The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) and the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences are conducting a research project in four locations to determine the adult survival rates and movement patterns of white-tailed deer in Alabama. For the project, white-tailed deer of various ages have been fitted with brown (VHF) or orange (GPS) radio neck collars.

White-tailed deer fitted with the brown VHF collars may be harvested and consumed during the 2014-15 hunting season. The WFF is encouraging hunters to avoid harvesting deer wearing the orange GPS collars.

Deer in the following locations have been fitted with the brown or orange collars: the Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA); Barbour WMA; Pioneer Deer Management Cooperative, a collective of hunting clubs in Pickens County; and Rembert Hill Road, southwest of Linden, Ala., in Marengo County. It is possible that the deer may not stay in the locations in which they were collared.

Hunters are encouraged to return the collars if they harvest a deer fitted with the device.

"It is very important for us to retrieve each of the collars after a deer is shot or dies of natural causes," said Ray Metzler, WFF Wildlife Section Assistant Chief. "The data collected by the device can help shape deer management decisions for future hunting seasons."

Hunters who harvest a deer wearing a brown collar or who accidentally harvest an orange-collared deer should contact the following wildlife biologists:

Oakmulgee WMA
Jeff Makemson at 205-371-6375 or Chris Cook at 205-339-5716

Barbour County WMA
Adam Pritchett at 334-529-3222 or Bill Gray at 334-347-1298

Pioneer Cooperative and Rembert Hill Road
Chris Cook at 205-339-5716

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Contact: WFF Wildlife Section
334-242-3469