Deer
Statement
White-tailed deer reside primarily in the eastern two-thirds of Texas, numbering approximately 4 million. Mule deer occupy portions of west Texas and the Texas Panhandle in considerably smaller numbers than whitetails. Both species are important wildlife resources ecologically, economically, and aesthetically. They provide hunting opportunity for over 800,000 hunters in 2006 who in that year contributed $2.16 billion to the Texas economy. Over 1.17 million outdoor recreationists also spend time and money observing large mammals such as deer (photographing, feeding, etc.). Wildlife watchers as a group contribute $5.1 billion to the state’s economy.
Landowners and managers have long recognized the economic benefit of good deer management. Therefore a considerable emphasis is placed by them on land stewardship that provides for good deer habitat, as well as herd management activities that enhance deer production. Sound range management depends in large part on managing deer populations in a manner that keeps their numbers within range carrying capacity.
The Texas AgriLife Extension Service provides numerous educational opportunities related to deer management including: Deer Appreciation Days; RAWHIDE (Ranching Aimed at Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Diversification of Enterprises) Workshops; Brush Sculpting Workshops; various other programs of local, regional, and state-wide interest; and publications that can be found at http://agrilifebookstore.org. Emphasis is placed on range management beneficial to deer, population management beneficial to rangeland, harvest management, latest relevant technology, and current research results that contribute to a better understanding of deer and their management.