Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

habitat has sufficient quantity and quality of each component throughout
the year.
The majority of deer habitat in Alabama is located on privately
owned lands that are managed for agriculture and/or timber production.
Often, these areas lack adequate diversity of habitat types,
particularly on some industrial forest lands where deer habitat may
consist of thousands of acres of even-aged pine stands. In large pine
plantations, deer have fared well in terms of overall population levels.
These areas provide good cover and, in certain stages of production,
provide an adequate forage base for most of the year. Overall physical
condition of deer in these areas often is below the collective herd’s potential.
This largely is due to a lack of abundant, quality forage.
Conversely, large blocks of cleared agricultural land do not usually support
dense deer populations. However, deer in these areas often are in
excellent physical condition due to low numbers of deer sharing an abundance
of high quality forage.
For the deer manager, ideal habitat will be found in the middle
of these two extremes. Timberland, cover, and high quality foraging
habitat—all combined in a given area—provide optimal deer habitat.
The degree to which a deer manager can provide these habitat components
depends on available resources, equipment, and labor. Optimally,
the deer manager has the authority to make significant habitat changes
through ownership or under the auspices of the owner, and long-range
objectives of the landowner are compatible with deer management objectives.
Although few properties in Alabama are managed solely for ideal
deer habitat, significant habitat improvements can be achieved which
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