DEER RESEARCH

Research is conducted as necessary to identify herd health problems, needs, document basic biology, determine hunter preferences, and evaluate management options. Present research centers around the identification of the breeding and fawning season of deer and the monitoring of disease and parasite problems.

Identification of Breeding and Fawning Seasons
Deer are very active during the peak of the breeding season. LDWF attempts to set hunting seasons during these times to increase hunter success. Breeding season dates are established from fetal measurements and backdating from the harvest date. A 1966 investigation indicated three-distinct breeding seasons for deer in Louisiana. Additional studies affirmed these three distinct times; however, isolated deer herds with different breeding seasons within the same hunting season Area also were documented. Data collected from these two activities allow biologists to determine peak breeding activity times for the herd and recommend hunting seasons that coincide with these times. Season dates are especially important for those clubs and landowners involved with quality and trophy deer management.

Disease and Parasite Monitoring
Abomasal parasite counts (APC) are periodically conducted on deer populations throughout the state to assist in determining herd health. Blood samples and serum samples are taken from deer collected for APC or other research to monitor the occurrence of bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD). These samples are sent to the Southeast Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) in Georgia for laboratory analyses. SCWDS also assists with other disease and parasite problems concerning species other than white-tailed deer. Samples from sick or dead wildlife also are sent to SCWDS for analysis. SCWDS provides reports to LWDF indicating the cause of death or illness along with information concerning implications to other wild animals, domestic livestock, and human health.

Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a neurodegenerative disease that has been identified in deer and elk. It is a poorly understood disease that is related to other spongiform encephalopathies such as scrapie in sheep, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in cattle, and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in humans. This disease has recently become a major wildlife issue in a several states. At this time, CWD is not known to occur in Louisiana. For additional information, download the attached brochure. The Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance provides some of the most up-to-date information about CWD. Visit their website for more information.

This site is intended to provide general information to the public as well as Department activities relative this disease.