Estimating deer populations on your property : observational data (2011)

Abstract

Recording observational data on a log sheet is one of the easiest and most cost-effective methods for gathering information on the composition of a deer herd. The only tools required are a pencil, paper and binoculars; and the process can be as simple as recording the number and sex of deer seen and the length of time spent hunting. When collected and analyzed appropriately, observational data can be extremely useful in determining several important deer herd population characteristics: relative deer abundance, fawn recruitment, age structure and sex ratio. Observational data cannot be used to determine actual deer abundance, but it can be used to determine population trends over time.