvest
increased 28 percent (47,778 to 61,179) during the
2006-07 season. Button buck harvest increased
12 percent (12, 747 from the 2005-06 harvest
of 11,428).
“
A total of 165,663 deer
were checked in the
2006-07 deer season.
”
The 2006-07 biological data demonstrates the
majority of bucks (36 percent) and does (25 percent)
harvested statewide were 2.5 years old. The peak
in the 2.5-year-old buck harvest is primarily a
result of the statewide antler point restriction that
defines a legal buck as having at least three points
on one side. Average dressed body weights for adult
bucks ranged from 109 pounds in the Ouachita
Mountains and the West Gulf Coastal Plain to 131
pounds in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Average
adult doe dressed body weights were highest in
the Mississippi Alluvial Valley (89 pounds) and
lowest in the Ouachita Mountains (77 pounds).
Statewide lactation rates in adult does were below
the 80 percent target set by the Strategic Deer
Plan. The highest adult lactation was 78 percent
5
Executive Summary
in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley; the lowest
adult lactation was 58 percent in the Ouachita
Mountains. Antler index is the sum of total number
of points, inside spread, left beam length, and left
beam circumference. The highest average score was
47 on Crowley’s Ridge; the lowest average score was
39 in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Herd Health Data Summary
Herd health data provides information on herd
health conditions, timing of the rut, and fawn
production. For 2007, the average number of fetuses
produced was highest in the Ozarks (2.0) and
the lowest was in the Ouachita Mountains (1.16).
Kidney Fat Indices (KFI) range from a high of
127 percent in the Ozark Mountains to a low of
33 percent in the Ouachita Mountains. Kidney fat
deposits can be used to evaluate physical conditions
of animals coming out of winter stress entering
spring green-up. Mast production and weather
conditions will determine amount of fat deposits
prior to spring. The minimum desired average KFI
for a sampling period of February through April is
35 percent.
The peak rut in 2006 was similar when compared
to the five-year average in some areas. The
Ozark Mountains showed the earliest peak rut at
November 5. The latest peak rut in Arkansas was
in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley on November
26. This is common. Deer in the delta and batture
regions of Arkansas have historically bred later
compared to other regions. Some biologists believe
the reason for this late rutting is because historical
flooding results in fawns being born later or after
the water recedes.
Bowhunter Observation Summary
The 2006-07 archery season was the third year in
which hunters throughout the state collected deer
observation data. Hunter observations provide data
such as sex ratios, deer density, fawn-to-doe ratio
6
and antler structure. This kind of population data,
along with biological data from harvested deer,
provides a more detailed picture of the deer herd
for each region. More than 1,000 archery hunters
participated in the survey and collected more than
14,000 hours of data. It is important to stress that
the information presented in this report represents
only three years of observation data. Additional data
will be needed to determine trends and potential
change related to management strategies.
Chronic Wasting Disease Update
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is still a
major concern and threat to Arkansas’s native deer
populations. During 2004-06 biologists completed
a random sampling of each of Arkansas’s counties.
Within each county a minimum of 50 samples
were collected from hunter-harvested deer and herd
health deer sampled in late winter. During 2006,
biologists collected samples from “hot spots” or areas
of concern and worked to collect additional samples
in areas where sample collection was not adequately
distributed geographically. To date, more than 3,700
wild deer have been tested in USDA-certified labs at
the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission and
the University of Georgia. No evidence of CWD has
been detected in any of these samples.
Executive Summary
Future Management Plans: Update
2007 Deer Plan Revision
The Wildlife Management Division has initiated
the process to revise the agency’s Strategic Deer
Management Plan in 2007. The process selected will
incorporate public input data and biological parameters
to produce a final product.
AGFC has contracted the services of Dynamic
Solutions Group, a consulting firm that works
with natural resources agencies around the country
to develop management strategies while forging
relationships with the public. The group has worked on
hot-item issues such as wolf management in Utah and
Wyoming, but one of its specialties is increasing public
involvement during the development of fish and wildlife
management plans.
Traditionally, species plans are developed by AGFC
biologists with public input incorporated on the tailend of plan development. This new approach involves
gathering public input data during the initial stages and
merging the public’s input with biology to produce a
statewide plan.
The process started by developing advisory groups
including various stakeholders from each physiographic
region of Arkansas. The advisory groups act as a
sounding board for the AGFC and assist with plan
development and implementation.
The next step was a series of 10 public scoping
workshops held in June, 2007. These workshops
gathered public input that will assist in the development
of the plan.
A second round of public meetings will be held
following the completion of the draft management
plan with a deer summit meeting scheduled for
Sept. 29, 2007. The summit meeting will include
information on implementing the plan, but will
focus on thanking participants for their assistance
with plan development.
The process is expected to be complete by December
2007, when the final draft of the management plan will
be presented to AGFC commissioners for approval.
With white-tailed deer being the highest-profile
game animal in The Natural State and with more than
300,000 deer hunters pursuing whitetails each year, the
AGFC believes that this new approach will allow the
hunters to become vested in Arkansas’s deer resource.
Deer Management Assistance Program
(DMAP) Data Program
The AGFC Wildlife Management Division has
made great strides in achieving this goal. We have
contracted the services of well known computer
programmers to develop a program to reduce the
amount of time biologists invest in data analysis and
provide hunting clubs a professional and valuable
report of deer herd condition.
Wildlife Management Area
Permit Hunt Reporting
During the 2006-07 season many hunters who
participated in a permitted hunt completed a hunter-use
survey. Biologists responsible for these areas also have
been collecting harvest data. This is an ongoing effort
to gather information related to permit administration
and deer management goals.
Develop Arkansas’s CWD Sampling and
Response Plan
Arkansas’s CWD Task Force completed this goal
in 2007. The plan is currently available for review on
www.agfc.com. The purpose of this plan is to provide
guidance for future CWD monitoring and a response if
a positive sample is found.
Evaluation of the Three-Point Rule
The AGFC has been working with the University of
Arkansas at Monticello to review the three-point antler
regulation’s effect on age composition and antler size.
This project is scheduled for completion late in 2007.
7
Section One: Harvest Results
Harvest Results for 2006-07
A total of 165,663 deer were checked in the
2006-07 deer season. This is a 25 percent increase
from the 2005-06 harvest of 132,415. The buck
harvest increased 26 percent (90,028) from the
2005-06 harvest of 71,253. The doe harvest
increased by 28 percent (47,778 to 61,179).
Button buck harvest increased 12 percent (12, 747
from the 2005-06 harvest of 11,428). One reason
for the increase in buck harvest is the bag limit
increase to two bucks in zones 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
These zones exhibited a total increase of 10, 644
bucks from the 2005-06 season.
Deer Harvest in Arkansas, 1990-2007
1990-2007 Deer Harvest
250,000
High: 194,687
Number Harvested
200,000
2006-07:
165,663
150,000
100,000
Low: 90,910
50,000
0
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
Year
8
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Section One: Harvest Results
Historic Deer Harvest
1938-2006
Year
Total
Harvest
Year
Total
Harvest
Year
Total
Harvest
Year
Total
Harvest
1938
203
1956
8,249
1974
33,763
1992
110,401
1939
540
1957
9,438
1975
33,322
1993
122,063
1940
408
1958
9,993
1976
27,790
1994
120,491
1941
433
1959
12,280
1977
29,109
1995
163,924
1942
1,000
1960
15,000
1978
43,452
1996
152,460
1943
1,723
1961
19,359
1979
36,074
1997
167,305
1944
1,606
1962
27,772
1980
45,202
1998
179,225
1945
1,687
1963
25,148
1981
44,591
1999
194,687
1946
1,661
1964
16,637
1982
42,873
2000
182,132
1947
2,016
1965
17,138
1983
60,248
2001
150,279
1948
2,779
1966
20,028
1984
66,039
2002
124,451
1949
3,075
1967
21,751
1985
60,076
2003
108,456
1950
4,122
1968
20,063
1986
79,880
2004
131,639
1951
4,600
1969
25,696
1987
106,392
2005
132,415
1952
6,090
1970
26,017
1988
110,207
2006
165,663
1953
6,245
1971
24,720
1989
113,079
1954
7,343
1972
32,087
1990
90,910
1955
6,856
1973
33,794
1991
110,896
9
Section One: Harvest Results
Statewide Harvest by Method
Method
Bucks
Archery
Crossbow
Muzzleloader
Modern Gun
Unknown
Entire Season
Percent of Total Harvest
4,142
1,717
14,076
68,661
1,432
90,028
54%
2006-07
Button
Bucks
621
427
1,585
9,842
272
12,747
8%
Method
Does
Unknown
Total
5,770
2,412
8,951
43,015
1,031
61,179
37%
81
52
239
1,155
182
1,709
1%
10,614
4,608
24,851
122,673
2,917
165,663
Bucks
Archery
Crossbow
Muzzleloader
Modern Gun
Unknown
Entire Season
Percent of Total Harvest
2,974
1,258
7,432
58,816
773
71,253
54%
Button
Bucks
528
394
1,118
9,246
142
11,428
9%
2005-06
Does
Unknown
Total
4,291
1,998
5,361
35,579
549
47,778
36%
131
57
1,029
67
672
1,956
1%
7,924
3,707
14,940
103,708
2,136
132,415
Statewide Harvest by Method
Difference by Percent from 2005-06 Season
Method
Archery
Crossbow
Muzzleloader
Modern Gun
Unknown
Entire Season
10
% Difference
Bucks
39%
36%
89%
17%
85%
26%
% Difference
Button Bucks
18%
8%
42%
6%
92%
12%
% Difference
Does
34%
21%
67%
21%
88%
28%
% Difference
Total
34%
24%
66%
18%
37%
25%
Section One: Harvest Results
Statewide Harvest by Zone
2005-06 Data
Bucks Button Bucks
Does
2006-07 Data
Unknown
Total
Zone
Harvest
% Change
Harvest
% Change
Harvest
% Change
Harvest
% Change
Harvest
% Change
1*
2,009
4,171
108%
103
183
78%
802
850
6%
35
69
97%
2,949
5,273
79%
2*
1,299
2,893
123%
92
160
74%
527
610
16%
58
40
-31%
1,976
3,703
87%
3
6,535
8,786
34%
800
732
-9%
2,465
2,685
9%
180
118
-34%
9,980
12,321
23%
4
495
622
26%
85
99
16%
386
479
24%
12
11
-8%
978
1,211
24%
4A
226
227
0%
24
21
-13%
110
138
25%
3
4
33%
363
390
7%
5
1,044
1,223
17%
262
263
0%
963
1,029
7%
51
31
-39%
2,320
2,546
10%
5A
185
195
5%
19
16
-16%
76
81
7%
2
5
150%
282
297
5%
6*
3,513
7,386
110%
213
344
62%
1,455
1,800
24%
118
69
-42%
5,299
9,599
81%
7*
1,101
2,003
82%
72
144
100%
416
595
43%
96
22
-77%
1,685
2,764
64%
8*
2,322
3,955
70%
231
308
33%
1,238
1,401
13%
55
38
-31%
3,846
5,702
48%
9
4,193
4,321
3%
494
609
23%
2,723
3,340
23%
64
94
47%
7,474
8,364
12%
10*
752
1,232
64%
67
115
72%
430
573
33%
11
18
64%
1,260
1,938
54%
11
3,808
3,720
-2%
268
258
-4%
771
1,116
45%
34
79
132%
4,881
5,173
6%
12
29,323
32,908
12%
6,535
7,215
10%
24,819
32,463
31%
650
767
18%
61,327
73,353
20%
13
5,232
6,239
19%
852
1,007
18%
3,393
5,601
65%
95
141
48%
9,572
12,988
36%
14
1,586
1,990
25%
226
275
22%
1,161
1,542
33%
38
21
-45%
3,011
3,828
27%
15
791
952
20%
118
160
36%
559
813
45%
25
15
-40%
1,493
1,940
30%
16
634
728
15%
68
67
-1%
495
770
56%
6
17
183%
1,203
1,582
32%
16A
204
206
1%
17
12
-29%
116
133
15%
2
1
-50%
339
352
4%
17
1,277
1,454
14%
94
99
5%
1,564
1,733
11%
30
31
3%
2,965
3,317
12%
WMA
3,290
4,159
26%
566
541
-4%
2,267
2,892
28%
133
86
-35%
6,256
7,678
23%
Unknown
1,434
658
-54%
222
119
-46%
1,042
535
-49%
258
32
-88%
2,956
1,344
-55%
Total
71,253
90,028
26%
11,428
12,747
12%
47,778
61,179
28%
1,956
1,709
-13%
132,415
165,663
25%
* Buck bag limit increase from one buck to two bucks.
11
Section One: Harvest Results
Statewide Harvest by Opening Date
The 2006-07 deer season was the fourth season
scannable checksheets were used. In addition to ease
of use, faster data processing and near real-time data
reporting, the scanning process enabled the AGFC to
analyze deer harvest by date. This information will
allow the agency to chart opening day trends. It also
will provide valuable details about the effects of season
structure on harvest. The most noteworthy finding
from the 2006-07 harvest by date was that 15 percent
of the total harvest occurred on the opening days of
muzzleloader and modern gun seasons.
Statewide Harvest by Opening Date
Method
Opening Day
Harvest
Average
Temp. (F)
Average
Precipitation
Peak Wind
(MPH)
2003-04 Season
Archery/Crossbow
Oct. 1, 2003
562
57
0
23
Muzzleloader
Oct. 18, 2003
4,394
60
0
9
Modern Gun
Nov. 8, 2003
18,222
49
0
17
2004-05 Season
Archery/Crossbow
Oct. 1, 2004
989
70
0
17
Muzzleloader
Oct. 16, 2004
5,754
60
0
20
Modern Gun
Nov. 13, 2004
19,636
49
0.01
24
2005-06 Season
Archery/Crossbow
Oct. 1, 2005
1,161
71
0
15
Muzzleloader
Oct. 15, 2005
2,730
70
0
14
Modern Gun
Nov. 12, 2005
16,724
59
0.14
28
2006-07 Season
12
Archery/Crossbow
Oct. 1, 2006
1,215
90
0
4
Muzzleloader
Oct. 14, 2006
5,936
72
0
4
Modern Gun
Nov. 11, 2006
19,857
60
0
9
Section One: Harvest Results
Statewide Harvest by Month
2006-07
Month
October
Harvest
31,767
% Total
19.18%
Month
January
Harvest
1,422
% Total
0.86%
November
101,766
61.43%
February
612
0.37%
December
30,096
18.17%
2006-07 Deer Harvest
Deer Harvested by County
2006-2007 Statewide Harvest by County
Map 1
CARROLL
950
BENTON
1,867
WASHINGTON MADISON
2,406
2,643
CRAWFORD
1,712
LOGAN
1,193
YELL
1,544
SCOTT
767
MONTGOMERY
1,052
PIKE
HOW- 3,801
ARD
SEVIER
2,908
1,682
LITTLE
RIVER
2,067
NEWTON
1,220
FRANK- JOHNSON
LIN
1,545
1,228
SEBASTIAN
987
POLK
1,830
BOONE
851
POPE
1,868
MARION
1,049
BAXTER
1,451
IZARD
1,539
SEARCY
953
STONE
1,319
VAN BUREN
CLEBURNE
1,803
1,974
CONWAY
FAULK1,445
NER
1,441
PERRY
842
GARLAND
2,206
CLARK
5,795
INDEPENDENCE
2,250
WHITE
2,754
LAWRENCE
1,205
JACKSON
334
WOODRUFF
878
LAFAY- COLUMBIA
4,444
ETTE
1,772
MISSISSIPPI
138
POINSETT
442
CROSS
596
CRITTENDEN
196
ST. FRANCIS
604
LEE
495
PHILLIPS
505
GRANT
4,604
DALLAS
5,907
GREENE
1,127
CRAIGHEAD
317
3,408
JEFFERSON
2,856
CLEVELAND LINCOLN
2,646
5,775
HEMPSTEAD
NEVADA OUACHITA
3,165
5,477
4,171
MILLER
1,337
SHARP
2,678
PULASKI LONOKE PRAIRIE MON2,122
ROE
1,105
1,519
1,361
SALINE
HOT SPRING
2,483
CLAY
958
RANDOLPH
1,626
FULTON
2,330
CALHOUN
4,852
BRADLEY
5,520
UNION
7,363
ARKANSAS
3,756
DESHA
2,166
DREW
5,037
ASHLEY
4,964
Lowest Harvest
CHICOT
936
Greatest Harvest
*Unknown County Harvest- 1,546
13
Section One: Harvest Results
Deer Management Units
The 1999 Strategic Deer Management Plan
defined Deer Management Units (DMUs) based on
the following Arkansas physiographic regions: Ozark
Mountains, Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas River
Valley, West Gulf Coastal Plain, Mississippi Alluvial
Valley (Delta), and Crowley’s Ridge (see Map 2).
The Strategic Deer Management Plan established
Deer Management Units
And the 2006-07 Deer Zones
long-term deer biological and population goals
for each DMU. The statewide deer zones are
subdivisions of the DMUs. Zones allow for separate
management strategies to address current differences
in deer populations, harvests, habitats and land use
within each DMU while striving to maintain the
established population and biological goals.
Map 2
Harvest Density
Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
technology, we were able to analyze the 2003-2007
deer harvest by total acreage for the DMUs. The
West Gulf Coastal Plain was the most productive
2003-07 Total Acres
Per Deer Harvest by DMU
14
DMU with a yield of one deer harvested for every
126 acres (see Map 3). This four-year average
provides information regarding the productivity
levels of each DMU.
Map 3
Section One: Harvest Results
Public Land Harvest
WMA Name
Bald Knob NWR
Bayou Des Arc WMA
Bayou Meto WMA
Beaver Lake WMA
Bell Slough WMA
Benson Creek Natural Area WMA
Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita WMA
Big Creek WMA
Big Lake WMA
Big Timber WMA
2006-07
Harvest
Acres
17
5
177
11
6
3
2
11
15,000
953
33,832
5,827
2,040
302
7,020
280
6
12,320
241
37,742
Blevins WMA
3
128
Blue Mountain WMA
25
8,200
Buffalo National River WMA
50
95,730
Cache River NWR
142
54,000
Camp Robinson SUA
44
4,029
Camp Robinson WMA
267
26,675
Caney Creek WMA
66
85,000
Casey Jones WMA
144
83,832
Cattail Marsh WMA
1
78
Cedar Creek WMA
4
103
Cherokee Prairie Natural Area WMA
2
130
Cherokee WMA
46
105,313
Choctaw Island WMA
90
8,300
Crossett Experimental Forest WMA
7
1,675
Cut-off Creek WMA
53
9,314
Cypress Bayou WMA
7
1,503
Dagmar WMA
48
9,720
Dardanelle WMA
31
42,500
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA
76
21,150
Departee Creek WMA
3
450
Devil’s Knob Natural Area WMA
1
499
Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois D’Arc WMA
71
13,646
Earl Buss Bayou DeView WMA
18
4,435
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA
139
8,694
Felsenthal NWR
520
65,000
Fort Chaffee WMA
475
66,000
Continued next page >>
15
Section One: Harvest Results
Public Land Harvest
WMA Name
16
2006-07
Harvest
Acres
Frog Bayou WMA
1
790
Galla Creek WMA
27
3,329
Gene Rush WMA
19
18,190
Greers Ferry Lake WMA
7
9,914
Gulf Mountain WMA
131
11,683
Gum Flats WMA
24
15,661
Harold E. Alexander Spring River WMA
95
13,859
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA
100
17,524
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area
19
11,744
Holla Bend NWR
65
7,000
Holland Bottoms WMA
34
6,190
Hope Upland WMA
18
2,115
Howard County WMA
132
26,000
Howard Hensley Searcy County WMA
2
170
Iron Mountain Natural Area WMA
2
161
J. Perry Mikles Blue Mountain SUA
19
4,000
Jamestown Independence County WMA
2
971
Jim Kress WMA
14
14,527
Jones Point WMA
3
1,200
Lafayette County WMA
58
16,739
Lake Greeson WMA
235
38,000
Lee County WMA
2
200
Little Bayou WMA
3
1,284
Little River WMA
5
597
Loafer’s Glory WMA
4
2,616
Madison County WMA
58
14,496
Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA
218
19,184
Mount Magazine WMA
168
120,000
Muddy Creek WMA
129
146,206
Nimrod Lloyd Millwood WMA
2
3,550
Norfork Lake WMA
26
10,000
Overflow NWR
9
13,000
Ozark Lake WMA
1
7,834
Ozark National Forest WMA
348
678,878
Petit Jean River WMA
58
15,502
Pine City Natural Area WMA
3
593
Continued next page >>
Section One: Harvest Results
Public Land Harvest
WMA Name
2006-07
Harvest
Acres
Piney Creeks WMA
133
180,000
Poison Springs WMA
96
17,604
Pond Creek NWR
95
27,000
Prairie Bayou WMA
3
453
Provo WMA
82
11,327
R. L. Hankins Mud Creek Upland WMA
11
1,023
Railroad Prairie Natural Area WMA
1
244
Rainey WMA
2
488
Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA
15
7,221
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
14
4,895
River Bend WMA
1
104
Seven Devils WMA
27
5,032
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA
66
10,711
Slippery Hollow Natural Area WMA
2
240
Smoke Hole Natural Area WMA
1
455
Spring Bank WMA
3
701
St. Francis National Forest WMA
29
21,201
St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA
24
27,361
Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA
3
4,000
Sulphur River WMA
128
16,520
Sylamore WMA
230
150,000
1
77
124
8,173
Two Bayou Creek WMA
1
1,250
U of A Pine Tree Experimental Station WDA
87
11,850
W. E. Brewer Scatter Creek WMA
6
3,898
Wapanocca NWR
10
5,485
Warren Prairie Natural Area WMA
47
889
Wedington WMA
29
16,000
White Cliffs Natural Area WMA
4
573
White River NWR
846
160,000
White Rock WMA
475
280,000
2
111
226
160,000
1
167
7,678
3,220,180
Terre Noire Natural Area WMA
Trusten Holder WMA
Whitehall WMA
Winona WMA
Wittsburg Natural Area WMA
Total
17
Section Two: Herd Health Reports
Herd Health Data Collection
H
erd health data provides
information on herd health
conditions, timing of the rut
and fawn production.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission personnel
have collected several hundred deer samples during
the last six years in late winter and early spring to
gauge herd health. Samples were collected from all six
DMUs in the state. All usable meat was donated to
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry or needy
families within the community.
Kidney Fat Index: Kidney Fat Index (KFI) can
be used to evaluate physical conditions of deer
coming out of winter stress, and entering spring
green-up. KFI is the weight of the fat deposits
surrounding the kidneys divided by the weight
of the kidneys, and is
expressed as a percentage.
The higher the KFI
value, the healthier the
deer. Targets for KFI are
time sensitive, but for
the sampling period of
February through April the
target is 35 percent.
Conception Date:
Fetuses are extracted and
then measured using a
JIM-GEM fetus scale
to determine days from
conception and days until
birth. Conception data
provides “peak rut” dates,
which assist biologists
in making management
decisions such as setting
deer season. Conception
dates will vary from year to year and are dependent
on population density. Ideally, adult does should
breed during their first estrus cycle (November)
which results in fawns born during early summer
(June). Fawns born during hot summer months
(July and August) have decreased survival rates
because of poor habitat conditions and extreme
heat.
Fetal Counts: The number of fetuses per doe is a
measure of breeding success and health of the animal.
The number of fetuses per yearling doe is slightly
lower than adults, but this is common because of
their developmental stage. There is little regional
variation for this among DMUs, indicating breeding
success is uniform across the state. The target for fetal
counts is 1.7 per doe.
Fred Hicks
18
Section Two: Herd Health Reports
2002-07 Deer Herd Health:
Average Kidney Fat Index by DMU
Six-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
93%
Six-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
89%
85%
61%
111%
108%
84%
96%
55%
59%
55%
78%
2007 Adult Kidney Fat Indices Compared to Five-year Average by DMU
140
120
Percent KFI
100
80
2002-2006
2007
60
40
Target
35%
20
0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
MAV
CR
DMU
19
Section Two: Herd Health Reports
2002-07 Deer Herd Health:
Average Date of Conception by DMU
Six-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
November 10
Six-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
November 22
November 20
December 26
November 15
November 11
December 2
November 27
November 15
November 13
November 14
November 19
2006-07 Adult Average Date of Conception Compared to Five-year Average by DMU
30
25
November Date
20
2002-2006
15
2007
10
5
0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
DMU
20
MAV
CR
Section Two: Herd Health Reports
2002-07 Deer Herd Health:
Average Fetuses by DMU
Six-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
1.8
Six-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
1.3
1.9
.9
1.4
1.8
.9
1.7
1.3
1.6
1.1
1.7
2007 Adult Average Number of Fetuses Compared to Five-year Average by DMU
2.0
1.8
Target
1.7
1.6
Number of Fetuses
1.4
1.2
2002-2006
1.0
2007
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
MAV
CR
DMU
21
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
Biological Data
Collection
E
ach deer season wildlife
management employees, along
with participating deer clubs,
collect a variety of data from harvested
deer.
The data collected includes age, body weight,
antler measurements and lactation rates. These
indices make it possible to analyze differences in
the biological characteristics of Arkansas’s deer over
time and among DMUs.
Age Structure: Average age structure is directly
related to harvest. Buck age structure depends on
harvest criteria such as the three-point rule. Before
the three-point rule was implemented, yearlings
were 80 percent of total buck harvest. In does, the
average age harvested provides information on the
age structure and potential recruitment rates.
Dressed Body Weight: Average dressed body
weights vary with environmental conditions such as
soil fertility, weather conditions and available mast.
Bucks can experience extreme wieght loss during
breeding season because they focus less on eating
and more on establishing territories and monitoring
receptive does. Body weights in does also fluctuate
from breeding requirements, lactation and available
food nutrition. The target for average buck dressed
weight is 110 pounds, except in the Mississippi
Alluvial Valley where it is 130 pounds. The target
dressed weight in does is 80 pounds statewide and
90 pounds in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley.
Antler Index: Antler index is the sum of total
points, inside spread, left beam length and left
beam circumference. Antler indices vary by region
depending on environmental conditions, such as
nutrition. Other factors include age and genetics.
22
Elaine R. Taylor
Lactation: Lactation is an indicator of a
successfully bred doe. Lactation rates tend to be much
higher in adult deer (2.5+ years old) than in yearlings
(1.5 years old). Lactation data is collected only
during October and November to ensure accurate
determinations. Target lactation is 80 percent wet for
adults and 25 percent wet for yearlings.
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
2006-07 Deer Biological Data:
Age Structure by Sex and DMU
Average Adult Buck Age
3.5
Average Adult Doe Age
3.9
3.9
3.5
3.8
3.5
4.4
4.0
3.9
3.5
4.4
3.7
2006-07 Statewide Age Structure
40%
35%
Percentage of Total
30%
25%
Bucks
Does
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Fawn
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.5
6.5+
Age (Years)
23
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
2000-06 Deer Biological Data:
Average Buck Dressed Weight by DMU
Seven-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
110 lbs.
Seven-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
88 lbs.
130 lbs.
93 lbs.
87 lbs.
110 lbs.
93 lbs.
131 lbs.
83 lbs.
109 lbs.
83 lbs.
109 lbs.
Adult (2.5+) Average Buck Dressed Weight by DMU
150
140
Target
130 lbs.
130
120
Target
110 lbs.
110
Weight (lbs.)
100
90
80
2000-2005
2006
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
DMU
24
MAV
CR
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
2000-06 Deer Biological Data:
Average Antler Index by DMU
Seven-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
40
Seven-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
27
46
41
28
27
23
44
26
41
23
39
Adult Average Antler Index by DMU
50
45
40
35
Antler Index
30
2000-2005
2006
25
20
15
10
5
0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
MAV
CR
DMU
25
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
2000-06 Deer Biological Data:
Average Doe Dressed Weight by DMU
Seven-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
82 lbs.
Seven-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
72 lbs.
85 lbs.
73 lbs.
71 lbs.
80 lbs.
76 lbs.
89 lbs.
67 lbs.
77 lbs.
69 lbs.
80 lbs.
Adult (2.5+) Average Doe Dressed Weight by DMU
100
90
Target
90 lbs.
80
Target
80 lbs.
Weight (lbs.)
70
60
2000-2005
2006
50
40
30
20
10
0
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
DMU
26
MAV
CR
Section Three: Biological Data Reports
2001-06 Deer Biological Data:
Average Doe Lactation by DMU
Six-year Average
for Adults (2.5+ years)
66%
Six-year Average
for Yearlings (1.5 years)
16%
68%
23%
17%
65%
19%
65%
11%
62%
17%
67%
Adult Percent Lactation by DMU
100%
90%
Target
80%
80%
Percent Lactation
70%
60%
2001-2005
2006
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Ozarks
Ouachitas
ARV
WGCP
MAV
CR
DMU
27
Section Four: Bowhunter Observation Data
2006-07 Bowhunter Observation Data by DMU
T
he 2006-07 archery season was
archery hunters participated in the survey to collect
14,000 hours of data. It is important to stress that
the information below only represents three years of
observation. Additional data will be needed to validate
trends and potential change related to management
strategies.
If you would like to participate in the bowhunter
observation program, contact the AGFC, (501) 2236430.
the third in which bowhunters
throughout the state collected deer
observation data.
Hunter observations provide population data such
as sex ratios, deer density, fawn-to-doe ratio and
antler structure. This data along with biological data
from harvested deer provides a more detailed picture
of the deer herd for each region. One thousand
Comparison of 2004-07 Observation Data
2004-05 Data
28
2005-06 Data
2006-07 Data
DMU
Relative Abundance =
Total Deer Observed/
Total Hours
Doe-toBuck Ratio
Fawn-toDoe Ratio
% Spikes
Ozarks
1.13 | 0.80
1.13
2.2:1 | 1.8:1
1.5:1
0.37 | 0.43
0.31
Ouachitas
0.77 | 0.50
1.00
1.5:1 | 1.1:1
1.6:1
Arkansas River Valley
0.70 | 0.58
1.21
West Gulf Coastal Plain
Bucks - Total Number of Points
% 3-4 Pts.
% 5-6 Pts.
% 7-8 Pts.
% 9+ Pts.
24% | 36%
19%
24% | 20%
22%
22% | 27%
28%
22% | 15%
25%
8% | 2%
6%
0.61 | 0.42
0.36
34% | 22%
40%
20% | 11%
11%
16% | 16%
12%
26% | 24%
34%
4% | 27%
3%
2.3:1 | 2.0:1
1.5:1
0.40 | 0.34
0.32
25% | 34%
18%
20% | 23%
48%
21% | 9%
15%
28% | 21%
14%
5% | 13%
5%
0.86 | 0.93
1.44
1.2:1 | 1.6:1
1.2:1
0.54 | 0.39
0.48
26% | 45%
40%
12% | 15%
18%
15% | 16%
21%
46% | 23%
18%
2% | 2%
2%
Mississippi Alluvial Valley
0.73 | 0.84
1.32
2.3:1 | 2.0:1
1.1:1
0.34 | 0.41
0.45
33% | 43%
37%
17% | 13%
22%
16% | 15%
22%
27% | 23%
14%
6% | 6%
5%
Crowley’s Ridge
0.87 | 0.96
0.81
1.6:1 | 1.6:1
0.6:1
0.93 | 0.59
0.89
25% | 10%
13%
23% | 31%
26%
26% | 10%
33%
25% | 44%
26%
2% | 5%
3%
DMU
Total Observation Hours
Ozarks
4,585 | 3,022 | 3,348
West Gulf Coastal Plain
6,266 | 3,681 | 5,050
Ouachitas
2,201 | 1,415 | 1,282
Mississippi Alluvial Valley
4,827 | 2,806 | 3,066
Arkansas River Valley
2,282 | 1,048 | 1,662
Crowley’s Ridge
DMU
Total Observation Hours
416 | 182 | 171
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
R
ick Evans Grandview Prairie
Wildlife Management Area was
established in 1997.
It was the first major land acquisition using money
provided by Amendment 75 – it’s in Hempstead
County about 2 miles north of Columbus.
Grandview is the largest continuous tract of
blackland prairie habitat available for landscape
level management and restoration anywhere in the
nation. Its 4,885 acres are dominated by soils rich in
calcium and other nutrients, and by native grasses
and forbs such as Indiangrass, eastern gamagrass,
little bluestem, big bluestem, pale purple coneflowers
and clasping coneflowers. The WMA also contains
scattered woodlands dominated by cherrybark oak,
chinkapin oak, Shumard oak, bur oak, green ash,
hackberry and a variety of upland hickory species.
American Indians occupied the area because of
its high-quality soils, variety of plants, and plentiful
game. European settlers also found this area highly
desirable. Eventually Grandview became a large
plantation under single ownership. It remained
a large plantation into modern times and never
lost its appeal. Recent owners fully recognized the
land’s potential, especially related to the habitat’s
ability to produce high-quality white-tailed deer
with large antlers.
In the early 1990s the owner initiated an
aggressive deer management program with guidance
from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
biologists. This program helped the landowner
produce and harvest high-quality, multi-pointed
older-age-class bucks while maintaining a healthy
deer herd. Very limited buck harvests coupled with
moderate to high doe harvests were used. Success
29
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
Two bucks from Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA.
Nicole Peterson
was documented through harvest records and a very
satisfied landowner. Bucks coming from Grandview
became the talk among deer hunting enthusiasts in
surrounding communities. Purchase of the property
by the AGFC in 1997 not only resulted in obtaining
a rare plant and animal ecosystem, it also resulted
in inheriting a high-quality, well-balanced deer herd
that included older-age-class bucks. The permit
draw archery hunt is one of the most sought after
permits in the AGFC’s draw system. Harvested
bucks average around 125 Pope and Young with the
best being 199 5/8 harvested in 2002.
30
Management Strategy
When the WMA was purchased the deer
management objectives were to devise a harvest
strategy that would:
1. Maintain the existing age structure, especially
with regard to bucks,
2. Provide a sufficient harvest of does to maintain
a healthy and viable deer herd, and
3. Provide as much public deer hunting
opportunity as possible.
A limited archery deer hunt with a target buck
harvest of one per 1,000 acres with no more than
four total. Antler point restrictions were set at four
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
on one side to prevent harvest of young bucks. Doe
harvest goals were set at an aggressive rate of one
per 50 acres with no more than 80. An archery
only hunt was chosen because it would provide
maximum safety, optimum hunting opportunity
without overcrowding, and maintain the deer
herd’s current age class structure. Forty permits
are available (one per 100 acres) so hunters have
ample space for a high-quality experience. Initially
permits were divided equally between two seasons.
The buck quota was set at four. The doe quota was
set at two per hunter. Harvest regulations were
changed after a few years of hunter comments,
staff review, the four buck quota being reached
early, and hunters not harvesting enough does. The
split seasons and permits were combined, and an
additional regulation requiring a hunter to harvest a
doe before entering the buck quota hunt was added.
Does taken on Grandview would not count toward
a hunter’s bag limit. The buck quota was increased
to six.
Population Trend
Monitoring Methods
Five methods are used to indicate population
trends – spotlight counts, camera surveys, hunter
observation data, herd health data and biological
data from harvested deer.
1. Spotlight Counts – Spotlight counts were
used as an index for deer density, fawn-to-doe
ratios, and buck-to-doe ratios for 1997 and
1998. Routes were set up over 15 miles through
the entire WMA and ran on five consecutive
nights for the two years. Deer were counted,
identified according to sex, and total route
acreage was recorded. A total of 589 acres were
sampled and an average of one deer per 12
acres was indicated. The counts also found the
buck-to-doe and fawn-to-doe ratios to be 1:2.5
and 1:6, respectively.
2. Camera Survey – A trail camera survey was
used as a pilot study to indicate deer density,
buck-to-doe ratios, and fawn-to-doe ratios
for 2002. Trail cameras were set up from
Grandview Prairie Hunter Observation Data 1998-2003
Year
Number
of Hunters
Hours of
Observation
Bucks
Does
Fawns
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
12
16
18
20
19
26
301
702
1407
1100
1502
1843
47
142
199
88
184
179
94
297
276
129
329
131
N/A
67
79
40
102
37
Unknown Total Deer
11
61
64
38
72
50
152
567
618
295
687
397
31
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
August-September and December-February.
Photographs were reviewed and total bucks,
does, fawns and unknowns were recorded, as
well as the total point numbers on bucks. The
survey indicated a buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1, a
fawn-to-doe ratio of 1:3, and a density of one
deer per 37 acres. Of the 99 photographed, 75
were branch antlered with 52 of those having 8
or more points. Camera surveys are still used to
detect multi-pointed bucks.
3. Hunter Observation – Permit hunters are
asked to fill out daily observation surveys.
Data has been collected from 1998-2006.
Information recorded includes number of
hunters, observation hours, bucks, does, fawns,
and unknowns (see Page 31). In 2004 the
observation data sheets were changed to include
the total number of points for bucks (see below).
These observations provide information on deer
density, buck-to-doe ratio, and fawn-to-doe
ratio. So far the eight years of data has found
an average density of one deer per 13 acres,
an average buck-to-doe ratio of 1:1.3, and an
average fawn-to-doe ratio of 1:3.4.
4. Herd Health Analysis – The Southeastern
Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Group
periodically conducts necropsies to determine
overall health related to the existing habitat,
and any sign of disease. These investigations
revealed normal levels of parasites and no
significant disease risk.
Late winter sampling has been conducted
to monitor changes in herd conditions over
time. Using Kidney Fat Index (KFI), age,
weight, numbers of fawns and breeding dates,
baseline levels were established and subsequent
sampling has been conducted to detect changes.
Long-term values for KFI (105.91), average
weight (90.5 lbs dressed), average number
of fawns (1.92 fawn/doe), and average doe
Table 2: Grandview Prairie Hunter Observation Data 2004 - 2006
32
Year
Number
of
Hunters
2004
2005
2006
N/A
14
40
Buck Total # of Points
Hours of
Observation Spikes 3 to 5 to 7 to 9+
4
6
8
862
N/A
N/A
15
10
53
33
13
23
18
9
20
37
25
73
12
4
36
Does Fawns Unknown
85
101
202
26
52
80
246
82
33
Total
472
296
520
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairire WMA
Grandview Prairie
Deer Harvest Data 1998-2006
Year
Bucks
Does
Total
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Total
1
4
4
0
4
1
0
1
2
17
0
6
8
4
17
9
5
7
12
68
1
10
12
4
21
10
5
8
14
85
lactation rates (93 percent) show the herd
to be in good condition above the regional
average. Data collection also revealed an average
conception date of November 18 and a range
from November 10 to December 4. This range
indicates a brief breeding period, reflective of a
balanced buck-to-doe ratio.
5. Biological Data – All deer harvested must
be weighed, aged and checked for disease.
From 1998 to 2006, 85 deer were harvested
consisting of 68 does and 17 bucks (see above).
The average age of harvested does was 2.7 years
old. Lactation for adult does (2.5+ yrs. old) was
91 percent. This is extremely high and reflects
the successful management efforts and overall
health of the herd. The average age of bucks
harvested was 3.2 years old.
33
29
Section Five: Focus on Deer – Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA
Conclusion
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA, the
associated ecosystem and current deer herd offer
opportunities to archery hunters like no other public
land WMA. Current management strategies have
been successful. The existing prairie habitats and
woodlots mimic many popular private land trophy
areas in south Texas and Kansas.
Current management strategies, hunter surveys and
biological data collection document that older bucks,
buck-to-doe ratios, overall health and population
levels are being maintained. During peak rut a
hunter may witness intense rutting activity and
potentially see a trophy buck.
Overall deer management and public opportunity
objectives are being met, and greater than 75
percent of past hunters indicated they are satisfied
and appreciate the opportunity to hunt Rick Evans
Grandview Prairie WMA.
Marty Allen
34
Acknowledgements
Doyle Shook
Chief, Wildlife Management Division
Brad Carner
Assistant Chief,
Wildlife Management Division
Ricky Chastain
Assistant Chief,
Wildlife Management Division
Commissioners
Sonny Varnell, Chairman
St. Paul
Freddie Black, Vice Chairman
Lake Village
Brett Morgan
Scott
Craig Campbell
Little Rock
Matt Hodges
Assistant Chief,
Wildlife Management Division
George Dunklin Jr.
DeWitt
Cory Gray
Deer Program Coordinator
Rick Watkins
Little Rock
Hanna Ford
Spatial Data Support Technician
Jeff Williams
Editor
Randy Zellers
Editor
William Merriott
Designer
Ron Pierce
Mountain Home
Kim Smith, Ph.D.
U of A
www.agfc.com
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
(800) 364-4263