Effects of recent fall flooding

[Ray]

EFFECTS OF RECENT FALL FLOODING ON WHITE-TAILED DEER

Release Date: 10/29/2009
With central and north Louisiana rivers and backwater systems flooding from the high rainfall amounts both instate and further north, white-tailed deer are being forced onto higher ground and concentrated in smaller areas.

Flooding is a natural occurrence and one to which deer are adapted. Deer readily move to other locations, and will follow the water back into their normal home ranges when the water recedes.

While closing or postponing the hunting season may seem appropriate, there are many reasons why Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists are not recommending either action at this time.

The high water will reduce the browse availability in the flooded areas and this vegetation will not have time to recover before winter. The reduced food availability will force some deer to rely on their body reserves. Therefore it is important, with seasonal and temporarily reduced carrying capacities, to reduce the deer herd to the levels that can be sustained by the current habitat conditions. Protecting deer during a time of reduced food availability will only cause further stress, and render deer more vulnerable to disease, parasites, low productivity or even mild to moderate starvation.

The majority of Louisiana deer habitat is privately owned and most landowners and hunters are not inclined to over harvest deer to the extent that any permanent herd reduction would be incurred. LDWF Enforcement agents will be patrolling the affected areas to enforce harvest regulations for deer.

LDWF is also warning people to not feed displaced deer. Only in extreme circumstances should this be considered and it is not recommended at this time.

LDWF biologists will monitor herd conditions in flooded areas and will respond should conditions warrant further actions. Louisiana deer have survived major floods numerous times in the past and the best thing to do is to not over react.

LDWF also strongly advises against riding levees or high ground to view deer, possibly driving them back into the water causing further stress.

[Jordan]

looks like i'll be hunting higher grounds..

[Gerald]

The Atchafalaya river dropped about a foot last week.....but has come back up a foot now and is still rising.

The Butte La Rose reading is now at 14.55 feet and going up ~ 3" per day.