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Target Density of Deer Population #6301867 05/17/16 10:39 PM
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WestTexasGolfer Offline OP
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What is that asking? Total amount of deer on the property?
Target density for pre-season deer population (fall density)?

Thanks for the help

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6301872 05/17/16 10:47 PM
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Sounds to me like your trying to get on the mld program.

I have no personal experience, but I believe it's how many deer you want to have per acre(s). And how many you expect before the season starts, which will include your fawn crop that made it through the spring and summer.

Like said above I don't really know, if it is for mld. I'm sure the guys will be along shortly




Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6301912 05/17/16 11:28 PM
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Thanks,

Thats what I was thinking but not sure how to answer it hopefully someone that has done this before can help me out.

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6302134 05/18/16 02:21 AM
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Your TPWD wildlife biologist can help with that. They are a wealth of information and are a great resource free of charge.

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6302806 05/18/16 06:36 PM
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Acres/deer is how you assess overall herd numbers. You will have some target density, depending on what part of the state you are in. For us in the Hill Co, that is a winter density of 8 to 10 acres/deer. You usually use winter or post-season density for target because that includes all fawns that have survived to that point, and also takes into account all deer harvested that season.

Your biologist will set your MLD harvest tag allocation based on the difference between your current surveyed density, your target, and your current surveyed and observed Buck:Doe ratio, with some adjustments for average fawn recruitment % (average number of fawns per doe) and natural mortality (deer killed by causes other than hunting) in your area.

Pretty fun to start playing around with the numbers once you do your first round of surveys. You can start to calculate how many years it will take you to get where you want to be.

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6303066 05/18/16 10:41 PM
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Really depends on the ranch itself (carrying capacity), county, and overall goals. A lot of folks that get on MLD or research getting on MLD don't like the state recommendations for normally two reasons:

1. They have more lease members on the ranch than the recommended buck harvest.
2. State recommends a lower deer density than the hunters want to see.

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: txbobcat] #6303122 05/18/16 11:29 PM
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don k Offline
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Originally Posted By: txbobcat
Really depends on the ranch itself (carrying capacity), county, and overall goals. A lot of folks that get on MLD or research getting on MLD don't like the state recommendations for normally two reasons:

1. They have more lease members on the ranch than the recommended buck harvest.
2. State recommends a lower deer density than the hunters want to see.
Very true. Not all hunters want at least a 160" deer. From what I have seen most just want to see deer. That being said deer density depends mostly on what you want as far as hunting goes.

Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: don k] #6303136 05/18/16 11:44 PM
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I have said this for years. Deer hunting is different for each hunter and many times depends on where you are in life. I have hunted 55 plus years - with my Dad in the 1950's to 1980 on hill country leases. Lots of deer - no huge deer but still a blast to hunt - deer in that area were very wary and smart. I would sit down on the ground and lean back on a cedar tree and hunt. Great memories,

Then graduated to west texas and then to Mexico. All great experiences. Then to a couple of bad south texas ranches until finally found the right spot. A trophy is in the eye of the beholder - I have killed 130 inch deer from hill country that are as much a trophy to me as a 200 inch deer from south texas. My personality is to constantly try to do better than what I did previously. But many hunters have awesome leases where 160 plus deer will not happen but they still have a great experience. So in my view just having the freedom of choice and to get to hunt in this amazing state is what it is all about.

For me the old days are memories I will never forget and the today hunting is pretty cool too


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Re: Target Density of Deer Population [Re: WestTexasGolfer] #6304859 05/20/16 10:52 AM
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It was fun when I was a kid having no idea what was out there. Now with game cameras and feeding year round we know what's out there and aren't as surprised anymore. Except for the surprise during the rut. Never knew about that when I was young.

As for the question...talk to your GW. They actually know every answer and since they are the ones you deal with its nice to get on their good side.

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