LITTLE
ROCK – It appears that everything is falling into place for Arkansas
deer hunters to have a productive season. Arkansas' modern gun season
opens Nov. 11.
 According
to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission deer program coordinator Cory Gray,
many areas are seeing an increase in deer population numbers due to
increased fawn production and recruitment. "Areas of the state that have
recently seen reduced deer population numbers such as the Ozarks,
Ouachitas and Arkansas River Valley are now seeing the population grow,"
Gray explained. "This can be attributed to the conservative harvest
management in the past, increased fawn production and recruitment, as
well as high mast crop production," he added.
Reports from AGFC biologists show herd health data above average across
the state in kidney fat indices and fetal counts. "The average date of
conception varies across Arkansas with the earliest date of Nov. 11
being in the Ozarks and Arkansas River Valley. The latest peak
conception is Nov. 28 in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain," Gray
explained.
Many parts of the state are seeing a high mast crop production
especially red and white oak acorns, Gray said. "But due to dry
conditions the acorns are starting to fall and appear to be small.
Browse conditions across the state are experiencing reduced palatability
also due to dry conditions," he added.
A breakdown of the state's geographical regions follows:
Ozark Mountains
Mast Production/Browse
Mast production at this time appears to be favorable. Post oaks and
white oaks have set plenty of acorns this spring. The red oak species
seems to have produced also. The current concern is the hot and dry
conditions which could alter the acorn production. Currently, the
eastern Ozarks oak species seem to have been negatively affected by the
drought conditions resulting in reduced acorn production.
Browse conditions can be considered fair, but continued dry conditions
will cause a rapid decease in quality.
Deer Observations
 Deer
numbers in the Ozarks are improving. Fawn sightings this spring and
summer were high, which indicates an increased likely hood of fawn
survival. The spring turkey hunters in the Ozarks reported more deer
sightings than in previous years which could indicate a turnaround in
deer numbers, particularly in the Ozark National Forest. Reasons for
this increase in deer numbers can be attributed to conservative harvest
strategies of recent years and high mast production.
The two years of bowhunter observation data (2004-2006) for the Ozark
DMU shows 2:1 (doe to buck) sex ratio and a relative abundance of .97.
This means on average, .97 deer were observed for every hour of hunting.
It is important to remember that the bowhunter observation data has only
been conducted for two years and additional data will be needed to
increase reliability.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
The 2005-2006 biological data collected from harvested deer shows
the average age of bucks harvested was 3.0 and 3.5 for does. The average
buck dressed weight was 110 pounds, and the average doe dressed weight
was 80 pounds. All body weights were at the minimum standards set in the
deer plan. The 2005-2006 antler index score was 39 for the Ozarks. The
antler index is the sum of total points, inside spread, left beam length
and left beam circumference. Antler indices are a way to place a number
value for each individual buck. The six year average antler index for
the Ozark Mountains is 40. Adult doe lactation rates were 70%. This is
close to the goal of 80% adult lactation defined in the deer plan.
Summary-Ozarks
Overall the deer forecast for the Ozarks looks promising. Deer
populations are showing a positive response to the past conservative
harvest management and high mast crops. Currently the only concern is
the drought conditions which will reduce browse quality and may reduce
acorn quality.
Ouachita Mountains
Mast Production/Browse
White oaks and red oak mast crops appear to be excellent, but
spotty. Hickory nut production is good. It remains to be seen if this
mast crop matures given the extremely dry weather conditions.
Browse conditions are stressed and turning brown. Palatability and
nutrition have been severely diminished by the reduced moisture content.
Available water is also in short supply in some places.
Deer Observations
Reproduction appears to be good with sighting of twin fawns very
common. The two years of bowhunter observation data shows an average sex
ratio of 1.3:1 (doe to buck) and an average relative abundance of .64.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
From the 2005-2006 biological data, the average age of bucks
harvested was 3.0 and 3.5 for does. The average buck dressed weight was
108 pounds, and the average doe dressed weight was 75 pounds. All body
weights were slightly below the target of 110 pounds for bucks and 80
pounds for does. The average antler index for adult bucks was 41. Adult
doe lactation was 64% for 2005-2006. This is below the target of 80% for
adult females.
Summary-Ouachitas
The overall deer season forecast for the Ouachita Mountains is fair
to good. The dry conditions seem to be reducing mast production and
browse conditions. The deer herd appears to be rebuilding as a result of
conservative harvest management of recent years, but habitat conditions
may be the limiting factor.
Arkansas River Valley
Mast Production/Browse
Observers are noticing an average amount of acorn production. The
current drought conditions have not effected the mast production along
the Arkansas River Valley. Browse conditions are considered fair, but
continued dry conditions will cause rapid decrease in quality.
Deer Observations
Overall deer numbers seem to be increasing in the Arkansas River
Valley. This can be attributed to the restrictive harvest management and
excellent mast production of the last few years. Fawn production appears
to be good with several fawns being reported.
The two years of bowhunter observation data shows an average sex ratio
of 2.2:1 (doe to buck) and an average relative abundance of .64.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
The 2005-2006 biological data shows the average age of bucks
harvested was 3.0 and 3.3 for does. The average adult buck dressed
weight was 110 pounds and average adult doe dressed weight was 80
pounds. All body weights were above the targets defined in the deer
plan. The 2005-2006 average antler index was 41.5. Adult doe lactation
was 55%, which is 25% below the target of 80%.
Summary-Arkansas River Valley
Currently the hot and dry conditions have not negatively impacted
the mast production along the Arkansas River Valley. Deer numbers are
increasing. Preferred browse species may be limited due to dry
conditions.
West Gulf Coastal Plain
Mast Production/Browse
 Forage
production is reduced due to the dry summer of 2005, followed by an
extremely dry winter and dry summer of 2006. Fortunately, an
unexpectedly good acorn production helped offset the reduced forage of
2005. It is too early to predict acorn production this year. During dry
times, acorn production is either reduced, or exceptionally plentiful.
Abundant production during stressful times is nature's way
of reproducing the species. Hay production had been difficult this
spring and summer, so the same stressful conditions are likely to affect
deer forage. Shallow-rooted dogwood trees are beginning to go dormant or
die because of extended drought.
Deer Observations
Deer population is expected to be stable to slightly increasing in
most parts of the Gulf Coastal Plain. Fawn production appears to be good
with several fawns being reported. The two years of bowhunter
observation data shows an average sex ratio of 1.4:1 (doe to buck) and
an average relative abundance of .90.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
From the 2005-2006 biological data, the average age of bucks
harvested was 3.2 and 3.9 for does. The average adult buck dressed
weight was 108 pounds, and the average adult doe dressed weight was 79
pounds. All body weights were slightly below the target of 110 pounds
for bucks and 80 pounds for does. The average antler index for adult
bucks was 39. Adult doe lactation was 71% for 2005-2006. This is below
the target of 80% for adult females.
Summary-West Gulf Coastal Plain
Deer population is considered stable to increasing with several does
and fawns being observed. Habitat conditions are less than desirable due
to the continued dry conditions and lack of mast crop.
Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Mast Production/Browse
Mast crop production can be rated fair to good with nuttall acorns
being plentiful. The pecan crop is rated good, but persimmons are
sparse. Browse species are loosing their palatability due to dry
conditions. In this area of the state, deer take full advantage of the
lush agriculture crops (soybeans) to offset the dry native browse.
Deer Observations
 Several
people are reporting large numbers of fawns, especially twins. The two
years of bowhunter observation data (2004-2006) for the Mississippi
Alluvial Plain shows an average of 2:1 (doe to buck) sex ratio and a
relative abundance of .79. This means on average, .79 deer were observed
for every hour of hunting. It is important to remember that the
bowhunter observation data has only been conducted for two years and
additional data will be needed to increase reliability.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
From the 2005-2006 biological data, the average age of bucks
harvested was 3.3 for bucks and 3.7 for does. The average adult buck
dressed weight was 125 pounds and 88 pounds for adult does. The antler
index was 42.3. The average adult doe lactation rate was 60%.
Summary-Mississippi Alluvial Plain
Overall the deer season forecast for the Mississippi Alluvial Plain
is good. Based on herd health data and biological data, the deer
populations are stable to increasing. The hard mast crop appears to be
favorable, but preferred browse species are limited.
Crowley’s Ridge
Mast Production/Browse
Due to the dry spring-summer, overall mast crop once again seems
fair to poor with only a few sites exhibiting good production.
Deer Observations
Population status is good. Several adult and fawn deer are being
observed. The 2006 herd health data shows an average of 110% kidney fat
indices and 1.85 fetal count. Both of these indices suggest a healthy
productive female segment. Several factors can be contributed to an
increase in deer population numbers this upcoming season: the limited
deer season structure, a residual carry-over that resulted from
decreased harvest on Crowley’s Ridge in the 2005-2006 season harvest
compared to the 2004-2005 season harvest, and an increase in fawn
recruitment.
One factor that may be detrimental to this year’s fawn survival is
parasite loading. Ticks seem to be present in greater number this year
throughout several parts of the state. Bowhunter observation data
collected from 2004-2006 shows an average sex ratio of 1.6:1 (doe to
buck) and a relative abundance of .91.
2005-2006 Deer Biological Data
From the 2005-2006 biological data, the average age of bucks
harvested was 3.1 for bucks and does. The average adult buck dressed
weight was 120 pounds, and 85 pounds for adult does. The antler index
was 42.5. The average adult doe lactation rate was 65%.
Summary-Crowley’s Ridge
The deer season forecast for Crowley’s Ridge looks good. The deer
population appears to be increasing based on observations and biological
data, even though mast production has been poor to absent in the past
years |