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The buck stops hereArkansas Although deer season is almost over, it's not too early to begin getting ready for next year. The best way to prepare for next year is by attending The Buck Stops Here, a wildlife meeting Jan. 19 at Searcy. Wildlife experts from Arkansas and Mississippi will provide valuable information of interest to all large game hunters. The meeting is an effort of the White, Prairie and Woodruff offices of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. "Managing your habitat for deer is a never-ending job," said Dr. Becky McPeake, Extension wildlife specialist. "Many hunters plant food plots to attract and harvest deer. But if you want to sustain deer, they need 'native' food plants to keep them going throughout the year." McPeake said food plots can help deer make it through the late winter and early spring before their typical forage "greens up." Plots can also help in late summer as deer prepare for the upcoming fall rut and winter food scarcity. "All of this takes plenty of planning, as well as an understanding of deer biology, nutrition, and harvest management strategies to improve your local deer herd," she said. Hunters will get plenty of help and advice at the one-day workshop. Among the speakers are Steve "Wildman" Wilson with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, luncheon speaker; Dr. Bronson Strickland with Mississippi State University; and Dr. Don White of Monticello, assistant professor/wildlife at the Forest Resources Center at the U of A at Monticello; and Dr. Jon Barry, assistant professor/extension forester at Hope. White has conducted a number of research studies about elk along the Buffalo River and now is working in partnership with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission on tracking deer movements with GPS radio collars in south Arkansas. According to White, this new study will improve what we know about deer movements in relation to flooded habitats as well as hunters. White will be discussing deer biology and nutrition, and how to age deer by looking at their teeth. Strickland will discuss his work on the pros and cons of using antler restrictions to mange for older-aged bucks. He is one of three researchers who prepared a report describing the effects of Mississippi antler regulations on the age structure, antler characteristics and buck production. Putting a twist on what is normally considered a food plot, Barry is going native. Barry, a forester and botanist, will describe plants suitable for developing native food plots. Barry believes that native plants often provide as much nutrition as non-natives, with much less expense. White County Agent Keith Martin will describe food plot basics and offer an optional tour of a food plot demonstration area comparing three experimental plots. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. with registration at Eagleview and concludes after a 3 p.m. optional field tour of food plots. The $25 per person fee ($35 per couple) includes lunch and workshop materials. For more information about how to get to the lodge, contact your county extension agent or Keith Martin at kmartin@uaex.edu or 501-268-5394. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.
Date: 2/7/08
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