Greetings Hunters,

As a wildlife biologist, I have assisted the West Kerr Ranch family with regard to quality white tailed deer management for the past 15 years. The management objective, on the West Kerr Ranch which involves over 10,000 acres, is to improve the quality of the white-tailed deer population and harvest mature bucks 4 to 8 years of age. The long term harvest strategy is as follows:  (1) Maintain deer numbers within the estimated carrying capacity of the rage, at a winter density of 10 to 12 acres per deer.  (2) Improve the sex ratio by adjusting both the buck and doe kill. A ratio of 1 doe per buck is practical for this situation.  (3) Limit the buck kill to produce mature bucks 4 to 8 years of age. Age along with high quality nutrition is essential for a buck to obtain its genetic potential. (4) Also, the selective harvest of bucks is carried out as part of the harvest quota.  This includes the harvest of spike antlered bucks and other cull animals, while limiting the kill of quality bucks.  (5) Additionally, the hunting of exotic species is carried out to limit competition with native deer.

 In addition to harvest as a management tool, prescribed burns are carried out annually on the West Kerr Ranch, to control invading cedar and to improve the rangeland for white-tailed deer and other wildlife. Furthermore, the ranch is moderately stocked with cattle and a rotation grazing system is utilized, which enhances the habitat for helping to sustain a quality deer population.

 The 2004 census indicated an abundance of deer with a density of 9 acres per white-tailed deer.  Additionally, the sex ratio was 1.03 does per buck and fawn survival was .65 fawns per doe.  Also, 42% of the bucks observed were judged to be mature bucks that were 4 years old or older.  In summary, the census indicated a balanced sex ratio and above average fawn production and survival as well as substantial proportion of mature bucks available for harvest.

 The game surveys conducted in 2004 also showed a density of 13.89 acres per exotic big game.  The exotic population consisted of a diversity of animals to include axis deer, sika deer, fallow deer, blackbuck antelope, mouflon sheep and aoudad sheep.  This population of big game species enhances the hunting options.

 I anticipate the this year’s game census, to be conducted in late summer and early fall, will show an abundance of mature white-tailed bucks and a surplus of exotics animals.  Range conditions continue to be good for antler development and fawn survival.

Outstanding wildlife and range management activities have been carried out on the West Kerr Ranch.  The ranch has received awards from The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and The Texas Range Society for progressive habitat management.  Both of the awards placed the West Kerr Ranch first on a statewide basis.

 In summary, the West Kerr Ranch is an outstanding example of quality white-tailed deer population management.

Fielding Harwell, Wildlife Consultant