There are two primary forms used for Reed Ranch deer counts, a daylight observation form and a night count form. There are instructions for how to use these forms and how to conduct the counts on each forms. Often time these counts are supplemented by hunter observation records recorded during the season.

On the night count a 5.6 mile line has been drawn and computed according to visibility. The night counts are taken to provide an estimate of the acres per deer and the various daylight counts are used to compute an estimate of the number of buck, doe and fawn per acre. The night count line has a visibility of about 378 acres, or about 21% of the entire 1,780 acre ranch. The assumption is that this 21% visibility (when repeated about 3 times over a several week period of time and averaged) will give a fair approximation of the deer herd count in the geographic area in which the ranch is located.

Here's some Ranch Specific Guidelines to follow when doing daylight counts.

Census & Observation Records

Here are what the most recent years of census records look like:

Here are what the most recent years of night counts look like:

In 2002, hunter collected observation data after deer season began. This observation data was used to confirm the information collected by the census counts and has been factored into the 2002 data above. Overall hunter observation was collected from the beginning of the season through the first of November.

During the Fall of 2002, the data on buck was extended through the mid-part of November to compute the number of points on a buck. During this time there were a total of 152 bucks observed from the beginning of the season through the mid-part of November. Number of points data was collected on 112 of these 152 bucks. Here's what the information looks like in terms of the number of points for the 112 bucks observed.

An antlerless deer form and a buck form is used to record information on each deer taken. All deer taken on the Reed Ranch must have a MLD Permit (Managed Lands Deer Permit) attached. Year by year harvest records include Club Member Deer and Game 2009-10, Club Member Deer and Game 2008-09, Club Member Deer and Game 2007-08, Club Member Deer and Game 2004-05 and subsequent years of harvest records.

Deer Aging Video

 

Good deer management says take only mature bucks (bucks 4 1/2 years of age or older).

Each club member is encouraged to learn how to age deer on the hoof. There's a video tape available which can be used for training purposes. This same video tapes teaches a hunter how to age a deer by examining the teeth in a jaw bone.

This video is available for ordering from Forestry Suppliers, Inc. at 1-800-647-5368. The cost (as of Fall 2004) is $27.95 plus shipping.