MONTGOMERY-Several questions should be answered when developing a successful deer management plan. Why do you deer hunt? What do you want to get out of a deer hunting experience? What do you want future deer hunting experiences to be? A deer management plan should contain three main components: habitat management, herd management and hunter management.
Habitat management will vary greatly depending on 
the level of control you have on the property. In Alabama, most hunting property is leased, which may restrict extensive habitat management practices. This component of your plan will identify the habitat management practices specific to the property that addresses goals and objectives. These 
activities benefit an entire spectrum of wildlife and wildlife habitats. Recommendations should be practices that affect wildlife food/cover and the proper arrangement of these habitat components. Refer to these recommendations often and update them as your management efforts progress.
In general, two primary herd management strategies are suitable for use in Alabama. The first is traditional deer management 
where bucks of any age or antler quality may be harvested and antlerless deer harvest is regulated to produce an abundant deer herd and/or to maximize total buck harvest. This approach has been used throughout the state in repopulating the herd Alabama has today. When using this approach, the sex ratio often becomes heavily skewed in favor of females.
The second strategy is quality deer management. This typically involves protecting young bucks while harvesting an appropriate number of female deer to maintain herds within existing environmental and social constraints. In using this approach, the sex ratio becomes more balanced with a higher proportion of bucks being 
in the older age classes. Having a more balanced sex ratio with more mature bucks typically results in a shorter, more defined rut.
Hunter management, often overlooked, usually dictates whether you will reap the benefits of your efforts. Most hunting clubs have anywhere from 10 to 50 members. Getting this many people to agree on any subject can be difficult. Carefully select hunters when bringing in new members. Having everyone agree on the long-term goals will be the determining factor of a management plan’s success. Hunter management includes not only harvest decisions of your fellow hunters but also techniques and data
collection while afield. Records kept by each hunter will help make future decisions for the deer herd. Collecting data on hours spent hunting, habitat type hunted, weather conditions and deer sighted are very helpful in determining the success of a management plan. These records will show the amount of pressure you are putting on the property and where the pressure may be concentrated.
Working with the state wildlife agency to develop a wildlife management plan for your private hunting area is of tremendous benefit. Within a few short years of implementing a plan, you can start seeing the benefits. Implementing these recommended concepts will both improve your whitetail deer hunting habitat and help you have a better understanding of deer management principles.
For more information contact Chris Nix, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527; phone 251-626-5474.
MEDIA RELEASE/Chris Nix, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
