Deer Program Report 2008 Mississippi Deer Program Report 2008
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS DEER PROGRAM20 REPORT08 Prepared by Wildlife Technical Staff Prepared by Wildlife Technical MISSISSIPPI DEER PROGRAM REPORT 2008 MISSISSIPPI DEER PROGRAM REPORT 2008 MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS 1505 Eastover Drve | Jackson, MS 39211 2007-2008 Mississippi Deer Program Report 2007-2008 Mississippi Deer Program Report Dedication In Memory of Bill Lunceford 1945 - 2007 his and all future Deer Data Books are dedicated to Bill Lunceford. T On September 20, 2007, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the sportsmen of Mississippi lost a hero. William (Bill) Lunceford passed away as a result of complications due to a previous injury. Bill became a quadriplegic after a diving accident in 1979. After rehabilitation, he came back to work with the MDWFP, as the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) Coordinator. He filled this role until his retirement on June 30, 2006. The work he completed in his position is immeasurable. Using a mouthpiece, wooden dowel, and large eraser, he typed faster than most of the staff. His knowledge of computer programs combined with deer management experience made the rest of the staff’s roles easier. He combined the DMAP data for the entire state annually and produced reports to assist the field biologists in making better deer management decisions. The data and reports eventually became the Deer Program Report. His work has impacted millions of acres of deer habitat in the state. He also assisted other states with the implementation of DMAP programs. Bill was a man of Christian values, strong work ethic, and immense knowledge. It was impossible to not make friends with him. After his accident, he continued his passion of hunting deer. He designed a rifle mounted on a football helmet, with trigger activation by solenoid from a mouthpiece. He was a crack shot with this weapon, bagging several deer, and designed several versions in different calibers. Bill traveled the state to give motivational speeches. He proved that adversity can be overcome. You just have to want to. Many lives have been touched, and changed, by Bill’s time on Earth. As a firm believer, Bill can now walk again. You will be missed. 2007-2008 Mississippi Deer Program Report 2008 G OVERNOR OF M ISSISSIPPI L IEUTENANT G OVERNOR HALEY BARBOUR PHIL BRYANT S ENATE WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, & PARKS COMMITTEE TOMMY A. GOLLOTT SIDNEY ALBRITTON CINDY HYDE-SMITH ERIC POWELL Chairman, Biloxi Picayune Brookhaven Corinth BILLY HUDSON BOB M. DEARING EZELL LEE BILL STONE Vice-Chairman, Purvis Natchez Picayune Ashland MERLE FLOWERS CHRIS MCDANIEL GARY TOLLISON Southaven Ellisville Oxford H OUSE OF R EPRESENTATIVES WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, & PARKS COMMITTEE BLAINE “BO” EATON C. SCOTT BOUNDS PHILIP GUNN AMERICA (CHUCK) Chairman, Taylorsville Philadelphia Clinton MIDDLETON Port Gibson DERYK R. PARKER BRYANT W. CLARK STEVEN A. HORNE Vice-Chairman, Lucedale Pickens Meridian BILLY NICHOLSON Little Rock BRIAN ALDRIDGE ANGELA COCKERHAM BENNETT MALONE Ashland Magnolia Carthage STEVE PALAZZO Biloxi TRACY ARINDER MARK DUVALL WARNER F. MCBRIDE Morton Mantachie Courtland C O mm ISSION ON W I L D L IFE , F IS H ERIES , AND P ARKS JOHN C STANLEY IV BRYAN JONES JERRY MUNROE CHARLES RIGDON Chairman, Corinth Vice Chairman, Biloxi Columbus Yazoo City A D M INISTRATION SAM POLLES, PH.D. AL TUCK ROBERT L. COOK DON BRAZIL Executive Director Deputy Director Deputy Administrator Director of Law Enforcement, Wildlife, and Fisheries v 2007-2008 Mississippi Deer Program Report Table of Contents Dedication .......................................................................................................................................................................................................iii Governor and Legislative Committees .............................................................................................................................................................iv Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks ................................................................................................................................................iv Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................................................................v Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................................................................................................vi Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Wildlife Technical Staff Directory ................................................................................................................................................................ 2-3 Wildlife Management Areas ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4-5 Wildlife Management Area Directory ............................................................................................................................................................ 6-7 Wildlife Management Area Harvest Information .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Wildlife Management Area Narratives ........................................................................................................................................................ 9-19 Regional Narratives .................................................................................................................................................................................. 20-23 Road Kill Survey Data ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Depredation .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Chronic Wasting Disease ......................................................................................................................................................................... 26-27 Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease ................................................................................................................................................................ 28-29 Statewide Deer Herd Health Evaluations .................................................................................................................................................. 30-34 Statewide Sex Ratio and Fawn Crop Estimates ............................................................................................................................................. 35 Deer Tags ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 36-37 Antler Regulations ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 High Fenced Enclosures ................................................................................................................................................................................ 39 Deer Management Assistance Program ................................................................................................................................................... 40-43 Statewide DMAP Data .............................................................................................................................................................................. 44-45 Mississippi Soil Resource Area Map ............................................................................................................................................................ 46 Batture Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data .................................................................................................................................... 47 Delta Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ....................................................................................................................................... 48 Upper Thick Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data .................................................................................................................. 49 Lower Thick Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ................................................................................................................. 50 Upper Thin Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data .................................................................................................................. 51 Lower Thin Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ................................................................................................................... 52 Black Prairie Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data .........................................................................................................................