Mississippi wildlife officials offer tips to assess deer herd size

Landowners in Mississippi can gauge whether their deer herd exceeds the capacity of their property by observing more than just the number of deer sightings, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP).

MDWFP officials suggest that habitat condition and vegetation health are key indicators of whether deer populations are too large. Excessive deer can cause significant damage to plant life, impacting the ecosystem and the land’s ability to support the herd.

Before deciding to harvest more does, landowners should look for signs of overpopulation, such as overbrowsed vegetation and reduced plant diversity. These indicators can help determine if deer numbers need to be managed to prevent habitat degradation.

For more detailed information on how to evaluate deer populations and manage habitat health, visit MDWFP’s website at the provided link.

Source: Original Article