Dec. 19, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 369

For more information, contact Rob Hossler, 302-834-8433 or Lloyd Alexander, 302-739-5297, Division of Fish and Wildlife; or Melinda Carl, Information and Education, 302-739-4506

Deer Hunters Successful at Brandywine

Last week's controlled deer hunt at Brandywine State Park proved successful as 53 participating hunters harvested 32 deer. The managed hunt implemented Dec. 12, 13 and 14 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Divisions of Fish and Wildlife and Parks and Recreation is part of a wildlife management program designed to reduce the park's local deer herd.

The use of recreational hunters as a management tool to control Brandywine Park's deer population was first implemented in 1994 to curb habitat destruction and other concerns over the park's increasing deer population. Since the program began, state officials have noticed a decrease in the number of local deer/vehicle collisions, re-growth of native tree seedlings formally overeaten by the deer, and an increase in the health and condition of the harvested deer.

Hunters selected by a preseason lottery were required to adhere to strict rules and safety precautions in return for the opportunity to hunt within the park. They were permitted to retain only one harvested deer with additional deer donated to the Sportsmen Against Hunger Program, which provides venison to needy families within the state. The Brandywine hunters this year donated 495 pounds of venison to the program.

"This year's 32-deer harvest represents the third largest deer harvest within the park and should greatly assist park and wildlife managers in reducing the deer herd to an acceptable population level," said Rob Hossler, Division of Fish and Wildlife regional manager. "This level is referred to as the 'ecological carrying capacity' and is the level at which deer do not negatively impact their environment by excessively feeding on plants depended upon by other wildlife." Current estimates of the park's deer population indicate that the deer herd is still approximately 20 percent above this ecological target.

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Document no. 40-01/00/12/12
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