Hunters Should Avoid Harvesting “Collared Deer” in Research Locations

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) and the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences are currently conducting a telemetry project to determine the adult survival rates and movement patterns of white-tailed deer in Alabama. The project is designed to enhance the management of Alabama’s white-tailed deer resources.

Locations include the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA); Barbour WMA; Pioneer Deer Management Cooperative, a collective of hunting clubs in Pickens County; and Rembert Hill Road, southwest of Linden, Ala., in Marengo County.

During the project, white-tailed deer of various ages will be captured by trained wildlife researchers using sedatives in each of the four locations and a radio collar will be placed around the neck of the deer. This collar will allow Auburn University researchers to gather movement and survival data. It is possible that the deer may not stay in the locations in which they are collared during hunting season.

Hunters are encouraged to avoid harvesting a collared deer during the 2013-14 hunting season. The sedatives used to capture the deer make consumption of the deer unsafe for a 45-day period. However, if harvested after the 45-day period the deer is safe to consume, but harvesting a collared deer is discouraged. Deer will be collared throughout the 2013-14 hunting season in each of the four locations.

“It is very important for us to retrieve each of the collars after a deer is shot or dies of natural causes,” said Ray Metzler, WFF Wildlife Section Assistant Chief. “The data collected by the collar can help shape deer management decisions for future hunting seasons.”

Hunters who accidentally harvest a collared deer during the upcoming gun season should contact the following:

Oakmulgee WMA*

Jeff Makemson at 205-371-6375 or Chris Cook at 205-339-5716

Barbour County WMA*

Adam Pritchett at 334-529-3222 or Bill Gray at 334-347-1298

Pioneer Cooperative and Rembert Hill Road

Chris Cook at 205-339-5716

*If the WMA check-in stations are closed, please place the collar and a note with your contact information inside the gate and WFF personnel will contact you with information regarding consumption of the collared deer.

Alabama DCNR

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is the state agency responsible for the conservation and management of Alabama's natural resources including state parks, state lands, wildlife and aquatic resources. ADCNR also issues hunting and fishing licenses for the state. The department promotes wise stewardship and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Supporting those divisions are seven support sections: Accounting, Diversity and Recruiting, Engineering, Information and Education, Information Technology, Legal, and Personnel and Payroll.