Research Findings
An Evaluation of Quality Deer Management Programs in
Tennessee
Members of the Hunting Club at Ames Plantation are involved with
a large Quality Deer Management research project. The work is
accomplished in cooperation with Dr. Craig Harper in the
Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of
Tennessee. Mr. Chris Shaw is the Graduate Research Assistant
on the project and completed his Master’s Thesis during the
spring of 2008.
The Quality Deer Management Association has supported the
project from its inception. The Association provided valuable
materials and publications to the Members to allow them to
better understand QDM principles and to engage the imagination
of what was initially an uneducated group of hunters into the
philosophies of good deer management. QDMA officials came to the
first meetings to help the Membership understand the goals of
the program and also to see the potential of what could happen
at Ames. The QDMA continues to support the project and that
support has not only been essential, it has been heartening to
have the originator of the system involved.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has supported the
work and in cooperation with the Agency Ames was able to
establish an official check-in station. This was a crucial piece
of the puzzle in making the research happen. Even as this
portion of the study winds down, the station allows data
accumulations to continue long-term. It would be impossible to
accomplish this level of science without the Agency’s positive
input.
Chris Shaw’s Thesis can be found on this webpage and it will
detail the research findings to date.
The results of Chris’ work are also submitted to science
journals. Not all of his various articles have been published
yet, but following are some of the journals where different
sections of his work have been accepted or are now in review:
Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science.
Journal of Wildlife Management
Forest Ecology and Management.
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Publication in such prestigious journals gives credence to the
importance of the work and the members are to be congratulated
for their part in the story. The work done here by the Members
and Chris are significant in terms of their impact on white-tail
deer populations and also showcases the support of the QDMA
and TWRA.
Research findings are shared with the Membership throughout the
hunting season and a complete report is given at the annual
meeting in September.
A history of white-tailed deer in Tennessee and a descriptive
overview of the work follows.
Introduction
The white-tailed deer is the most popular big game animal in
Tennessee. Through restocking efforts and regulated hunting,
white-tailed deer populations have rebounded from all-time lows
in the early twentieth century to approximately 33 million
animals in the US today. A major reason for this success was a
restriction on the doe harvest, allowing only bucks to be killed
during the hunting season. This process was expedited through
extirpation of deer predators (e.g., mountain lions, red wolves,
gray wolves, black bears, and bobcats) during the nineteenth
century throughout most of the whitetail’s range, including
Tennessee. As deer populations became re-established, states
began to allow limited antlerless hunts. However, by the 1990s,
deer populations were overabundant in many areas, especially in
the South and Northeast. A continued restriction on doe harvest
created skewed populations favoring does with few mature bucks.
In Tennessee (and many other states), yearling (1½ years old)
bucks consistently comprise the vast majority (60 – 80 percent)
of the statewide buck harvest. Overpopulated deer herds with
unbalanced sex ratios have created many human/deer conflicts,
including forest and crop depredation, increased deer-vehicle
collisions, habitat destruction (negatively affecting many
wildlife species), and unnatural changes in the timing of
reproduction and parturition, altering behavior and reduced fawn
survival in some areas.
Quality deer management (QDM) is a management strategy that
involves managing deer herds in a biologically and socially
sound manner in accordance with the existing habitat conditions.
The philosophy of QDM is not trophy deer management, where
emphasis is placed on producing bucks with antlers large enough
to qualify for the Boone and Crockett Record Book. QDM promotes
managing deer populations below carrying capacity for a given
area through an active doe harvest designed to lower the
population to an acceptable level and even the sex ratio. In
addition, a balanced age structure of both bucks and does is
desired in order to maintain a socially sound herd where mature
animals establish a hierarchical order that is important for
reproductive ecology and genetic flow. This is accomplished by
educating hunters to refrain from shooting young bucks and
concentrate on killing an appropriate number of does. Hunters
also keep detailed records on all deer killed and observed in a
QDM program. This information is used to guide the progress of
the management program and assess the quality of the herd.
Also integral to QDM is an active habitat management program
that concentrates on providing optimum nutrition to the deer
herd throughout the year. Habitat management practices typically
involve timber management, manipulating old-field habitats, and
establishing food plots. Other practices include supplemental
feeding with grains and/or salt and other minerals.
Although QDM has been implemented in many areas across the
whitetail’s range, few scientific data have been collected to
evaluate its success, especially before and after
implementation. To complicate matters further, “QDM” is rarely
practiced in the same manner in different areas. Most often,
this is a result of differences in deer herd characteristics
and/or differences in habitat quality, but in many cases,
different managers have differing views of just what QDM entails
and the correct approach to implement such a program.
Considerable confusion also surrounds habitat management
programs. There is a tremendous demand by hunters and other
landowners for knowledge about food plots. Food plots get more
publicity in the popular press than all other land management
practices combined. Many marketing and advertising campaigns
have confused hunters as to what should be planted and why.
Sound data are needed to substantiate not only what is best
nutritionally for white-tailed deer, but also what plantings
deer prefer. Prescribed fire is promoted to enhance habitat
conditions for small game and various songbirds, as well as
improve forage availability and palatability for white-tailed
deer. There is a lack of data, however, to support whether deer
prefer previously burned areas for grazing/browsing. Another
practice commonly promoted is fertilizing native vegetation for
increased/improved browse/forage. While data have been collected
that clearly show fertilization increases plant growth and
nutrition, there is a lack of data to support the claim that
fertilized vegetation—especially within closed-canopy forest
stands—receives increased browsing pressure by deer. Various
formulations of minerals and salt have been used to supplement
the availability of minerals for deer. Few data have been
collected, however, that show which formulations are preferred
or used more often by deer, especially by sex and age class.
Another major consideration with any deer management program is
hunter satisfaction, especially when mandated on public lands.
In order for QDM to be successful, hunters must embrace the
program and its approach. Usually, this level of satisfaction
comes only with considerable education efforts.
The objective of this research is to determine the impact of
Quality Deer Management (QDM) programs on several properties
across Tennessee. Specifically, the impact of such programs on
herd health and quality, as determined by density, sex ratio,
age structure, average weights per age class, and antler
characteristics, will be evaluated. In addition, several habitat
management practices will be evaluated for their effectiveness
in a QDM program. Finally, hunter satisfaction will be monitored
to assess the program’s acceptance among sportsmen.
Information gathered should help property managers across the
state and region better understand the relationships involved
(deer management, habitat management, hunter management) in a
QDM program. Findings will be applicable to both private
managers and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) in
their public lands deer management program. In addition, this
information will be most useful when making recommendations for
deer/crop depredation situations.
Cooperators
The study focuses on several properties, including: the
18,653-acre Ames Plantation in Fayette and Hardeman
Counties; the Rocky River Hunting Club—a 4,800-acre
private property in Sequatchie, Van Buren, and Warren Counties;
the Jasper Mountain Hunting Club—a 8,588-acre private
property in Marion County; the Myers Cove Hunting Club—a
2,431-acre private property in Warren County; the 79,700-acre
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area in Cumberland and Morgan
Counties; the 37,000-acre Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area
in Roane and Anderson Counties; and the 2,500-acre Yuchi
Wildlife Management Area in Rhea County.
Ames Plantation
Deer hunting at Ames followed statewide regulations for many
years. However, in 2002 the Ames administration decided a QDM
program should be implemented on the property. Data (i.e., sex,
age, weight, evidence of lactation, number of antler points,
inside spread, main beam length and diameter, and gross antler
score) were collected from deer killed at Ames during the
2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons to determine average characteristics
among sex and age classes. Ames hunters collected observation
data in order to begin an index to population level. A census of
deer browse was collected in July of 2002 and 2003 to determine
the relationship of the deer herd with available habitat.
Additionally, hunter satisfaction was evaluated through surveys
collected at the end of the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons. In
2003, Ames Plantation began leasing hunting rights.
Pre-treatment data provided information necessary to recommend a
sound antler restriction to protect bucks 2½ years old and
younger. Beginning with the 2004 hunting season, a gross score
of 110 inches of antler growth as measured by the Boone and
Crockett scoring system was used as the minimum requirement in
order for a buck to be killed at Ames. This was raised to 120
B&C in 2006, a score better suited to protect 3-year-old bucks,
as hunters learned better how to make field judgments. The
recommended doe harvest was determined to be 180 for the first
year of QDM at Ames and 194 were taken. The second year the goal
remained at 180 and more than 210 were taken. The goals for doe
harvest have been exceeded or met during each year of the QDM
program. This was an excellent response from hunters and, if
sightings, tracks, and crop damage are an indication, the deer
herd has never been depressed by any noticeable margin, even
with the threat of EHD in 2007. The sex ratio approached a
natural form and sightings disproportionally involved bucks,
because the 1.5-year-old class was practically untouched during
deer seasons 2004-through-07.
A check-in station was constructed prior to the 2002 season and
improved in 2007. All hunters were required to check-in their
deer during all seasons of the study. Beginning with the 2004-05
season, hunters were required to check in and out before and
after each hunt.
Rocky River HC, Jasper Mountain HC, and Myers Cove HC
Rocky River has operated under a QDM program since 2000. During
this time, data (i.e., sex, age, weight, evidence of lactation,
number of antler points, inside spread, main beam length and
diameter, and gross antler score) have been collected on all
deer killed. A gross score of 100 inches has been used as an
antler restriction to protect bucks 2½ years old and younger. A
deer census has been conducted each year using
infrared-triggered cameras, while hunters have collected
observation data to compare with the census. Jasper Mountain has
been operating under a QDM program since 2001 and Myers Cove has
been operating under a QDM program since 2003. Data have been
collected at these properties just as they have at Rocky River.
Catoosa Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Deer hunting has occurred at Catoosa since 1955. Data (sex, age,
weight, evidence of lactation, number of antler points, and main
beam length and diameter) were collected from deer since the
first hunting seasons to determine average characteristics among
sex and age classes. Browse surveys were collected for many
years to determine a relationship of the deer herd with
available habitat. Observation data were collected during
several years to determine productivity (doe:fawn ratios) and
sex ratios. Hunter satisfaction was evaluated continually
throughout the years since 1955.
In the early 1990’s, hunters’ attitudes began to change about
deer hunting on Tennessee’s WMAs. Hunters no longer needed to
hunt a WMA to harvest a deer. From deer stocked in the 1970’s
and 1980’s and continued population growth, hunters had ample
opportunity to take deer in open county hunts across the state.
As a result, Catoosa managers and biologists decided to
implement a QDM program beginning with the 1998 hunting season.
From data collected since 1955, it was decided to implement a
4-point to one side antler restriction to protect bucks 1½ years
old and younger. The recommended doe harvest is determined each
year.
QDM results on Catoosa appear to have been successful. Results
are available from TWRA Region III in the Big Game Harvest
Report. Many hunters have been supportive of QDM on Catoosa and
often request similar management throughout the state. Catoosa
continues to lead the state in WMA hunt applications.
TWRA is committed to good game management; and hunter attitudes
and their expectations may not be consistent. As such, and with
a large land-base across Tennessee, QDM will be complicated to
implement statewide. However, the research can demonstrate QDM
results on the type of grounds listed above and the conditions
associated with each. These results will apply most closely on
private lands, although the two necessary conditions for older
deer to manifest any sort of antler characteristics may vary
from place to place: i.e., habitat and genetics. TWRA may
benefit from the research with increased insight to help
landowners manage their land and also to evaluate the future
course of deer hunting in Tennessee.
Oak Ridge Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
The Oak Ridge WMA is open to public deer hunting though all
hunters must be selected through a random drawing. Approximately
3,075 hunters are selected to hunt on the area during three
hunts held each year. The hunts are held in November and
December and each lasts for two days. Because of safety issues,
Oak Ridge is divided into archery-only hunting zones and gun
hunting zones. Slightly less than half of the hunters selected
are assigned to the gun hunting zones.
Deer hunting has occurred on Oak Ridge since 1985 with the
exception of the 2000 season when Oak Ridge was closed for
national security reasons. In 2003, a QDM program was
implemented. Under this program, antlered bucks must have at
least four one-inch antler points on one side of their rack or
have an outside antler spread of 15 or more inches to be legal
for harvest. Through the area’s one check station, data (i.e.,
sex, age, weight, number of antler points, main beam length, and
diameter) have been collected on 99 percent of all deer
harvested.
Yuchi Wildlife Management Area (WMA)
Yuchi Refuge is also open to public deer hunting and, like Oak
Ridge WMA, all hunters must be selected through a random
drawing, with the exception of one hunt that is open to
handicapped hunters only. Approximately 450 hunters are selected
to hunt on the area during the six quota hunts held each year.
The hunts are held from September to November and each hunt
lasts for two days.
Prior to 2000, the area was in private ownership and deer
hunting was allowed during statewide deer season with no public
access. In 2000, Yuchi Refuge was purchased by the Tennessee
Wildlife Resources Agency and has been open to public hunting
since. A QDM program was established in 2003. Under this
program, the area has an antlered buck harvest restriction that
is the same as for Oak Ridge WMA. Through the area’s one check
station, data (i.e., sex, age, weight, number of antler points,
main beam length and diameter) have been collected on 99 percent
of all deer harvested since 2000.
Deer census and hunter observations
A deer census was conducted on Ames, Rocky River, Jasper
Mountain, and Myer’s Cove using infrared-triggered cameras. One
bait station was positioned per 160 acres. Deer were attracted
to bait stations with salt and shelled corn. Cameras were held
in position for 2 weeks after 1 week of pre-baiting. The deer
census was conducted between mid-July and mid-September.
Hunters on Ames, Rocky River, Jasper Mountain, and Myer’s Cover
fill out observation cards after each hunt and turn the cards in
at the respective check-in station immediately after each hunt.
Data (number of deer, sex, age) from observation cards will be
compared to the camera census for each property.
A voluntary observation card system was used the first year of
the program at Ames and resulted in a total of 18 observation
cards for the season. After the sign-in policy was established
the next year, over 1,800 cards were returned. These cards
contain immensely valuable information.
The impact of QDM
Effect of various antler restrictions on antler
characteristics
The proportion of bucks killed within each age class will be
compared between study sites and private lands without antler
restrictions within respective counties. The proportion of bucks
killed under the targeted age class will be evaluated on each
study area. Main beam length and diameter, spread, number of
points, and gross antler score will be compared by age class
among bucks killed at each study site and private lands without
antler restrictions within respective counties. Personnel with
the TWRA and students from the UT Chapter of The Wildlife
Society will collect data from deer killed on non-QDM private
lands at check-in stations located in the counties of the study
areas.
Effect of QDM on sex ratio harvested, average weight per sex
and age class, and lactation
The sex ratio of the deer harvest as well as weights per sex and
age class and evidence of lactation are determined from kill
record sheets at each of the study sites. These data will be
compared between study sites and with those from deer killed on
non-QDM private lands, collected at check-in stations in the
counties of the study areas on various dates through the season
determined by the TWRA.
Effect of QDM on deer visibility
Hunters at Ames, Rocky River, Jasper Mountain, and Myers Cove
will record the number and type of deer sighted per hunting
trip. Trends over time in deer density and sex ratio will be
compared to deer census data collected by infrared-triggered
cameras on each property.
Effect on hunter satisfaction
At each study site, hunters will be surveyed to determine their
level of satisfaction with the various types of QDM
restrictions. All hunters at Ames, Rocky River, Jasper Mountain,
and Myers Cove will be surveyed at the close of the deer season.
A survey will be mailed after the season to hunters drawn to
hunt at Catoosa, Oak Ridge, and Yuchi.
Food plot evaluation
This project tested both warm- and cool-season plantings in
replicated plots at Ames, Rocky River, Catoosa, and Oak Ridge to
determine plants most suitable for food plots in terms of
germination, growth and production, resistance to grazing,
nutritional quality, and timing of availability. These data will
be used to recommend desirable mixtures for food plots. Twenty
0.10-acre cells have been established at each site. Each cell
contains a “seasonal” exclusion cage, 4 feet square, made of
chicken wire to monitor growth through the growing season. In
addition, each cell contains 3 “mobile” exclusion cages, 2 feet
square, to monitor growth and deer preference at the end of each
month. Forage clipped from the mobile cages is compared to that
from 3 randomly-selected uncaged spots, 2 feet square, in each
cell. Clipped forage material is then dried and sent to the
forage lab at UT for nutritional analysis. The 20 forages that
have been used in the food plot experiment include those listed
below.
Cool-season legumes (8)
ladino clover (perennial)
red clover (perennial)
berseem clover (annual)
crimson clover (annual)
arrowleaf clover (annual)
alfalfa (perennial)
Austrian winter peas (annual)
birdsfoot trefoil (perennial)
Cool-season grasses (4)
oats (annual)
wheat (annual)
orchardgrass (perennial)
ryegrass (annual)
Cool-season forbs (2)
chicory (perennial)
dwarf essex rape (annual)
Warm-season legumes (6)
iron-clay cowpeas (annual)
lablab (annual)
soybeans (annual)
Quail Haven re-seeding soybeans
(annual)
alyceclover (annual)
American jointvetch (annual)
Cool-season plots were established in late summer 2004.
Perennial cool-season plots were maintained and managed through
fall 2006. Warm-season plots were established in late spring
2005 and will be again in 2006. Annual cool-season plots were
planted in late summer 2005.
The quantity of forage consumed and deer preference have been
related to deer density. The number of deer using each field was
estimated by placing an infrared-triggered camera (baited like a
census camera) just inside the woods on each side of the field
(4 cameras total) during late August/early September. These
numbers at Ames and Rocky River have been compared to the
overall deer census.
Effect of burning and fertilization on browse quantity and
quality
Naturally occurring browse in hardwood forest stands was sampled
for biomass and quality at Ames and Rocky River during July 2004
and 2005. Previously unburned hardwood stands were selected.
Sixteen 100-yard transects were established at each site. Browse
was measured and collected along 4 sections, every 25 yards, 5
yards in length, 4 feet in width and 4 feet in height. Woody
browse was measured and collected by species. Herbaceous forage
was measured and collected by family. Pre-treatment data were
collected in 2004. Eight sites were burned during February/March
2005. Four sites were fertilized (according to soil test to
raise P and K levels to high and with 60 pounds of N added per
acre) in the burned areas and 4 sites were fertilized in the
unburned areas. Four transects were established in
unburned/unfertilized stands, 4 in unburned/fertilized stands, 4
in burned/unfertilized stands, and 4 in burned/fertilized
stands. Samples were be dried, weighed, and analyzed for crude
protein and acid detergent fiber. Data were compared to
determine if burning and/or fertilization actually attracts
additional browsing pressure and/or increases browse quality.
Soil samples were collected in each area at 2 inches and 6
inches deep prior to and after burning and fertilization. This
was conducted each season (spring, summer, fall, winter) in each
area throughout the study to determine the impact of burning and
fertilization on soil fertility.
Preference and use of various mineral formulations
Finally, various mineral formulations were compared using
replicated sites monitored by infrared-triggered cameras at Ames
and Rocky River. Four mineral stations were identified. There
was 1 station per 150 acres (4 stations – 600 acres total). At
each station (the middle of each 150-acre block), 4 minerals
were positioned in a square, 50 yards apart. Infrared-triggered
cameras were placed approximately 15 feet from the mineral with
a marker denoting station and mineral identification another 15
feet beyond the mineral, 30 feet from the camera, monitor
minerals. Minerals were put in place by 1 June 2004 and were
monitored for 60 days, beginning June 8. Minerals were
replenished as necessary. The 4 mineral supplements are: Co-op
Coarse Ground Trace Mineral salt, Co-op Whitetail Deer Mineral
Mix, Deer Cain, and Biologic Whitetail Addiction.
The number of deer, sex ratio, and fawns per doe using each
mineral station were evaluated from the pictures generated.
Preference for a mineral mixture is determined from the
photographs. In addition, time of use (day/night, early
summer/mid-summer) have been evaluated to determine if there is
a preferred period when deer use these sites.