Conservation Committee Annual Report
The Conservation Committee would like to thank the Board of Directors , the employees of Canada Creek Ranch and all the CCR members who supported CCRs Conservation effort throughout 2020
. Below is a summary of this past year ’ s efforts : DEER ON CCR AND THE 2020 DEER SEASON Background Reference : Four consecutive good acorn crops and easy winters in 2012 , ‘ 13 , ’ 14 , and ‘ 15 accounted for strong herd growth and the 98 buck harvest in 2015 . That was in spite of aggressive antlerless deer harvests ( avg . 81 per year from 2013 thru 2016 ). Since that 2015 population peak the CCR herd has returned to densities at , and slightly below our 30 to 35 deer per sq . mile target .
The 2016 and 2017 acorn crops were very poor and the buck kills dropped from 98 in 2015 , to 67 in 2016 , 77 in 2017 , 61 in 2018 , and 50 last year . The doe kill objectives in 2016 and 2017 were kept high in spite of the poor acorn crops ( 98 registered in 2016 and 105 in 2017 ). Mild winters and healthy habitat ( fields and forest browse ) seemed to offset the historical population drops after poor mast crops . However , the aggressive 2017 antlerless kill ( 105 ), the late winter break-up ( late-April ’ 18 blizzard ), and multiple ice storms in 2019 did combine to suppress deer numbers for the last two seasons . In 2018 we took 61 bucks and 37 antlerless deer . The kill last season was down to 50 bucks and 43 doe . That indicates a herd size below our 30 to 35 deer per square mile target . The variables of weather , acorns , antlerless kills , and non-acorn habitat complicate population predictions . Swings in herd numbers can be expected , but the objective is to minimize these swings . Habitat protection continues to be the priority for long term wildlife stability . Current 2020 Deer Status and Plans : This year ’ s spring and summer wildlife survey counts were down . Although this data is not statistically valid , it is directionally consistent with the lower population estimates based on last season ’ s kill . This year ’ s acorn production is good with very good acorn numbers on enough oaks over the entire Ranch . Acorn size is some concern . That should attract deer onto Ranch property , but more importantly it provides the nourishment to support winter survival , healthy fawn production next spring , and a diversion from young forest regeneration sites . Deer numbers are safe enough to allow some herd growth by not issuing CCR Firearms Antlerless Tags ( except to youth hunters and Liberty Hunt participants ).
The doe kill without the Tags is not trivial . The typical registered antlerless harvest with bow , youth members , and Off-CCR kills is typically 40 deer .
A forecast of 60 bucks plus the 40 doe will bring the total 2020 kill to 100 deer . That modest doe kill should bring the herd up to the sustainable 30 to 35 deer per square mile density . Those antlerless goals and Tag quantities will be reviewed October 31 with the first-hand experience of early season observations and harvest rates . Adjustments will be recommended if appropriate . Coyote Bounty : The Board has approved a $ 25.00 coyote bounty that will be paid to members who harvest a coyote on CCR . The bounty will be year-round ; however since the ultimate goal is to augment fawn survival taking coyotes in April , May and June will be more effective and is recommended . 2019 CCR Big Buck Contest : Members Kyle Moir and Bob Delecki shared the big buck contest honors on the Ranch in 2019 . Cabin Area Deer Population : The increasing cabin deer herd population continues to be a concern . The high cabin deer herd could easily develop into a major problem for the Ranch if Bovine Tuberculosis ( or other diseases ) gets into the herd . This could then easily spread throughout CCR ’ s entire deer herd . The Committee frequently reminds the membership that feeding deer is not only illegal ; it can create an unhealthy deer herd . A doe will typically give birth to their fawns in the same area year after year . With virtually no predators in the cabin area it is inevitable that the cabin deer heard will continue to increase ; especially if feeding continues . The Conservation Committee also encourages CCR ’ s hunting members to participate in the antlerless only ( archery equipment only ) cull areas that surround the cabin area . Cull area maps are available at the Ranch office . Whitetail Banquet : The Whitetails Unlimited Banquet scheduled for April was canceled due to the Covid19 restrictions . ELK STATUS TUS
CCR elk numbers continue to be a major concern . Elk sightings this spring and especially this summer have been visibly high ; notably cows and calves . Current estimates indicate the elk population on the Ranch is now 3-4 times higher than the current goal of 1.5 animals per square mile ( Note : The DNR Pigeon River Forest goal is 1.0 elk per square mile ). Knowing that elk are free ranging animals — frequent monitoring of their numbers is required ; dramatic population increases in elk on CCR can occur almost overnight , especially during the winter in good acorn years . It is important to remember that higher elk numbers may require a reduction in our deer numbers in order to protect CCR ’ s habitat .
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