Deer Program Report Prepared by MDWFP Deer Committee
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Deer Program Report Prepared by MDWFP Deer Committee Mississippi2009 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Mississippi Deer Program Report 2009 Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks 1505 Eastover Drive • Jackson, MS 39211 2008-2009 Mississippi Deer Program Report i 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 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. 2008-2009 Mississippi Deer Program Report iii 2009 Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour Lieutenant Governor Phil Bryant Senate Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Committee Tommy A. Gollott, Chairman, Biloxi Billy Hudson, Vice-Chairman, Purvis Sidney Albritton, Picayune Bob M. Dearing, Natchez Merle Flowers, Southaven Cindy Hyde-Smith, Brookhaven Ezell Lee, Picayune Chris McDaniel, Ellisville Eric Powell, Corinth Bill Stone, Ashland Gray Tollison, Oxford House of Representatives Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Committee Blaine “Bo” Eaton, Chairman, Taylorsville, Deryk R. Parker, Vice-Chairman, Lucedale Brian Aldridge, Ashland Tracy Arinder, Morton C. Scott Bounds, Philadelphia Bryant W. Clark, Pickens Angela Cockerham, Magnolia Mark DuVall, Mantachie Philip Gunn, Clinton Steven A. Horne, Meridian Bennett Malone, Carthage Warner F. McBride, Courtland America (Chuck) Middleton, Port Gibson Billy Nicholson, Little Rock Steve Palazzo, Biloxi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Bryan Jones, Chairman, Yazoo City Charles Rigdon, Vice Chairman, Columbus Jerry Munro, Biloxi Billy Deviney, Jackson John C Stanley IV, Corinth Administration Sam Polles, Ph.D., Executive Director Al Tuck, Deputy Director Robert L. Cook, Deputy Administrator Don Brazil, Director of Law Enforcement, Wildlife, and Fisheries iv 2008-2009 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 Management Areas ...........................................................................................................................2-3 Wildlife Management Area Harvest Information .......................................................................................4 Wildlife Management Area Narratives ......................................................................................................5-19 Regional Narratives ......................................................................................................................................20-23 Road Kill Survey Report ...................................................................................................................................24 Depredation by Deer .........................................................................................................................................25 Chronic Wasting Disease .............................................................................................................................26-27 Hemorrhagic Disease ....................................................................................................................................28-29 Deer Herd Health Evaluations ...................................................................................................................30-33 Mail Survey Data ...........................................................................................................................................34-36 Mississippi Bowhunter Observations ............................................................................................................37 Antler Regulations .............................................................................................................................................38 High Fenced Enclosures ....................................................................................................................................39 Deer Tags .........................................................................................................................................................40-41 Deer Management Assistance Program ...................................................................................................42-47 Statewide DMAP Data ..................................................................................................................................48-49 Mississippi Soil Resource Areas .......................................................................................................................50 Batture Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ...............................................................................51 Delta Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ...................................................................................52 Upper Thick Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ...........................................................53 Lower Thick Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ..........................................................54 Upper Thin Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ............................................................ 55 Lower Thin Loess Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ............................................................56 Black Prairie Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ....................................................................57 Upper Coastal Plain Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ........................................................58 Lower Coastal Plain Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data .......................................................59 Coastal Flatwoods Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ...........................................................60 Interior Flatwoods Soil Resource Area Summary of DMAP Data ..........................................................61 Enforcement of Deer-related Citations ........................................................................................................62 Citations Summary by County .......................................................................................................................63 Hunting Incident/Accident Summary .........................................................................................................64 2008-2009 Research Project Summaries ..................................................................................................65-67 Magnolia Records Program .............................................................................................................................68 Pope and Young Records ..................................................................................................................................69 Boone and Crockett Records ......................................................................................................................70-71 In Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................72-73