Kerr WMA: Deer Research Projects

Genetic Variability of Kerr Area Deer Penned Deer Herd and Free-Ranging Deer in Texas

by Dr. Rodney Honeycutt - Texas A&M University

Whitetail Antler Whitetail Antler

Dr. Honeycutt investigated the genetic variability or heterozygosity, of deer herds across the state. Kerr Area deer pen data was compared to the results obtained from free-ranging deer. It was found that the KWMA penned deer exhibited a higher degree of genetic variability than some free-ranging herds in East Texas even after 20+ years of breeding trials.