DEER PROGRAM REPORT DEER ROGRAM REPORT

2006-2007 WMA Deer Harvest NarrativesMarion County WMAWritten by: Josh MoreeMarion County WMA is comprised of 7,200 acres owned by the State of Mississippi. Total reported deer harvest increased 63% forthe 2006-2007 hunting season compared to the 2005-2006 hunting season, with 80 deer harvested consisting of 47 bucks and 33 does.Compared to the 2005-2006 season, buck harvest increased by 35 bucks; however, doe harvest remained stable. The increase in buckSeason Harvest Man-days2004-2005.................64............... 1,9312005-2006.................49............... 1,3882006-2007.................80............... 2,101harvest is largely due to the increase in reported man-days for the 2006-2007 deer season.Also, a 12-inch minimum inside spread regulation was implemented for the first time duringthe 2005-2006 hunting season. This protected many 1.5 year old bucks that normally wouldhave been harvested under the old 4-point regulation. This protection is the goal of using the12-inch regulation. Hunters have reported more buck observations and age of harvested buckshas increased.Total reported man-days for deer hunting increased by 34% compared to the previous season. The increase in man-days was mostlikely due to more hunters returning to the area after conditions began to return to normal after Hurricane Katrina. Katrina caused extensivetimber damage on Marion County WMA. Due to downed timber, access was physically challenging in many parts of the area during the2005-2006 season. Timber salvage operations prior to the 2006-2007 deer season improved hunter access throughout the area.Mason Creek WMAWritten by: Russ WalshSeason Harvest Man-days2004-2005.................21............... 1,3602005-2006.................19............... 1,7442006-2007.................28............... 1,751The 27,272-acre Mason Creek WMA, located in Greene County, adjoins the larger ChickasawhayWMA to the south. Hunter compliance continued to improve this year with the continuedpresence of a full-time area manager. While there is no check-in station on Mason Creek,hunters are still required to record harvests on the daily permit card. Man-days for the 2006-2007 season increased slightly to 1,751.Reported harvest showed a much improved increase of 32% to 28. Of these, 23 were bucks and 5 were does. In addition to improvinghunter compliance, the area manager is working to increase food plot programs on the area.WMA Na r r at i v e sNanih Waiya WMAWritten by: Jerry HazlewoodMan-days of deer hunting effort for the 2006-2007 season increased 66% from the previous year. Total deer harvest included 16 bucksand 45 does, very similar to last year’s harvest. Harvest success decreased from 6% in 2005-2006 to 4% in 2006-2007.No significant differences were noticed in the 2006-2007 doe weights compared to the previous five year average. Minimum weight limitsfor legal harvest were implemented in the 2004 – 2005 season and continue to be effective at limiting the number of fawns harvested.The lactation rate for mature does was 51%, which is the average for the past five years.Season Harvest Man-days2004-2005.................47............... 1,0172005-2006.................52.................. 8542006-2007.................61............... 1,420Deer hunting opportunity on the WMA is largely dependent upon rainfall and water levelsin the Pearl River. The dry fall and winter experienced during the deer season allowed forgood hunter access throughout the WMA. Wind damage to trees from Hurricane Katrina wassignificant and many access roads were blocked for the 2005-2006 season. The primary roadsystem on the WMA was opened before the beginning of the 2005-2006 deer season, but thenortheastern half of the area remained inaccessible to hunters. However, due to the hard work of WMA personnel and their supervisor,nearly all access trails were opened by the beginning of the 2006-2007 season. Likewise, timber blockages along the length of the PearlRiver, within the bounds of the WMA, were removed therefore increasing boat access. The increase in man-days was likely attributable tothe increase in hunter access.After seven hunting seasons on this WMA, deer hunting potential remains largely untapped, particularly in the more remote areasthroughout the WMA. The early successional habitat which comprises most of the WMA has provided an abundant food supply for deer.Populations continue to remain at higher levels than when mature hardwood timber dominated the area. The early successional habitatwhich provides abundant deer forage, however, is quickly changing and will be reaching a closed-canopy stage in 3 – 6 years over most ofthe WMA. The openings created by Hurricane Katrina in areas with mature hardwoods will provide a short-term increase in the amount ofdeer browse available. In an effort to manage deer populations, doe harvest opportunity extends throughout the entire length of the deerseason.Okatibbee WMAWritten by: Jerry HazlewoodMan-days increased 117% from the previous year. Total deer harvest was 29, which included9 bucks and 20 does. This is a 107% increase from the previous year’s harvest. Harvestdata indicated that doe weights across all age classes were not significantly different fromthe previous five year average. The lactation rate for mature does was 88%, compared to lastyear’s rate of 67%.Season Harvest Man-days2004-2005.................11.................. 6092005-2006.................14.................. 4512006-2007.................29.................. 983162006-2007 Mississippi Deer Program Report