Abstract
High white-tailed deer abundance at Eagle Creek Park (ECP) in Indianapolis necessitated active management to improve park habitat conditions. Significant deer impacts on local natural areas were first noted in the late 1990’s. Multiple years of deer browse monitoring, beginning in 2003, documented greatly impacted vegetation with heavy to severe browse damage in the park. After an initial managed hunt in 2014, population reductions have been accomplished exclusively at night by professional sharpshooters. Positive results are being evidenced through increasing pounds of venison per deer harvested and significant recovery of impacted vegetation communities.
Highlights
High white-tailed deer abundance at Eagle Creek Park (ECP) in Indianapolis necessitated active management to improve park habitat conditions
Positive results are being evidenced through increasing pounds of venison per deer harvested and significant recovery of impacted vegetation communities
ECP experienced an overabundance of white-tailed deer because of a lack of hunting or natural predators and limited dispersal opportunities due to bordering interstate highways and housing developments
Summary
High white-tailed deer abundance at Eagle Creek Park (ECP) in Indianapolis necessitated active management to improve park habitat conditions. Multiple years of deer browse monitoring, beginning in 2003, documented greatly impacted vegetation with heavy to severe browse damage in the park. ECP experienced an overabundance of white-tailed deer because of a lack of hunting or natural predators and limited dispersal opportunities due to bordering interstate highways and housing developments. Monitoring studies, conducted between 2003 and 2013, showed heavy to severe browse damage. It was determined proactive management of the deer population was needed. The goal of the ECP deer management program is to establish and maintain an abundance of white-tailed deer that allows for a sustainable relationship between biological diversity and habitat structure through comprehensive research, monitoring, education, and effective management. Additional goals are to meet social carrying capacity, ensure the effectiveness of deer herd management, and use evaluations to formulate future management plans
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call