|
Proposed Expansion to Deer Management
Program at the Soldiers Delight N.E.A.
Issue
Ecologists and staff of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(DNR), Maryland Park Service (MPS) and Wildlife & Heritage Service
(W&HS) report that deer are damaging the habitat and natural communities
found on Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area (NEA). The deer herd
that inhabits the property and surrounding lands has exceeded the
biological carrying capacity of the area, and is causing damage to the
habitat, impacting the local ecosystem. Repeated browsing and trampling
of native plants by deer have damaged the local plant community and
threaten the fragile ecosystem.
For the past two years, limited bow hunting has occurred on the property
but additional deer population reduction measures need to be taken to
further decrease the resident herd, to reduce deer impacts on the
ecosystem and the natural plant community.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has developed this plan to
manage the deer population that uses the area as part of their home
range. Additional reduction of these herds will help reduce deer impacts
on the ecosystem and allow habitat restoration efforts to proceed.
Background
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area supports the largest remaining
serpentine ecosystem in the eastern United States. Home to more than 30
rare, threatened, or endangered species; scientists have long regarded
the ecosystem at Soldiers Delight to be globally significant in
biodiversity. As such, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has
been leading the restoration of this ecosystem since the late 1980s,
along with strong support from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
non-profit Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc., and numerous other
agencies, volunteers, and volunteer organizations. For the past 20
years, more than 20,000 hours of volunteer labor have been devoted to
restoring and managing this Maryland treasure.
Excessive deer herbivory and trampling is threatening the recovery of
rare plant and animal populations as well as the ecosystem as a whole.
Plant populations which were recovering quickly with restoration efforts
are now decreasing rapidly, or are almost gone entirely (extirpated). In
addition, excessive browsing of native oaks and overgrazing of
wildflowers are detrimental to butterflies, bees, and other insects as
these and other plants are their food.
Recognizing the severity of the situation and the continuing rate of
increase in the deer population, the Department of Natural Resources
initiated bow hunting in November 2006. Over the past two years, bow
hunters harvested a total of 37 deer; i.e., 4 antlered and 13 antlerless
deer in 2006-2007, and 2 antlered and 18 antlerless in 2007-08.
Given the limited number of deer harvested by bow hunters relative to
the large size of the deer population, DNR recognizes the need for a
Managed Hunt Program at Soldiers Delight NEA. Since the current deer
density is much greater than that in a healthy serpentine ecosystem, the
existing bow hunting effort will be supplemented by an annual expanded
managed hunt program with firearms. This winter a two day managed hunt
is scheduled for January 20-21, 2009.
Area Description
The 2009 managed hunt will involve 1800 acres of Soldiers Delight NEA.
The terrain consists of gentle to moderate slopes and rolling hills.
Native grasses, Post oak, Blackjack oak and Virginia pine are the
predominant vegetation found in the area.
Deer Survey
In March of 2008, the deer density on Soldiers Delight NEA was estimated
using a Bell Jet Ranger 206 helicopter by an independent contractor
(Helicopter Applicators, Inc.) using a Kelvin 35011Radiometric Infrared
Camera system mounted under the aircraft, and an AgNav computer system.
The estimated deer density was 88 deer per square mile.
Deer Management Proposal
Deer population reduction using managed hunts will begin in 2009 with a
limited two day shotgun hunt scheduled for January 20-21, 2009. This
expanded hunt will follow the same guidelines as similar managed hunts
conducted in Maryland State Parks over the last 15 years. Bow hunting
will remain a part of deer population management and continue from
November 15, 2008 through January 31, 2009 on Soldiers Delight NEA
Hunting Areas 1 and 2. Bow hunting will be suspended for the limited two
day managed hunt.
Because of the current high density of deer, 88/square mile (March
2008), several years of managed hunting will be needed before keystone
and rare species populations increase or begin to increase to
self-sustaining levels. Decline of plant species populations selectively
browsed by deer is expected to continue until deer density falls below
20 deer/square mile.
Soldiers Delight NEA
Managed Deer Hunt Implementation Plan
Public Information Meeting
A public information meeting will be held to inform adjoining property
owners and neighboring communities of DNR’s proposal to hold a 2 day
managed deer hunt on the Soldiers Delight NEA. The meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, October 15, 2008 @7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of New Town
High School, 4931 New Town Boulevard, Owings Mills, MD. Information
presented will include rationale for the deer population reduction and
the specifics of how the managed hunt will be conducted on Soldiers
Delight NEA. The plan can be adjusted accordingly to meet the needs of
the community.
Closing of SDNEA
The entire Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, including the
Visitor Center will be closed during the managed deer hunt to avoid
potential conflicts with other property users. Since the hunt will occur
in late winter it will minimize conflicts with recreational users of the
property.
Deer Harvest Guidelines
The managed hunt on Soldiers Delight NEA will focus on the harvest of
antlerless deer. Each hunter will be allowed to take up to four (4)
antlerless deer. A provision may be allowed for the taking of a limited
number of antlered deer. DNR staff will collect biological data from
harvested deer.
Coordination of the Managed Deer Hunt
DNR’s Maryland Park Service will lead administering and coordination of
the managed hunt on January 20-21, 2009. Staff from the Wildlife and
Heritage Service and Natural Resource Police will assist with the
managed hunt. Volunteers will be on hand to help with various tasks.
Contact with Local Law Enforcement Agencies
Maryland Park Service and Natural Resources Police will inform local law
enforcement agencies of the managed hunt on Soldiers Delight NEA and
provide them with phone number of DNR contact persons coordinating the
managed hunt effort. Maryland Natural Resources Police will be
patrolling Soldiers Delight NEA and surrounding roadways.
Hunter Selection and Screening
Licensed Maryland hunters will be selected by a random lottery to be
conducted at the Gwynnbrook Wildlife and Heritage Service Office on
November 17, 2008. Hunters are required to have completed a Hunter
Education Course and possess a Hunter Proficiency Card, demonstrating
shooting proficiency. Final details
on the application and lottery process are being finalized and will be
announced at a later date.
Hunting Zone Delineation
Safety zones and specific hunting zones will be designated on the
Soldiers Delight NEA. Hunter zones will be determined in advance based
on topography, safety zone delineation and the objective to open the
largest area of Soldiers Delight NEA to deer reduction. Hunters will be
assigned to a specific zone and transported to and from their designated
site on the morning of the hunt by DNR Personnel.
Soldiers Delight NEA Managed Hunt Day Logistics on January 20 -21, 2009
-
All selected hunters will be required to attend a 5 a.m. pre-hunt
meeting briefing.
-
Hunters will be transported to a stand in their designated hunting zone
by DNR personnel before 7 a.m.
-
Hunting hours are restricted to 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each day.
-
Hunters are limited to possession of ten (10) shotgun shells with
rifled slugs.
-
Hunters cannot leave their designated stand and can only shoot deer
within a designated zone.
-
Hunters will not field dress deer. DNR staff will be removing the deer
for processing.
-
All hunters will be escorted from their designated hunting zone
locations by a DNR staff representative after 1:00 p.m.
-
Harvested deer will be consumed by the hunter or donated to a venison
donation program.
Appendix 1: Figure 1. Map of proposed SDNEA Managed Hunting Area.
How to Comment
The Maryland Department of
Natural Resources will be hosting a public information meeting to discuss and
obtain comment on a proposed expansion to deer management program at the
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area.
October 15, 2008
7:00 pm
New Town High School
Auditorium
4931 New Town Boulevard,
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Directions: From I-795,
take the Owings Mills Blvd. South ramp toward Town Center/Randallstown. Merge
onto Owings Mills Blvd. Turn Right onto Lakeside Blvd, Turn Left onto New Town
Blvd. to New Town High School.
The Public Comment Period ended at close of business on October 17, 2008.
Or comments can be
mailed to:
Soldiers Delight Proposal
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
580 Taylor Ave., E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401
View Comments Made by Others
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area
Deer Management Program
September 2008
| 
