DEER HUNT RESULTS ON ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ANNUAL REPORT, CHRISTOPHER W. COOK STUDY LEADER MAY, 2004

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1 DEER HUNT RESULTS ON ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ANNUAL REPORT, CHRISTOPHER W. COOK STUDY LEADER MAY, 2004 ALABAMA DIVISION OF WILDLIFE AND FRESHWATER FISHERIES Federal Aid Project funded by your purchase of hunting licenses and equipment WILDLIFE RESTORATION PROGRAM Grant Number W-35, Study 2.

2 Annual Report, Job II-A: Kill Studies of Deer on Alabama Wildlife Management Areas Study Leader: Christopher W. Cook Objective: To measure, record, and evaluate the deer harvest on Alabama Wildlife Management Areas. Procedures: Project personnel recorded hunter participation and success on each of the 33 wildlife management areas (WMAs) having deer hunting during the season. Deer were examined and records were made of their sex, age, weight, and antler development. Portions of this information were computed by project cooperators and submitted to the project leader. Discussion: Hunter Participation and Success: The number of deer harvested on each management area, the hunting method, and the man-days of participation are compared in Table I. The figures in Tables I through VIII are considered estimates since season permits are issued on many of the areas. Hunter participation and success may vary due to weather, date of hunt, and length of the season. To better understand overall trends, Tables II through VI compare this season s participation and success with an average of prior years, as well as last year. Participation in stalk hunts increased by over 4,600 man-days from last year s totals. Nineteen of the 27 WMAs offering stalk hunts had an increase in hunter man-days for those hunts. Hunter success decreased, dropping

3 from 23 man-days per deer harvested in to 26 man-days per deer harvested in This success rate was lower than the average of 24 man-days per deer harvested for the period of (Table II). Seventeen WMAs scheduled either-sex deer hunts for youth hunters during the hunting season. Each hunter participating on one of these special hunts had to be less than 16 years of age and had to be accompanied by a non-hunting, licensed adult 25 years of age or older. Total participation on these hunts increased slightly from last year s total of 1,339 hunters to 1,507 hunters for The harvest on these hunts increased from 121 deer in to 130 deer for These totals (hunters and deer harvested) are included in the stalk hunt totals in the following tables. The numbers for these hunts also are listed in Table II-A. The primary purpose of the youth hunts is to acquaint young hunters with deer hunting. These hunts will continue on WMAs where there is sufficient interest. Twenty-two WMAs had a total of 100 hunter s choice draw hunts (Table II-A). Ninety-nine of the 100 hunter s choice hunts were stalk hunts and one hunt was a dog hunt. On this type of hunt, each hunter draws to determine the type of permit the hunter receives, buck only or hunter s choice. The percentage of hunter s choice permits available to hunters ranged from 50% to 100%, depending on the anticipated antlerless deer harvest. The opportunity to harvest antlerless deer on the hunter s choice draw hunts greatly influences the participation, harvest, and hunter success levels shown in the stalk hunt totals. Participation in hunter s choice draw stalk hunts was 31% of the total stalk hunting effort and represented 53% of the total stalk harvest. The hunter success rate for the hunter s choice draw stalk hunts was one deer per 16 man-days of hunter effort, which was over two times higher than the success rate for the bucks only stalk hunts (one deer

4 per 38 man-days of effort). Fifty-nine percent of the harvest from the hunter s choice draw hunts were unantlered deer. Participation in managed dog hunts increased from the totals (Table III). Dog hunting participation was 4% of the total deer hunting effort on WMAs during the season and accounted for 4% of the total harvest. Archery hunting participation was over 1,000 man-days less than last year s totals. Hunter success increased from the season, with individual man-days per deer harvested dropping from 35 to 32 (Table IV). Archery hunting continues to provide a large portion of the hunting recreation on WMAs, representing 27% of the total deer hunting effort and 23% of the total deer harvest. Participation in primitive weapons hunts during the season was stable when compared to the totals. The success rate on PW hunts also decreased, going from 22 man-days per deer harvested during the season to 28 man-days per deer harvested for (Table V). Participation on PW hunts represented 5% of the total deer hunting effort and 5% of the total deer harvested on WMAs for the season. The total hunting effort, as shown in Table VI, showed an increase of just over 4,600 man-days from the totals. This year s hunting effort was over 17,700 man-days higher than the average from the previous five years ( through ). This year s hunter success ratio of one deer harvested per 28 man-days of effort for all deer hunts was lower than last year s (25 man-days per harvest) and the average for the previous five years (24 man-days per harvest).

5 Hunting Pressure and Kill Per Square Mile: Total man-days of deer hunting per square mile, as shown in Table VII, was highest on St. Clair, Demopolis, Freedom Hills, Hollins, Little River, and J. D. Martin-Skyline WMAs and lowest on Seven Mile Island, W. L. Holland and Mobile-Tensaw Delta, Black Warrior, Cahaba River, and Coosa WMAs, respectively. Stalk hunting made up the largest portion of total use per square mile on nearly all areas (25 of 29), archery hunts made up the largest portion of use per square mile on Blue Spring, the Jackson County Areas, and Seven Mile Island, and dog hunts made up the largest portion of use on Scotch. Most areas of Alabama can support a balanced harvest (bucks and does) of ten or more deer per square mile annually, depending on habitat quality. Only one WMA achieved this level of harvest, mainly because of the limited opportunity to harvest antlerless deer with firearms and low hunting pressure on most WMAs (Table VIII). Demopolis had the highest harvest per square mile with 11.0, followed by St. Clair with 9.8, Barbour with 8.4, and Lowndes with 8.3. Weights and Condition of Deer: Average weights of deer within specific age classes are one of the best indicators of overall herd condition (Table IX). An average live weight under 95 pounds for one-year age class males can be an indicator of poor physical condition caused by insufficient nutrition, either from poor habitat, heavy competition for food from other deer, or both. Where the one-year age class males have an average body weight of 95 to 105 pounds on areas with good soils, there should be concern the deer population exceeds the capacity of the land to support the herd in good condition. The deer population should be reduced to a more healthy level in any situation where competition for food is the cause of low body weights in deer. Areas in Alabama with one-year age

6 class males averaging above 110 pounds usually are not carrying an excess of deer and efforts should be made to keep those populations at these levels. Three of the twenty-one WMAs reporting had yearling body weights at or exceeding 110 pounds. These three areas were Black Warrior, Little River, and Lowndes WMAs. Nine more WMAs reported yearling buck body weights between 100 and 110 pounds for one-year age class males. Four WMAs had average yearling buck body weights of 90 pounds or less. These areas were Scotch, Blue Spring, Choccolocco, and Kinterbish. Antler Development: Antler development (number of points, main beam length, and inside spread) for all age classes of bucks was very good on some areas, such as Autauga, Barbour, Black Warrior, Cahaba River, Choccolocco, Covington, Freedom Hills, Hollins, Mulberry Fork, Sam R. Murphy, and Wolf Creek, but remains poor on others (Tables X and X-A). In most situations, a high percentage of spikes in the one-year age class and a significant occurrence of spikes in the older age classes are a reflection of poor habitat conditions and/or an overcrowded population. The heavy harvest of yearling bucks on WMAs prevents significant numbers of bucks from reaching the older age classes. This alone is going to continue to limit the number of quality bucks (>2.5 years old) harvested from most of the WMAs. Corrections to both nutritional deficiencies and buck age structure are necessary in order to bring about improvements in the quality of bucks harvested. However, on areas with poor soil fertility and/or habitat quality, reducing competition for food by reducing deer populations may require the removal of more deer than may be acceptable to many WMA hunters. On very poor quality sites, even a significant reduction in deer numbers may not produce improvements in deer quality. For this reason, some areas may not be suited for this type of management.

7 Five WMAs were under quality deer management (QDM) guidelines for the hunting season. The season was the fifth year Barbour WMA has been under QDM, the fourth year for Covington WMA, the second year for both Freedom Hills and Lauderdale WMAs, and the first year for Lowndes WMA. On all five WMAs, bucks must have at least 3-points on one antler to be legal for harvest and hunters have more opportunity to harvest antlerless deer on gun deer hunts. Barbour, Covington, and Lauderdale WMAs have shown considerable improvements in the age structure of the antlered buck harvest since initiation of the QDM programs. For the hunting season, the overwhelming majority of the reported antlered buck harvest on these areas was comprised of 2½ year old and older deer (Barbour 79%, Covington 72%, Lauderdale 100%). Prior to the implementation of the antler restrictions, 1½ year olds were the largest age class in the annual buck harvest. Over time, the current management strategies on all five areas should continue to produce a higher percentage of adult bucks in the population, as well as a more balanced adult sex ratio, more intense rutting behavior, and many other traits characteristic of a healthy, balanced deer herd managed under QDM. Biologists on these areas will continue to collect biological data, as well as public opinion data, to monitor the status of the deer herd and the hunters using these five WMAs. These data will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of current management practices used on the areas and aid biologists in making decisions to help achieve their long-term management objectives. As the public s demand for more WMAs managed for better quality deer becomes stronger, the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries may decide to initiate QDM programs on other public hunting areas in the future. The majority of Alabama s WMAs will continue to be managed for maximum opportunity for buck harvest until that time.

8 Remarks: Wildlife management areas provide a significant proportion of the deer hunting opportunity in Alabama. This year a 51% sample of the total deer harvest on WMAs was used in Tables IX, X, and X-A. Project cooperators entered check station data on age, sex, weight, and antler development on bucks harvested from WMAs on computer and submitted a copy of these data to the project leader for analysis. Table XI represents the number of male and female deer by age class used in the 51% sample collected from the various management areas. Individual hunt results and district totals are listed in Appendix I. Efforts will continue to improve the accuracy of the tables and to expand our survey when necessary to better manage the resource. This study was a contribution of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries supported in part by funding from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program, Project W-35, Study 2. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, or disability in its hiring or employment practices nor in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.

9 TABLE I. Deer Harvest on Alabama Wildlife Management Areas, Season. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS AUTAUGA , , , , , , , , , , , ,600 BARBOUR , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,596 BLACK WARRIOR , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,127 BLUE SPRING , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,617 FRANK W. & ROB M , , ,362 BOYKIN , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,080

10 TABLE I. Continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS CAHABA RIVER , , , , , , , , , , , ,693 CHOCCOLOCCO , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,767 COOSA , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,562 COVINGTON , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,518 DEMOPOLIS , , , , , , , , , , , ,395

11 TABLE I. Continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS ESCAMBIA CREEK , , , , , , , , , , ,448 FREEDOM HILLS , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,703 W. L. HOLLAND AND ,060 MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA , , , , , , , , , , , ,605 HOLLINS , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,858 JACKSON COUNTY , ,205 WATERFOWL AREAS KINTERBISH , , , , , , , , , , ,066

12 TABLE I. Continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS LAUDERDALE , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,503 LITTLE RIVER , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,303 LOWNDES , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,256 JAMES D. MARTIN , , , ,059 SKYLINE , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,932 MULBERRY FORK , , , , , , , , , , , , ,859

13 TABLE I. Continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS SAM R. MURPHY , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,821 OAKMULGEE , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,010 SCOTCH , , , , , , , , , ,142 SEVEN MILE ST. CLAIR , , , , , , , , , , , , ,600 UPPER DELTA , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,260

14 TABLE I. Continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON STALK HUNTS GUN DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS WEST JEFFERSON , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,375 WOLF CREEK , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,413 TOTALS ,029 52, ,419 1,058 30, ,318 3,854 95, ,967 50, , , ,392 3,362 87, ,623 57, ,636 1,041 31, ,200 4,234 99, ,476 54, , , ,533 3,898 91, ,843 61, , , ,655 4,376 99, ,931 67, , , ,792 4, , ,744 72, , , ,769 4, ,514 Note: The statistics for gun stalk hunts includes data from youth hunts.

15 TABLE II. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: STALK DEER HUNTS AREA Through Average HUNTING PRESSURE Through Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL Black Warrior 3,616 4,793 4, Freedom Hills 890 5,342 7, Lauderdale 1,417 1,604 2, Sam R. Murphy 2,194 3,168 2, Choccolocco 4,535 3,977 4, Little River 1,623 1,997 2, James D. Martin-Skyline 4,788 5,714 5, St. Clair 1,060 1,450 1, Cahaba River 1,098 1,692 1, Demopolis , Mulberry Fork 1,427 2,376 2, Oakmulgee 2,491 2,648 3, West Jefferson 7,600 7,250 7, Wolf Creek 1,248 1,329 1, Autauga 1,100 1,192 1, Coosa 2,125 2,294 1, Hollins 3,129 2,546 2, Lowndes 1,379 1,553 1, Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 1,184 1,748 1, Escambia Creek 1,001 1,758 1, W. L. Holland & M-T Delta 1,089 1,395 1, Kinterbish 1, Scotch Upper Delta 2, , Barbour 2,616 3,728 3, Blue Spring 1,917 1,397 1, Covington 2,016 2,562 2, All Areas Combined 55,473 67,098 72,

16 TABLE II-A. Results of Drawing Deer Hunts Held on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, Season. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED AREA % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS ANTLERED UNANTLERED DATE TOTAL N % N % CHOICE ONLY IN BOX BUCKS BUCKS DOES TOTAL Black Warrior 11/ / / / / Freedom Hills 11/ Lauderdale 12/ / / / / / Sam R. Murphy 11/ / / / / Choccolocco 11/ / / Little River 12/ / James D. Martin-Skyline 11/ / / Cahaba River 11/ / Mulberry Fork 11/ / Oakmulgee 11/ /

17 TABLE II-A. Continued. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS ANTLERED UNANTLERED AREA DATE TOTAL N % N % DOES TOTAL CHOICE ONLY IN BOX BUCKS BUCKS Wolf Creek 11/ / / / / / Coosa 12/ Hollins 12/ Lowndes 11/ / / / Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 11/ / / / Escambia Creek 11/ / / / / / / / / Kinterbish 01/ / / Scotch 11/ / / / Upper Delta 11/

18 TABLE II-A. Continued. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS ANTLERED UNANTLERED AREA DATE TOTAL N % N % DOES CHOICE ONLY IN BOX BUCKS BUCKS TOTAL Barbour 11/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Blue Spring 11/ / / / Covington 11/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Totals 22, ,963 1, ,478

19 TABLE III. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: DOG DEER HUNTS AREA Through Average HUNTING PRESSURE Through Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 788 1,193 1, Scotch , Upper Delta Blue Spring 1,148 1,430 1, All Areas Combined 3,164 3,821 4,

20 TABLE IV. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: ARCHERY DEER HUNTS AREA Through Average HUNTING PRESSURE Through Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL Black Warrior 1,003 1,965 1, Freedom Hills 1,661 3,650 2, , Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Seven Mile Island Choccolocco 1, Jackson County Waterfowl Areas , Little River 1,785 1,250 1, James D. Martin-Skyline 2,158 2,125 1, St. Clair , Cahaba River Demopolis Mulberry Fork 583 1, Oakmulgee 1,710 1,800 1, West Jefferson 1,050 1,325 1, Wolf Creek , Autauga Coosa Hollins 1,399 1,225 1, Lowndes 1,281 1,300 1, Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 1,360 1, Escambia Creek W. L. Holland & M-T Delta Kinterbish Scotch Upper Delta 1,562 1,390 1, ,140 Barbour Blue Spring 2,001 1,410 1, Covington 1,714 1,550 1, All Areas Combined 28,094 31,200 30,

21 TABLE V. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Area's: PRIMITIVE WEAPONS DEER HUNTS AREA Through Average HUNTING PRESSURE Through Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Choccolocco Little River James D. Martin-Skyline 1, , Cahaba River Demopolis Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee West Jefferson Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek Kinterbish Scotch Upper Delta Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas Combined 8,020 5,792 5,

22 TABLE VI. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: ALL DEER HUNTS AREA Through Average HUNTING PRESSURE MAN-DAYS PER KILL Through Average Black Warrior 4,910 6,951 6, Freedom Hills 2,820 8,992 10, Lauderdale 2,707 2,398 2, Sam R. Murphy 2,862 4,018 3, Seven Mile Island Choccolocco 6,540 5,402 5, Jackson County Waterfowl Areas , Little River 4,029 3,662 4, James D. Martin-Skyline 8,177 8,513 7, St. Clair 1,881 2,415 2, Cahaba River 1,438 2,572 2, Demopolis 2,008 2,095 2, Mulberry Fork 2,102 3,808 3, Oakmulgee 4,751 4,851 5, West Jefferson 9,220 9,100 9, Wolf Creek 1,849 1,979 2, Autauga 1,384 1,743 1, Coosa 2,894 3,144 2, Hollins 4,966 3,973 3, Lowndes 2,693 2,977 3, Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 3,574 4,349 3, Escambia Creek 1,392 2,280 2, W. L. Holland & M-T Delta 1,749 2,350 2, Kinterbish 2,058 1,601 1, Scotch 1,861 2,393 3, Upper Delta 4,913 2,687 3, Barbour 4,136 4,557 4, Blue Spring 5,306 4,425 4, Covington 4,391 4,176 4, All Areas Combined 94, , ,

23 TABLE VII. Man-Days of Deer Hunting Pressure Per Square Mile Hunted on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the Season. AREA STALK DOG ARCHERY PRIMITIVE HUNTS HUNTS HUNTS WEAPONS TOTAL* HUNTS Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Seven Mile Island Choccolocco Jackson County Waterfowl Areas Little River James D. Martin-Skyline St. Clair Cahaba River Demopolis Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee West Jefferson Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek W. L. Holland & M-T Delta Kinterbish Scotch Upper Delta Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas *Sum of stalk, dog, archery and primitive weapons hunts may differ from total due to rounding errors.

24 TABLE VIII. Deer Killed Per Square Mile Hunted on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the Season. AREA STALK DOG ARCHERY PRIMITIVE HUNTS HUNTS HUNTS WEAPONS TOTAL* HUNTS Black Warrior < Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Seven Mile Island Choccolocco Jackson County Waterfowl Areas Little River James D. Martin-Skyline St. Clair Cahaba River Demopolis Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee West Jefferson Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek W. L. Holland & M-T Delta 0.2 < Kinterbish Scotch Upper Delta < Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas *Sum of stalk, dog, archery and primitive weapons hunts may differ from total due to rounding errors.

25 TABLE IX. Average Live Weights of Deer on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas Compared to Average Live Weights of Deer From Herds in Good Condition, Season. AREA MALE FEMALE AGE CLASS 0.5 year 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years 0.5 year 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Choccolocco Little River James D. Martin-Skyline Cahaba River Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek Kinterbish Scotch Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas Average Live Weights of Deer From Herds in Good Condition

26 TABLE X. Antler Development of Bucks on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, Season. AREA AVERAGE NUMBER OF POINTS PERCENT SPIKES PERCENT OF ANTLERED BUCKS WITH 8 OR MORE POINTS AGE CLASS 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years 1.5 years >2.5 years >1.5 years Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Choccolocco Little River James D. Martin-Skyline Cahaba River Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek Kinterbish Scotch Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas

27 TABLE X-A. Average Main Beam Length and Inside Spread for Bucks on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, Season. AREA AVERAGE LENGTH OF MAIN BEAMS (inches) AVERAGE INSIDE SPREAD (inches) AGE CLASS 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Choccolocco Little River James D. Martin-Skyline Cahaba River Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek Kinterbish Scotch Barbour Blue Spring Covington All Areas

28 TABLE XI. Sample Sizes for Deer Checked on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the Season AREA MALE FEMALE AGE CLASS 0.5 year 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years 0.5 year 1.5 years 2.5 years >3.5 years TOTALS Black Warrior Freedom Hills Lauderdale Sam R. Murphy Choccolocco Little River James D. Martin-Skyline Cahaba River Mulberry Fork Oakmulgee Wolf Creek Autauga Coosa Hollins Lowndes Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Escambia Creek Kinterbish Scotch Barbour Blue Spring Covington Totals ,048

29 APPENDIX

30 ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA DEER HARVEST SUMMARY BY AREA, AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL AUTAUGA BARBOUR BLACK WARRIOR ZONE A BLACK WARRIOR ZONE B YOUTH STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 1, YOUTH STALK 3, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 4, STALK 2, PW 74 0 ARCHERY TOTAL 3, STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 2,

31 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL BLUE SPRING FRANK W. & ROB M. BOYKIN CAHABA RIVER CHOCCOLOCCO YOUTH STALK 1, PW DOG 1, ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 4, YOUTH STALK 1, PW DOG 1, ARCHERY TOTAL 3, YOUTH STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 2, YOUTH STALK 4, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 5,

32 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL COOSA COVINGTON DEMOPOLIS ESCAMBIA CREEK STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 2, YOUTH STALK 2, PW ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 4, STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 2, YOUTH STALK 1, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 2,

33 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL FREEDOM HILLS YOUTH STALK 7, ARCHERY 2, TOTAL 10, W. L. HOLLAND & MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA HOLLINS STALK 1, ARCHERY TOTAL 2, STALK 2, PW ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 3, JACKSON COUNTY WATERFOWL AREAS KINTERBISH ARCHERY 2, TOTAL 2, STALK PW ARCHERY TOTAL 1,

34 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL LAUDERDALE LITTLE RIVER LOWNDES JAMES D. MARTIN SKYLINE STALK 2, ARCHERY TOTAL 2, STALK 2, PW ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 4, YOUTH STALK 1, PW ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 3, YOUTH STALK 5, PW 1, ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 7,

35 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL MULBERRY FORK SAM R. MURPHY OAKMULGEE ST. CLAIR YOUTH STALK 2, PW ARCHERY TOTAL 3, YOUTH STALK 2, ARCHERY TOTAL 3, YOUTH STALK 3, PW ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 5, STALK 1, ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 2,

36 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL SCOTCH SEVEN MILE ISLAND UPPER DELTA ZONE A UPPER DELTA ZONE B YOUTH STALK PW DOG 1, ARCHERY TOTAL 3, ARCHERY TOTAL YOUTH STALK PW DOG ARCHERY TOTAL 1, STALK PW DOG ARCHERY TOTAL 1,

37 AREA TYPE HUNTING DAYS KILL MAN-DAYS PER KILL WEST JEFFERSON ZONE A WEST JEFFERSON ZONE B WOLF CREEK STATEWIDE STALK 7, ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 8, PW ARCHERY TOTAL YOUTH STALK 1, ARCHERY 1, TOTAL 2, YOUTH 1, STALK 70,495 2, PW 5, DOG 4, ARCHERY 30, GRAND TOTAL 112,514 4,043 28

38 ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA DEER HARVEST, DISTRICT I TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL BLACK WARRIOR ZONE A STALK FR 11/28/ SA * 11/29/ FR 12/12/ SA * 12/13/ /27/03-01/02/ FR 01/23/ SA * 01/24/ STALK TOTALS 2, PW FR 01/09/ SA 01/10/ PW TOTALS ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS 3, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

39 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL BLACK WARRIOR ZONE B STALK FR 12/05/ SA * 12/06/ FR 12/19/ SA * 12/20/ /27/03-01/02/ STALK TOTALS 1, PW FR 01/09/ SA 01/10/ PW TOTALS ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS 2, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

40 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL FREEDOM HILLS YOUTH SA * 11/15/ YOUTH TOTALS STALK * 11/22/03-11/30/03 3, * 12/27/03-12/31/03 2, /24/04-01/31/04 1, STALK TOTALS 7, ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/04 1, ARCHERY TOTALS 2, AREA TOTALS 10, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

41 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL LAUDERDALE STALK FR * 12/05/ SA * 12/06/ FR * 12/19/ SA * 12/20/ FR * 01/02/ SA * 01/03/ /16/04-01/23/ STALK TOTALS 2, ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS 2, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

42 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL SAM R. MURPHY YOUTH SA * 11/15/ YOUTH TOTALS STALK 11/22/03-11/29/03 1, FR 12/12/ SA * 12/13/ FR 12/26/ SA * 12/27/ FR 01/09/ SA * 01/10/ FR 01/23/ SA * 01/24/ STALK TOTALS 2, ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS 3, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

43 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL SEVEN MILE ISLAND ARCHERY 12/27/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS DISTRICT I TOTALS 23,

44 ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA DEER HARVEST, DISTRICT II TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL CHOCCOLOCCO YOUTH SA * 11/15/ YOUTH TOTALS STALK 11/29/03-12/05/03 1, FR * 12/12/ SA * 12/13/ /27/04-01/02/ /07/04-01/10/ STALK TOTALS 4, PW 12/15/03-12/20/ PW TOTALS ARCHERY 10/15/03-10/31/ /01/03-11/15/ /16/03-01/31/ ARCHERY TOTALS AREA TOTALS 5, * Indicates hunter's choice drawing hunt (not available on all areas).

45 TYPE MAN KILL MAN-DAYS AREA HUNT DAY DATE(S) DAYS PER KILL JACKSON COUNTY WATERFOWL AREAS ARCHERY 11/01/03-11/09/03 2, ARCHERY TOTALS 2, AREA TOTALS 2,