FWC's South Florida Research Project

Discuss deer hunting tactics, Deer behavior. Post your Hunting Stories, Pictures, and Questions/Answers.
  • Advertisement

HB Store


User avatar
Horizontal Hunter
500 Club
Posts: 2936
Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:08 pm
Location: Western Massachusetts
Status: Offline

FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby Horizontal Hunter » Sat Jul 04, 2015 4:23 am

Many non-hunters regard whitetails as farmland creatures or denizens of the woods. Truth is, whitetails are highly adaptable critters, living in the mountains of Washington state to the deserts of the Southwest and in locations across the Plains. Few, though, occupy as unique of an ecosystem as those in the Everglades and South Florida.

Over the last several years, hunters in this area have noted a decline in deer populations. Some have blamed panthers, other blame water regulations and policy.

FWC agrees that deer populations have taken a hit, but they have been unable to determine what variables have caused this slump.

So, they have embarked upon a multi-year study to get to the bottom of it.

From FWC:

“The South Florida Deer Research Project is one of the largest white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus seminolus) research projects ever conducted in Florida. It is a collaborative effort of researchers and managers from multiple agencies and organizations. The project began in 2014 and will run through end of 2018 and involves more than three years of intensive field work. Research sites consist of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the Bear Island and North Addition Land Units of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP).

One of the main goals of the project is to gain a better understanding of deer ecology in the unique South Florida environment, including how water levels, habitat differences, predation and hunting impact deer population dynamics. Another goal is to develop a monitoring technique that can provide reliable estimates of deer densities in South Florida habitats.

Throughout the state, white-tailed deer are one of the most valued and sought-after game species. In South Florida, deer are also the most important prey species of the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). In recent years, particularly in the southern portion of the BCNP and Everglades National Park (ENP), the area has experienced deer declines. Although these declines have coincided with changes in hydrology, habitat and predators, the extent to which these variables have affected the deer population is unknown. Concerns, voiced by hunters and agency managers, over the declining deer populations were part of the reason why the study was initiated.

Although white-tailed deer are one of the most well-studied wildlife species, information on deer in South Florida is limited. Previous deer research in the BCNP region dates back to early 1990s, and the area has changed significantly since that time, including hydrological changes, an increase in the panther population, and changes in other predator populations. Therefore, up-to-date information on survival, causes of mortality, recruitment (how many fawns survive their first year) and population trends are needed to inform effective management decisions.

Read more:
http://goodhunt.blogs.theledger.com/185 ... h-project/

South Florida Research Project

Project Summary
The South Florida Deer Research Project is one of the largest white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus seminolus)research projects ever conducted in Florida. It is a collaborative effort of researchers and managers from multiple agencies and organizations. The project began in 2014 and will run through end of 2018 and involves more than three years of intensive field work. Research sites consist of the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge and the Bear Island and North Addition Land Units of Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP).
One of the main goals of the project is to gain a better understanding of deer ecology in the unique South Florida environment, including how water levels, habitat differences, predation and hunting impact deer population dynamics. Another goal is to develop a monitoring technique that can provide reliable estimates of deer densities in South Florida habitats.

Background – Research Need
Throughout the state, white-tailed deer are one of the most valued and sought-after game species. In South Florida, deer are also the most important prey species of the Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi). In recent years, particularly in the southern portion of the BCNP and Everglades National Park (ENP), the area has experienced deer declines. Although these declines have coincided with changes in hydrology, habitat and predators, the extent to which these variables have affected the deer population is unknown. Concerns, voiced by hunters and agency managers, over the declining deer populations were part of the reason why the study was initiated.
Although white-tailed deer are one of the most well-studied wildlife species, information on deer in South Florida is limited. Previous deer research in the BCNP region dates back to early 1990s, and the area has changed significantly since that time, including hydrological changes, an increase in the panther population, and changes in other predator populations. Therefore, up-to-date information on survival, causes of mortality, recruitment (how many fawns survive their first year) and population trends are needed to inform effective management decisions.
Furthermore, there is a need for a cost-effective monitoring methodology that provides more reliable deer density estimates. Historically, deer population estimates in this region have been derived primarily from aerial surveys. Although aerial surveys can provide an index of deer abundance, reliable density estimates are difficult to obtain. Aerial surveys are also expensive, time-consuming and pose an inherent risk to the safety and lives of biologists. Reliable estimates of population density and trends are essential for science-based management in this highly dynamic area of Florida.

To read more about the study and subscribe:
http://m.myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/d ... -research/

[ Post made via iPad ] Image


Vegetarian: vejiˈte(ə)rēən/noun: old Indian word for lousy hunter. :o

Excalibur Exocet, GT Laser II, 2" Bhoning Blazers 125g NAP Spitfire
Tapeworm
Posts: 257
Joined: Sun May 04, 2014 10:03 am
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby Tapeworm » Sat Jul 04, 2015 12:23 pm

I think their final answer will be to blame PK (palmetto kid) for the population decline!

[ Post made via Android ] Image
User avatar
PK_
500 Club
Posts: 6894
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:10 am
Location: Just Off
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby PK_ » Sat Jul 04, 2015 1:09 pm

lol, I don't hold a candle to the real predators out there.

It has been sickening to watch the deer population erode down here. I hope they find (prove)answers and do what is necessary, but I don't expect it the deer to make a comeback in my lifetime.
No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal
User avatar
Twenty Up
500 Club
Posts: 1885
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:06 pm
Location: Dirty South
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby Twenty Up » Sat Jul 04, 2015 4:01 pm

I think the hogs and humans claiming the dry land, pushing more deer into the swamps has put a hurting on the deer herd
Trust the Process~~ Lost Boys Outdoors ~~

YoutTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7TXknGut5WfZQ6CbddgqYg
Fire0422
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2014 1:29 am
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby Fire0422 » Wed Jul 15, 2015 5:02 am

If the state of Florida is curious about the decline in deer numbers, maybe a place to start would be the ridiculous bag limit. Two bucks a day starting in August in the south and ending in February in North Florida. Add no season limit and a person could legally kill hundreds of deer a year. That might be a bit much.
User avatar
PK_
500 Club
Posts: 6894
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:10 am
Location: Just Off
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby PK_ » Wed Jul 15, 2015 11:33 am

Fire0422 wrote:If the state of Florida is curious about the decline in deer numbers, maybe a place to start would be the ridiculous bag limit. Two bucks a day starting in August in the south and ending in February in North Florida. Add no season limit and a person could legally kill hundreds of deer a year. That might be a bit much.


A tiny fraction of Florida's hunters kill multiple deer per season. I believe a survey showed it was less than 3%, may have been 1%...

South Florida is where the deer/hogs are disappearing (which just so happens to be where they have flooded thousands of acres of habitat as well as released Texas cougars), other parts of the state, which share the same daily/annual bag limits you mentioned, have healthy and growing populations.

Welcome to the forum.
No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal
User avatar
Twenty Up
500 Club
Posts: 1885
Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 1:06 pm
Location: Dirty South
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby Twenty Up » Wed Jul 15, 2015 1:23 pm

Do you know what the purpose of releasing Texas Cougars? To "hopefully" reduce the unstoppable hog population, perhaps?
Trust the Process~~ Lost Boys Outdoors ~~

YoutTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC7TXknGut5WfZQ6CbddgqYg
User avatar
PK_
500 Club
Posts: 6894
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:10 am
Location: Just Off
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby PK_ » Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:01 pm

Twenty Up wrote:Do you know what the purpose of releasing Texas Cougars? To "hopefully" reduce the unstoppable hog population, perhaps?


They were introduced in an attempt to save the endangered "Florida Panther", which inevitably the native "Florida Panthers" died out years later anyways. So now we are left with a growing population of a non-native apex predator which is still protected (and receives the same Govt. funding) as the endangered "Florida Panther".

The truth is coming out and things are finally changing, just like with the "Florida Black Bear"...
No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal
User avatar
PK_
500 Club
Posts: 6894
Joined: Tue Nov 20, 2012 5:10 am
Location: Just Off
Status: Offline

Re: FWC's South Florida Research Project

Unread postby PK_ » Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:02 pm

Just looked up the latest info on the study. In the last quarter there were 12 deaths of GPS collared deer, 11 of those 12 were panther predation...
No Shortcuts. No Excuses. No Regrets.
Everybody's selling dreams. I'm too cheap to buy one.
Rich M wrote:Typically, hunting FL has been like getting a root canal


  • Advertisement

Return to “Deer Hunting”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google Adsense [Bot], Wimiuser and 73 guests