Ames Plantation Hunting Club
Newsletter
October 26, 2007
Up-to-Date Hunting Success
Hot . . . dry . . . bugs and dust. Sounds like the beginning of
a real bad country song, but like some movies, it would be based
on a true story. Its been a miserable jump off into the deer
season with the weather hanging onto summer like a snapping
turtle on a towel. But as I write this, rain is dripping from
the eaves with each drop taking a bit of the summer’s heat to
the ground. And, maybe this will break the back of a hard, hard
summer.
It looks like a good week-end for the youngster’s hunt. For the
first time in years the Boys on Target will not happen. There
were not enough kids who made it up to the standards set for
them at the Boy’s Ranch and some were simply too immature.
Thanks to those of you who help with support. Any given this
year will be stored back for next year.
Here is a summary of the Membership’s hunting experience so
far this year:
Two scoring bucks have been brought in, one that was 2 ½
-years-old which is unusual for so large a buck. A couple more,
and at least one of these exceptional, have been hit but got
away (if you hunt long enough, or any at all, and being careful
as can be, this can happen). Does are on the board. Only a few
EHD symptoms have been recorded.
Hours afield
totaled 2,613 33
shooters seen
363 other bucks
899 does
342 fawns
239 unkown
Total deer seen: 1876
.72 deer per hour 1
buck:2.27 does
Deer sightings at .72 deer per hour is consistent with previous
years and is a little surprising to be so high given the hot
conditions. The buck to doe ratio is about on target for this
time of year and the goal will be to get it down to about 1:1.75
by year’s end. Only 4 shooters have ever been brought in during
archery - and 2 of those are this year.
No Guest Dates - pay attention to this:
To protect our Membership’s time afield the following dates are
closed to guests. Members may not bring a guest on the following
days and periods (dates are inclusive):
November 3 & 4
November 17 through the 24th
December 8 & 9
December 15 through the 22nd
The restriction does not apply to youth as defined in the
contract.
Parting Shot
I was in Fort Myers, Florida attending a professional meeting
last week and had a chance to get away long enough to travel in
the Everglades. Not having much time I found some back roads and
followed my nose on a windshield tour. I knew this was going to
be a special place when I saw a sign that said “Panther Crossing
next 5 Miles.”
I came to a slough that paralleled the road and there were 4
gators with one having his chin nearly in the road. They were
all about the same size, each about 6-8 feet long. They lay
there silent and unblinking, each dripping a lack of mercy into
the water like a stain, the black water blacker. One slid
through the water like a log floating along on no current and
came to the bank, a move that I took to be as an expectation of
food. I had no inclination to feed him, having just myself as
the only edible thing in the car.
As we looked at each other across the black water, it occurred
to me that the beach may bring us, at least men, as close to
running solely on our reptilian brain as anything else we do.
Lay around, soak up sun and ogle.
The deer hunters were out in force. Their swamp buggies are
truly big-time redneck, although they looked store-bought. I
want one. One crew was getting their's ready to go off into the
swamp and I almost stopped to ask them to tell me what was what,
but didn't. These guys looked meaner than the gators. But, too,
it was about to come down a storming rain and they were in a
hurry. Truth be told, they looked about like most of us:
camouflaged and just flat tickled to be “out there.”
At that particular jumping off place, there were about 15 trucks
all with big two-axle trailers, each equipped to carry a swamp
buggy. And, I'm not kidding: these rigs are big and the driver
sits about 8 feet off the ground, maybe farther . . . probably
that high to stay dry and un-gator-bit. And as hot as it’s been
this late in the season, the diamondbacks were probably grumpy.
The Everglades are among the most mysterious places I have ever
seen. I’ve always thought that you could drop me off at any
reasonably wild place (arctic stuff excluded) and I’d have some
notion of what to do. The Everglades dampen that kind of
confidence. I’ve studied a bit about swamp ecology and
geomorphology but this place puzzled me. It was wet everywhere I
went, and wet from everywhere I could see. I wondered just how
to get around on foot without getting bit, eaten, drowned, or
bugged to death. I could see high hummocks and pine islands, but
figgered I’d need to learn how to drive a buggy and have a
well-marked road to get there . . . and back.
With a little knowledge and experience, I'm sure it would be
like any other place, a lifetime of beauty and revelation, but
big enough to make getting into trouble a hard trouble to get
out of. The deer hunters knew what they were doing and were
uniquely equipped to get where they needed to be. I really
wished I could have gone . . . even for just awhile . . . but
they might have made me walk out with a flashlight.
And, that, guys, was not about to happen. But the big swamp has
a siren call that’ll be hard to resist. I will go back.
Ames Plantation
Hunting Club Newsletter
August 2007
The Deer Season is not too far
away, although the hot dry summer makes fall seem like a dream.
It is as if it cannot ever again be cool or wet. But, before we
know it, fall will be here and the deer season with it.
The Annual Supper
The annual supper will be on September 15th. This will again be
held at Bryan Hall at 6:00 p.m. with Bow Target Practice at 4:00
pm. Please let us know by September 7th if you will attend so we
can plan accordingly. It is Members-only and all Members are
welcome. The meal is free and the speaker this year will be Dr.
Bronson Strickland from Mississippi State University. He will be
talking about deer genetics. Dr. Harper and Chris Shaw will
update us on the research. Last winter’s spotlight census
revealed an Ames population that was larger than expected. We’ll
set the doe harvest goal by the time of the supper, probably
about the same as last year.
Membership
The Membership will be full at 125 and there are several new
Members coming onboard this year. About 27 people will not be
back from last year. Some moved away, some have other financial
obligations, some are facing family issues, some left but put
themselves on the waiting list, some wore out their welcome . .
. there are 83 people on the waiting list and we are working our
way through it.
Welcome to the new Members! You have joined a unique program,
one that expects superb and distinguished sportsmanship and
provides the opportunity to hunt where the pristine elements
that are often missing in the east are protected and cherished.
It gives you access to a place where mature bucks roam and a
well-balanced herd is a yearly goal. You have joined a core
group of hunters who have embraced QDM philosophies . . . have
learned to judge a shooter buck with B&C and know why we need to
kill does. You have come to a place that is becoming not just a
place to hunt . . . but is becoming known as the place to hunt.
There are three things that will perhaps seem a little
intimidating. First, judging bucks based on the B&C system may
seem tough. It does take some getting used to, but the guys who
have been doing it for several years are very adept and you will
be also with a little practice. Also, I’ve come to understand
that it is the best system for our objectives because it
dependably splits the mature bucks from the younger bucks.
Second is the uncomfortable feeling of being able to find a
place to hunt where you will fit in. Ames is a big place;
there’s plenty of room. Scout a bit and get to know the Members
who are afield near you and you’ll do fine. There are a lot of
new Members and you’ll be coming on with new folks. The third
tough thing will be to bring a truly new recipe to the check-in
station. The Members often get together at the check-in station
to eat potluck. Come on and see what it’s all about. You’ll be
welcome. It’s good eats, a good time, and has all the makings of
an excellent antacid commercial.
Bicycles
Electric bicycles will be allowed this year - against my better
judgement, actually. I believe that they may become a problem
with members who use them more to scout and hunt off of as
opposed to the original intent of going to and from a stand. We
will see how it shakes out, but this is a trial year.
Stand Placement
Stands can go out September 1st.
Parking
If using the designated off-road parking areas - use them only-
and not locations in-between.
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease - EHD
EHD is reported to be widespread across the southern U.S. this
year. EHD is always present in the deer population and genuine
outbreaks occur every few years. Outbreaks can be localized,
that is found in one county but maybe not the next. Or they can
be regional. What we're seeing this year is an apparent
south-wide outbreak and it appears to be relatively severe; but
that does not mean that a huge die-off is about to happen all
across the South. It means that for whatever reason, EHD is
simultaneously prevalent across a wide geographic area and in
some spots the die-off will be significant.
Ames Plantation is known for Quality Deer Management and there
is intense interest in what is happening here. I do not believe
Ames will be have large numbers of deer die, but evidence of EHD
is higher than it has been for a time. However, other parts of
the state will be hit hard enough that hunters entering the
woods to squirrel hunt or to look for EHD - will find it. In
some areas the hunt might be affected. About 25 counties are
reporting severe die-offs and another 20 counties are reporting
the presence of the disease.
My belief is that EHD is often tied to prolonged hot dry summer
weather. The south is experiencing a significant summer drought
and this is the third summer drought in a row, each one
progressively worse. I expect that the deer have browsed on the
browse that they've already browsed and it's got to be about
like having a mouth full of crackers. Dry stuff. The deer get a
lot of their water requirements from browse. Browse that has
hardened off early due to drought and that has not had enough
ground moisture to put back on succulent growth after being
browsed may force the deer more toward water holes --and there
the EHD-carrying midge a'waits. Also, upland water sources dry
up and deer congregate around what is left. This is conjecture
on my part, but for whatever reason deer are becoming infected
with a water-loving insect.
For about 20 years Ames Plantation collected blood samples from
deer every hunting season, about 2,000 animals all told. As with
any wildlife population, we know that deer have all kinds of
diseases, in most years some EHD was noted and in rare years
quite a lot was found, and yet the population still flourished.
While no single animal should have to die with something as
harsh as EHD, the population as a whole will be fine. The
disease sounds so awful because most folks have never heard of
it even though they've probably killed (and eaten) several deer
that had it the previous summer.
The symptoms for EHD include an accumulation of fluids in the
head, neck, tongue, and the mucous membrane that lines the inner
surface of the eyelid, and lungs. Animals may also experience
hemorrhages or congestion in the heart, rumen, and intestines;
necrosis or ulcerations on the dental pad, tongue, palate,
rumen, and omasum. Hooves may grow elongated and flake or split.
Blood might be noted coming from the nose and in progressed
stages the deer may fail to exhibit fear of man simply because
they are so ill as to lose interest in their surroundings. Sick
and dead animals are often found around water where they go to
find relief from the high fever associated with the disease.
Deer that have survived the disease will often have hooves that
look layered or split. The question will arise as to whether the
animals are safe to eat. There is no known link between deer
with EHD and humans or livestock. Many hunters, including
myself, have munched on deer steaks that came from a deer that
had sorta funny feet and they never thought a thing about it
because they'd never heard much about EHD. The thing to watch
for is an apparently sick animal or one suffering from an
infection that might naturally follow having been awfully sick.
Don't eat an obviously sick deer or one that has noticeable
infections.
For all the hunters reading this, don't panic and conjure up an
infarction - and don't assume that every dead deer in a roadside
ditch has EHD. Most of the deer in ditches have something far,
far worse: 18-wheeler-itis --or-- perhaps SUV-fever. From the
deer's point of view, having the woods infested with hunters is
much more alarming. Once upon a long prehistoric time ago, when
ballistic coefficients of spears were argued long into the night
a consensus among deer would likely have been that the beetle
browed hominds were a nuisance species. But time waddles on and
now, even as then, we are actually mutualists. We use better
spears now'a'days but they get to eat soybeans.
Few non-hunters realize that without sport hunting the EHD
outbreak we see now would pale beside the spectra of disease and
damage that would come. This is not overstated. Without the
long-tested kind of game management that TWRA biologists impose,
both we and the deer herd would suffer, both of us from the
magnificent overpopulation of animals in a eco-system unable to
sustain them and a human system unlikely to tolerate them due
problems ranging from nibbled geraniums to fatal car wrecks.
There is not a single thing that can be done except to manage a
herd to be a healthy herd. This way individual animals have a
better chance to ward off the disease in the first place. That
is part of the reason for large doe-kill goals in places where
the deer herd needs a little sitting on. It is possible to love
them to death.
Even at its worst EHD does not kill all of the deer. At its
worst it should kill no more that 1/3. One third sounds like a
lot - and it is - but it does not destroy a population that is
in some areas over abundant and a species that has the ability
to bounce back. It is not catastrophic and might be thought of
as a stock market "self correction," i.e., a fallback to more
sustainable numbers. A huge kill is very unlikely across the
southern region this year. But, some spots will get hit fairly
hard, others not at all or very lightly, Tennessee included.
There may little rhyme and scarcely any reason why.
If rising heat and prevalent droughts become as fashionable as
greenhouse scientists predict, it will have implications for the
entire eco-system, ranging across water regimes, plant
communities and farming practices. Deer will be caught up in
these things and the full implications cannot be entirely known.
I would leave it simply as this being a miserably hot and dry
summer; and we've had those before. However, good old-fashioned
calmness might also be tempered with a dose of common sense that
suggests we should begin to ponder the long-term implications of
what such a trend might demand from us in the way of wildlife
management.
We’ve had some cameras up and all of the deer we’ve seen here
have looked fine so far - some mighty big ‘uns too - one a
10-point shooter (a-shooter-and-a-half). We’ll monitor the
conditions and report at the annual supper. Squirrel hunters can
report dead deer, but only if they find the following
conditions: dead deer next to water, anal and/or mouth bleeding,
swelling in neck, head or eye lids.
Given what I feel to be true now, the doe harvest goals will be
about the same as last year. We’ll see.
Parting Shot
Many people are wondering about how the spring freeze will
impact this season’s deer hunt. The answer is anybody’s guess.
But here are some things that are reasonable to expect.
White oaks put their acorns on in a single season and the
flowers froze this spring, but there was also an early leaf-out.
A developed canopy may have protected the lower flowers on some
isolated trees, but it is unlikely that the whites will produce
much overall . . . or maybe even at all.
Red oaks take two years to produce an acorn, so this year's nuts
were established a year before the freeze. It follows that the
red oaks would be OK . . . but . . . even though the flowers are
pollinated in that first year, fertilization and ripening occur
in the second year. It takes about a year for the pollen tube
containing the pollen to connect with the ovary for
fertilization. That may not have happened before the freeze hit.
We do not yet know what the cold weather did to the
fertilization process and the overall red oak acorn production
in 2007; but certainly the freeze heavily damaged the red oak
crop for 2008.
On either species, acorns that appear to be developing normally
may be successful this fall. However, heat and drought also play
a role. Like any crop, under prolonged hot, dry conditions
acorns often do not fully develop and end up in poor condition.
Hunters can check mature acorns (those that have fallen) by
"floating" them. Throw a few handfuls into a pool of water.
Sinkers are usually good, floaters less so because they contain
wormholes, rot, or other nasty voids.
We've collected literally tens of thousands of acorns from
multiple oak species over the past several years in our hardwood
orchards or from wild trees across west Tennessee. We've come to
understand that predicting acorn production is not a hard and
fast science, but the reds ightly (especially the small seeded
oaks) seem to be more consistent. Overall, I expect a poor Ames
acorn crop this year.
More bad news for deer is that a hard summer caused browse to
harden off early. Nutrition, palatability and moisture content
plummet - and late summer already is a hard time for deer. Also,
some soft mast species, like persimmons, have been damaged by
both the freeze and heat. This is an early-fall disaster.
My best guess is a hungry time for wildlife, a poor acorn crop,
very hot action around any white oak than happens to hit, and
considerable use of agricultural residuals. Deer probably will
move more than normally expected, and even with the possibility
of EHD, more deer sightings will be the result, the rut may be
odd and hunters may notice fewer fawn twins this and, more
likely, next year. Deer probably will come to water more
predictably in the early parts of the bow season. The state kill
might be up and big bucks killed that might not be otherwise.
What also could be expected is that road collisions will be up
due to deer moving around more . . . especially at night.
Ames Plantation
Hunting Club Newsletter
September 15, 2006
Annual Supper
If you could not make the Annual Supper, you missed a good
program by Dr. Harper and Chris Shaw. They presented the
results of the first 4 years of the QDM program and gave a
preview of scientific papers that will be presented next year.
The information demonstrated how well the QDM program has
responded to the buck restriction and doe harvest.
The New B&C Restriction: 120
We move up to a B&C 120 restriction this year. As you
recall, we decided to start off the program at B&C 110 to give a
growing Membership the chance to get a feel for the B&C scoring
system. To my mind the Membership has done well, but it is
essential that we do better. Over the course of the last
two years, about 1/3 of all bucks harvested have been below the
restriction.
The 120 restriction was chosen based on data gained directly
from Ames. That number will protect almost all of the
2-year-old bucks. If we wish to let bucks mature and “show
their stuff,” we must let ‘em grow up. The 120 score is
the key.
So, the bottom line? . . . 30% is too much. If we take the cream
off of the next crop, then we delay or prevent the bumper crops
to come. We’ll be in a perpetual drought. As I’ve
said before, mistakes happen. However, Dr. Harper noted
that we must keep the level around10% for the program to
succeed. Let’s shoot for it.
Sweaty palms are worse than itchy triggers. A big deer
that hits the ground will immediately undergo ground shrinkage.
Doe Harvest
The goal is 180. As the season goes along the goal may be
moved up, down, or an upper limit set.
Sign-In
After deer season begins, please sign-in for any access,
including scouting or squirrel hunting.
Stands and Cameras
Deer stands can go out anytime after squirrel season begins.
And, yes, . . . Donald, cameras can now be used. With the
current research completed cameras should not be a problem.
Some of you will get pictures of good bucks or other wildlife
that will be exceptional or funny. Of course, we’d all
like to see them, but some of you will be reluctant to show them
because you’d be giving strategic information away.
However, if you would like for the Members to see something, you
can drop it in the observation box and Hooch will put it in a
3-ring binder. No name, no location, no harm. Just
slip it in while no one is looking.
Turkeys
Beginning in the 2007-08 season the turkey lease will be
“stacked.” This is due to an increasing and inevitable
need to keep funding at Ames, at least, level.
There will be a separate Turkey Club, consisting initially of 30
Members. Membership will include the entire season at
$1,000 per person. As of now, harvest quotas will follow
state-wide restrictions, but can be altered as the turkey
population is monitored. The Turkey Club Membership will
not be included in the fall quota hunts.
The current Deer Hunting Membership has first priority for
Membership in the Turkey Hunting Club and will be served on a
first-come basis until the first day of the 2007 turkey season.
Some Members have already joined. Let Beth know as soon as
possible. Beginning on the first day of the 2007 turkey
hunting season, any and all additional applicants will be served
on a first-come basis for the 2008 season. However, and
this is important, during the coming 2007 season things
remain the same. Current Deer Club Members will be assigned one
week . . . just like before.
For those who missed the Supper, I explained the need for the
change. All of you know that Ames has lost substantial
funding over the past several years. Four major programs
no longer exist: water quality, swine, dairy and the
row-crop/agricultural research units. Our work force has
gone from 42 to 21. Dollars have been critical and the pressure
will increase.
Initially, based on UT and TWRA recommendations and guidelines,
we planned to have 200 people in the Deer Hunting Cub. As
we observed the hunting experience, we lowered that to 150.
After further observations, to ensure a high-quality experience
we lowered it again to 125. Of course, funding fell right along
with these moves, from $250,000 to $156,250.
Ames cannot function missing $100,000 per year. In fact,
we can’t get along adding just $100,000 per year. We must
also develop other enterprises.
Ames and the University of Tennessee underwent a year-long,
intense analysis of all operations by a major company
specializing in internal analyses. The recommendations
included stacking hunting seasons. Of course, we knew this
initially, back when the Hunting Club was first started, but
wanted to give our Membership as much as we could for as long as
we could. We did.
In the final analysis, each Deer Hunting Club Member is trading
1 week of turkey hunting to maintain a rare quality of deer
hunting experience at a price as low as we can stand - - and
Ames will be able to generate an additional $30,000 from those
who mainly want to turkey hunt.
Fees
Deer Club Fees will remain the same for the 2007-08 season and
maybe beyond. When they
rise they will go to $1,500.
Raccoons
There are 3 raccoon hunters. They are required to enter the
woods no earlier than 9:00 pm and leave by 2:00 am (unless there
are extenuating and extraordinary circumstances).
Ducks
Three duck impoundments are under construction and 1 beaver pond
will be managed for ducks. All of these areas are in Unit
3 and total about 100 acres. The three constructed units
lie on or at the end of major internal roads. One will be beside
the AP (Hancock Road) and will amount to about 5 acres.
Two are side-by-side in the north end of the big Calleybell
field.
Duck hunters will be allowed access to hunting sites with
vehicles. Generally, prime duck seasons are later than the
prime deer seasons. Duck hunting access will be managed to
be as unobtrusive to deer hunters as possible. Duck
hunting schedules may be posted at the check-in station.
Duck hunting is not new on the Plantation. Ducks have been
hunted every year for the last 15 years. Few deer hunters
perhaps have known this, because it can be done carefully.
Some hunters are concerned that vehicle access by duck hunters
will greatly affect deer hunting. Some are worried that
vehicular access by a separate set of hunters, involved in
totally different activities, is unfair to deer hunter who must
walk and who also are worried that duck-bound 4-wheelers will
roll by their stand. The impact on deer hunting should be
small. With vehicular duck hunting access limited to
routine areas and not zipping wholesale over the whole
Plantation, duck hunting will be reasonably low-profile.
However, turning 125 deer hunters (and guests) loose on
4-wheelers, at random, would be predictably annoying and lessen
the experience.
Dove Hunting
Dove fields were prepared last year and many of the current Deer
Hunting Membership participated. There are new
opportunities developing for land owners. We plan to take
advantage of the demand for Dove Hunting and will keep you
posted as these plans develop.
Guest Restrictions
After looking over last year’s data and in anticipation of a
full slate of Members, we have decided to make the following
dates “Members Only.” The times shown below will be
reserved for Members and the dates are inclusive.
November 4 & 5
November 18th through 25th
December 9 & 10
December 16th through 23rd
Guests may not come during these times and will be asked to
leave. Subsequent guesting privileges will be determined by Ames
staff. The restriction does not apply to youth as
defined in the contract.
Parting Shot
I often attend state, regional and national professional
meetings in Forestry, Wildlife and Ecology. Sometimes
these meeting are for professional development or to deliver
scientific papers, or more commonly now’a’days to watch my
graduate students do the same. Over the course of the past
10 years there has developed a common concern among those who
manage natural resources.
We are losing private hunting lands. In Tennessee well
over 90% of the land is in some type of private ownership.
In many cases across the South rural private landowners cannot
afford to keep their land because of alternative economic
pressures. Farms turn into suburbs. And, there is
the “exsurbia,” where land is divided into small “farms” that
harbor game animals that are rarely hunted because of high human
populations, a human population that would much rather see the
game instead of killing it . . . that is until the game starts
gnawing the geraniums to the ground.
These “surbias” bring with them all kinds of gear, such as
dentists and doctors, shopping malls and supermarkets. The
land is taken for a new use and hunting ain’t it. It’s
happening all across the south.
Think about the city of Atlanta. Through birth and death,
immigration and emigration, roughly that many people, of all
shapes and sizes, are added to the South every year. They
compete for your hunting grounds.
The biggest threat to hunting is not disinterest among the new
generation, gun control sneaks, or garden variety
environmentalist’s nit picking. The biggest threat is
Urbanization. The battle is fought along what is
called the urban/wildland interface. It is a
world-wide phenomena.
Wildlife and Forestry professionals are well aware that
alternative revenue streams must be developed; otherwise private
ownerships will fold as the urban wall moves closer. Rural
communities can offer what urban dwellers need.
In cooperation with Mississippi State University many of the
developments that you heard at the Supper or described here are
part of a research and demonstration project to help landowners
hold on to their grounds. Single item solutions will no
longer work. Solutions must be broad-based and combined
one with another.
Within this framework, other projects are also developing at the
Plantation: guided quail hunts, a shooting clay course (in
one of the restricted areas), fishing ponds to include late
winter trout fishing. As the overall program develops, the
research and demonstration aspects are designed to monitor what
is happening, allowing other landowners to inspect and follow
our lead. If ideas such as these can work together, they
can help preserve hunting. Otherwise, let’s all meet up on
public lands.
Either in the smaller scheme, here, where yours and my hunting
interests at Ames are affected, or on a much larger scale, where
these things must be developed to allow continued access on
private lands - what we are doing here is not arbitrary, it is
needful and has both short-term and long-term goals. We
want the next generation to have the same opportunities we had,
but the days of carefree roaming are gone. When I was
young all I needed was my Dad’s name and a shootin’ iron to go
anywhere I wanted, but those high mountain ownerships changed
(big time) and no hunting is allowed there now.
It may seem counter intuitive that we look toward the long-term
interests of youth and sometimes do not provide free access for
all ages. All I can say is that the real world has
insurance companies.
Some have asked about the no-hunting safety zones. We will
mark these better. I might add that they’ve been the same size
for about 15 years and are as small as possible to prevent real
danger to houses or work places (before the safety zones we once
had a chimney shot through at Ames)--and to keep at bay the ire
of women-folks who have yard kids and have heard exactly one too
many 7 mags go off immediately behind their house. Years
ago I had a rocket net for deer baited and set up behind my
house. Catch and collar. These things are essentially
driven by a load of dynamite. We shot it off early one
morning and spilled coffee, levitated children and got the dogs
to barking all over the community. At considerable female
urging that has never been attempted since. Got the deer
though. Long-time employees sometimes hunt these areas,
but they know where the chimneys are located.
Everything that we do along these lines is done first
with the Deer Hunting Club in mind. Some things, and some
are financially rewarding things, have been discarded due to the
problems they would cause the Membership: e.g., bird watching
during the deer season. We try first to accommodate you, a
very respected and long-time clientele. Otherwise, with
this year’s long waiting list (by the way, it’s interesting that
there’s one guy from SC another from CO), there would be 200
orange-capped hunters afield this winter.
We welcome ideas. We’d like to see your solutions. Send
them in. We’ll look them over and adopt what will work.
Hunt Smart and Safe
Good point at the meeting: orange on ground blinds is
smart!
Ames Plantation Hunting Club
Newsletter
July 26, 2006
Membership Supper
The fall supper has been moved to September 9th
to accommodate Dr.
Harper who cannot come otherwise. I am looking forward to his
presentation. It will be a summary what we’ve seen happen at
Ames during the past 4 years and to get some sense of what we
can expect. The meeting will be of interest to new and old
Members alike. New Members will have the chance to see what QDM
can do and the Old Time Members can see what they’ve
accomplished.
In the future we hope to have some very fine speakers. I hope
to have Dr. Mickey Hellickson, Deer Management at King Ranch,
Mr. Brian Murphy, Executive Director of the QDMA, Dr. Steve
Demarais, Mississippi State’s Deer Research Expert. The Ames
program is gaining national stature. By taking does, not killing
small bucks and displaying good sportsmanship, you are making
the Ames program known across the country.
I hope the move to September 9th does not
inconvenience anyone. It is necessary. Bring a good appetite
and any questions that you might have. Also, if you have any
antlers that you’d like to show off, bring ‘em along. It would
do all of us good to see some scores.
Deer Sightings
We’re seeing plenty of deer. On the evening of a little cool
snap several weeks ago, I took a walk behind the house. I saw
28 deer and 12 turkeys. At least 12 of the deer were bucks; two
would have scored over a 100 and one was well above 120.
With all of the murderously hot weather, the summer browse is
hardening off early. It’s a tough time of year for deer from
now to the end of summer. We’re seeing crop damage, but not
inordinate amounts. I’d say our doe harvest was about right.
Turkey Hunt
I do not know how many turkeys were killed. I’m guessing
somewhere between 50 and 60.
Expectations
One hundred percent of the comments that I have heard about next
year’s deer kill have been right on the money. We should take
fewer scoring bucks. This is another catch-up year. One of the
things about the Ames Membership is that we have some good
hunters, good woodsmen (and women) who know how to hunt
effectively. A 21/2- year-old buck has a hard time
slipping through the net. By moving up to 120 B&C, we should let
more bucks get bigger and smarter. The net will have
some holes. And, someday, someone should will bring in a truly
large animal, one that got by early and had a chance to put some
years behind him. We’ll see.
The Membership is filled. There is a waiting list and I expect
it to grow. One hunter told us that he was content to stay on
the list for 3 years to get in. It is an indication of how well
QDM is working here.
See you at the supper. Expect a good program!
Loo
Hunting Club
Newsletter
January 31, 2006
Looking Back
The ’05-’06 deer season was a success. Over the course of the
past three seasons it is increasingly apparent that this
Membership is taking ownership in the QDM program. Almost
universally, the buck harvest has been in good faith and the doe
harvest has been beyond our goal each season. Genuine mistakes
have occurred where bucks have been killed that were under the
restriction, some just barely, some by a fair amount. And,
spike bucks were shot that were mistaken for does. However,
Members brought these deer in and took their licks. It was a
mistake followed by extreme sportsmanship. I am sure that these
sportsmen expect no less from the rest of the Membership. Their
pictures may be on the “bad and ugly” boards, but I hold these
sportsmen in high esteem.
However, this doesn’t mean that killing undersized bucks is
unimportant. It is important. Optimally, no buck would fall
that didn’t make the score; but the habitat at Ames does not
lend itself to perfection. Field conditions vary from thick
woods to grass covered fields. Percentage-wise we killed about
as many small bucks as last year, which means that we did no
worse, but we are not getting better. I have heard comments
among the hunting and academic cognoscenti that hunters cannot
use B&C to field-judge deer. You have. I expect you’ll get
better and I include myself. We must get better, if the program
is going to do as well as we hope.
More than $2,000 was collected in one type of fine or another.
Problems ran the gamut from: not filling out an observation card
- to bucks under the restrictions - to off-limit 4-wheeler
access. Of course, certain problems tend to bring folks “onto
the radar screen,” especially where there seems to be a
characteristic pattern of behavior.
Looking Forward
The Ames Program is still developing. There will be
several changes for the coming year. Each of the changes
below has been discussed with a fair portion of the Membership
and in some cases, suggested by the Membership.
1)
Next year it will be required that each Member attach
his TWRA hunter identification number to his/her stand. The
number must be in an obvious place and easily read. Your TWRA
number must be on file in the Ames office prior to any deer
stand going out.
Every year we discover deer stands that, for one reason or
another, need to be identified. Occasionally they are in the
way of a management activity, perhaps a timber sale or road
building, and need to be moved. A stand might belong to a
poacher, or perhaps a Member decides to have more than 2 out at
one time . . . say, 4 or 5. Stands that do not bear a TWRA
number will be removed when they are found. A third stand (and
so on) will be removed when found. Stands can be reclaimed for a
$50 penalty and may be used again once proof is shown that they
bear the number. A second infraction will mean that the stand
is permanently confiscated.
I plan to use a brass dog collar tag on my stand. They can be
punched and attached for little money. An engraver will also
work.
2)
Next year the restriction on bucks will be upped to
120. The grace slots will also move upwards 10 inches along
with the same respective penalties. Next year a buck between
110 and 1194/8 will carry the penalty that buck
scoring 100-to-1094/8 had during the ’05-’06 season.
During the ’06-’07 season, a buck below 109 4/8 will carry the
penalty of deer below 994/8 this past season.
Where I have seen it discussed among the Membership, this change
has been unanimously supported. The 120 mark will protect about
85% of the 2 ½-year-old bucks. It is the goal of the program to
get deer into the upper age classes. If we can recruit bucks
into the 3 ½-year-old age class, the program can be said to be
successful. Once bucks get to that age two things are true. An
age hierarchy exists and a fair percentage of the 3 ½–year-old
bucks will get older. Once a buck gets to be 3 ½-years-old, he
has become canny enough to get older all by himself.
3) Next year any buck that is brought in 5 ½-years-old or older, regardless of antler characteristics, will not constitute a fine. A buck that has not built a 120 rack by the time he is 5 ½ is not likely to do so. We may move that age down to 4 ½ once the program matures. As with the B&C scores, once the buck is aged here, that’s it, no fussin’.
4) Next year crossbows will be permitted for anyone over the age of 65. For all others documentation of disability from a medical doctor will be required. In fact, any medical condition that merits special allowance must be documented by a medical doctor; i.e., MD or equivalent.
Cameras, Coyotes and Poison Ivy
The decision regarding camera surveillance by Members is
still out. It will depend mostly on how I perceive it to affect
research. Chris Shaw, the graduate student on this study, told
Hooch that one thing he anticipates his research committee to
ask: “were there any unaccounted cameras out there and, if so,
can you be positive that they did not affect your study?” If
they had been out there, the answer would have been “yes and no”
and a ruined graduate student would be the result.
There is some inconsistency in my mind regarding the use of
cameras as contrasted with the widespread opinion of most
Members against the use of crossbows because they are not
“primitive.” We’ll keep tabs and let you know.
We completed the second phase of the coyote study last week and
will conduct the final phase next week. The pictures are not
all back but some of the results have been interesting. We may
be in the market for hunters who are willing to carry a camera
with them next year to place over the gut pile if they get a
deer. Be thinking about it.
The browse studies are winding down and the last of the samples
went to Knoxville early this week. This year’s samples amounted
to about 3 pick-up trucks full, all oven-dried, identified to
species (including poison ivy), and weighed. Protein analysis
is next. Ames deer are not stressed for food.
Post-Season Spotlight Population Census
We killed 228 does this year, about 50% more than the
goal. This was a concern and also an achievement. Perhaps as
much as anything the biological success of a QDM program is
judged by the doe harvest. During each of the past 2 seasons
the doe harvest at Ames has exceeded the goal. But what has
that done to the population? Did we goof?
To help answer that question, we decided to conduct a
post-season spotlight census.
Before explaining a spotlight census, let me digress to give you
2 other population estimates. First, my own estimate for the
pre-season population was about 1,000 deer (about 1 on every
18-to-19 acres). I expected the buck-to-doe ratio to be about
1:2. These estimates were based on my 25 years of experience at
Ames, training as a wildlife biologist and numbers pulled right
smack out of the air. Take your pick, one is probably about as
good as another.
The pre-season camera census revealed another story. In 2004
the camera census estimated 537 deer on Ames, about 1 deer per
35 acres. In 2005, the census estimated 494 deer on Ames, about
1 deer per 38 acres. However, the camera census is not without
its problems. Ames deer are not regular about coming to bait.
Alternative food sources are too high; therefore, bait sites are
not as attractive as they might be elsewhere. These census
figures are surely too low, although the buck-to-doe ratios seem
credible, about 1:3 and 1:2, respectively. We killed 318 deer
on Ames in ’05-’06. If the camera census was correct, we should
have only 176 deer left on Ames. This is not realistic and we
recognized before the season that the camera census was jinxed.
It is however a good index.
Now to the spotlight census. It is a regularly used tool and is
considered to be a reasonable estimate, if done rigorously.
Remember, “estimate” is the word here. Generally, spotlighting
underestimates the population. But on any given night, who the
heck knows? That’s why it should be done as many times as
possible, at least 3 and preferably 5 nights. We planned 5
nights, but the weather allowed 4 nights. Not bad.
A 25.5-mile course was defined. The course ran through all
Units. The course was traveled, in its entirety, on 4 nights.
Two trucks were used and each drove separate parts of the
course. Truck speed was kept to about 5 mph. The census began
each night at about 6:30 pm and lasted until about 11:30 pm. At
least 4 people were on each truck, a driver, two spot-lighters
and a data man. Grown men fought and pouted over the
spotlights. Three million candle-power spotlights were used.
Every 2 tenths of a mile the distance that could be observed
from either side of the truck was estimated. For example,
perhaps the spotters could see 100 yards on one side and 40
yards on the other. That means that there was a 140-yard
corridor at that point, which could be observed. That measure
was recorded for that point. At each 2-tenth-mile point along
the course the “corridor” would swell or shrink depending on the
habitat. On the heavily wooded Unit 1 the corridor was usually
narrow. On Unit 4 the corridor was relatively broad.
The average width of the corridor (in feet) was multiplied by
the length of the course (also expressed in feet). This sum was
divided by the number of square feet in an acre (43,560). In
this manner, the amount of land (in acres) that could be
observed along the census route was calculated. Each night we
were able to see about 1,551 acres, or about 1/12 of the entire
Plantation. Therefore, every deer we saw represented 12 deer
across the whole Plantation.
On 4 nights we observed 48, 32, 68 and 131 deer. Respectively,
these counts were conducted: 1) after a blustery rainy day, 2)
on a clear, crisp and cool night, 3) just before a storming,
rainy night, and 4) after the wind had calmed on a wind-advisory
day.
The average number of deer seen was ~70. Multiplying that by 12
gives an estimated post-season population of 840 (1 deer per 22
acres). Add the 318 deer that were killed back to that number
and the pre-season estimate is 1,158 (1 deer 16 acres).
Even if the high and low census observations are dropped, and
the middle 2 observations used, the estimated post-season
population still comes out to 696 deer. This gives a pre-season
estimate of about 1,014 animals.
From the spotlight census it seems that there were about 1,000
to 1,100 deer on Ames prior to the season, probably closer to
1,100. We checked 318 deer. Taking 318 deer out of a
pre-season population of 1,000/1,100 is not too many. The herd
will bounce back.
It is difficult to predict next fall’s deer population. We do
not have the kinds of data for Ames to know what to expect. We
have no information in relation to fawn or adult survival. We
cannot predict the possibility of a summer disease. We are not
able to address recruitment as a whole, which would encompass
fawn survival along with emigration, immigration, dispersal, etc
I could construct a very crude prediction by subtracting the
number of does taken this year (228) from a conservative
estimate of the post-season population (900) and then guess at
pregnancy and twinning rates and survival. In fact there are
numbers “out there” that would allow me to do that. However,
the best measure will be next year’s census, hunting results and
observation data. One note: there are still lots of deer tracks
out there.
Based on this year’s observations, deer sightings remain about
.75 deer per hour. This is a number to watch. It may go down.
Traditional predictions of QDM strategies say it will fall:
balanced ratio and good doe harvest = fewer deer. If so, we will
see how happy we are with that. I want to keep it as high as
possible in keeping with our QDM goals.
We will discuss the doe harvest goal after we observe crop
damage this summer and as soon as the camera and spotlight
censuses are completed. Present thinking has last year’s goal as
next year’s goal, i.e. about 150. If so, we’ll need to come up
with a fair way to allocate the doe harvest. Be thinking about
it, I’m open to suggestions.
A spotlight census is not a good way to estimate the
buck-to-doe ratio. Deer are often not seen clearly enough to be
sure of antlers, especially yearling racks. However the crews
saw 6 sure’nuff shooters, two that were whoppers; 1 of these was
truly huge (however, spotlighters are an unreliable lot). These
6 bucks represent 72 shooters still out there.
Sixteen Members were able to participate during the spotlight
census. At least 4 Members went each night. I know that
others of you would like to have gone and we plan to do this
again next year, perhaps before and after season. Also, there
are now thermal sensing units that can detect deer much better
than spotlights. For example, a deer lying in the grass might
not be seen by a spotlight. They cannot hide from a thermal
unit. Indeed, a squirrel can’t hide. We may be able to borrow
some of these units.
Spotlighting is illegal in normal circumstances. We want to
thank TWRA for their permission to conduct the census and their
all around support for the research effort.
Marking trails to the stand:
During the spotlight census, bright-eye trail markers
complicated things a bit. They look like deer eyes. For a
bunch of weary spot-lighters, all due for work early the next
morning, being fooled by the lights was not amusing after
awhile. Ames looks like a Christmas tree, all lit up with
bright eyes. The contract specifically says that there is to be
no marking of trails to and from deer stands, etc. That
includes bright eyes. Keep in mind that stands will be ID’d next
year. Make sure your stand is not at the end of a bright-eye
trail or flag line.
Observation Forms
Well over 2,600 observation forms were returned. That
is compared to 18 (voluntary system) the first year and 1,800
last year. The graphs and other data shown along with this
newsletter are obtained from them.
You might enjoy looking through the material. Keep in mind that
statistics are tools to make reasonable predictions and
conclusions. We have accumulated a reasonable data set over the
past five years. For the most part only 1 year is shown here. I
will hazard a few observations and leave the rest for you to
make your own observations.
1) Total hours in the field equaled 13,585.5. Ames employees accounted for 5% of the time and guests 11%. The fewest time by any Member was none, or very little, up to more than 325 hours. Ames employees spend time afield as part of their quality of life on Ames. If you lived here, you would expect no less. They drive and we understand that this can upset Members who choose to hunt far off the road. However, it is part of their package and each employee serves as enforcement, not only of the rules, but also to keep poaching in check. Employees try to be careful that they do not directly disrupt anyone’s hunting.
2) You will notice that buck sightings peaked in mid-November. A second, smaller peak followed in December. Was this the “second rut?”
The November and December peaks mirror peaks that show the amount of time Members spent afield. To some extent, the “second rut” might be man-made. Hunters are coming out again after a week-long hiatus and seeing bucks running around, albeit less frantically than in mid-November.
Although, does in family units tend to be in reproductive sync, and those that are missed in November come in season about 30 days later, by December the rut is also simply slowing down. Looking at the observation forms, deer sightings per hour were trending slightly downward November through December. Lots of bucks were seen in November because the bucks were in rut, but also because hunters spent lots of time out there. Fewer bucks were seen in December because the rut was slowing down and because hunters spent fewer hours in the woods. Skipping a week of hunting may influence our perception of how well defined the “second rut” actually is. I wonder, do deer think that humans are in some sort of predatorial sync? Do they wonder if we’ve gotten into a second dose of doe urine?
The second rut and buck sightings . . . is it a definite 30-day estrus gap or Hunter’s artifact – or both? Now there’s an argument in the making. Happy hole shooting.
3) The observed buck-to-doe ratio is around 1:2. Some of the big bucks are never seen, but they do not make up a large part of the population. For example, a 14-point buck was photographed during the census and was never seen again. The ratio is not too much affected by their absence in the observation forms.
Deer sightings per hour crept slightly downward as the season progressed, especially in the latter stages of the season. That should be expected. There are fewer deer to see and the remaining deer have been conditioned to be extra careful. Once the doe groups and tag-along bucks see enough of their kith and kin hit the ground they get as spooky as murder.
4) Average B&C scores are recorded, but they only reflect the years since QDM restrictions were imposed. They are not what are used to estimate “average” score by age class, i.e., the score used to set restrictions. The pre-treatment data, gathered when no restrictions were in place and a free harvest was in effect, are used to accomplish this. However, this data set illustrates that older bucks are bigger bucks.
One thing to continue to remember is that not all of the older bucks will sport trophy racks. QDM is not trophy deer management. Bigger racks floating around in the herd is a by-product of having older bucks in the herd.
5) Ames’ QDM management is producing a different situation from what is happening in general in Fayette and Hardeman counties. If you adjust harvest and acreage figures for both counties by removing Ames’ from the mix, the following numbers are derived. These numbers might need to be adjusted as more harvest data comes in (or after my math errors are discovered).
Combining both counties: 1 doe per 161 acres was killed, 1 deer per 82 acres was killed and 1 antlered buck per 190 acres was killed (most of these were yearlings). Compare this to Ames where: 1 doe per 82 acres was killed, 1 deer per 58 acres was killed and 1 antlered buck per 338 acres was killed.
We killed more deer, more does, and saved more bucks. Sounds like a used car salesman.
Most of the bucks killed on Ames were aged at 2 ½ and above. One shooter per 489 acres was taken by the Membership. It works out that about 1/3 of the Membership got a scoring buck.
6) In the past three years 21%, 27%, and 16% of the yearling does have been lactating. This means they were bred as fawns. Such a high rate of lactating yearlings is indicative of very good habitat. In some areas of Tennessee the rate is essentially zero. By the way, I do not know why last year’s rate fell off to 16%. It is still relatively high, but interesting.
Much has been said about what constitutes good deer habitat and why some regions support deer and some do not. Habitat quality can be linked to landform, soil type and past and present land-use --all interrelated. Ownership patterns also influence habitat composition.
Landform, in its most simple expression, is the shape of the land: hills and their steepness; bottomlands and whether they are associated with major or minor rivers; mountaintops, mountain coves and how ridges face the sun.
Soil quality is related to its age and origin (where did it come from – what was the “parent” material) and that is usually related to landform. Soil productivity is a factor of soil volume (depth), available nutrients, water holding capacity and aeration. Any of these four can impede roots
Where soil and landform allow farming, a better composition of habitat can be created. Many crops represent good forage and farmland is fertilized, increasing productivity. Even better habitat is created when the shape of the land leads to a diverse mix of woods and open land. Bottomlands can be too wet to farm, hillsides too steep.
Composition (what is out there) is important. But juxtaposition (how the habitat is arranged on the landscape) also is important. Where land-use is varied and the individual components are mixed so that all types of habitat are available within a deer’s normal home-range – bingo! If the quantity, and quality of food (types that are required not just in the fall but throughout the year), cover and water are available, deer will prosper.
Where landform and soils allow very little agriculture, or, conversely, allow a great deal of land to be converted to agriculture, less variable, less abundant or less accessible habitat might be the result.
In the mountains where much of the land is in the public domain, the land is primarily timbered. Spring and summer browse opportunities are limited except where the timber has been removed to allow sunlight to reach the forest floor. Acorn crops are sporadic. While mountain coves are among the most productive lands on earth and many were once farmed, they are now mostly timbered. Timber is good for deer, but a mix of habitats is better.
Ames falls into a category of having diverse landforms, ranging from river bottomlands to dry pine-topped ridges (concave ridges, convex ridges . . . more than you want to know). Some of the land was worn out by erosive farming practices dating back before the civil war.
The primary soil at Ames is rich loess, a silt that was blown in during the last three ice ages. The loess overlays sandy coastal plain deposits. Loess is very deep near the Mississippi, sometimes over 100 feet thick (Memphis is known as the bluff city). It is thinner at Ames, 6-feet at its best. The underlying sand is pretty poor soil and where severe erosion occurred sand lies near the surface or it is exposed.
On Ames these lands are covered in timber, often pine. In every case where pine occurs on Ames, it stands on what was an open field, sometimes heavily gullied, but the land was once growing cotton. This ground is poor. Pine, a tough adaptable species, is the only crop that can be economically grown there. So, past land use can dictate today’s habitat. So can present economic conditions: look at urban sprawl, a real threat to hunting’s future.
Ames has fertile agricultural lands, timber, bottomlands and pine. Because of this I once heard Ames referred to as a deer factory.
There is an old ecological rule (Bergman’s rule) that says the farther north one goes, the larger the body size of most species. Likely, it is an adaptation to regulate body heat in colder climates. It goes along that larger antlers have developed among local populations to withstand the pressures that bigger bodies exert when engaged in combat.
Ames deer will never grow so large as those in northern populations, but we are seeing bigger deer now that the QDM program is taking affect. This year at Ames I noticed many broken racks. We found one 2 ½-year-old, 4-point that had been killed by another buck, presumably larger. He had a huge track, anyway.