Wildlife Management: Distance Surveys for Whitetail Deer

Wildlife Management Topic: “Aerial Vertical-Looking Infrared Imagery to Evaluate Bias of Distance Sampling Techniques for White-tailed Deer.”

Researchers: Jared T. Beaver, Craig A. Harper – University of Tennessee; Robert E. Kissell, Jr. – University of Arkansas; Lisa I. Muller, Peyton S. Basinger, Matthew J. Goode – University of Tennessee

Deer population monitoring is an important consideration when managing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Distance survey sampling has been used to estimate population density, and has been applied to ground thermal infrared sensing (ground imaging) and spotlight surveys to overcome limitations with these techniques. However, surveys are usually along roads, which may violate a critical assumption of distance sampling and bias density estimates. Continue reading Wildlife Management: Distance Surveys for Whitetail Deer

Deer with Long Hooves – Foundering in Whitetail

There have been a number of times when hunters and landowners have encountered deer with long hooves. White-tailed deer are candidates for a variety of ailments, but foundering in deer can happen for a variety of reasons. In fact, deer with longer than normal hooves is not uncommon at all. From what I have seen through the years of deer hunting and management is that foundering can result from several factors.

Ranches out in West Texas or game ranches that feed lots of corn tend to produce deer with hoof problems. Also, years with drought or even those with especially high temperatures and high winds tend to dry out the land. Foundering often occurs purely because grain intake is too high for whitetail deer. Deer that live solely at spin-cast feeders will consume too much corn. This is especially common when natural foods are in low availability. A deer’s diet should consist primarily of forbs and browse , but these foods can become very limited in areas with high deer densities or during extreme dry periods. Continue reading Deer with Long Hooves – Foundering in Whitetail

Giant Alberta Grizzly Bear Killed!!!

Most hunters dream of shooting something of epic proportions. A giant Alberta grizzly bear would fall into that bracket! Here is a story of two elk hunters that were out trying to coax in a lonely bull when their calling was so realistic (or sickly?) that is it attracted a big ole grizzly bear. I can not verify whether or not the story is real, but the giant bear photos look very much real!

These two hunters were calling elk in the Saddle Hills south of Woking , Alberta, when this big grizzly bear slipped in on the caller. The shooter spotted the bear about 8 yards from the caller and dropped him with 5 shots out of his 338 Win Mag. Continue reading Giant Alberta Grizzly Bear Killed!!!