DEER HUNT RESULTS ON ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS ANNUAL REPORT, 2005-2006 CHRISTOPHER W. COOK STUDY LEADER MAY, 2006 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.
Annual Report, 2005-2006 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 35 wildlife management areas (WMAs) having deer hunting during the 2005-06 season. Deer were examined and records were made of their sex, age, weight, and antler development when possible. Portions of this information were compiled and computed by project cooperators and submitted to the project leader for further analysis. Discussion: Hunter Participation and Success: The number of deer killed on each WMA, the hunting method, and the man-days of participation are compared in Table I. The figures in Tables I through IX 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, Table II and Tables IV through VII compare this past season s participation and success with an average of prior years, as well as last year. Participation in stalk hunts decreased slightly (571 man-days) from last year s totals. Fifteen of the 27 WMAs offering stalk hunts had decreases in hunter man-
days for those hunts. Hunter success improved, dropping from 20 man-days per deer killed in 2004-05 to 18 man-days per deer killed in 2005-06. This success rate was better than the average of 23 man-days per deer killed for the period of 1999-2004 (Table II). Seventeen WMAs scheduled either-sex deer hunts for youth hunters during the 2005-06 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 decreased from last year s total of 1,096 hunters to 906 hunters for 2005-06. The decrease probably resulted from the recent initiation of an early statewide youth deer hunting day for private land and open permit-public land in Alabama on the Saturday preceeding opening day of the general gun deer season. In the past, the WMAs were the only areas in Alabama with special early youth deer hunts. Additional hunting opportunities on other lands resulted in less hunter participation during youth deer hunts on WMAs. The number of deer killed on these hunts increased from 51 in 2004-05 to 79 for 2005-06. These totals (hunters and deer killed) are included in the stalk hunt totals in the following tables. The numbers for these hunts also are listed in Table III. 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 offered a total of 174 days of hunter s choice hunts (Table III). One hundred seventy-two days of the 174 days of hunter s choice hunts were stalk hunt days. The remaining two days were dog hunt days. All of the hunter s choice hunts for the 2005-06 hunting season offered 100% either-sex opportunities. The chance to kill antlerless deer on the hunter s choice hunts greatly influences the hunter participation, number of deer killed, and hunter success levels shown in the stalk hunt totals. Participation in hunter s choice stalk hunts was 47% of the total stalk hunt hunting effort and represented 62% of the total stalk hunt deer kill. The
two days of hunter s choice dog hunts were 12% of the total dog hunt hunting effort and represented 32% of the total dog hunt deer kill. The hunter success rate for all hunter s choice hunts was one deer per 13 man-days of hunter effort, which was two times higher than the success rate for the bucks only stalk hunts (one deer per 26 man-days of effort). Fifty-nine percent of the deer killed on the hunter s choice hunts were antlerless deer. Participation in managed dog hunts increased from the 2004-05 totals (Table IV). Hunter success also increased from last year s 31 man-days of hunting per deer killed to 23 man-days of hunter per deer killed for the 2005-06 hunting season. Dog hunting participation was 5% of the total deer hunting effort on WMAs during the 2005-06 season and accounted for 4% of the total deer kill. Archery hunting participation decreased by nearly 2,000 man-days from last year s totals. Hunter success was 20 man-days per deer killed, which is the same as the 2004-05 season (Table V). The success rate for 2005-06 was higher than the 1999-2004 average of 31 man-days per deer killed. Most of this increase is due to the change in how deer kill is calculated on the WMAs. Archery harvest was reported using estimated deer killed on all WMAs for the 2004-05 and 2005-06 hunting seasons. This is a change from previous years when reports from some WMAs used known deer killed, while others used estimated deer killed. The change makes comparisons of deer kill and hunter success rates between and among WMAs more equitable, but makes comparisons with previous years data difficult. Archery hunting continues to provide a large portion of the hunting recreation on WMAs, representing 30% of the total deer hunting effort and 27% of the total deer kill. Participation in primitive weapons (PW) hunts during the 2005-06 season (4,423 man-days) remained stable when compared to the 2004-05 season (4,473 man-days). The success rate on PW hunts increased, going from 18 man-days per deer killed during the 2004-05 season to 16 man-days per deer killed for 2005-06 (Table VI).
Participation on PW hunts represented 5% of the total deer hunting effort and 5% of the total deer killed on WMAs during the 2005-06 season. The total hunting effort, as shown in Table VII, showed a minor decrease of just over 1,700 man-days from the 2004-05 totals. This year s hunting effort was slightly less than 8,100 man-days below the average of the previous five years (1999-2000 through 2003-04). This year s hunter success ratio of one deer killed per 19 man-days of effort for all deer hunts was higher than last year s (20 man-days per deer killed) and the average for the previous five years (25 man-days per deer killed). Hunting Pressure and Kill Per Square Mile: Total man-days of deer hunting per square mile, as shown in Table VIII, was highest on St. Clair, Lowndes, Little River, Barbour, Autauga, Blue Spring, West Jefferson, and Freedom Hills WMAs, respectively. Total man-days of hunting per square mile was lowest on Seven-Mile Island (archery only), the Jackson County Waterfowl Areas (archery only), Black Warrior, William L. Holland & Mobile- Tensaw Delta, Upper Delta, Coosa, and Choccolocco WMAs, respectively. Stalk hunting made up the largest portion of total use per square mile on most areas (21 of 30). Archery hunts made up the largest portion of use per square mile on Demopolis, Freedom Hills, the Jackson County Waterfowl Areas (archery only), Kinterbish, Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek (archery only), Seven-Mile Island (archery only), and Upper Delta WMAs. Dog hunts made up the largest portion of use on Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin and Scotch WMAs. 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 two WMAs achieved this level during the 2005-06 hunting season, mainly because of the limited opportunity to kill antlerless deer with firearms and low hunting pressure
on most WMAs (Table IX). St. Clair had the highest estimated number of deer killed per square mile (22.84), followed by Lowndes (14.16), Sam R. Murphy (8.89), Lauderdale (8.88), Little River (8.88), Blue Spring (7.80), and Barbour (7.46). William L. Holland & Mobile-Tensaw Delta had the lowest estimated number of deer killed per square mile (0.39), followed by Black Warrior (1.48), the Jackson County Waterfowl Areas (1.73), Seven-Mile Island (1.78), Swan Creek & Mallard- Fox Creek (1.95), and Upper Delta (2.02). Weights and Condition of Deer: Average weights of deer within specific age classes are one of the best indicators of overall herd condition (Table X). An average live weight under 95 pounds for 1-½ years old males (i.e., yearlings) 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 yearling 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 yearling males averaging above 110 pounds live weight usually are not carrying an excess of deer and efforts should be made to keep those populations at current levels. Average yearling male body weights among all WMAs averaged 99 pounds for the 2005-06 hunting season. This is slightly lower than the average for the 2004-05 season (102 pounds). Black Warrior (113 pounds), Autauga (111 pounds), and Wolf Creek WMAs (111 pounds) were the only WMAs with average yearling male body weights that exceeded 110 pounds. Eight other WMAs reported average yearling male body weights between 100 and 110 pounds. Frank W. and Rob M. Boykin (83 pounds), Choccolocco (88 pounds), and Kinterbish WMAs (88 pounds) had average yearling male body weights less than 90 pounds.
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, Coosa, Covington, Freedom Hills, Lauderdale, Mulberry Fork, Sam R. Murphy, and Wolf Creek, but remains poor on others (Tables XI and XII). 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 many WMAs prevents significant numbers of bucks from reaching the older age classes. This alone continues to limit the harvest of bucks 2-½ years old and older on these 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. Five WMAs were under quality deer management (QDM) guidelines for the 2005-06 hunting season. These included Barbour, Covington, Freedom Hills, Lauderdale, and Lowndes WMAs. On all five of these WMAs, bucks must have at least 3-points on one antler to be legal for harvest. Hunters also have more opportunity to kill antlerless deer on gun deer hunts on these WMAs than is available on most other WMA s. All five WMAs have shown considerable improvements in the age structure of the antlered buck harvest since initiation of the QDM programs. This was the primary reason for implementing the antler restriction. Prior to the implementation of the antler restrictions, 1-½ year olds were the largest single age
class in the annual buck harvest on all of the current QDM areas. For the 2005-06 hunting season, the overwhelming majority of the reported antlered buck harvest on these five areas was comprised of 2-½ years old and older deer (Barbour 86%, Covington 88%, Freedom Hills 83%, Lauderdale 91%, Lowndes 96%). The current management strategies on all five areas also continues to produce a higher percentage of adult bucks (2-½ years old and older) 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 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 are 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. 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 X, XI, and XII. 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 XIII represents the number of male and female deer by age class used in the 51% sample collected from the various management areas. WMA totals, District totals, Statewide totals, and individual hunt results are listed in Appendices I, II, and III. Efforts to improve the accuracy of the tables and to expand our survey will continue 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.
TABLE I. Deer Harvest on Alabama Wildlife Management Areas, 2005-2006 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 1999-00 21 950 8 240 0 13 29 1,203 2000-01 22 1,194 14 240 6 24 42 1,458 2001-02 37 1,406 11 380 7 38 55 1,824 2002-03 42 1,192 16 500 3 51 61 1,743 2003-04 40 1,276 15 235 3 89 58 1,600 2004-05 31 1,263 6 225 2 42 39 1,530 2005-06 24 1,059 5 300 2 25 31 1,384 BARBOUR 1999-00 205 1,435 42 825 8 303 255 2,563 2000-01 192 3,147 18 922 26 883 236 4,952 2001-02 205 3,606 22 1,035 17 397 244 5,038 2002-03 205 3,728 20 535 9 294 234 4,557 2003-04 221 3,831 20 575 8 190 249 4,596 2004-05 234 4,036 34 820 4 217 272 5,073 2005-06 193 3,756 28 657 8 251 229 4,664 BLACK WARRIOR 1999-00 96 3,998 16 1,550 9 524 121 5,772 2000-01 100 4,039 16 800 7 429 123 5,268 2001-02 128 4,248 13 915 6 265 147 5,428 2002-03 110 4,793 44 1,965 3 193 157 6,951 2003-04 136 4,457 40 1,560 3 110 179 6,127 2004-05 127 4,458 20 1,560 0 136 147 6,154 2005-06 193 3,859 18 1,300 13 165 224 5,324 BLUE SPRING 1999-00 262 2,006 41 971 71 2,130 7 179 381 5,286 2000-01 195 1,836 53 926 40 1,944 11 317 299 5,023 2001-02 236 2,148 108 1,661 59 1,416 9 250 412 5,475 2002-03 171 1,397 62 1,430 23 1,410 2 188 258 4,425 2003-04 144 1,253 44 1,266 15 1,938 2 160 205 4,617 2004-05 153 1,173 27 1,020 130 1,250 17 204 327 3,647 2005-06 125 1,721 54 1,296 99 1,510 7 57 285 4,584 FRANK W. & ROB M. BOYKIN 1999-00 56 1,044 12 568 14 1,365 14 218 96 3,195 2000-01 43 1,254 30 632 12 1,095 5 161 90 3,142 2001-02 28 1,400 29 1,099 20 1,067 12 185 89 3,751 2002-03 57 1,748 57 1,193 21 1,250 3 158 138 4,349 2003-04 28 1,337 49 1,131 12 466 2 146 91 3,080 2004-05 34 1,063 42 963 22 810 4 155 102 2,991 2005-06 53 694 79 1,137 21 720 5 99 158 2,650
TABLE I continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON GUN STALK HUNTS DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS CAHABA RIVER 1999-00 35 1,277 27 250 62 1,527 2000-01 33 1,199 16 275 49 1,474 2001-02 41 1,495 20 500 61 1,995 2002-03 36 1,692 28 700 13 180 77 2,572 2003-04 48 1,728 16 750 8 215 72 2,693 2004-05 84 1,733 60 830 8 231 152 2,794 2005-06 93 1,680 66 1,570 16 224 175 3,474 CHOCCOLOCCO 1999-00 243 4,738 59 1,500 56 1,012 358 7,250 2000-01 234 3,627 48 880 46 663 328 5,170 2001-02 292 3,818 53 725 12 495 357 5,038 2002-03 211 3,977 88 925 22 500 321 5,402 2003-04 196 4,657 74 910 14 200 284 5,767 2004-05 223 4,196 68 785 31 200 322 5,181 2005-06 205 3,345 72 750 22 200 299 4,295 COOSA 1999-00 129 2,360 9 450 7 211 145 3,021 2000-01 50 1,491 9 450 1 131 60 2,072 2001-02 141 2,548 24 500 14 210 179 3,258 2002-03 73 2,294 24 585 22 265 119 3,144 2003-04 81 1,767 36 620 10 175 127 2,562 2004-05 85 1,750 64 750 1 67 150 2,567 2005-06 85 1,831 63 800 0 110 148 2,741 COVINGTON 1999-00 204 2,082 131 1,700 27 312 362 4,094 2000-01 158 2,065 97 1,350 13 173 268 3,588 2001-02 154 2,483 108 1,530 11 170 273 4,183 2002-03 184 2,562 114 1,550 3 64 301 4,176 2003-04 147 2,729 96 1,725 7 64 250 4,518 2004-05 131 2,066 74 1,335 1 55 206 3,456 2005-06 141 2,102 69 1,290 210 3,392 DEMOPOLIS 1999-00 64 765 81 1,550 51 210 196 2,525 2000-01 56 570 54 415 80 390 190 1,375 2001-02 47 455 39 400 87 480 173 1,335 2002-03 17 920 27 580 29 595 73 2,095 2003-04 39 1,060 26 425 54 910 119 2,395 2004-05 13 525 18 400 8 145 39 1,070 2005-06 13 390 19 395 18 345 50 1,130
TABLE I continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON GUN STALK HUNTS DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS ESCAMBIA CREEK 1999-00 42 860 17 400 3 51 62 1,311 2000-01 80 1,218 18 500 2 27 100 1,745 2001-02 88 1,324 28 425 6 92 122 1,841 2002-03 132 1,758 9 425 3 97 144 2,280 2003-04 112 1,859 19 500 3 89 134 2,448 2004-05 38 747 27 385 2 90 67 1,222 2005-06 47 702 17 475 0 54 64 1,231 FREEDOM HILLS 1999-00 41 823 27 2,141 19 233 87 3,197 2000-01 89 655 19 937 5 166 113 1,758 2001-02 35 674 7 1,383 16 221 58 2,278 2002-03 134 5,342 3 3,650 137 8,992 2003-04 152 7,946 19 2,757 171 10,703 2004-05 131 2,019 45 4,350 176 6,369 2005-06 172 3,152 60 3,424 232 6,576 WILLIAM L. HOLLAND & 1999-00 14 1,100 5 870 19 1,970 MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA 2000-01 14 1,185 7 1,010 21 2,195 2001-02 16 1,555 7 1,170 23 2,725 2002-03 14 1,395 8 955 22 2,350 2003-04 15 1,795 4 810 19 2,605 2004-05 9 1,585 6 790 15 2,375 2005-06 11 1,510 20 1,325 31 2,835 HOLLINS 1999-00 110 3,017 41 1,000 35 424 186 4,441 2000-01 49 2,831 71 1,750 7 339 127 4,920 2001-02 142 3,042 46 1,350 23 410 211 4,802 2002-03 87 2,546 38 1,225 15 202 140 3,973 2003-04 88 2,480 49 1,250 10 128 147 3,858 2004-05 94 1,438 76 1,000 14 180 184 2,618 2005-06 82 1,882 66 1,250 6 132 154 3,264 JACKSON COUNTY 2003-04 66 2,205 66 2,205 WATERFOWL AREAS 2004-05 120 1,950 120 1,950 2005-06 68 900 68 900 KINTERBISH 1999-00 149 1,752 27 725 9 159 185 2,636 2000-01 112 1,025 21 750 6 148 139 1,923 2001-02 77 1,048 17 750 19 257 113 2,055 2002-03 89 849 22 650 7 102 118 1,601 2003-04 51 549 15 450 6 67 72 1,066 2004-05 33 495 16 475 6 94 55 1,064 2005-06 33 436 14 550 3 55 50 1,041
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 1999-00 63 1,389 7 525 74 815 144 2,729 2000-01 91 1,380 5 375 8 237 104 1,992 2001-02 116 1,429 27 525 7 190 150 2,144 2002-03 124 1,604 0 425 10 369 134 2,398 2003-04 122 2,038 0 465 122 2,503 2004-05 139 1,844 25 280 164 2,124 2005-06 171 1,852 27 225 198 2,077 LITTLE RIVER 1999-00 49 1,501 33 2,500 51 619 133 4,620 2000-01 25 1,122 33 1,100 33 461 91 2,683 2001-02 98 1,770 41 1,375 28 477 167 3,622 2002-03 118 1,997 28 1,250 9 415 155 3,662 2003-04 85 2,193 37 1,400 17 710 139 4,303 2004-05 71 2,045 41 1,050 31 600 143 3,695 2005-06 119 1,826 30 950 39 450 188 3,226 LOWNDES 1999-00 65 1,461 130 1,250 9 91 204 2,802 2000-01 64 1,383 118 1,350 3 39 185 2,772 2001-02 86 1,382 111 1,300 3 37 200 2,719 2002-03 88 1,553 81 1,300 24 124 193 2,977 2003-04 77 1,950 65 1,200 3 106 145 3,256 2004-05 106 1,382 95 950 201 2,332 2005-06 155 2,011 91 875 246 2,886 JAMES D. MARTIN-SKYLINE 1999-00 82 4,642 32 2,425 48 1,114 162 8,181 2000-01 142 4,665 27 1,780 72 1,015 241 7,460 2001-02 88 4,967 32 1,610 30 813 150 7,390 2002-03 123 5,714 29 2,125 21 674 173 8,513 2003-04 155 5,442 12 1,415 15 1,075 182 7,932 2004-05 308 4,362 39 1,144 34 520 381 6,026 2005-06 329 4,412 67 765 45 800 441 5,977 MULBERRY FORK 1999-00 53 1,626 62 925 5 118 120 2,669 2000-01 79 1,555 49 820 5 148 133 2,523 2001-02 89 1,969 62 800 7 190 158 2,959 2002-03 105 2,376 65 1,265 12 167 182 3,808 2003-04 130 2,897 77 775 12 187 219 3,859 2004-05 117 2,384 125 775 18 245 260 3,404 2005-06 129 2,482 85 900 31 332 245 3,714
TABLE I continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON GUN STALK HUNTS DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS SAM R. MURPHY 1999-00 163 2,429 19 700 2 91 184 3,220 2000-01 111 1,585 20 700 2 114 133 2,399 2001-02 165 3,491 20 700 185 4,191 2002-03 194 3,168 10 850 204 4,018 2003-04 151 2,971 17 850 168 3,821 2004-05 211 2,349 51 750 262 3,099 2005-06 240 2,274 39 800 279 3,074 OAKMULGEE 1999-00 124 2,468 58 1,600 29 662 211 4,730 2000-01 103 2,579 86 2,050 30 667 219 5,296 2001-02 140 2,830 91 1,875 30 629 261 5,334 2002-03 199 2,648 72 1,800 15 403 286 4,851 2003-04 163 3,184 90 1,400 16 426 269 5,010 2004-05 120 2,408 90 1,400 46 594 256 4,402 2005-06 155 2,249 90 1,300 25 454 270 4,003 ST. CLAIR 1999-00 50 1,000 20 800 70 1,800 2000-01 48 1,200 13 825 61 2,025 2001-02 50 1,500 12 900 62 2,400 2002-03 55 1,450 8 965 63 2,415 2003-04 68 1,600 27 1,000 95 2,600 2004-05 72 1,900 61 1,200 133 3,100 2005-06 122 2,300 93 1,260 215 3,560 SCOTCH 1999-00 60 587 3 197 15 830 13 176 91 1,790 2000-01 60 551 3 100 8 310 16 191 87 1,152 2001-02 72 578 16 329 11 520 12 146 111 1,573 2002-03 107 939 32 793 17 450 19 211 175 2,393 2003-04 76 965 60 1,525 21 590 3 62 160 3,142 2004-05 43 603 45 1,462 7 340 5 118 100 2,523 2005-06 64 740 39 1,566 4 80 14 130 121 2,516 SEVEN-MILE ISLAND 2001-02 28 500 28 500 2002-03 13 500 13 500 2003-04 14 200 14 200 2004-05 10 75 10 75 2005-06 16 80 16 80 SWAN CREEK & 2004-05 30 1,160 30 1,160 MALLARD-FOX CREEK 2005-06 27 720 27 720
TABLE I continued. AREA HUNTING SEASON GUN STALK HUNTS DOG HUNTS ARCHERY PRIMITIVE WEAPONS TOTAL HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS HARVEST MAN-DAYS UPPER DELTA 1999-00 60 3,000 24 900 35 2,070 119 5,970 2000-01 130 2,010 29 1,215 36 1,750 6 60 201 5,035 2001-02 83 1,525 20 680 40 1,460 3 70 146 3,735 2002-03 82 877 17 405 29 1,390 3 15 131 2,687 2003-04 82 1,325 26 685 35 1,140 4 110 147 3,260 2004-05 50 860 10 440 18 650 2 80 80 2,030 2005-06 48 865 33 700 32 1,000 11 90 124 2,655 WEST JEFFERSON 1999-00 150 8,000 35 1,150 12 600 197 9,750 2000-01 150 8,000 36 1,175 15 700 201 9,875 2001-02 125 7,500 26 1,075 10 600 161 9,175 2002-03 130 7,250 44 1,325 12 525 186 9,100 2003-04 120 7,300 34 1,525 10 550 164 9,375 2004-05 130 7,000 48 1,650 10 500 188 9,150 2005-06 140 6,300 51 1,485 10 450 201 8,235 WOLF CREEK 1999-00 33 800 20 640 2 65 55 1,505 2000-01 46 1,480 11 450 0 50 57 1,980 2001-02 64 1,543 16 750 0 33 80 2,326 2002-03 44 1,329 8 650 52 1,979 2003-04 59 1,413 15 1,000 74 2,413 2004-05 74 1,560 56 950 130 2,510 2005-06 53 1,243 17 500 70 1,743 TOTALS 1999-00 2,623 57,110 80 2,636 1,041 31,811 490 8,200 4,234 99,757 2000-01 2,476 54,846 115 2,873 902 26,003 405 7,533 3,898 91,255 2001-02 2,843 61,734 173 3,769 991 26,936 369 6,655 4,376 99,114 2002-03 2,931 67,098 168 3,821 889 31,200 259 5,792 4,247 107,911 2003-04 2,744 72,002 161 4,607 932 30,136 206 5,769 4,043 112,514 2004-05 2,861 57,244 124 3,885 1,482 30,089 244 4,473 4,711 95,691 2005-06 3,195 56,673 205 4,699 1,374 28,156 275 4,423 5,049 93,951 Note: The statistics for gun stalk hunts include data from youth hunts.
TABLE II. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: STALK DEER HUNTS AREA HUNTING PRESSURE 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average 2004-05 2005-06 Black Warrior 4,307 4,458 3,859 38 35 20 Freedom Hills 3,088 2,019 3,152 28 15 18 Lauderdale 1,568 1,844 1,852 16 13 11 Sam R. Murphy 2,729 2,349 2,274 17 11 9 Wolf Creek 1,313 1,560 1,243 27 21 23 Choccolocco 4,163 4,196 3,345 18 19 16 James D. Martin-Skyline 5,086 4,362 4,412 45 14 13 Little River 1,717 2,045 1,826 27 29 15 St. Clair 1,350 1,900 2,300 25 26 19 Cahaba River 1,478 1,733 1,680 38 21 18 Demopolis 754 525 390 23 40 30 Mulberry Fork 2,085 2,384 2,482 23 20 19 Oakmulgee 2,742 2,408 2,249 20 20 15 West Jefferson 7,610 7,000 6,300 57 54 45 Autauga 1,204 1,263 1,059 40 41 44 Coosa 2,092 1,750 1,831 24 21 22 Hollins 2,783 1,438 1,882 33 15 23 Lowndes 1,546 1,382 2,011 21 13 13 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 1,357 1,063 694 35 31 13 Escambia Creek 1,404 747 702 16 20 15 William L. Holland & M-T Delta 1,406 1,585 1,510 96 176 137 Kinterbish 1,045 495 436 11 15 13 Scotch 724 603 740 10 14 12 Upper Delta 1,747 860 865 22 17 18 Barbour 3,149 4,036 3,756 15 17 19 Blue Spring 1,728 1,173 1,721 9 8 14 Covington 2,384 2,066 2,102 14 16 15 All Areas Combined 62,558 57,244 56,673 23 20 18
TABLE III. Results of Drawing Deer Hunts Held on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, 2005-06 Season. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY AREA DATE HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS TOTAL N % N % CHOICE ONLY IN BOX ANTLERED BUCKS UNANTLERED BUCKS DOES TOTAL Black Warrior - Zone A 11/25 844 0 844 100 58 7% 0 0% 36 3 19 58 11/26 197 0 197 100 32 16% 0 0% 16 2 14 32 12/09 312 0 312 100 7 2% 0 0% 6 0 1 7 12/10 403 0 403 100 15 4% 0 0% 9 0 6 15 12/26-01/01 360 0 360 100 14 4% 0 0% 4 0 10 14 01/27 198 0 198 100 3 2% 0 0% 1 1 1 3 01/28 269 0 269 100 4 1% 0 0% 0 1 3 4 Black Warrior - Zone B 12/02 336 0 336 100 23 7% 0 0% 14 0 9 23 12/03 291 0 291 100 15 5% 0 0% 7 3 5 15 12/16 165 0 165 100 9 5% 0 0% 2 2 5 9 12/17 256 0 256 100 3 1% 0 0% 1 1 1 3 12/26-01/01 228 0 228 100 10 4% 0 0% 8 0 2 10 Freedom Hills 11/12* 66 0 66 100 4 6% 0 0% 2 0 2 4 11/24 226 0 226 100 22 10% 0 0% 11 2 9 22 11/25 254 0 254 100 24 9% 0 0% 2 1 21 24 11/26 210 0 210 100 9 4% 0 0% 1 3 5 9 12/08 51 0 51 100 2 4% 0 0% 1 0 1 2 12/09 76 0 76 100 3 4% 0 0% 0 0 3 3 12/10 194 0 194 100 12 6% 0 0% 4 1 7 12 12/29 140 0 140 100 9 6% 0 0% 4 0 5 9 12/30 200 0 200 100 12 6% 0 0% 4 2 6 12 12/31 197 0 197 100 15 8% 0 0% 8 1 6 15 Lauderdale 11/19 344 0 344 100 43 13% 0 0% 8 6 29 43 12/02 161 0 161 100 17 11% 0 0% 3 1 13 17 12/03 190 0 190 100 12 6% 0 0% 2 4 6 12 12/16 206 0 206 100 22 11% 0 0% 11 1 10 22 12/17 210 0 210 100 25 12% 0 0% 9 4 12 25 01/02-01/08 400 0 400 100 45 11% 0 0% 15 8 22 45 01/20 201 0 201 100 3 1% 0 0% 1 0 2 3 01/21 140 0 140 100 4 3% 0 0% 0 0 4 4 Sam R. Murphy 11/12* 48 0 48 100 6 13% 0 0% 3 2 1 6 11/19-11/23 750 0 750 100 94 13% 0 0% 39 8 47 94 12/09 91 0 91 100 5 5% 0 0% 1 1 3 5 12/10 206 0 206 100 25 12% 0 0% 8 3 9 20 12/21-12/24 300 0 300 100 38 13% 0 0% 20 3 15 38 01/05 82 0 82 100 16 20% 0 0% 9 1 6 16 01/06 171 0 171 100 9 5% 0 0% 8 0 1 9 01/07 235 0 235 100 23 10% 0 0% 14 1 8 23 01/20 178 0 178 100 16 9% 0 0% 11 0 5 16 01/21 213 0 213 100 8 4% 0 0% 4 0 4 8
TABLE III continued. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY AREA DATE HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS TOTAL N % N % CHOICE ONLY IN BOX ANTLERED BUCKS UNANTLERED BUCKS DOES TOTAL Wolf Creek 11/12* 14 0 14 100 1 7% 0 0% 0 0 1 1 11/19 175 0 175 100 10 6% 0 0% 4 1 5 10 12/02 35 0 35 100 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0 0 12/03 112 0 112 100 1 1% 0 0% 1 0 0 1 12/16 53 0 53 100 1 2% 0 0% 0 0 1 1 12/17 91 0 91 100 4 4% 0 0% 2 0 2 4 01/06 25 0 25 100 3 12% 0 0% 2 0 1 3 01/07 100 0 100 100 9 9% 0 0% 7 0 2 9 01/13 27 0 27 100 2 7% 0 0% 2 0 0 2 01/14 113 0 113 100 3 3% 0 0% 2 1 0 3 01/21 58 0 58 100 1 2% 0 0% 1 0 1 2 01/28 90 0 90 100 3 3% 0 0% 2 0 1 3 Choccolocco 11/12* 173 0 173 100 11 6% 0 0% 5 0 6 11 12/02 622 0 622 100 34 5% 0 0% 23 2 9 34 12/03 480 0 480 100 21 4% 0 0% 12 0 9 21 Little River 11/19 366 0 366 100 45 12% 0 0% 21 2 22 45 12/09 246 0 246 100 19 8% 0 0% 12 2 5 19 12/10 189 0 189 100 22 12% 0 0% 11 1 10 22 James D. Martin-Skyline 11/12* 196 0 196 100 14 7% 0 0% 6 4 4 14 11/19 668 0 668 100 90 13% 0 0% 41 10 39 90 12/16 470 0 470 100 43 9% 0 0% 19 2 22 43 12/17 348 0 348 100 23 7% 0 0% 14 1 8 23 Cahaba River 11/12* 22 0 22 100 0 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 11/26 223 0 223 100 18 8% 0% 7 3 8 18 01/07 271 0 271 100 23 8% 0% 13 1 9 23 Mulberry Fork 11/12* 100 0 100 100 11 11% 0% 1 2 8 11 11/26 401 0 401 100 29 7% 0% 7 6 16 29 12/31 422 0 422 100 44 10% 0% 25 2 17 44 Oakmulgee 11/12* 63 0 63 100 7 11% 0% 1 0 6 7 12/31 365 0 365 100 39 11% 0% 21 2 16 39 Autauga 11/12* 25 0 25 100 1 4% 0% 0 0 1 1 Coosa 12/10 445 0 445 100 25 6% 0% 11 0 11 22
TABLE III continued. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS DEER HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY AREA DATE HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS TOTAL N % N % CHOICE ONLY IN BOX ANTLERED BUCKS UNANTLERED BUCKS DOES TOTAL Lowndes 11/12* 34 0 34 100 4 12% 0% 0 0 4 4 11/25 201 0 201 100 19 9% 0% 5 0 14 19 11/26 175 0 175 100 13 7% 0% 4 0 9 13 12/02 101 0 101 100 14 14% 0% 3 0 11 14 12/03 180 0 180 100 7 4% 0% 0 0 7 7 01/13 230 0 230 100 14 6% 0% 8 0 6 14 01/14 250 0 250 100 25 10% 0% 8 3 14 25 01/27 215 0 215 100 22 10% 0% 7 1 14 22 01/28 275 0 275 100 25 9% 0% 12 0 13 25 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 11/12* 24 0 24 100 2 8% 0% 2 0 0 2 01/06** 315 0 315 100 29 9% 0% 3 5 21 29 01/07** 246 0 246 100 37 15% 0% 6 5 26 37 01/27 95 0 95 100 12 13% 0% 12 0 0 12 01/28 145 0 145 100 11 8% 0% 5 1 5 11 Escambia Creek 11/12* 11 0 11 100 0 0% 0% 0 0 0 0 11/19 100 0 100 100 9 9% 0% 4 1 4 9 12/17 76 0 76 100 3 4% 0% 1 0 2 3 12/31 102 0 102 100 7 7% 0% 1 0 6 7 01/21 70 0 70 100 2 3% 0% 2 0 0 2 01/27 89 0 89 100 10 11% 0% 5 0 5 10 01/28 79 0 79 100 6 8% 0% 4 1 1 6 Kinterbish 01/06 35 0 35 100 2 6% 0% 2 0 2 4 01/07 62 0 62 100 6 10% 0% 0 1 6 7 01/27 54 0 54 100 11 20% 0% 5 1 5 11 01/28 58 0 58 100 7 12% 0% 3 0 4 7 Scotch 11/12* 9 0 9 100 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0 0 12/03 84 0 84 100 4 5% 0 0% 0 1 3 4 01/06 135 0 135 100 13 10% 0 0% 7 1 5 13 01/07 136 0 136 100 14 10% 0 0% 8 2 4 14 01/20 160 0 160 100 15 9% 0 0% 12 0 3 15 01/21 166 0 166 100 18 11% 0 0% 7 3 8 18 Upper Delta - Zone A 11/12* 20 0 20 100 2 10% 0 0% 1 0 1 2 01/20 80 0 80 100 8 10% 0 0% 2 0 6 8 01/21 60 0 60 100 9 15% 0 0% 1 0 8 9 Upper Delta - Zone B 11/12* 10 0 10 100 1 10% 0 0% 0 0 1 1 01/20 40 0 40 100 4 10% 0 0% 1 0 3 4 01/21 30 0 30 100 4 13% 0 0% 0 0 4 4
TABLE III continued. PERMITS ISSUED SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS HARVESTED % H/C HUNTER'S CHOICE BUCKS ONLY AREA DATE HUNTER'S BUCKS PERMITS TOTAL N % N % CHOICE ONLY IN BOX ANTLERED BUCKS UNANTLERED BUCKS DOES TOTAL Barbour 11/12* 26 0 26 100 5 19% 0 0% 0 1 4 5 11/25 329 0 329 100 19 6% 0 0% 5 0 14 19 11/26 288 0 288 100 17 6% 0 0% 1 3 13 17 11/30 33 0 33 100 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0 0 12/08 102 0 102 100 5 5% 0 0% 1 0 4 5 12/09 138 0 138 100 8 6% 0 0% 4 2 2 8 12/10 176 0 176 100 6 3% 0 0% 2 0 4 6 12/15 31 0 31 100 0 0% 0 0% 0 0 0 0 12/22 104 0 104 100 5 5% 0 0% 0 0 5 5 12/23 93 0 93 100 7 8% 0 0% 2 2 3 7 01/05 233 0 233 100 10 4% 0 0% 2 0 8 10 01/06 257 0 257 100 11 4% 0 0% 3 1 7 11 01/07 296 0 296 100 9 3% 0 0% 1 0 8 9 01/19 539 0 539 100 39 7% 0 0% 18 4 17 39 01/20 603 0 603 100 38 6% 0 0% 18 1 19 38 01/21 508 0 508 100 14 3% 0 0% 4 2 8 14 Blue Spring 11/12* 50 0 50 100 8 16% 0 0% 3 0 5 8 11/22 133 0 133 100 12 9% 0 0% 3 1 8 12 11/23 144 0 144 100 8 6% 0 0% 3 0 5 8 12/22 109 0 109 100 6 6% 0 0% 2 0 4 6 12/30 174 0 174 100 15 9% 0 0% 7 0 8 15 12/31 176 0 176 100 12 7% 0 0% 5 2 5 12 Covington 11/12* 15 0 15 100 2 13% 0 0% 0 0 2 2 11/19 139 0 139 100 18 13% 0 0% 4 0 14 18 11/25 197 0 197 100 12 6% 0 0% 3 0 9 12 11/26 173 0 173 100 9 5% 0 0% 2 2 5 9 12/02 57 0 57 100 3 5% 0 0% 1 0 2 3 12/03 121 0 121 100 9 7% 0 0% 1 1 7 9 12/15 63 0 63 100 2 3% 0 0% 1 0 1 2 12/16 93 0 93 100 6 6% 0 0% 0 0 6 6 12/17 123 0 123 100 4 3% 0 0% 1 0 3 4 12/29 106 0 106 100 5 5% 0 0% 2 0 3 5 12/30 105 0 105 100 5 5% 0 0% 1 0 4 5 12/31 92 0 92 100 3 3% 0 0% 1 0 2 3 01/07 163 0 163 100 10 6% 0 0% 3 1 6 10 01/13 112 0 112 100 6 5% 0 0% 4 0 2 6 01/14 169 0 169 100 28 17% 0 0% 11 1 16 28 01/21 117 0 117 100 7 6% 0 0% 4 0 3 7 01/27 109 0 109 100 5 5% 0 0% 3 0 2 5 01/28 148 0 148 100 7 5% 0 0% 3 1 3 7 Totals 27,383 0 27,383 2,057 8% 0 0% 850 159 1,044 2,053 *Indicates youth hunt. **Indicates dog hunt.
TABLE IV. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: DOG DEER HUNTS AREA HUNTING PRESSURE 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average 2004-05 2005-06 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 925 963 1,137 30 23 14 Scotch 589 1,462 1,566 34 32 40 Upper Delta 777 440 700 33 44 21 Blue Spring 1,478 1,020 1,296 38 38 24 All Areas Combined 3,244 3,885 4,699 27 31 23
TABLE V. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: ARCHERY DEER HUNTS AREA HUNTING PRESSURE MAN-DAYS PER KILL 1999-2000 1999-2000 Through Through 2004-05 2005-06 2003-04 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 Average Average Black Warrior 1,358 1,560 1,300 60 78 72 Freedom Hills 2,174 4,350 3,424 338 97 57 Lauderdale 463 280 225 56 11 8 Sam R. Murphy 760 750 800 48 15 21 Seven-Mile Island 400 75 80 24 8 5 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- 1,160 720 -- 39 27 Wolf Creek 698 950 500 54 17 29 Choccolocco 988 785 750 16 12 10 Jackson County Waterfowl Areas 2,205 1,950 900 33 16 13 Little River 1,525 1,050 950 45 26 32 James D. Martin-Skyline 1,871 1,144 765 77 29 11 St. Clair 898 1,200 1,260 67 20 14 Cahaba River 495 830 1,570 25 14 24 Demopolis 674 400 395 15 22 21 Mulberry Fork 917 775 900 15 6 11 Oakmulgee 1,745 1,400 1,300 23 16 14 West Jefferson 1,250 1,650 1,485 36 34 29 Autauga 319 225 300 26 38 60 Coosa 521 750 800 32 12 13 Hollins 1,315 1,000 1,250 27 13 19 Lowndes 1,280 950 875 13 10 10 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 1,049 810 720 68 37 34 Escambia Creek 450 385 475 28 14 28 William L. Holland & M-T Delta 963 790 1,325 161 132 66 Kinterbish 665 475 550 33 30 39 Scotch 540 340 80 39 49 20 Upper Delta 1,562 650 1,000 45 36 31 Barbour 778 820 657 35 24 23 Blue Spring 1,768 1,250 1,510 59 10 15 Covington 1,571 1,335 1,290 15 18 19 All Areas Combined 29,217 30,089 28,156 31 20 20
TABLE VI. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Area's: PRIMITIVE WEAPONS DEER HUNTS AREA 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average HUNTING PRESSURE 2004-05 2005-06 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL 2004-05 2005-06 Black Warrior 304 136 165 53 -- 13 Choccolocco 574 200 200 22 6 9 Little River 536 600 450 26 19 12 James D. Martin-Skyline 938 520 800 34 15 18 Cahaba River 198 231 224 20 29 14 Demopolis 517 145 345 10 18 19 Mulberry Fork 162 245 332 22 14 11 Oakmulgee 557 594 454 24 13 18 West Jefferson 595 500 450 51 50 45 Autauga 43 42 25 14 21 13 Coosa 198 67 110 41 67 -- Hollins 301 180 132 21 13 22 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 174 155 99 38 39 20 Escambia Creek 71 90 54 22 45 -- Kinterbish 147 94 55 16 16 18 Scotch 157 118 130 14 24 9 Upper Delta 64 80 90 16 40 8 Barbour 413 217 251 30 54 31 Blue Spring 219 204 57 51 12 8 Covington 157 55 -- 14 55 -- All Areas Combined 6,790 4,473 4,423 21 18 16
TABLE VII. Comparison of Hunting Pressure and Hunting Success on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas: ALL DEER HUNTS AREA 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average HUNTING PRESSURE 2004-05 2005-06 1999-2000 Through 2003-04 Average MAN-DAYS PER KILL 2004-05 2005-06 Black Warrior 5,909 6,154 5,324 41 42 24 Freedom Hills 5,386 6,369 6,576 44 36 28 Lauderdale 2,353 2,124 2,077 18 13 10 Sam R. Murphy 3,530 3,099 3,074 20 12 11 Seven-Mile Island 400 75 80 24 8 5 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- 1,160 720 -- 39 27 Wolf Creek 2,041 2,510 1,743 32 19 25 Choccolocco 5,725 5,181 4,295 17 16 14 Jackson County Waterfowl Areas 2,205 1,950 900 33 16 13 Little River 3,778 3,695 3,226 28 26 17 James D. Martin-Skyline 7,895 6,026 5,977 45 16 14 St. Clair 2,248 3,100 3,560 33 23 17 Cahaba River 2,052 2,794 3,474 32 18 20 Demopolis 1,945 1,070 1,130 15 27 23 Mulberry Fork 3,164 3,404 3,714 20 13 15 Oakmulgee 5,044 4,402 4,003 21 17 15 West Jefferson 9,455 9,150 8,235 52 49 41 Autauga 1,566 1,530 1,384 33 39 45 Coosa 2,811 2,567 2,741 24 17 19 Hollins 4,399 2,618 3,264 28 14 21 Lowndes 2,905 2,332 2,886 16 12 12 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 3,503 2,991 2,650 35 29 17 Escambia Creek 1,925 1,222 1,231 18 18 19 William L. Holland & M-T Delta 2,369 2,375 2,835 114 158 91 Kinterbish 1,856 1,064 1,041 15 19 21 Scotch 2,010 2,523 2,516 16 25 21 Upper Delta 4,137 2,030 2,655 29 25 21 Barbour 4,341 5,073 4,664 18 19 20 Blue Spring 4,965 3,647 4,584 17 11 16 Covington 4,112 3,456 3,392 14 17 16 All Areas Combined 102,110 95,691 93,951 25 20 19
TABLE VIII. Man-Days of Deer Hunting Pressure Per Square Mile Hunted on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the 2005-06 Season. AREA STALK DOG ARCHERY PRIMITIVE HUNTS HUNTS HUNTS WEAPONS TOTAL HUNTS Black Warrior 23.4 -- 8.5 1.1 Freedom Hills 58.2 -- 63.2 -- Lauderdale 83.0 -- 10.1 -- Sam R. Murphy 72.5 -- 25.5 -- Seven-Mile Island -- -- 8.9 -- Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- 51.9 -- Wolf Creek 46.6 -- 18.7 -- Choccolocco 38.2 -- 8.6 2.3 Jackson County Waterfowl Areas -- -- 22.8 -- Little River 86.2 -- 44.9 21.2 James D. Martin-Skyline 70.2 -- 12.2 12.7 St. Clair 244.4 -- 133.9 -- Cahaba River 24.8 -- 23.2 3.3 Demopolis 35.9 -- 36.4 31.8 Mulberry Fork 44.7 -- 16.2 6.0 Oakmulgee 32.3 -- 18.7 6.5 West Jefferson 94.5 -- 22.3 6.7 Autauga 105.9 -- 30.0 2.5 Coosa 31.4 -- 13.7 1.9 Hollins 41.0 -- 27.2 2.9 Lowndes 115.8 -- 50.4 -- Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 24.6 40.2 25.5 3.5 Escambia Creek 58.4 -- 39.5 4.5 William L. Holland & M-T Delta 19.2 -- 16.8 -- Kinterbish 45.0 -- 56.8 5.7 Scotch 26.3 55.6 2.8 4.6 Upper Delta 14.1 11.4 16.3 1.5 Barbour 122.5 -- 21.4 8.2 Blue Spring 47.1 35.5 41.3 1.6 Covington 59.9 -- 36.8 -- All Areas 47.6 30.4 22.5 4.7 33.0 121.4 93.1 98.0 8.9 51.9 65.3 49.1 22.8 152.3 95.1 378.3 51.3 104.1 66.9 57.5 123.5 138.4 47.0 71.1 166.2 93.8 102.4 36.0 107.5 89.3 43.3 152.1 125.5 96.7 105.2
TABLE IX. Deer Killed Per Square Mile Hunted on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the 2005-06 Season. AREA STALK DOG ARCHERY PRIMITIVE HUNTS HUNTS HUNTS WEAPONS TOTAL HUNTS Black Warrior 1.27 -- 0.12 0.09 1.48 Freedom Hills 3.17 -- 1.11 -- 4.28 Lauderdale 7.67 -- 1.21 -- 8.88 Sam R. Murphy 7.65 -- 1.24 -- 8.89 Seven-Mile Island -- -- 1.78 -- 1.78 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- 1.95 -- 1.95 Wolf Creek 1.99 -- 0.64 -- 2.63 Choccolocco 2.34 -- 0.82 0.25 3.41 Jackson County Waterfowl Areas -- -- 1.73 -- 1.73 Little River 5.62 -- 1.42 1.84 8.88 James D. Martin-Skyline 5.24 -- 1.07 0.72 7.03 St. Clair 12.96 -- 9.88 -- 22.84 Cahaba River 1.37 -- 0.97 0.24 2.58 Demopolis 1.20 -- 1.75 1.66 4.61 Mulberry Fork 2.32 -- 1.53 0.56 4.41 Oakmulgee 2.23 -- 1.29 0.36 3.88 West Jefferson 2.10 -- 0.76 0.15 3.01 Autauga 2.40 -- 0.50 0.20 3.10 Coosa 1.46 -- 1.08 0.00 2.54 Hollins 1.79 -- 1.44 0.13 3.36 Lowndes 8.92 -- 5.24 -- 14.16 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 1.88 2.80 0.74 0.18 5.60 Escambia Creek 3.91 -- 1.41 0.00 5.32 William L. Holland & M-T Delta 0.14 -- 0.25 -- 0.39 Kinterbish 3.41 -- 1.44 0.31 5.16 Scotch 2.27 1.39 0.14 0.50 4.30 Upper Delta 0.78 0.54 0.52 0.18 2.02 Barbour 6.29 -- 0.91 0.26 7.46 Blue Spring 3.42 1.48 2.71 0.19 7.80 Covington 4.02 -- 1.97 -- 5.99 All Areas 2.68 1.33 1.10 0.29 5.40
TABLE X. Average Live Weights of Deer on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas Compared to Average Live Weights of Deer From Herds in Good Condition, 2005-06 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 67 113 142 174 59 95 110 116 Freedom Hills 51 106 141 159 44 83 95 100 Lauderdale 57 104 143 166 47 81 95 102 Sam R. Murphy 53 101 138 169 47 86 97 106 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- -- 195 -- -- -- 116 Wolf Creek 66 111 150 163 -- 93 117 120 Choccolocco 49 88 119 141 44 81 81 92 Little River 57 104 106 143 50 82 93 104 James D. Martin-Skyline 50 105 124 168 51 85 96 103 Cahaba River 57 104 129 153 38 85 102 99 Mulberry Fork 49 90 126 165 46 80 86 102 Oakmulgee 56 94 115 150 49 77 96 100 Autauga 50 111 131 192 -- -- 97 111 Coosa 51 99 129 169 37 82 101 99 Hollins -- 99 133 167 -- 84 96 105 Lowndes 48 108 134 148 52 79 92 98 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 46 83 103 130 41 72 82 89 Escambia Creek 46 103 146 154 53 84 91 100 Kinterbish 55 88 109 167 55 74 94 107 Scotch 48 91 120 153 43 72 81 95 Barbour 58 100 144 164 51 83 101 105 Blue Spring 50 90 110 132 36 73 84 89 Covington 50 98 130 161 42 76 91 96 All Areas 54 99 130 156 47 82 94 101 Average Live Weights of Deer From Herds in Good Condition. 55 110 145 >160 50 85 100 >110
TABLE XI. Antler Development of Bucks on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, 2005-06 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 3.4 6.9 8.4 50 0 46 Freedom Hills 2.3 6.2 7.8 82 0 34 Lauderdale 2.0 6.4 7.3 100 0 26 Sam R. Murphy 2.4 6.8 8.3 77 5 32 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- 10.0 -- 0 100 Wolf Creek 2.8 6.9 7.2 63 0 22 Choccolocco 2.9 7.3 7.5 61 0 23 Little River 3.1 6.0 7.0 45 7 13 James D. Martin-Skyline 2.6 5.0 8.2 70 8 18 Cahaba River 3.0 6.1 8.2 61 3 27 Mulberry Fork 2.4 6.3 8.6 84 5 26 Oakmulgee 2.7 5.8 7.6 66 1 32 Autauga 3.9 5.8 7.7 36 0 15 Coosa 3.4 6.4 8.7 43 0 48 Hollins 2.6 5.6 7.6 67 11 18 Lowndes 2.5 6.3 6.8 50 2 30 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 2.0 4.7 6.5 100 9 21 Escambia Creek 1.9 5.5 8.0 100 6 33 Kinterbish 2.0 4.7 7.3 100 0 8 Scotch 2.1 4.5 7.2 91 14 36 Barbour 3.1 6.8 7.2 70 0 35 Blue Spring 2.1 5.0 6.8 93 9 15 Covington 3.2 7.2 7.3 60 7 49 All Areas 2.7 6.1 7.6 71 4 26 Average Numbers From Deer Herds in Good Condition. 4.0+ 8.0+ 8.0+ <50 0 >50
TABLE XII. Average Main Beam Length and Inside Spread for Bucks on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas, 2005-06 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 8.5 15.1 19.6 6.8 12.3 15.9 Freedom Hills 7.3 14.7 18.0 5.8 11.0 14.1 Lauderdale -- 14.1 18.9 -- 10.9 13.8 Sam R. Murphy 5.4 14.5 18.0 5.0 11.6 14.4 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- -- -- -- 16.9 Wolf Creek 7.3 15.8 18.5 5.1 12.6 16.2 Choccolocco 9.0 16.0 17.2 7.8 12.3 13.3 Little River 8.9 10.1 16.3 7.8 9.5 13.1 James D. Martin-Skyline 5.3 10.9 17.0 5.3 8.9 13.5 Cahaba River 7.4 14.9 19.6 5.9 12.1 14.2 Mulberry Fork 4.9 14.7 20.1 5.2 11.1 15.1 Oakmulgee 6.3 12.7 18.1 5.6 9.8 13.4 Autauga 7.1 14.0 22.5 5.7 9.4 15.7 Coosa 7.8 14.5 19.7 6.4 11.0 14.4 Hollins 5.5 12.5 19.6 5.7 9.6 15.4 Lowndes 7.5 14.6 17.5 5.4 11.0 13.3 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 3.1 10.6 14.0 4.3 7.6 11.2 Escambia Creek 5.1 11.9 16.9 5.0 9.9 13.5 Kinterbish 2.3 11.1 18.1 2.9 8.1 13.5 Scotch 2.9 9.6 15.8 5.5 8.1 12.0 Barbour 6.5 14.8 18.2 7.3 11.1 13.5 Blue Spring 4.8 11.4 14.3 4.6 9.3 11.8 Covington 4.3 14.3 18.5 5.3 11.8 14.3 All Areas 5.9 13.6 17.7 5.5 10.7 13.6 Average Numbers From Deer Herds in Good Condition. 8.0 15.0 20.0+ 8.0 12.0 15.0+
TABLE XIII. Sample Sizes for Deer Checked on Alabama's Wildlife Management Areas During the 2005-06 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 12 38 36 32 8 15 14 34 189 Freedom Hills 10 11 30 23 16 10 16 23 139 Lauderdale 16 3 26 6 16 10 24 25 126 Sam R. Murphy 15 47 24 20 24 16 17 28 191 Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 2 3 Wolf Creek 2 19 8 5 -- 5 4 4 47 Choccolocco 2 18 7 10 5 5 6 6 59 Little River 5 31 2 12 4 5 15 15 89 James D. Martin-Skyline 13 46 24 13 13 12 25 25 171 Cahaba River 6 38 19 21 2 3 5 15 109 Mulberry Fork 13 37 28 15 11 13 10 32 159 Oakmulgee 4 44 45 49 6 8 5 22 183 Autauga 2 11 6 3 -- -- 3 1 26 Coosa 1 7 16 19 1 5 6 4 59 Hollins -- 15 13 5 -- 3 1 2 39 Lowndes 5 2 31 13 16 16 27 30 140 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin 8 18 10 13 9 16 6 29 109 Escambia Creek 2 8 6 10 2 5 6 8 47 Kinterbish 2 8 3 3 2 2 2 8 30 Scotch 8 22 14 23 5 7 5 22 106 Barbour 16 10 40 22 24 26 35 38 211 Blue Spring 7 43 40 41 6 4 10 32 183 Covington 6 5 30 8 8 6 63 13 139 Totals 155 481 458 367 178 192 305 418 2,554
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I: ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA DEER HARVEST SUMMARY BY AREA, 2005-06 HUNTING SEASON. Type Legal Man-Days Area Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- Autauga Youth 25 1 25 Stalk 1,034 23 45 Primitive Weapons 25 2 13 Archery 300 5 60 Season Totals 1,384 31 45 Barbour Youth 26 5 5 Stalk 3,730 188 20 Primitive Weapons 251 8 31 Archery 657 28 23 Season Totals 4,664 229 20 Black Warrior - Zone A Stalk 2,583 133 19 Primitive Weapons 105 8 13 Archery 600 7 86 Season Totals 3,288 148 22 Black Warrior - Zone B Stalk 1,276 60 21 Primitive Weapons 60 5 12 Archery 700 11 64 Season Totals 2,036 76 27 Blue Spring Youth 50 8 6 Stalk 1,671 117 14 Primitive Weapons 57 7 8 Dog 1,296 54 24 Archery 1,510 99 15 Season Totals 4,584 285 16 Frank W. & Rob M. Boykin Youth 24 2 12 Stalk 670 51 13 Primitive Weapons 99 5 20 Dog 1,137 79 14 Archery 720 21 34 Season Totals 2,650 158 17
Type Legal Man-Days Area Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- Cahaba River Youth 22 0 -- Stalk 1,658 93 18 Primitive Weapons 224 16 14 Archery 1,570 66 24 Season Totals 3,474 175 20 Choccolocco Youth 173 11 16 Stalk 3,172 194 16 Primitive Weapons 200 22 9 Archery 750 72 10 Season Totals 4,295 299 14 Coosa Stalk 1,831 85 22 Primitive Weapons 110 0 -- Archery 800 63 13 Season Totals 2,741 148 19 Covington Youth 15 2 8 Stalk 2,087 139 15 Archery 1,290 69 19 Season Totals 3,392 210 16 Demopolis Stalk 390 13 30 Primitive Weapons 345 18 19 Archery 395 19 21 Season Totals 1,130 50 23 Escambia Creek Youth 11 0 -- Stalk 691 47 15 Primitive Weapons 54 0 -- Archery 475 17 28 Season Totals 1,231 64 19 Freedom Hills - North Zone Stalk 933 34 27 Archery 685 8 86 Season Totals 1,618 42 39
Type Legal Man-Days Area Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- Freedom Hills - South Zone Youth 66 4 17 Stalk 2,153 134 16 Archery 2,739 52 53 Season Totals 4,958 190 26 W. L. Holland & Mobile-Tensaw Delta Stalk 1,510 11 137 Archery 1,325 20 66 Season Totals 2,835 31 91 Hollins Stalk 1,882 82 23 Primitive Weapons 132 6 22 Archery 1,250 66 19 Season Totals 3,264 154 21 Jackson County Waterfowl Areas Archery 900 68 13 Season Totals 900 68 13 Kinterbish Stalk 436 33 13 Primitive Weapons 55 3 18 Archery 550 14 39 Season Totals 1,041 50 21 Lauderdale Stalk 1,852 171 11 Archery 225 27 8 Season Totals 2,077 198 10 Little River Stalk 1,826 119 15 Primitive Weapons 450 39 12 Archery 950 30 32 Season Totals 3,226 188 17 Lowndes Youth 34 4 9 Stalk 1,977 151 13 Archery 875 91 10 Season Totals 2,886 246 12
Type Legal Man-Days Area Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- James D. Martin-Skyline Youth 196 14 14 Stalk 4,216 315 13 Primitive Weapons 800 45 18 Archery 765 67 11 Season Totals 5,977 441 14 Mulberry Fork Youth 100 11 9 Stalk 2,382 118 20 Primitive Weapons 332 31 11 Archery 900 85 11 Season Totals 3,714 245 15 Sam R. Murphy Youth 48 6 8 Stalk 2,226 234 10 Archery 800 39 21 Season Totals 3,074 279 11 Oakmulgee Youth 63 7 9 Stalk 2,186 148 15 Primitive Weapons 454 25 18 Archery 1,300 90 14 Season Totals 4,003 270 15 St. Clair Stalk 2,300 122 19 Archery 1,260 93 14 Season Totals 3,560 215 17 Scotch Youth 9 0 -- Stalk 731 64 11 Primitive Weapons 130 14 9 Dog 1,566 39 40 Archery 80 4 20 Season Totals 2,516 121 21 Seven-Mile Island Archery 80 16 5 Season Totals 80 16 5
Type Legal Man-Days Area Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- Swan Creek & Mallard-Fox Creek Archery 720 27 27 Season Totals 720 27 27 Upper Delta - Zone A Youth 20 2 10 Stalk 485 29 17 Primitive Weapons 70 9 8 Dog 360 24 15 Archery 650 22 30 Season Totals 1,585 86 18 Upper Delta - Zone B Youth 10 1 10 Stalk 350 16 22 Primitive Weapons 20 2 10 Dog 340 9 38 Archery 350 10 35 Season Totals 1,070 38 28 West Jefferson - Zone A Stalk 6,300 140 45 Archery 1,350 43 31 Season Totals 7,650 183 42 West Jefferson - Zone B Primitive Weapons 450 10 45 Archery 135 8 17 Season Totals 585 18 33 Wolf Creek Youth 14 1 14 Stalk 1,229 52 24 Archery 500 17 29 Season Totals 1,743 70 25 Statewide Youth 906 79 11 Stalk 55,767 3,116 18 Primitive Weapons 4,423 275 16 Dog 4,699 205 23 Archery 28,156 1,374 20 Season Totals 93,951 5,049 19
APPENDIX II: ALABAMA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA DEER HARVEST SUMMARY BY DISTRICT, 2005-06 HUNTING SEASON. Type Legal Man-Days District Hunt Man-Days Kill Per Kill --------------------------- ------------------------- --------------- ---------- -------------- District I Youth 128 11 12 Stalk 12,252 818 15 Primitive Weapons 165 13 13 Archery 7,049 204 35 Season Totals 19,594 1,046 19 District II Youth 369 25 15 Stalk 11,514 750 15 Primitive Weapons 1,450 106 14 Archery 4,625 330 14 Season Totals 17,958 1,211 15 District III Youth 185 18 10 Stalk 12,916 512 25 Primitive Weapons 1,805 100 18 Archery 5,650 311 18 Season Totals 20,556 941 22 District IV Youth 59 5 12 Stalk 6,724 341 20 Primitive Weapons 267 8 33 Archery 3,225 225 14 Season Totals 10,275 579 18 District V Youth 74 5 15 Stalk 4,873 251 19 Primitive Weapons 428 33 13 Dog 3,403 151 23 Archery 4,150 108 38 Season Totals 12,928 548 24 District VI Youth 91 15 6 Stalk 7,488 444 17 Primitive Weapons 308 15 21 Dog 1,296 54 24 Archery 3,457 196 18 Season Totals 12,640 724 17