CONSERVATION THROUGH MANAGEMENT
The best example of deer reduction by bowhunters occurred in 2007/8 in Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County. Whitetail Associates founder, Jody Maddock was asked to design and implement the Uppermakefield deer reduction plan.
Thirty three certified archers harvested 443 deer over the 2007/8 hunting season of which 99% (439) were antlerless. The overall program which included a “Hunter Cooperative” of non-program hunters produced a harvest of 568 deer of which 443 (77.3%) were female. Pennsylvania Game Commission statistics showed a harvest in Upper Makefield Township of 118 deer in 2006/7, the hunting season prior to the managed program, and 700 deer in 2007/8, the season the program was implemented. Road killed deer picked up by Game Commission contractors in the township showed a 44% drop from 2006 to 2007. Surveys were completed by 45 landowners. Tabulated results clearly show that the program caused very little inconvenience to landowners, that wounding was not an issue, deer sightings dropped substantially, and that satisfaction with managers and archers was very high (90% rated “very satisfied” or “exceptional”).
Founded in 1990, Whitetail Associates continues to be a leader in suburban deer management.