OBJECTIVE: To develop and maintain a healthy, balanced, wildlife population - especially white-tailed deer, in conjunction with a profitable cattle operation. Fawn production and survival (by October) should be .80+ fawns/doe (8+ fawns/10 doe) and the doe/buck ratio should be close to 1.5 to 2.0 does/buck.

LOCATION OF PROPERTY: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Kerens, Texas extending eastward to the Trinity River.

Current Habitat Description

Bottomland is water oak-elm-hackberry forest vegetation type. Majority of mature woods mature stands, haven't been cut in probably 20+ years. Upland area is post oak woods, forest, and grassland mosaic vegetation type. Most of the vegetation shows moderate to heavy use from deer and cattle.

Past History of Land Use and Wildlife

Primarily used for cattle grazing operation. Before 1991, approximately 10 buck deer were harvested annually, but no antlerless deer were taken. Hunting has been by family, friends, and cattle leasee. In 1991, 3 bucks and 9 antlerless deer were harvested. In 1992, 3 bucks and 12 antlerless deer were harvested.

Livestock

Primarily a continuous grazing cow/calf operation with most cattle in the flood plain bottom native pastures in the spring and the summer. Fall and winter flooding of the bottomland by the Trinity River usually forces cattle to upland pastures during these periods.

Habitat Management Recommendations

General: Diversity of vegetation, both in species and age, is the key to diversity and abundance of wildlife using this diverse habitat. Large expanses of monoculture habitat such as coastal bermuda pasture provides little positive benefit for wildlife.

Continue minimum or no use of herbicides in pastures. The diversity of forbs (weeds/wildflowers) present in the native pasture is one of the main reasons this ranch supports a high number of deer and also provides good grazing for cattle. The present practice of mowing is a more desirable method of keeping undesirable weeds under control than use of herbicides, even just spot treatment. The previous year's growth of tall grasses is necessary for deer and wildlife to hide fawns and nests, respectively. Leaving at least one acre of more of these tall grassy areas (delaying mowing until mid July) near woods every 1/4 mile, especially where deer and turkey have been observed to be frequenting during this time period (April - June). Fencing off these areas and/or rotation of cattle grazing of these pastures can provide such areas in upland and bottomland sites.

Vegetation: Although it takes planning and certain precautions, prescribed burns of native pasture and upland hardwood undergrowth is probably the most economical, most beneficial management available. For native pastures, mowing is second best, but it is safest and doesn't require the extra planning and preparation. Prescribed burn from late October through February (after 1st freeze and before green-up) 40 to 100 acre portions of upland woods on a rotating basis so the same portion is burned no often than every 5 - 6 years. Do not burn bottomland hardwoods. About 1/3 of native pastures, openings, and right-of-ways may be control burned every year during late summer, burning each opening every third year. These open area burns (under 40 acres) will control woody growth and encourage desirable forbs (weeds/wildflowers) and grasses. On upland woods, burning of dead leaves, grasses, and old growth browse species permits growth of shaded or choked out vegetation and stimulates new growth of browse species. CAUTION: Do not burn without guidance of experienced personnel such as TPWD, SCS, or Ag Extension personnel. Firebreaks 20 feet wide must be disked beforehand and burning must be conducted during certain weather conditions.

Livestock Recommendations: ALthough most of the pastures are in fair condition, development of a rotating cattle grazing system on the native pastures would prevent overgrazing of the desirable species, maintaining healthy, vigorous pastures over the long term through droughts and ample rainfall. A high intensity, low frequency grazing system is usually the most beneficial to cattle, wildlife, and the land. The fencing systems developed by SCS personnel would probably be a good start. Consulting with SCS, TPWD, TAEX, plus involvement for all concerned - owner, manager, cattle lessee should result in a workable long terms system. The basic concept of not grazing the same pasture at the same time two years in a row should be the primary goal. Electric fencing, especially in the bottomland which is usually flooded each winter causing much fence repairs, may be a possible alternative that needs to be explored.

Supplemental Feeding/FoodPlots

Over the next three years, extablish four summer supplemental food plots at least five acres in size within about 1/2 mile of each other and fenced off from cattle. Iron and clay cowpeas with alyceclover has proven to be a very good summer feed for deer - one of the best practices to improve fawn survival. These same plots can be planted to elbon rye, oats, and ryegrass in October to provide winter feed, expecially in the upland areas.

Watering Facilities

Normally, the ponds, lakes, and the Trinity River provide adequate water during the year.

Methods Used to Determine Population Density and Composition

White-tailed deer are the only species that will require annual counts and surveys, although hen/poultry counts of recently stocked (1990) eastern turkey should be made when they are observed during routine activities and reported to TPWD field personnel or the regional office in Tyler.

Deer populations should continue to be monitored by conducting at least three counts from August until September 15th on the established census route to determine primarily deer density (acres/deer).

Herd composition should be determined primarily from random daylight observations and on late afternoon driving counts from August through October. Counts will be totaled and averaged to determine average acres/deer and does/buck, fawns/doe ratios in upland and bottomland habitat.

Late summer and winter observation of browse use should supplement these data.

Population Characteristics

Deer populations, as well as all wildlife populations respond directly and in proportion to the quality and quantity of their respective habitat. The resident wildlife species (non-migratory) will be directly affected by the habitat available on the Reed Ranch and adjoining properties, and management activities on these respective lands.

Maximum density for a healthy white-tailed deer herd for the Reed Ranch would be about 8 - 10 acres/deer in the bottomland and 20 - 25 acres/deer in the upland areas. Yearling (1 1/2 yr old) bucks should field dress at least 80 lbs while 5 1/2 year old bucks should field dress at least 140 lbs, have points or more with at least an 18 inch inside spread and antler circumference of 4 inches or more. Fawn production and survival should be 80% or better, or 8 fawns/10 does observed in September. Buck/doe ratios should be at least 1:2.5, striving for close to 1:1.5.

Featured Species

Although you are interested in maintaining good populations of a wide variety of wildlife on the ranch, the management practices that are directed to producing quality deer normally benefit the other wildlife species.

Recommendations For Harvest or Other Use

Results of late summer and early fall deer counts will provide information as to the estimated total number of bucks, does, and fawns. Using this information, plus condition of vegetation and rainfall patterns, the number and type of bucks and does that should be harvested can be determined. Harvest information (age, weight, antler measurements, doe placation) collected the previous hunting season should also be used in making harvest decisions for the coming season. As your goal is to product healthy, quality deer, harvesting no more than 20% of the available bucks should be a standing rule at least until the buck/doe ratio goal is achieved. Most of the bucks harvested should only be mature, heavy-antlered with the antlers extending beyond the ears. These bucks will normally be in the 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 year range. Long antlered spike bucks, obviously older than 1 1/2 yr should be harvested. Bucks past 1 1/2 yr should not have spikes. If, after a good, wet spring and early summer, there are still a number of spikes - they should be harvested (as a part of the 20% buck harvest) and removed from the genetic pool. The number of does harvested will depend on the results of the census. Harvest should be oriented to the goals as stated above under Population Charactistics.

Waterfowl: The wetland areas, ponds, lakes, and bottomlands that flood in the winter provide prime feeding and roosting areas for wintering waterfowl, especially after acorns fall and available in shallow areas. Additional areas may be available that could be developed into shallow water wetlands for waterfowl and wading birds. Local wood duck production could probably be improved by installing nest boxes at the rate of one per 1 - 2 acres in suitable brood-rearing habitat: shallow wetlands such as marshes, sloughs, beaver ponds, and vegetated margins of man-made lakes and ponds. Clean shorelines should be avoided.

Feral Hogs: Feral hogs should be controlled as much as possible by shooting and trapping primarily during the winter to prevent buildup of populations and reduce competition with native wildlife.

Records Management

Good records should be kept of all deer counts, observations, and harvest information. These records will allow measurement and comparisons of the increase or decrease in deer population numbers, antler quality, body weight, etc. over the years. This is very important to the success of your deer management operation.

Comments Concerning any Federal Endangered Species

Southern bald eagles are seen fairly regularly at or near the large lake during the winter. Nearby Cedar Creek Lake, plus all of the bottomland attract many wintering waterfowl which these migrant bald eagles follow south and feed on during the winter.

None of the recommended management practices in these habitat and population management recommendations would be detrimental to these endangered species or any other endangered species that might possibly be present on the ranch.

Other Comments

Establishment of legumes such as yuchi arrowleaf clover in the coastal bermuda pasture along with possibly fenced off supplemental food plot areas for deer would benefit the cattle operation (in the pastures) as well as the deer. This easily digestible, high-protein source of feed can be a great benefit to cow/calves, doe/fawns, and wild turkeys during the late winter and early spring.

SUBMITTED BY: David Rideout, Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, July 22, 1993