This Friday at the Angelina County Extension office landowners interested in the management of wildlife will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals how they can better manage for white tailed deer.
Sessions for this event include deer necropsy, prescribed fire, Managed Land Deer Program updates, antler restrictions data, and methods to deter feral hogs and beavers.
A necropsy is similar to an autopsy in that whitetail deer enthusiasts can study harvested deer and determine more of the overall health than what can be observed from a visual appraisal.
Prescribed fire is a powerful and excellent tool that when used correctly can have tremendous benefit to wildlife and native plant species. Fire was a naturally occurring part of our local ecosystem for eons. Today we are so good at preventing and stopping destructive structural and wild fires that many don’t even know that it can be of tremendous benefit.
Representatives from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be on hand provide updates on the Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP). The MLDP is ended to foster and support sound management and stewardship of native wildlife and wildlife habitats on private lands. Deer harvest is an important aspect of habitat management and conservation.
Landowners enrolled in either the MLDP Harvest Option or Conservation Option are able to take advantage of extended season lengths and liberalized harvest opportunities.
Additionally, TPWD will share results from the ten years of data that they’ve accumulated on the antler restrictions that came into effect in 2006. Antler restrictions provided a base management across property lines to allow for older bucks, improve the age structure of the whitetail deer herd and increase hunter opportunity.
Lastly, we all know feral hogs and beavers can cause great destruction to property. Hogs will tear up crops, fields, and even residential landscapes by rooting through it. Beavers will cut down younger trees and use them to build their dams which can then cause flooding. We will be looking at ways to legally and effectively control them.
Two Continuing Education Units will be given for those agricultural producers with a pesticide license. For landowners with a Private Pesticide License from the Texas Department of Agriculture, they are required to get 15 CEUs every 5 years to maintain their license.
To RSVP call 409-379-4831 by Wednesday, Aug 16. You will pay at the door. Cost is $10 per person.
We encourage anyone with an interest in benefiting white tailed deer and other wildlife to participate. Both hunters and non-hunters will benefit.
