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Without records, most land managers are unable to tell. Livestock managers are trained to monitor forage availability and body condition of their herd. Except in extreme cases, deer forage conditions are subtle, and body condition observations are limited to the check station.

Many hunters and deer managers in our area have accepted the necessity of doe harvest to effectively manage toward the common deer management goal of increasing buck body and antler size. Some, however, still object to this practice.

In many instances, it is easier for an organization of individuals with common interests, rather than one person operating alone, to achieve goals.

Food plots can be used to increase visibility of deer for hunting or other purposes. Although popular, food plots do not always accomplish intended deer management goals. Several factors should be evaluated to ensure the success of food plots.

An exploration of the common belief among deer hunters that harvesting does will harm deer populations.

A deer management association is a group of land managers in a region who share common deer management goals and make a decision to cooperatively manage their shared deer herd. The 12,640-acre Walnut Bayou Deer Management Association has deer statistics dating back to 1996 illustrating the advantages of landowner cooperation.

Mycotoxins, toxins produced by fungi, are known to negatively affect mammals, birds, and fish. Some of the grain produced this year might have higher levels of mycotoxins due to drought related stresses during seed production.

As part of most management programs, doe harvest is an important component that needs just as much attention as trophy bucks.

A White-tailed Deer Seminar will be held at the Pontotoc Technology Center Auditorium at 601 West 33rd Street in Ada, Okla., from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2004, followed by an in-depth session at the Noble Research Institute's Wildlife Unit.

The Noble Research Institute Agricultural Research Team is investigating the effects of hunter density on male white-tailed deer movements in southern Oklahoma. This is a collaborative study to further understanding of the impacts that hunter density and hunting pressure have on male white-tailed deer behavior, movement patterns and survivability.