Del. farmers searching for deer management strategies

Sam Millman, Delaware’s deer biologist, acknowledged that Delaware’s high percentage of land in agriculture was ideal for deer, who are “living high on the hog.” Behind him is the deer hunting schedule for 2024-25. (Photo by Carol Kinsley)

DOVER, Del. — As evidenced by the number of resolutions regarding deer management discussed at the Delaware Farm Bureau’s business meeting Dec. 13, that topic weighs heavily on the minds of Delaware farmers.
The two-day conference included a session on deer management introduced by DEFB Executive Director Don Clifton. Clifton said the DEFB “has a better working relationship with DNREC (the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control) than ever. They want our input.”
A trio from DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife outlined the history of deer management and the programs in place now and discussed with farmers what they want and need in the future.
Sam Millman, the state’s deer biologist, works at managing the deer population and “implementing strategies that balance ecological sustainability with public safety and enjoyment.”
Until hunting was made unlawful in 1941, deer habitat and population had been reduced to near extirpation, Millman said. Hunting was allowed again starting in 1954, and seasons thereafter have gradually increased.
From 1980 to 1990, deer damage complaints increased. Programs were introduced to try to manage the population. Harvest numbers show a steady increase, on average, since 1954.
“Forty percent of Delaware land is in agriculture. The landscape is ideal for deer, with few natural predators. Deer are living high on the hog.”
Millman added surveillance for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer started in 2002 but the disease has not been detected in Delaware.
Constituents are demanding recreational deer opportunities, hunting on public lands and a reduction in crop damage, deer-vehicle collisions and urban/suburban conflicts.
Joe Rogerson has been with the Fish and Wildlife division for 19 years and was recently promoted to Wildlife Section Administrator.
“We have made a lot of progress and changes,” he said, citing the “Deer Damage Assistance Program” begun in 1996 to assist landowners with population control of deer on properties to reduce damage to agricultural crops.
The program offered extra tags for deer to be taken in the regular season
A “Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program” was introduced in 2006, and an “Extreme Deer Damage Assistance Program” was developed in 2020 for circumstances where year-round shooting was requested to help with damage.
The latter requires proof of a 10-percent minimum yield loss due to deer damage.
Delaware Hunters Against Hunter started in 1992. Private butcher shops process deer at no charge to participants.
There are currently eight self-service walk-in coolers where deer can be left. Sussex County Corrections processes deer dropped off at cooler locations. Processed venison is donated to charitable organizations throughout Delaware.
Ryan Harris is the state’s wildlife damage biologist, a new position instituted in October 2024. “We offer unlimited antlerless tags,” Harris said. “Why don’t hunters use more?” He noted that antlerless tags can be used year round under the extreme program, which requires a deer management plan developed by a consultant. “It’s never a bad idea to have (a plan) anyway.”
The plans establish a goal which must be met in order to stay in the program.
Harris continued, “Everything that has been done has added hunting opportunities. Nothing has been taken away. We’re trying to make sure the tools are being used effectively.”
Harris will start individual farm visits soon, free to landowners upon request to Harris.
He can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 302-735-8683.
He suggested that there might be other sources of crop damage such as raccoons and groundhogs, and ways of mitigating that damage.
Future needs include a deer population survey, updated Delaware Management Plan, updated CWD surveillance and response, and research on the impact of the Deer Damage Assistance Program with updates accordingly.
Already implemented is a requirement that requests to edit farm identification information or renew permits must be done by the landowner or designated “manager.” A hunter cannot call and add his name.
Harris added, “We are requesting data on the severity of damage, specifically yield maps to show crop loss.”
Paul Cartanza responded, “We have yield damage information we can provide. Is there a simpler way to give you the information?”
Harris said what is needed is the tax identification number and crop acreage actually cropped. “We need the hot spots so we can address these areas,” he explained. He suggested Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Program have a programs that help farmers dedicate area (to deer) to keep them off the rest of the farm.
Sussex County farmer Jay Baxter asked, “Would DNREC do the same?”
Rogerson replied, “We do have food plots, but there are opportunities for more… I have oversight of wildlife areas. Parks are a different division, and the Department of Agriculture oversees the state forests.”
Baxter brought up the subject of enforcement. “We are getting information that enforcement (on farms) is increasing because the number of hunters on state land is decreasing. Can we get (the enforcers) to back off when hunters are on our property?”
Harris said until recently the enforcers were from the Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police, which is being merged into a new unit with a new chief. “I don’t have management of them,” he said.
Cartanza offered, “Instead of letting (open land) areas grow up in trees, create food plots. If we’ve got to help you take care of them, we can.”
Harris responded: “I hear you. I’m new. We’re interviewing new folks and have a new regional manager. The past is not necessarily the way we will continue.”
Wrapping up the session, Clifton said, “It is obvious we have a team here we can work with.”