2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Results***

[Land Between the Lakes]

During the past few months the staff in the LBL Wildlife Program have conducted studies to try to determine an estimate of the LBL Deer population, and to try to determine, why deer numbers are declining.

Based on a meeting I attended, the deer population is down drastically in many areas of LBL, perhaps the lowest it has been in decades. In fact Wildlife staff flew over portions of LBL at night, using Aerial Thermal Imaging, and in some cases had to fly several miles just to see 1 deer! In one flyover, staff only saw 1 deer in 4 miles of flying. What's this tell Wildlife Program staff? Basically, for a place as large as LBL, there are far too few deer.

Wildlife Program staff also believe that the EHD outbreak of several years ago, may have been far worse than what was first confirmed, and that certain portions of the KY side of LBL, are still not fully recovered. Changes in habitat, and a growing coyote population, are also contributing factors in the deer population decline.


How does this impact hunting in LBL? LBL Wildlife Program staff, believe this process of trying to grow the deer herd, is going to take at least several years or more. As a result, it is very likely that there will NOT be a bonus buck in LBL next season, or perhaps for several seasons moving forward. But this has NOT been officially confirmed yet.

 

[ImThere]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Wow I had been hearing the heard numbers were low but I didn't know how low.


Sent from my
Sit drag, Ernie's outdoors linesman belt,
At 20' up

 

[tn24]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Hate to hear this, I killed my best buck there. We stopped applying for the hunts there 4 years ago.

 

[Rjratliff1975]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

That's very discouraging news. Hope the deer population rebounds soon.

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

I do agree that the deer density within LBL is down, but do not believe it's down as much as some are thinking.

In a large forested ecosystem like LBL, the deer are often scattered, and difficult to find and pattern. In many areas of LBL, deer are not as used to seeing people, as deer are out on private property.

I believe, this results in a lot of LBL deer, becoming far more easily pressured. I think if a lot of LBL deer see just one, or a few hunters, they leave the area, or become mostly nocturnal.

THIS is the main thing different about LBL compared to much of the surrounding areas.
Most the other items mentioned are similar factors in the surrounding areas.

Regarding the fly-over looking for deer, it's my belief that this year there has been a more widespread red oak acorn mast crop and that deer have continued to feed heavily on remaining red-oak acorns, and stay more in areas where it's harder for us to see them during a fly-over. With some red oak acorns still remaining, the deer just aren't going to hit the fields as much (where they're more easily seen & counted).

But I do agree It appears the most recent widespread EHD breakout may have killed more deer than originally thought, and fawn predation (by a variety of predators, not just coyotes) may be a little higher than some have assumed.

But deer hunting more difficult at LBL than in decades?
Well, maybe if there's a huge white-oak acorn crop this fall.
Otherwise, it's just mainly understanding that more "wilderness" type deer can be more sensitive to human intrusion, and what messes up the deer hunting opportunities most is often scouting & hanging stands the day before one hunts.

If you REALLY want to find some challenging deer hunting, take those same farmland hunting tactics to the Cherokee National Forest. THAT can be a humbling experience for any avid West TN deer hunter who typically does well on typical West TN farmland habitat.

 

[TheLBLman]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

It would also not be unusual anywhere to have deer sightings drop 40% with only a 20% reduction in deer numbers.

 

[Doskil]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Why would they want a larger deer herd?

A lower deer herd would be much better for the environment right?

 

[Land Between the Lakes]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Why would they want a larger deer herd?

A lower deer herd would be much better for the environment right?

What is considered a healthy deer herd, all depends on a lot of factors, and all depends on each individual location. In most areas of LBL, the deer herd, certainly has room to grow, based on factors such as habitat, and available food sources.

 

[Land Between the Lakes]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

I think the coyotes are the biggest reason for the deer decline during the past 5 years, but I think over the last 25 plus years, the biggest reason for the deer decline, is because of maturing forest, and changing habitat. I also think each year, there may be small localized EHD outbreaks that take place, that go unnoticed, that have negative impacts on localized deer herds, in certain areas.

 

[TLRanger]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Was this study in KY or TN or both????

Solution seems pretty simple to this simple minded person -
Make it buck only on all hunts.
Fewer gun permits
Make it archery only until the herd has recovered.
Close the season earlier. :idea:

 

[Doskil]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

Why would they want a larger deer herd?

A lower deer herd would be much better for the environment right?

What is considered a healthy deer herd, all depends on a lot of factors, and all depends on each individual location. In most areas of LBL, the deer herd, certainly has room to grow, based on factors such as habitat, and available food sources.

Gotcha.

 

[Mike Belt]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

I Years ago I used to hunt LBL often. I know there were some good deer there then but I never saw many. If the population has dropped below what I used to see I don't know if I'd ever hunt there again... at least living as far away from there as I do now.

 

[Land Between the Lakes]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

There will be no Bonus Bucks in LBL again this season. The new rules/deer hunting information, is on the LBL website for the public to view.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

There will be no Bonus Bucks in LBL again this season. The new rules/deer hunting information, is on the LBL website for the public to view.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[UpperTully]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

I wonder if this have an influence on hunters applying for quota hunts?

 

[Bone Collector]

Re: 2017 Land Between the Lakes Deer Population Study Result

I see deer every time I go. That being said, it is big woods, as in a lot of mature hardwoods. IMO until they start logging the population will continue to decline.

The key that I have found is find some thick stuff and the deer are there.