By Tanner Hood

A long, winding field of healthy cotton sits off the banks of the Alabama River at Grey Rocks Ranch in Autauga County. There, Wildlife Manager Mike Parmer examines little-to-no signs of crop damage due to deer — a blessing compared to the destruction many farmers receive from shifty cervids. 

“The tools are available to safeguard against damage,” Parmer said. “This cotton field is a great example of quality deer management working to protect crops and habitats. Controlling herds is a solid solution to save valuable land and crops being decimated by deer.”

One tool is the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP). Alabama landowners like Parmer use DMAP for crop protection, herd management and trophy deer production. 

“We started using this program in the ‘80s when it was established,” said Parmer, the Alabama Farmers Federation State Wildlife Committee chair. “I’ve seen the benefits in healthier, high-quality deer.”

DMAP is an information-driven program that helps hunters and landowners take deer management to a higher level, said Brian Grice, an ADCNR wildlife biologist.

“We work with private landowners to help accomplish their management goals,” Grice said. “The key component is data collection. Hunters collect weights, jawbones, lactation rates, antler measurements and other quantifiable information during hunting season and submit those to their biologists.”

The data delivers practical applications for herd and habitat management. This often includes a permit to exceed the daily bag limit for antlerless deer and a quota for the recommended number to take during the season.

“When the program started, deer populations were growing exponentially, and hunters weren’t allowed to take antlerless deer,” Grice said. “DMAP was designed to get tags in a way that wasn’t available. When wildlife gets out of balance, it creates issues within their population and for humans.”

If the environment’s maximum sustainability, or carrying capacity, is exceeded, deer turn to other food sources, Grice said. That includes row crops like corn, cotton and soybeans. Overall weights are negatively affected while quality decreases, too. Stepping up doe harvest can maximize resources to increase buck quality while better protecting crops, he added. However, Grice noted DMAP shouldn’t be mistaken for depredation permits. 

“DMAP is a non-exclusive option for hunters, landowners and farmers to manage deer herds during the season structure,” Grice said. “Depredation permits are a beneficial but exclusive option to legally take deer out of season for farmers and property owners who have sustained damage.”

Federation Wildlife Division Director William Green said farmers and hunters should strongly consider DMAP as a management tool. 

“Deer management is essential for healthy herds, and an added benefit could be crop protection,” Green said. “Whatever the goal, DMAP is available for all Alabama landowners. All it takes is contacting the local ADCNR office and connecting with a biologist.”

That initial step can pay dividends for years to come, Parmer said while gesturing to the surrounding cotton field.

“Quality deer management takes time and effort,” Parmer said. “Hunters must take does to create the proper balance between population size and carrying capacity, and the results are worth it.”