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Show Deer Winter Ranee Land Obtained of WtldHfe wed making j management . ebteMng wmter range tad for IMah's deer herds with the acquisition of an additional 3,836 acres of high priority land. According to Norman V Hancock, Chief of Game Management, "Habitat is an essential ingredient In raising wild animate and increasing their population." Winter Range The most recently acquired land is high priority land that will help provide food and cover for deer during winter months when snow drives them Into lower elevations. Priority is determined by many factors. The conditions and total amount of range for a given area, in relation to the potential deer population (Including consideration of the available summer range) is vital. Hunting pressure In that area and the ratio of private to public land are also Important considerations. Priorities are established In order to maximize both the deer population (the wildlife resource) and the recreational opportunities, Needs in any given area are projected by specific herd units. Federal Aid The acreage was contracted In three separate parcels. Approximately 2,000 acres are east or Mantl with the remaining land being In Spanish Fork Canyon. These recent additions were made possible through Federal Aid, which reimburses 75 percent of the acquisition costs to the state. Hancock pointed out that "Purchasing these ranges with the help of Federal Aid programs not only allows us to obtain high priority land now, but will also be helpful in the future since the land can be improved or rehabilitated with federal funds at a later date." Taxes Contrary to popular belief, land purchased by the DWR Is not taken off the local tax rolls. DWR is the only state agency that continues to pay the equivalent of levied taxes on the property It manages. DWR currently oversees some 210,000 acres of big game land which is primarily winter range habitat. Habitat Is Key Habitat is the true key to success in big game management. Without adequate land to provide the necessary food and cover, deer and animals are forced to find suitable habitat elsewhere. Mankind's progression often conflicts with needs of wildlife. Land use is the target of many various interest groups, putting additional pressure on management personnel trying to preserve suitable habitat. Utah has experienced many successes in management efforts as have other states, Alabama's deer herds are a good example of the importance of proper management and provision of proper habitat, Less than 40 years ago Alabama's deer population numbered just a few thousand. Initial restocking, regulated hunting and extensive habitat development have brought back deer in that state which number close to one million. Annual deer harvests in Alabama are In excess of 120,000 animals. But that is only part of the story. In many portions of Alabama today, deer herds are so numerous that they do extensive crop damage and are becoming items of great concern for local farmers and wildlife personnel. This is not a well-balanced situation. Carrying Capacity The optimum situation is for hunters, natural predators and other natural causes to harvest only a certain number of deer so as to maintain a deer population equal to the carrying capacity of the land. In such a situation, large numbers of deer would not die of starvation during winter months, nor would they be forced to invade farmlands for food. By providing winter range for deer herds, Utah's Game Management personnel are seeking to establish a totally larger carrying capacity within the state's boundaries. Ultimately, this should provide more deer and more recreation. |