Summary

Lets take some time to summarize the important steps for managing your deer herd properly:

• Establish an objective for your deer herd
• Keep accurate deer harvest records (especially ages)
• Design your doe harvest strategy based on last year's buck harvest
• Monitor the age and antler development of your buck harvest to continually adjust your total harvest in relation to your harvest objectives

The rules of thumb and management advice contained in this brochure do not necessarily apply to every property or deer herd in Georgia. The many exceptions that exist point to the need for the collection of data specifically for your hunting land and to the interpretation of those data by a qualified (certified) wildlife biologist. Be careful about accepting advice from a self-proclaimed wildlife biologist who has not had appropriate training and certification to support their recommendations. Like a physician diagnosing the cause of an illness and recommending the prescription necessary for a cure, a biologist's prescription is only as good as the information obtained from the patient. Consistent, accurate deer data insures an accurate diagnosis and sound treatment and guarantees a good prognosis for your deer herd.