Scientifically Designed Deer Management Plan Takes Guesswork Out Of Achieving Goals

1. Scientifically Designed Deer Scientifically Designed Deer Management Plan Takes Management Plan Takes Guesswork Out Of Achieving Guesswork Out Of Achieving Goals Goals Farming has become a scientific exercise where nothing is left to chance. That includes game farming and the protection of habitat. Deer farming cannot be seen in isolation from the rest of the segments on the farm. If one part is out of sync, it disturbs the whole equilibrium. When farming with deer, the most important part of the strategy or plan would be to determine the size of the herd and whether the land has the capacity to feed the herd. In the value chain, hunting or harvesting excess animals becomes equally important to the preservation of the land. It is important to study the herd intensively, to determine how dense the population is, the balance in numbers between deer and does, the quality of animals on the land as well as the age profile of the animals. Too many does will result in too many offspring, which will lead to the devastation of the feeding ground. Deer and other species are always in competition for available food. If the carrying capacity is kept at bay, then the habitat will be healthy and will produce good stock. It is important to cull animals to maintain a healthy balance between the size of the herd and the land. The deer should have enough to eat, and if they don’t there are 2 ways in which to resolve it, either to increase the available food or to reduce the size of the herd. This should be a calculated decision to cull and not just become trigger happy. It is important to understand the nature of the vegetation on the farm, what the deer eat, what the need for protection from predators, and what they need for shade. The first step in developing your deer management plan is to identify the carrying capacity for the habitat on your property. The importance of your deer management plan – maintaining deer at carrying capacity – by the direct harvest of surplus deer cannot be stressed enough.  The same goes for livestock and competing wildlife species; they must also be maintained within the bounds of the habitat’s carrying capacity.”

2. Animals can be cataloged by biologists to determine the age of each buck. When the farmer can make informed decisions with regards to the herd, he can achieve his management goals on the farm. Managing the natural habitat on the farm is another important link in the chain of events. Healthy land makes for healthy herds and this can be achieved by making use of scientifically designed management tools, analysis, planning, management. There should be plans in place that yield income, forestation and wildlife management plans, photography and mapping, improvements in habitat for the deer. It is important to clear invasive plants and to establish vegetation that will encourage the presence of other species as well. The kinder you treat your farmland, the better the yield will be. It is important to do an annual assessment to determine the quality of the habitat and to put plans into place for the improvement of the quality of the available farmland. Having set goals and driving a realistic plan to achieve them, is the best way forward. It also remains important to assess the progress along the way and to determine whether the plan is on track or to implement the necessary adjustments. By managing the deer habitat well, the numbers of the deer population will increase as well as other species as well. Soil analysis needs to be done and a study on the larger population and their patterns should be done to determine what the best plan for their survival would be as well. Recording data is the most important exercise in the management of habitat. Property Management takes into consideration original decisions with regards to farming practices, where the process is currently, and what lies ahead in future Important factors to address are property assessment, habitat management, herd management, and responsible hunting. Goals need to be set, and long-term plans must be put into place, with assessment pitstops along the way to successful farming. By partnering with the right people, success will be just around the corner. About Us Westervelt Wildlife started its operations in 1884. They manage 600 000 acres of timberland and natural resources. Their innovative wildlife conservation

3. program started during the 1960s, whereby they became hunters with a conscience. Their vision protected the quality of the herd and the habitat. By harvesting young deer with this management program, their farmlands became and are still renowned as the best land to hunt on in Alabama. In the 70’s they became pioneers in the hunting lease program and public hunting lodges. Westervelt Wildlife Services (incorporating The Westervelt Company) are leaders in the field of private timberland, hunting leases, deer management plans, and habitat management. Farmers in the Southeast make use of their services with regard to wildlife property management. For more information, kindly visit us at https://westerveltwildlife.com