Deer's future gets debated

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. - Georgia's No. 1 big game animal influences a lot more than recreational hunting.

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That's why Georgia's Wildlife Resources Division hopes to involve groups other than hunters in a broad new effort to devise a statewide Deer Management Plan to determine - among other things - how many whitetails the Peach State should have.

From a hunting standpoint, the plan will take into account contentious issues, like hunting over bait, driving deer with dogs and the unwholesome specter of fenced-enclosure preserves in Georgia.

However, the new plan also will explore the influence deer have upon agriculture and crop damage, timber practices, automobile safety and insurance rates, recreational spending and other factors.

"This is not a deer hunting plan, but hunting is a component of it," said Todd Holbrook, the division's chief of game management, who briefed reporters about the project last week.

IN AN EFFORT to broaden the issue of deer management, WRD is seeking input from both the hunting and non-hunting public to more effectively find solutions that meet the needs of all Georgians, he said.

The first step was a attitude survey conducted in June by Virginia-based Responsive Management Inc., which interviewed 1,033 Georgians representing three groups: the general population, licensed hunters and landowners with at least 100 acres.

Among the results:

"This whole thing is about putting numbers on how people feel about key deer management issues," he said.

The survey also showed many Georgians believe there are more deer now than there were 10 years ago, which shows perception is not always in line with deer population, Holbrook said.

Since 1999, Georgia's deer herd has remained somewhat consistent - around 1.1 million animals - which seems to show capable management.

Although the local deer herd has been kept from growing too rapidly, Georgia's true growth mostly involves people who add at least 150,000 new motor vehicles to state highways each year, causing more deer-vehicle accidents.

Development that encroaches into suburban deer habitat also contributes to the perception that there are more deer than in previous years, because more people are likely to see or encounter them.

Georgia also faces problems that have surfaced in other states involving the decline in the number of hunters, which makes it more difficult to harvest enough whitetails to keep the herd size in proportion. Georgia has increased seasons, bag limits and added new legal weapons, such as crossbows, to encourage more hunting.

What does all this mean? Holbrook wants to explore whether Georgia's deer herd should be kept as it is, made larger or perhaps even controlled and managed to support smaller numbers. The division also needs to know how farmers, landowners and the public feel about those issues, in addition to hunters.

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT will be a key factor in how the plan unfolds before its scheduled adoption early next year.

DNR will host five statewide, open house-style public meetings in August, allowing all members of the public an opportunity to provide input regarding this issue. Citizens will be able to provide insight on specific key issues. Biologists and others will be available to answer questions about the key issues and provide background information if needed. The open house schedule is as follows:

For those unable to attend the public meetings, written comments sent by mail or through the WRD web site will be accepted until Aug. 13. Written comments may be sent to: WRD Game Management, Attn: John Bowers, 2109 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.

Comments also may be e-mailed through the WRD Web site, visit www.georgiawildlife.com. Select General Info or Hunting and then click on Georgia Deer Management Plan Comments.

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.

Have your say

Georgia DNR will hold five public meetings regarding the Deer Management Plan.