One question I receive a lot here at the office pertains to deer densities. Although most hunters understand that deer population estimates are important for managing herds, some do not realize that states often have two periods for estimating their herd sizes. Deer population studies are often conducted for a fall or prehunt estimate and an overwinter or posthunt estimate. Posthunt population estimates are annually compared to the deer population goal for each deer management unit as a basis for annual adjustments of antlerless harvest quotas. Population goals and density estimates are usually expressed as deer per square mile of deer range. These densities vary widely depending on region. However, a general rule of thumb is that a posthunt population exceeding 40 deer per square mile of deer habitat is considered to be at or above goals.

Dan Schmidt, D&DH Editor

Today’s feel-good deer story comes from Ohio where the DNR and the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry group have teamed up to encourage hunters to shoot more does this fall.

The state has provided a $100,000 subsidy grant to FHFH to help pay the processing fee on donated venison.  The grant money is being provided in two $50,000 allotments that are to be matched with funds generated or collected by FHFH.
 
"By providing hunters with an affordable outlet for donating extra venison, the division hopes to ultimately encourage hunters to kill more does,” stated James Marshall, assistant chief of the Division of Wildlife.
 
Finding ways to kill more does will help wildlife managers keep Ohio's deer population management plan on track. Deer hunters can again buy additional antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for the 2008-09 deer-hunting season. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains at $15.  
 
Now over a decade old, FHFH has grown to include 120 local coordinators in 26 different states. Annual meat donation totals have topped 300,000 pounds-enough to provide meat for over 1.2 million meals-and are expected to increase even further in the coming years.

Wisconsin Pro Staff member Chris Kleist and his brother recently started some QDM practices on the farm they hunt. "There are lots of deer out there, always have been, but never any mature bucks, they get about 2-1/2 years old then disappear," Chris reports. "The last three years we have been trying to talk to neighbors about letting the young bucks go, along with trying to harvest more does, something that area has been lacking.

"I'm now getting some trail cam pics of some of the bucks we have been watching the last couple of years. I am fairly sure I have matched these pics up to the same two deer."

This one has been making the Internet circuit. The story goes that the fawn followed the beagle home through the doggie door and the dog’s owners found the pair curled up on the couch. Hopefully the story is true and the unfortunate fawn was not picked out of the wild by well-meaning but uninformed passers-by.

Web Pro Staffer Joshua Berckenhoff captured these photos of a fine 11-point and a big, healthy doe last week on a ranch near his hunting area. It appears the summer rains were enough to provide excellent nutrition for the area’s deer.