Virginia Deer Management Plan - Essay Example

Virginia Deer Management Plan I. Introduction The Deer Management Plan had been formulated and implemented by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) staff with the intention of maintaining deer population. In Virginia, deer population has been growing in an immense manner, which is adversely affecting the forest ecosystem. Deer is identified as one of the wild herbivores accountable for affecting trees, gardens and crops to a substantial extent. Additionally, deer is also responsible for raising accident risks in the highways. In this respect, the undesirable increase in the number of deer population has resulted in scarcity of resources that include food. Subsequently, deer population is required to be controlled in an efficient manner with the intention of stabilizing the ecosystem successfully (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). In Virginia, augmented rate of deer is managed through different mortality ways that include hunting, predation, injuries and diseases among others. However, hunting and other methods have been inappropriate in controlling deer population effectively. Correspondingly, deer management plan has been implemented for managing deer population in keeping with different values encompassing biological, sociological, political and economic consideration. The plan has been implemented in order to manage deer population and the ecosystem for sustainable growth of the economy (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). In this regard, the essay critically reviews the set out Virginia Deer Management Plan 2006-2015 and accordingly provides appropriate recommendations on the basis of which over-population of deer can be controlled. II. Description of the Management Plan, Species and Habitats Covered In Virginia, the augmented rate of deer has been of a major consideration towards the ecosystem of the state. The state has been facing issues in relation to the over-population of deer. The increased ratio of deer population has resulted in hampering the ecosystem of the state. Moreover, deer are also seemed to be accountable for negatively affecting the economic condition of the state owing to damages made in gardens, crops along with trees. Deer are also identified to be of immense threat for road accidents in the highways. In this regard, the ‘Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ (VDGIF) has been facing considerable challenges owing to the differential interests of the citizens. The board members of the VDGIF are mostly concerned about white-tailed deer as compared to other wildlife species in the state. White-tailed deer has been considered mostly, as it is determined as one of the most famous game species. On the other hand, white-tailed deer has been associated with deferent implications that include public safety concerns and impact on the ecosystem. Contextually, the management of VDGIF with different interests from the citizens in relation to white-tailed deer faced challenges in developing appropriate deer management plan in accordance with which deer population might me managed effectively. In this respect, the major functions of the VDGIF include public education, regulatory powers, protecting wildlife resources and law enforcement. The management of the VDGIF has formulated as well as implemented the deer management plan for the period 2006 to 2015. The plan specifies different important aspects in relation to historical background of the management plan, current status of the plan relating to supply as well as demand and future directions that it will implement (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). In this regard, the Virginia Deer Management Plan provides the outlines on the basis of which needs are identified, action plans are determined along with ascertaining the timespan within which objectives are required to be accomplished. Subsequently, the plans along with policies that are implemented through the deer management plan in accordance with the aims of the VDGIF towards deer will facilitate in making effective decisions. Subsequently, the plan will assist the board members, VDGIF staff, VDGIF administrators as well as the public in resolving the issues that are related with deer. The intentions and objectives of the plan are informed to the public and the General Assembly so that the goals are accomplished successfully. The plan based on strategic planning notions focuses on proposing regulated hunting for controlling deer population. The plan is not based on operational policies in accordance with which hunting will be made for antlerless deer (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). The deer management plan was implemented in the period of 1996 and 1998 and it was recognized as 1999 Deer Plan. The plan comprises different perspectives that include business interests, recreationists, citizens and resource professionals. Additionally, a committee referred as ‘Deer Management Planning Committee’ was developed in the year 1996 so that plans along with policies are implemented in a professional manner. The committee members are entrusted with the responsibility of mitigating the issues that are faced by the management. In this context, the management team of the plan with the assistance of the local residents has planned to develop efficient policies in order to mitigate issues relating to deer. The ideas propounded in the 1999 Deer Plan were revised on the basis of feedbacks obtained from publications that were made in newspaper. According to the feedbacks, the committee in order to implement all the objectives of the plan had recommended to change the ratio of population objectives in different counties of Virginia (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Correspondingly, the revised policies are implemented in accordance with the stakeholders’ values as well as technical assistance obtained from professionals associated with wildlife activities. Subsequently, the changes that are made in the plan were based on technical chapters. The revised plan also developed a ‘Stakeholder Advisory Committee’ (SAC) with the aim of reviewing the plan effectively in different fields that include objectives, strategies and goals. In this respect, the committee reviewed the feedbacks of citizens and administrative officials of counties in relation to population level (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Contextually, the deer management plan had been implemented for the period 2006 to 2015 i.e. 10 years with the aim of managing the population of deer. The committee had made a 10 year plan in order to ensure that it is implemented in an effective manner. In this context, the objectives of the plan should be in accordance with the desired plan significantly. Additionally, the plan was based on a lifespan of 10 years with the aim of making it more flexible along with dynamic in relation to different factors that include administrative conditions, environmental conditions, social conditions and technical conditions. The plan is based on four major objectives which include deer habitats, deer-related recreation, deer populations and deer damage. The objectives are determined on the basis of plan with the aim of accomplishing its goals effectively (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). III. Management Actions (from the Plan) The management team of deer management plan has implemented different programs in order to ascertain that the plan is able to set forth effectively on its prime endeavor of managing deer population appropriately. The committee has adopted various programs which are illustrated hereunder: Big Game Checking System The ‘Big Game Checking System’ assists VDGIF in having an immense knowledge of deer harvest in each county of the state. In this respect, harvested deer are required to be provided with game tag which in return has aided in obtaining adequate information about date of killing, weapon used, sex of animals and killing made in each county (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Harvest Regulations Deer harvest regulations are scrutinized every year in the state. The analysis is made with the aim of modifying the regulations in accordance with management goals as well as present population ratio of deer. Subsequently, adjustments are implemented in different aspects that include limitation of firearms and seasonal lengths (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Management: Two Traditions In Virginia, tradition and regulations in relation to deer hunting differ amid to zones that include east and west region of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In this eastern regions of the Blue Ridge Mountains, deer are harvested with the assistance of hounds and the hunting season lasts for 7-week. On the other hand, in the western regions of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are certain prohibitions in relation to deer hunting by dogs. Additionally, the number of hunt clubs and area for hunting is less. The hunting season lasts for 12 days. Subsequently, the committee manages the population of deer in the state (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Management Paradigm The deer management paradigm has been implemented with the aim of controlling the count of antlerless deer. Besides, the committee has planned to manage the population ratio of deer in different counties (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) The ‘Deer Management Assistance Program’ (DMAP) has been initiated with the aim of working in a collaborative manner with landowners as well as hunt clubs so that the level of population of antlerless deer is managed effectively. In this respect, landowners and hunt clubs are registering with DMAP in order to have a better control on the number of deer. Additionally, the program assists VDGIF is having adequate information about biological data in different countries though effective communication with landowners as well as deer hunters (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Damage Control Assistance Program (DCAP) Damage Control Assistance Program (DCAP) has been initiated with the aim of providing rights to landowners in increasing harvest of antlerless deer in order to minimize damage caused to crop by deer (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Kill Permits According to the program, the VDGIF has provided an opportunity to owners as well as land’s lessees by providing them the right to kill deer for causing damages to personal property as well as commercial property (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Population Reduction Program (DPOP) ‘Deer Population Reduction Program’ (DPOP) is a management tool providing right to property managers of private as well as public segments to kill antlerless deer beyond established season (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Urban Archery Season The urban archery season offers additional hunting opportunity with the aim of minimizing human-deer conflicts, which exists in urban areas (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). Deer Disease Surveillance The VDGIF has implemented ‘deer disease surveillance’ with the aim of monitoring as well as controlling the spread of contagious diseases caused through deer. Additionally, there are other programs being executed comprising captive deer, Elk and ‘Deer hunting enclosure’ with the aim of managing deer population in the state. Contextually, it can be identified that the committee of the deer management plan has initiated and implemented different programs in order to accomplish the goals of the plan successfully (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2007). IV. Analysis White-tailed deer has been an important issue in relation to their increased population in Virginia (DeNicoal et al., 2000). According to DeNicoal et al. (2000), increased population of deer in Virginia has imperatively affected the ecosystem. In the state, deer are identified to be causing immense problems to humans and forests. Deer are accountable for causing different issues to foresters, homeowners, motorists, farmers, landscapers and gardeners. In this regard, the citizens of the state have faced immense problems owing to damages caused to crop as well as property. Additionally, increased population of deer has negatively affected the economic condition of the state due to losses incurred through damage of crops, Lyme disease and vehicle collisions. Deer are also accountable for impacting forest economy for feeding on plants, which has raised the problem of biodiversity (DeNicoal et al., 2000). According to the report published by Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (2014), the committee has implemented plans along with policies in accordance with the goals of the plan so that objectives are accomplished successfully. Moreover, the deer management plan is implemented on a long-term basis with the aim of minimizing the problem of increased population. The committee has adopted hunting as an important mode of controlling deer population and damages caused by them. Deer hunting has been an important consideration towards the development of the economic condition of Virginia contributing an amount of around US$250 million on an annual basis [1] (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2014). In this regard, the plan formulated by VDGIF aims at managing the issue of augmented deer population in the state i.e. Virginia. The VDGIF with the implementation of the plan has been able to create an opportunity of controlling deer population through the implementation of different programs that include DMAP and DCAP among others. Moreover, the committee has devised effective plans with the aim of controlling deer population, which has augmented to a great extent in the present day context. In this regard, different measures are adopted in order to control deer population. Besides, the goals of the plan have been to implement effective as well as flexible strategies with the aim of managing deer population and deer habitat. Additionally, the plan has been adopted with the objective of controlling damages that are caused by increased deer population, which has unfavorably affected the ecosystem and the personal property of the citizens [2] (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2014). Contextually, the revised plan has been devised and implemented with the aim of managing deer population through cultural carrying capacity (CCC), which implies deer population that could exist with the human beings in a compatible manner. The concept of CCC has been adopted based on the perspective of different factors that include economic, biological, social and political aspects [2] (Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, 2014). V. Conclusion It can be comprehended that deer management plan plays an effective role in managing deer population in Virginia. Increased deer population has adversely affected the ecosystem of the region. Additionally, deer are also accountable for damages caused towards crops, property, gardens and trees. In the highway, major accidents are caused due to deer collision, which threatens the life of the human beings. Deer also pose threats of different chronic diseases. In this regard, the plan of managing deer population with different regulatory policies includes regulated hunting and proper planning of mitigating deer damage along with disease. Accordingly to the plan, the committee of the VDGIF has adopted different plans such as DMAP and DCAP among others with the aim of managing deer population and deer related damages. VI. Student Learning Points It has been learnt that the deer management plan has been implemented in Virginia with the aim of controlling deer habitat, deer population, highway accidents and deer damages for the development of the ecosystem. In this regard, it has also been identified that a concerned committee has formulated as well as implemented policies of regulated hunting and cultural carrying capacity (CCC) in order to protect the ecosystem and human beings from increased deer population. The policies implemented are seemed to be primary focused on leisure and hunt gaming aspects, which has also assisted in improving the economic conditions of the country. IT can be affirmed that the plan seemed to be effective to a certain degree but it might adversely affect the wildlife and nature to a considerable extent. In this context, the committee of the VDGIF should use different measures that include contraceptive management. Contraceptive management will aid the committee in controlling deer population in a social manner (Grund, 2011). Additionally, the committee should adopt the strategy of fencing in order to limit the access of deer in different areas resided by human. Moreover, the roadside vegetation should be controlled in order to minimize the attraction of deer (D’angelo et al., 2006; VerCauteren et al., 2006). The plan is recognized to develop negative aspects towards deer and biological conditions. In this purview, the committee of the VDGIF should provide proper education in relation to environment sensibility so that the increased population of deer is managed in a social manner (Baker & Fritsch, 1997; Peck & Stahl, 1997). Thus, the implementation of appropriate policies in a social and responsible will aid in managing deer population and habitat successfully in Virginia. VII. References Baker, S. V., & Fritsch, J. A. (1997). New territory for deer management: Human conflicts on the suburban frontier. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 25(2), 404-407. D’angelo, G. J., D’angelo, J. G., Gallagher, G. R., Osborn, D. A., Miller, K. V., & Warren, R. J. (2006). Evaluation of wildlife warning reflectors for altering white-tailed deer behavior along roadways. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34(4), 11750-1183. DeNicoal, A. J., VerCauteren, K. C., Curtis, P. D., & Hygnstrom, S. E. (2000). Managing white-tailed deer in suburban environments. A Technical Guide, 2-52. Grund, M. D. (2011). Survival analysis and computer simulations of lethal and contraceptive management strategies for urban deer. Human-Wildlife Interactions 5(1), 23-31. Peck, L. J., & Stahl, J. E. (1997). Deer management techniques employed by the Columbus and Franklin county park district, Ohio. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 25(2), 440-442. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. (2007). Virginia deer management plan 2006-2015. Wildlife Information Publication, 07-1, 1-52. [1] Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. (2014). The buck stops here. Retrieved from http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/deer/factsheet.pdf [2] Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. (2014). Virginia deer management program. Retrieved from http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/deer/deermanagementprogram.asp VerCauteren, K. C., Lavelle, M. J., Hygnstorm, S. (2006). Fences and deer-damage management: a review of designs and efficacy. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 34(1), 191-200. Read More