Kerr WMA: Research Projects

Click on the titles for a brief synopsis of each study.

Past Research

• Effects of Nutrition on Antler Development: 1974-1977 (33 deer)
• Role of Genetics in Antler Development: 1974-1994 (790 deer, 566 sets of antlers)
• Spike vs. Fork Antlered Yearlings: 1974-1994 (144 deer), (Ott 1985-1990)
• Heritability Study: 1986-1990 (483 deer, 531 sets of antlers)
• Effects of Early Weaning on Fawn Survival: 1984-1986 (38 deer)
• Genetic Variability of Kerr Area Deer Penned Deer Herd and Free-Ranging Deer in Texas: Dr. Rodney Honeycutt - Texas A&M University
• Antler Characteristics and Body Mass of Spike- and Fork-antlered Yearling White-tailed Deer at Maturity: 1994-1998 (144 deer) Conducted by Dr. Jim Ott, Dr. John Baccus and Scott Roberts of Southwest Texas State University
• Genetic/Environmental Interaction: 1992-1999 (483 deer, 482 sets of antlers)

Deer and Livestock Research

Studies have been conducted to measure and compare cattle-deer production under various stocking rates and grazing systems. In addition to 10 deer-proof research plots of 96 acres each, the entire Kerr Area is surrounded by a 7 1/2-foot deer-proof fence to facilitate control of its native deer herd. The deer population is monitored to determine its size, composition, herd increment, harvest requirements, and effects of varying degrees of hunting pressure on herd stability. Corresponding studies of vegetation use indicate the effect of the various grazing systems and stocking ratios on the range. Deer weights, ages, body condition, and other physiological characteristics also indicate the effects of proper range management and harvest rates. The data collected demonstrates the feasibility of tested wildlife and range management practices for consideration and use by landowners and sportsmen. A study of white-tailed deer antler growth and development on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area was initiated in 1974.

Exotic Game Research

Several species of exotic deer and antelope are widespread and common to large areas of the Edwards Plateau since their introduction by landowners and sportsmen. Axis, fallow, sika, and aoudad, which were released or escaped confinement, are now found in major portions of Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, and Real counties. The effect of exotic game on native wildlife species and native game ranges has been studied. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has conducted research on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in an effort to determine exotic food habits, habitat preference, and competition for native forage or habitat between exotic species and white-tailed deer. More on this.

Current Research

• Effectiveness of Control Measures Designed to Reduce External Parasites on White-tailed Deer: Dr. J. Mathews Pound, Dr. J. Allen Miller and Dr. John E. George - USDA, Agricultural Research Service
• DNA Research: Dr. Loren Skow, Texas A&M University
• Genetic Research: Dr. Loren Skow, Texas A&M University
• Effects of Maternal Nutritional Stress on Yearling Antler Production
• Antler Development in the Progeny of Nutritionally Stressed Yearling Spike Sires

Current Pilot Projects

• Effects of Selection for Typical 10-Pt Antler Configurations
• Effects of Selection for Non-typical Antler Traits
• Spike Line Herd

Future Research Considerations

The proposed projects and pilot studies listed above would carry deer pen research into the year 2006 at a minimum. Many additional projects have been suggested by TPWD staff and university professors, which deserve future consideration. As with most research, the results of one study only stimulate additional questions to be answered by further research. We have only just begun to understand the relationship of genetics and nutrition in white-tailed deer.

• The Use of Selective Breeding to Affect Phenotypic Antler Characteristics in White-tailed Deer
• Determination of Phenotypic Characters of White-tailed Deer Through Genome Scanning
• Effects of Selection for Drop-tine Points in White-tailed Deer
• Maternal Effects on Antler Configuration in Male White-tailed Deer
• Determining Age of White-tailed Deer Through Collagen Elasticity
• Effects of Nutritional Stress on Fawn Production and Survival

Management Implications Derived From Previous Studies

A comprehensive management program that addresses nutritional and genetic influences in antler development of white-tailed deer is necessary to produce quality antlered deer. It is critical to understand that nutrition allows the genetic potential of an individual to be expressed. When compared to other members of their cohort, deer that have poor antler quality at 1.5 years of age will more than likely have poor quality antlers in later years. As a group, 6-point yearling deer produce larger antlers later in life than spike-antlered deer. Management programs should be aimed at removing deer with poor antler potential (spikes and 4 points) at an early age (yearling) to insure that better quality deer enter the breeding pool. Herd reduction programs should be aimed at removal of "bottom-end males" and older does to insure that those does remaining on the range were produced from better quality bucks. Ranges should be managed to insure that quality habitat is maintained to insure proper nutrition so that all animals can reach their genetic potential. The nutritional-environment study suggests that the best time to select for quality yearlings is during a drought period. Those deer that perform well under stress are the ones desired as brood bucks.

Heritability Estimates

A trait is either heritable or not. If it is heritable, then the question becomes, "Is it highly heritable, moderately heritable, or lowly heritable?" Properly collected data can be analyzed to determine how heritable a particular trait is. Also, if a trait is heritable (>0), then selection can be used to change that trait. How quickly you get measurable results depends on how heritable a particular trait is. Different statistical methods are used to analyze the data to make estimates of heritability . Depending upon sample size, statistical method used, and research design, varying heritability estimates can result. Geneticists often argue about statistical methods, research design and sample size. There are reasons for that. Each statistical test has its own assumptions and biases. The variance, means and progeny tests were conducted on a designed heritability study and published in the scientific journal Heredity(Williams et al. 1994).

Other Related Facts and Results

• Age of Doe
• Time of Birth
• Removal of a Cohort of Deer
• Role of the Doe
• Nutritional Spike vs Genetic Spike
• Presence or Absence of Brow Tines as a Predictor for Future Antler Characteristics

Technical Papers

• Armstrong,W. E., E. Fuchs, and J. Williams. 1999. The Kerr Wildlife Management Area penned deer research studies - application for quality management. Abstracts of the 22nd Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 70 pp.
• Butts, G.L., D. E. Harmel, R. L. Cook, and W. E. Armstrong. 1978. Fawning dates of known-age white-tailed deer and their management implications. Proc. Ann. Conf. S. E. Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 32:335-338.
• DeWoody, J. A. 1994. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in white-tailed deer. Master's Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station.
• DeWoody, J. A., R. Honeycutt, and L. Skow. 1994. A panel of genetic markers in white-tailed deer. P. 18 In Abstracts of the 17th Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Charlottesville, VA. 78 pp.
• DeWoody, J. A., R. L. Honeycutt, and L. C. Skow. 1995. Microsatellite markers in white-tailed deer. Journal of Heredity 86:317-319.
• Harmel. D. E. 1983. Effects of genetics on antler quality and body size in white-tailed deer. Pages 339-348 In R. D. Brown, ed. Antler Development in Cervidae. Caesar Kleberg Wildl. Research Inst., Texas A&I Univ., Kingsville.
• Harmel, D E. 1983. Genetic implications of deer proof fencing In S. Roberson,(ed.) Deer-Proof Fencing. Caesar Kleberg Wildl. Research Inst., Texas a&I Univ., Kingsville.
• Harmel, D. E., J .D. Williams, and W .E. Armstrong. 1989. Effects of Genetics and Nutrition on Antler Development and Body Size of White-tailed Deer. PWD-BK-7100-155. Texas Parks and Wildl. Dept. Austin. 55 pp.
• Harmel, D. E., W. E. Armstrong, E. R. Fuchs, E. L. Young and K. D. McGinty. 1998. The Kerr Area penned deer research facility. Pp. 40-45 In D. Rollins (ed.). The Role of Genetics in White-tailed Deer Management. Texas A&M Univ. System and Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. College Station. 102 pp.
• McGinty, K., E. Fuchs, and J.Williams. 1999. Presence or absence of brow tines as a predictor for future antler characteristics in a quality deer management program. Abstracts of the 22nd Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 70 pp.
• Ott, J. R., S. W. Roberts, J. T. Baccus, D. E. Harmel, E. Fuchs and W. E. Armstrong. 1997. Comparative antler characteristics of spike- and fork-antlered yearling white-tailed deer in Texas at age 4.5 years. Proc. 51st Ann. Conf. Southeastern Assoc. Fish and Wildlife Agencies. 10 pp.
• Ott, J. R., J. T. Baccus, D. E. Harmel, E. Fuchs and W. E. Armstrong. 1998. Reliability of yearling antler characteristics as predictors of antler quality and body mass at ages 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 years in Texas white-tailed deer. Abstracts of 21st Annual Southeast Deer Study Group. Jekyll Island, Georgia.
• Ott, J. R., J. T. Baccus, S. W. Roberts, D. E. Harmel, E. Fuchs and W. E. Armstrong. 1997. The comparative performance of spike- and fork-antlered yearling white-tailed deer: the basis for selection. Pp. 22-32 In D. Rollins (ed.). The Role of Genetics in White-tailed Deer Management. Texas A&M Univ. System and Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society. College Station. 102 pp.
• Ott, J. R., J. T. Baccus, S. W. Roberts, D. E. Harmel, E. Fuchs and W. E. Armstrong. 1998. Reliability of yearling antler characteristics as predictors of antler quality and body mass at ages 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 years in Texas white-tailed deer. Abstracts of 21st Annual Southeast Deer Study Group. Jekyll Island, Georgia.
• Ott, J. R., J. Baccus, S. Roberts, P. Hendrix, R. Kirchof, L. Poor, D. Harmel, E. Fuchs, and W. Armstrong. 1999. Predicting gross Boone and Crockett scores and live body mass at ages 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 years in white-tailed deer on the basis of the previous year's antler characteristics and body mass. Abstracts of the 22nd Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Fayetteville, AR. 70 pp.
• Roberts, Scott W. 1996. Comparison of antler characteristics and body weights of forked-antlered as a yearling to spike-antlered as a yearling white-tailed deer in Texas at age 4.5 years. MS Thesis
• Skow, L. C., R. L. Honeycutt, J. D. Williams, A. DeWoody, and D. E. Harmel. 1995. Characterization of six PCR-based genetic markers in white-tailed deer. P. 29. In Abstracts of the 18th Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. San Antonio. 62 pp.
• Skow, L.C., D. Honeycutt, R.L. Galagher, E. L. Young, and R. L. Honeycutt. 1999. Evaluation and use of bovid/ovid microsatellite markers for studies of white-tailed deer. Transactions of the 64th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. In Press.
• Templeton, J.W., Sharp, R.M., Williams, J.D., Davis, D.S., Harmel, D.E., Armstrong, W. E. and S. E. Wardroup. 1982. Single dominant major gene effect on the expression of antler point number in the white-tailed deer. In: R. D. Brown (ed.), Antler Development in Cervidae, p. 469. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Kingsville, TX.
• Williams, J. D. and D. E. Harmel. 1984. Selection for antler points and body weight in white-tailed deer. Proc. Annual Conf. Southeast Assoc. Fish and Wildl. Agencies 38:43-50.
• Williams, J. D., D. E. Harmel, kW. E. Armstrong, and S. E. Wardroup. 1983. Antler development in the white-tailed deer. Page 468 In R. D. Brown (ed.), Antler Development in Cervidae, p. 469. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, Kingsville, TX.
• Williams, J. D., W.F. Krueger, and D. E. Harmel. 1994. Heritabilities for antler characteristics and body weight in yearling white-tailed deer. Heredity 73:78-83.
• Williams, J. D., W.F. Krueger, and D. E. Harmel. 1994. Heritabilities for antler characteristics and body weight in yearling white-tailed deer. In: The Sixteenth Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Jackson, MS. 60 pp.
• Williams, J., E. Fuchs, B. Armstrong, and D. Frels. 1999. The effects of genetic selection during nutritional stress on antler production. Abstracts of the 22nd Annual Southeast Deer Study Group Meeting. Fayetteville, AR. 70 pp.

Popular Articles

• Armstrong, W. E., D. E. Harmel, W. F. Harwell, and E. L. Young. 1994. The management of spike bucks. Making Tracts for Texas Wildlife. Vol. 3:3. PWD BR N7100-191. Texas Parks and Wildl. Dept. Austin. 8 pp.
• Baxter, D., D. E. Harmel, W. E. Armstrong, and G. Butts. 1977. Spikes versus fork-antlered bucks. Tex. Parks and Wildl. Magazine. Vol. 35(3):6-9.
• Cox, J. 1980. Big Charlie Was No Ordinary Deer. PWD-LF-C2000-106. Texas Parks and Wildl. Dept. Austin. 2 pp.
• Harmel, D. E. 1981. Nutrition and heredity are the keys to big bucks. Tex. Parks and Wild. Magazine Vol. 39(7):24-26.
• Williams, J. D. 1994. Genetic implications of several whitetail deer management schemes. Texas Trophy Hunters. 19(6):33-38.
• Williams, J. D. 1994. Are whitetail deer antler characteristics inherited? Texas Trophy Hunters, 19(5):82-83,98-99,111.
• Williams, J. D. 1994. Spikes are not inferior-or, are they? Texas Trophy Hunters. 19(4):96-99.

Federal Aid Reports

• Davis, D.S. 1982. Effectiveness of Anthrax vaccine. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-109-R-6, Job 43. 8 pp.
• Harmel, D. E., K.D. McGinty, and J.A. Johnston. Genetic selection in white-tailed deer. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-127-R-2, Job 61. 26 pp.
• Harmel, D. E. 1983. White-tailed deer growth and development. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-109-R-6, Job 42. 14 pp.
• Harmel, D. E. 1986. The effects of genetics on antler development and body size under field conditions. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-109-R-9, Job 38. 4 pp.
• Harmel, D. E. 1985. Antler formation of white-tailed deer. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-109-R-7, Job 16. 47 pp.
• Harmel, D. E., E. Fuchs, and K.D. McGinty. 1998. Genetic/Environmental interaction in white-tailed deer. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Progress report: Federal Aid Project No. W-127-R-6, Job 96. 18 pp.