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Ames Aerial Deer Survey Results
The table below shows results of deer observed by helicopter survey on February 2 V using a Bell Jet
helicopter.Observers were Bill Bunger and Willie Suchy.Lorna Lavender assisted with navigation.Conditions for
the survey were good in timbered areas and only fair in open areas.Marginal snow depth and beds showing from
previous day were negatives.The sky was clear with no wind. Sighting conditions were good during the lhour and
15-minute flight time.Generally,deer were in small groups.
Deer numbers shown in this table should be considered Minimum numbers.The areas surveyed were flown
with transects and areas were circled if necessary when deer were spotted.In most areas deer jumped and ran when
the helicopter passed overhead.
Ames Aerial Survey Summary
2006
Survey Sepnent Area Deer
Segment (Sq.Mi.) Observed Dow/Sq.bCi.
Segment 1 0.87 13 14.9
Segment 2 2.15 136 03.3
Segment 3 0.4 17 42.5
Segment 4 0.38 8 21
Segment 5 1.22 40 33.1
Segment 6 0.55*
Segment 7 1.36*
Segment 8 0.57 34 59.6
Segment 9 1.24 37 29.8
*Not surveyed in 2006.
As this is the first year of this survey there is no comparative data
Segment 1 of this survey showed a relatively small number of deer present Approximately half of the deer
were south of highway 30 and the other half to the north.
Segment 2 shows higher concentrations of deer.W10 of the deer sighted were in the eastem half of this
surveyed area.This portion of the area is outside city limits but it could be assumed some of these occasionally
travel across the city boundary.
Segment 3 shows moderately high concentrations of deer.Most of these deer were west of Duff Avenue
and east of a street
Segment 4 showed deer numbers to currently be at a moderate level.
Segment 5 had a moderate concentration of deer. A portion of segment 5 is outside city limits.
Segment 6&7 fall outside city limits and weren't surveyed this year but shall be in the future.These areas
lie entirely outside the city limits.
Segment 8 had a higher concentration of deer.
Segment 9 showed moderate levels of deer.
The question now is are there too many deer?The terms used above,higher,moderate etc.are relative.If
the question is asked,are the deer eating themselves out of house and home?,the answer is no. At what point this
might happen is dependent on the habitat.For the most part,all of Ames with some deer habitat and some deer is
relatively close to agricultural crops,which greatly enhances the quality of habitat and consequent`carrying
capacity'.The question usually comes down to what is socially astable.A number or density level of deer that is
acceptable depends on location and attitudes of constituents
It can be assumed that deer numbers in most of these areas will continue to rise. Increased densities will
increase the frequency of browsing on ornamental plants and natural vegetation.The negative impacts of this will be
seen and addressed by local landowners long before there is any impact on deer herd health.
An overall area of 6.83 square miles was surveyed with 285 deer(minimum)present.This is 41.7 deer/sq.
mile surveyed.In other communities where deer herd management has been implemented already,a common goal is
30-deer/sq.mile.4 of the 7 areas surveyed this year were over that level.It will be up to your community to decide
what might be acceptable to them. Using the enclosed maps it should be possible to match past complaints about
deer to current densities and what might be acceptable.
From the departments perspective,the city of Ames and an area immediately adjacent to the city limits will
qualify for a deer management zone for this fall.Elaboration on this is best done in person and after further
investigation on your part.
If I can be of further assistance,please contact me.
Sincerely,
Bill Bunger
Depredation Biologist
Iowa DNR
21792 490"'St.
Chariton,IA 50049
515 774-8563
March 8,2006
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