Channel Title: MSU Deer Lab TV Channel Description: Visit our website at https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/ The deer research program at Mississippi State University began with the arrival of Dr. Dave Guynn and Dr. Harry Jacobson in the mid-1970s. The synergism between these two young research biologists spawned many unique projects that generated national attention. Guynn left for other employment, and Dr. Jacobson expanded the breadth of deer research projects over a storied 20-year fulltime career, followed by continued interaction as Professor Emeritus. Collectively, and working with numerous graduate students, cooperating agencies, foundations, and landowners, our current faculty have established the Deer Ecology and Management Lab at Mississippi State University as one of the premier deer management research units in the United States. <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 5 Description: </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 8 Description: </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 6 Description: </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 4 Description: </video> <video> Considerations for planting fall food plots during drought Description: We've had terrible droughts during late summer through early fall in the Deep South the last couple of years, and many managers have had to replant failed food plots. Planting during drought is a gamble. Here are a few things to consider before putting seed in the ground. </video> <video> Deer University - Fawn Weight Gain Description: </video> <video> Deer University Episode 079 – Estimating nutrient requirements for deer Description: In this episode, Dr. Mark Turner discusses his research on the nutrient requirements of deer and the availability of native plants to fulfill those requirements. He sampled common deer forages throughout the Eastern US and found that only 44% of the forages sampled met the minimum crude protein requirement, and only 19% met the minimum phosphorus requirement. This highlights the importance of providing a diverse range of forage options for deer. Mark also emphasizes the need to consider both the amount and quality of forage when estimating nutritional carrying capacity. He suggests that landowners consider incorporating native plants into their management strategies and diversify their food plots to provide a more balanced diet for deer. And Steve may have rambled a little too. Takeaways Providing a diverse range of forage options is important for meeting the nutrient requirements of deer. Only 44% of the forages sampled met the minimum crude protein requirement, and only 19% met the minimum phosphorus requirement. Estimating nutritional carrying capacity requires considering both the amount and quality of forage available. Incorporating native plants into management strategies can help provide a more balanced diet for deer. Diversifying food plots can also contribute to meeting the nutritional needs of deer. Sound Bites "Diversify your habitat and then let them do their job" "Deer have pretty high phosphorus requirements and a lot of the plants are not meeting that requirement" "Deer develop an aversion to forages that are very high in nutrients they already have" Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. </video> <video> Food Plot Short Exclusion Cages Description: A short video on what you can learn when using exclusion cages in food plots. </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 7 Description: </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 1 Description: </video> <video> Deer University Episode 081 – Lunar Table Fables: Does the Moon Influence Buck Activity? Description: Natasha Neary, Luke Resop, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland delve into the relationships between moon phases, positions, and their potential effects on buck movement and bedding behavior. They review their research findings from a complex and exhaustive analysis of GPS-collared bucks to determine if moon phase and/or position has any relationship with buck movement behaviors. They emphasize the importance of accounting for individual buck personalities and behaviors during the rut and highlight the challenges in drawing definitive conclusions. The discussion also includes insights from a survey of hunters to gauge beliefs and expectations of the moon’s role in stimulating buck movement, and the implications of various lunar theories. The conversation highlights the complexity of deer behavior and the importance of data-driven insights to understand these patterns. Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here) </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 2 Description: </video> <video> Buck Harvest Strategies Part 3 Description: </video> <video> Deer University Episode 080 – Buck Antler Size and Landscape Context Description: In this third episode with Dr. Mark Turner, we discuss Mark's research exploring the factors that contribute to the variation in population-level buck antler size. He explains that deer tend to be larger in areas further north due to heat retention and dissipation. He also highlights the importance of landscape characteristics, such as row crop agriculture, in influencing deer size. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of managing forage availability on individual properties, including improving early successional plant communities and implementing holistic food plotting approaches. Overall, the key takeaways are the importance of considering the context of a property within the larger landscape, the potential for incremental improvements in deer management, and the need to manage both habitat and deer density to optimize deer quality. Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series (here) and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel (here) Takeaways Deer tend to be larger in areas further north due to heat retention and dissipation. Row crop agriculture and early successional plant communities are positively associated with deer size. Managing forage availability on individual properties can lead to significant improvements in deer quality. Improving early successional plant communities and implementing holistic food plotting approaches are effective strategies for increasing forage availability. Managing both habitat and deer density is crucial for optimizing deer quality. </video> <video> Deer Univ Quick Hit - Fawn Weight Gain Description: This is a Quick Hit clip from Deer University Episode 77. </video>

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Visit our website at https://www.msudeer.msstate.edu/

The deer research program at Mississippi State University began with the arrival of Dr. Dave Guynn and Dr. Harry Jacobson in the mid-1970s. The synergism between these two young research biologists spawned many unique projects that generated national attention. Guynn left for other employment, and Dr. Jacobson expanded the breadth of deer research projects over a storied 20-year fulltime career, followed by continued interaction as Professor Emeritus.

Collectively, and working with numerous graduate students, cooperating agencies, foundations, and landowners, our current faculty have established the Deer Ecology and Management Lab at Mississippi State University as one of the premier deer management research units in the United States.

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