ST. VINCENT ISLAND WHITE-TAILED DEER MONITORING PROGRAM
The white tailed deer herd on St. Vincent Island represents an important part of the island's biotic community. To maintain the integrity of the island's deer population, it is necessary. to monitor various aspects of animal's biology, its environmental and socio-economic ramifications. "While much of - the information relating to deer is collected for other purposes, e.g. census should be part of the refuge wildlife inventory plan and hunting reported as part of public use, these procedures and record keeping systems are consolidated and incorporated as part of this program.
This program has been designed primarily as a working tool for the refuge staff. The sections are separated for ease in revision when required. A. POPULATION ESTIMATES:
1. Track Counts? The track count route is shown on the attached map.
(Figure l). This route is disked once or twice depending upon the
amount of litter or grass in the road "bed. Disking needs to be only
deep enough to provide loose sand to cover litter or uproot the
grass. The road should be dragged following the last disking or
one day prior to the day of the first track count. A drag measuring
approximately 5' x 5' made of three heavy truck tire chains spread by bolting the chain to a 2" water pipe at either end and the middle
with a towing chain attached to the ends of one pipe.
All counts are started at the same time each day and proceed -in the
same direction. All tracks crossing the road are counted. Deer,
pig, Sambar deer, and turkey tracks are counted. Counting is done
from a jeep driven 10 m.p.h. or less. The best results are obtained if one man sits on the hood to do the actual counting. The drag is
towed behind the jeep to prepare the surface for the next count except on the last day. A hand type tally register (counter, reci-
procating) is a very helpful accessory. Track counts (assuming the
prescribed route is counted) is converted to a daily population estimated, by multiplying the number of tracks by .64 for white-tailed deer, 1.28 for pigs and .42 for Sambar deer. If the route is altered the computation of the daily estimate is: (number of tracks) (12,558) (miles of tract) (640 for deer) (960 for Sambar) (320 for Hog) This procedure is followed for five consecutive days. The annual population estimate is the mean daily population estimates for which the standard deviation and standard error will be computed. Annual data will be added to the Summary Table (Figure 2) and added to the graph (Figure 3) • This procedure outlines the minimal require- ments and deviations if any should be fully documented and improves the level of accuracy and relates primarily to special study i.e. track counts around area of prescribed burn, etc. ST. VINCENT NATIONAL0/ILDLIFE REFUGE
UNITED STATES FRANKLIN COUNTY, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE
TRACK COUNT ROUTE
29-3B1
COMPILED IN THE BRANCH OF REALTY FROU SURVEYS BY USGS AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS
ATLANTA, GEORGIA MARCH, 1967 4R-FLA 403 180C
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100 - pi)PULA(riON IESTIIJIATES! BASE(D UPC|N TRACK °7q 7j : 11 73 /(U 7? 7^ ; 77 76 79 80 81 82 8? 8U & 86 8f 8:9 YEAR (To nearest month) j POPULATION ESTIMATES BASED UPON TRACK COUNTS White-Tailed Deer
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 J1975 1976 1977 1978 1979- J1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1986
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I 'tiOoJ .!.-.. 1 -...4 _. £ W Daily Co Daily Count Estimates «d rS • *B ffg6* P* P> JJ PD H £ii M- O K) ON H H ZV) H H • O O -... . -Ci ta zo! H I°!S wH oH vHo -, .. ..._,. — ------ JO S - •-•• -r '(/" i H i O t- v f- |Hl. j • !2 b lo - -1 M § o o •t I |C» CQ c» ! A. POPULATION ESTIMATES; 2. Reconstruction of Deer Population Age Ratios: Age, sex, and numbers of white-tailed deer harvested each year will be analized in a special computer program to reconstruct deer population age ratios. Data from each harvest will be sent to the district biologist who will have the data key punched and analized with results being furnished to the refuge manager. This program will provide the following resusts: 1. Kill data by years and age class, 2. Projected future harvest of the population present in the year (y), 3- Reconstructed population, 4- Projected 'adult population for year j; + 1* 5- Mortality rates by year and age class, 6. Reproductive rates by year, 7. Mortality rates as determined by mortality-based, time specific life table, and 8. Reproductive rates by year, using single-year accumulation method. This is also an indirect method of estimating the herd size but is most useful to compare estimates and predict harvest rates and ratios. A. POPULATION ESTIMATES; 3. Observations: The situation on the island lends itself well to systematic observations of big game animals because of the necessity to travel the length (10 miles) of the island from the boat landing at Indian Pass to the lield Headquarters/Work Center. The route of travel can be varied and the habitat types covered are, for the most part, well sampled by any route. In most cases the visibility is restricted by the crest of a dune or the edge of a hammock. In all cases deer would be readily visible within the confines of these corridors. The attached map shows the routes which, for the most part, start at the Indian Pass landing and terminate at the Cabin/Work Center area. Even though most of these routes start on B Road and end on A road, the route driven at any given time will be identified by its major portion e.g. B route starts by traveling along B road for several miles and ends by traveling along A road; however, for observation and record purposes the route is identified as E route from the time it is started at the Indian Pass landing until terminated at the Cabin/ Work Center. Observation of white-tailed deer, hogs/pigs, Sambar deer and turkey are recorded on the attached form. Other species may be recorded from time to time for special purposes. These records will be consolidated monthly and yearly. A monthly and annual mean, standard deviation and error should be computed for each route and all routes together. These data are to "be expressed as animals per acre. At some point in the future (2 years) additional analysis of data can be made and this section rewritten to reflect data collection and analysis. To "be a valid sample these routes should be driven at a normal rate of speed (15-25 m.p.h.) with a minimal amount of stops or delay. A reasonable amount of attentiveness is required by the observer (s) i.e. avoid considering the route a sample if the observer is con- ducting a tour with numerous stops or conversing extensively with passengers. A special note should be made to all participating personnel that no observations (0) are as important to record as when animals are seen. Acreage of Routes Road A - 155.5 B - 148.8 D - 59.1 E - 120.5 1 - 64.0 G - 149-5 Powerline - 81.5 ST. VINCENT NATIONAI WILDLIFE REFUGE FRANKLIN COU .ORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICI BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND V 29*38' COMPILED IN THE BRANCH OF REALTY FROM SURVEYS BY USGS AND AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS ATLANTA. GEORGIA 4R-FLA-794-403 4 OTHER .» N ii n TURKU \. vD 1 £ HOG n•j c\H DEER H tzi • OTHER rc TDRKM cv 1 SAMBAR, ; 3 HOG ' PH xO DEER H I • OTHER. S PH TURKEX vD 1 .SAMBAR •• s• H • PH HOG S9 DEER t§o C5 Iy Pa OTHER M^ TURKEI ^ SAMBAR cd HOG vD \ DEER H ID » '4 ) * $ B. HEED CONDITIONS; 1. Body Weight; Body weight of deer harvested is one method to evaluate the overall condition of the am'Trial and indirectly the condition of the range. Body weights are taken to the nearest pound and identified as either whole weight, field dressed (generally the internal organ below the diaphram removed with the heart, lungs, liver, etc. retained), and hog dressed (all internal organs including heart, lung, liver, etc. removed). These weights are recorded on either or both the key sort card and harvest field, forms. These data are summarized annually by sex, age class and type of dress in both tabular and graphic form. (Attached at end of section.) Mean Hog Dressed height Mean Hog Dressed Weight Males _ Females GO -O o UT o O O o o O o o o o vn .a 0) ci- | H VAJ --J 1 O i o> Wl An..j co i C^| Mean-Hogesse?^Pe d Weight 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 Age [Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. 'Number Mean Wt, Number Mean Wt. Nximber Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. ! | , i ' .5 f *?r.5~ 3 £1,3 1.5 /5~ 57?, / _1 _j^-5:._ L.A.._ ^l.i_ Z^~ ^._ J-/. ~. , , , . JX-..,.„ _< ?. .,—,--. . [ 3 9.5 1 hi " li "" ~ 1 10.5 i I..... ; 1 AGE & HEIGHT WDEER HARVESTED Mean-Hog Dressed Weight 137S 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 Age (NuHiber Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt . : Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt, Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. ( .5 fi_ . . • • •• i 1.5 j j JL£.. ' i 3*5 - ' .5 . . . 1 .. B 1.5 ! V.2.5 : , i " ! " ~* j 3.5 I i -1 . .1 i : ! 4.5 i j :: ' i ! 5.5 i i i 6.5 •• i. , 7.5 ! * l 8.5 i 9.5 i 1 1 10.5 i i — ... • — r AGE & WEIGHT^1 DSER HARVESTED ef' Mean-Hog Dressed Weight Males 1982 1983 1284 1985 1986 1987 Age Number Mean Wt . Number Mean Wt. ; Number Mean Wt, Number Mean Wt, Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. i t t i .5 ' 1,5 i. _ ; 2*5— i i• J*l_ ~ ~\ 4.5 J^5 r- , i — : I '" :.~ """"Ii 1 -&L- i - 7.5 ! 4 1 i "875 i 1 \ . - ; " i J 9.5 1 [ 10.5-j -: — M ,1 I • \ lanales 1982 1983 198A 1985... 1.986 !' 1987 Ase Nupber Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. Number Mean Wt. : JSumber Mean W/t. Fumbe r Mean Wt. ; : i t t .5 i . ; i | . ii i 1 -' - 't : | i1 1.5 ; 2.5 1 - ; . i 3.5 i , ;/ i i -] 4.5 ij t 1 ! 5.5 i i L_u ,. J i 6.5 \ 7.5 !i . „.. t £75" i ...... , . i tt 9.5 , "• — jj I 10.5 ! ... . - . -.-..i1 J i M B. HERD CONDITIONS; 2. Antler Development: Generalized observations for the first three years of harvest indicate rather poor antler development on the island. Lack of good antler development is quite probably a reflec- tion of the poor nutritional quality of foods available on the island. No deer have been observed to be in poor physical condi- tion and generally what are reported as good deer foods are avail- able in sufficient quantity. Habitat management practices over the long term will tend to improve the quality of food. At present prescribed burning in the primary management practice but other such as timber stand thinning,etc. will be added in the future. Antler volume rather than vegetative studies will be used to monitor any improvement in the quality of the nutritional value of foods. Estimates of antler volume will be made from the following equation: I = 65.58-L + 3.018 X-L + 8.068 x3 - 272.585 x^ + 0.030 xj + 246.534 x32 + 0.004 x/2. where: x-, is the length of the main beam measured along the outside curvature from the upper part of the burr to the tip of the antler. Xo is the smallest diameter of the main beam taken one inch above the upper part of the burr and x, is the average diameter of the main beam taken as in number x,,. Volume estimates of each side are added together for a single volume estimate. Data will be recorded on the key sort cards and field forms. Individual deer records will be tabulated each year for ease in coding for key punch operation at some future date (not less than 5 years). Data fields will include year collected, age of deer, hog dressed weight (actual or estimated), total antler •volume and acres since time of initial burn (0, 1, 2, 3, 4)j acres since second burn (0, 1, 2, 3, 4)> acres since third burn (0, 1, 2, 3, 4) } and years since fourth burn. Key punch files will be maintained by the District Biologist. A graph of mean antler volume by age class will help identify that point at which there might be enough of a trend for comprehensive data analysis. Basically, a four year burning cycle is prescribed but because of administrative, budgetary, climatic and other variables which can effect this cycle, it is possible to generate an unwialdly combination of burning regemes over an expanded period of time therefore, the combination listed above should be adequate. INPUT CODES FOR ANTLER VOLUME/BURNING ANALYSIS 1st Card Columns 1 Card Number 2-5 Tear 6-10 Acres not "burned 11—15 Acres burned 1 year ago 16-20 Acres burned 2 years ago 21-25 Acres burned 3 years ago 26-30 Acres burned 4 years ago 31-35 Acres burned the 2nd time 1 year ago 36-4-0 Acres burned the 2nd time 2 years ago 41-45 Acres burned the 2nd time 3 years ago 46-501 Acres burned the 2nd time 4 years ago 51-55 Acres burned the 3rd time 1 year ago 56-60 Acres burned the 3rd time 2 years ago 61-65 Acres burned the 3rd time 3 years ago 66-70 Acres burned the 3rd time 4 years ago 71-75 Acres burned the 4"th time 1 year ago 76-80 Acres burned the 4th time 2 years ago 2nd Card Columns 1 Card Number 2-6 Acres burned the 4^ time 3 years ago 7-11 Acres burned the 4th time 4 years ago 12-63 Reserved for future possible entries 69-71 Age of deer 72-74 Weight of deer (Hog dressed) 75-80 Antler Yolume Measurements For Antler Volume Estimate: Add both sides for single volume figure. H. Length of the main beam measured along the outside curvature from the upper part of the burr to the tip of the antler. 13. Smallest diameter of the main beam taken 1 inch above the upper part of the burr. X4.. Average diameter of the main beam taken as in number X3« No Scole : 2| .5 | I 3.5 ! li.[5 | |5.f 8.0 j 9.5 . i ' AGE CLASSES Each Bloclj is f^ne year starting w|.th the year 1972 B. HSKD CONDITIONS: 3. Reproductive Bates: At present there is little opportunity to collect data on reproductive rates because all harvest of females occur prior to the height of conception which is estimated to be January or February. As other types of data are collected, it is anticipated that there will be a need to secure more accurate assessment of herd productivity. Collection of reproduction data can be accomplished in either or both of two means. Periodically (about 5 year intervals) one harvest season can be scheduled for a late January period or a selected number (10) of females can be collected for examination. The latter procedure will require special permits from the State. Some provision will be made for hunters, during either sex season, to bring in females whole so that repro- duction tracts may be collected. B. HERD GCMDITIONS: 4. Parasites - Disease: Kb special program for a study of exto or endo parasites and other diseases is anticipated. Information collected to expand knowledge in this area will be largely through cooperative efforts. E.G., at present Dr. Nixon ¥ilson, Department of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613 is doing work on ticks of the Coastal Islands and collections have been made and forwarded to hi in, for identification. B. HERD CONDITIONS: 5. Ages: Deer ages are secured at the check station at the time animals are weighed. The tooth replacement/wear technique should be used when persons having the ability to use this technique are available. A jaw breaker, ear syring, towels (paper or cloth), flashlight and knife are useful tools when using this technique. In the absence of personnel to use this technique, an alternate technique of eye lens weight will be employed. This technique is described by Downing in the attached paper. The only signi- ficant deviations from the described procedure is that eyeballs can be labeled using laundry tags with metal clips on which the date, location, sex, weight, and known age of deer can be recorded. These labels save space when eyeballs are placed in a wide mouth, plastic gallon jar with a 10% formation solution. A plot of lens weight is made each year and/or each area. Variation caused by area and handling (formation solutions) are to be avoided therefore each sample is handled (plotted) separately. "Where age data is incomplete (a sample), these estimates should be expanded for the entire number harvested. Estimates of the herd age structure is straight forward i.e. where 25% of the sample aged is classed as 1-5- years than 25% of the total harvest number is recorded as being in the l-^- year age class. HAEVEST RECOUPS; Deer harvest data is collected on the attached forms. It is mandatory that hunters check in so the record on the number of hunters is accurate however, there is no mandatory system to check out so data on crippling loss is secured by sample. It is necessary to actively solicit the return of these forms to insure an adequate sample. Serious consideration should be given to a mandatory checkout system at least on a periodic basis to verify the accuracy of sample estimates of crippling losses. An additional provision should be made to record the sex of animals hit and not recovered. The data will be summarized for tabular and graphic presentation each year. 22 2100 2000 1900 1800 I 1700: 1600 1500 I HOO ... 1300 - 1200:• 1 1000 - 900 |- ..*..*,.. 800 I .'*• i 700 I 600 500 "! : : 4-00 300 200 100 •70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 7 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 9 ,.. number of hunters YEAR peak pipulation 31 deer killed /deer, reproduction togs killed ; . i : • i ! ; i^ < i^. •- 1 Oj I ! j 'fftK":*1! ! ! : .- ; : !* = j ! ; u ; i « f4 - * i 4~ j-4~U~.: I -: i j .^; I I : M h , ' J ! ' L_ ' ; I ' i -t r ' -^-HT" ] '' - -"-f—4-j —t-f—f f-~ • r - -~- f-4—-I -J l-l -,...-i,.,L,4 _!,_,. : ] I • i '•':•! ' ! ! i ' : '. ' ^N 1 f t •!—--• 4- -•••• 1—4^ ill r-j- If :\! ' ;^X.f;usx. "••.. ;"; I— 4-wr; MXi L .i.l-j.: ! .'..„ ! -r ^., l^_^.^.^!,^.».^. ™^ - POPULATION SUMMARY Year 1414 Hunt# DEER HARVEST - POPULATION SUMMARY M Hunters Sampled Days Hunted Estimated / HARVEST RECORD - ST. VINCENT ISLAND (Record 1 deer or 1 hog or one of each) Hunte r's Name Hunt Number J J -/ Date: (Month, Day, Year) DEER Sex: Male - 1 Female - 2 Antlers; If male, record number of points. // None - 0 Button - 1 Spike - 2, 3, k, etc. Condition: Fat - 1 Moderate - ','. Poor - 3 Emaciated - k 11 Jt1 Weight., Whole Weight, Field Dressed (include li- er, heart, etc.) .70 Weight, Hot'. Dressed (Exclvdin . Ireart, liver, etc.) Breeding: If j'emale deer, carefully examine the organs to ^ ^j decermine if carry i;>_ embr.>os. Record number. e: (\ C.5, l| - ;--5, etc.) Crippling Loss; Number or deer shot but not recovered. HOG Sex; Kale - 1 Fema e - 2 * 7 Weight, Whole Weight, Field Dressed (I'icludin0 liver, heart, etc.) J Weight, Bog Dressed (Excluding heart, liver, etc.) 3t sr Breeding: If female ho.j,, carefully examine the organs to 3i 3/ determine if carr^in, embryos. Record number. Crippling, Loss: Number of hogs shot but not recovered. Weapon Used; Bow - 1 Gun - 2 Remarks: KILL/CRIPPLE RECORD Hunt No. Weapon - Gun Bow Permit No. Date KILLED • CRIPPLED (Shot and not recovered) Deer Hog Deer Hog Total Nov. 21 ffov. 22 ' i Nov. 23 t t Nov. 2k Dec, 12 . Dec. 13 Dec. Ik Dec. 15. Total i • i PLEASE RETURN TO CHECK STATION ON LAST DAY YOU HUNT BEFORE LEAVING THE AREA. r IV / A b'! J JSM^T ^V^. .+ »xii.n T»- i "0 ( / Cv-f> \ x>~p*~&^> ^ f~* -.*- "v Si i-V^ F.MU. 3 60 /io a ^>^ iCs . cf O 3S r i o e> o , NO