| State | Examples of Objectives | Links to State Agencies and Wildlife Action Plan | ||
| Alabama | General Objective: Bobwhite quail and longleaf pine habitats are priority areas in Alabama. Major practices include eradication of fescue and Bermuda grass with subsequent conversion to native grasses, forbs and legumes, and restoration of longleaf pine habitat. Other approved management practices include prescribed burning, strip disking, liming, hedgerow development, pre-commercial thinning of woodlands and establishment of legumes and longleaf pine stands. From: Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Cost Share Programs Quantitative Objective: Where the yearling males (deer) have an average body weight of 95 to 105 pounds on areas with good soils, there should be concern the deer population exceeds the capacity of the land to support the herd in good condition. From: Deer Hunt Reports on Alabama |
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| Alaska |
General Objective (Mission Statement): To protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and the well-being of the people of the state, consistent with the sustained yield principle.Goals:
Quantitative Objective: Management biologists compile and analyze harvest and biological information and present it to the Board of Game so it can establish population-based and ecologically sound hunting and trapping regulations. From: Wildlife Management Overview |
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| Arizona | General Objective (Mission Statement): “To conserve, enhance, and restore Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and habitats through aggressive protection and management programs and to provide wildlife resources and safe watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation for the enjoyment, appreciation and use by present and future generations. Goals: The Department manages wildlife using the North American Model, which asserts that wildlife is held in public trust — not owned by any one person or entity, regardless of whether the animal is on public or private land or water. Wildlife is managed based on the overall public good. The North American Model allows non-frivolous use of wildlife, and relies on scientific research-based management. It recognizes that wildlife cannot be managed along political boundaries, so cooperation across boundaries is a necessity. The North American Model also relies on laws and enforcement, and provides the public a voice in wildlife management decisions. The goals of our wildlife management program are: to conserve and preserve wildlife populations and habitats; to provide for compatible public uses, while avoiding adverse impacts to habitat and wildlife populations; to promote public health and safety; and to increase public awareness and understanding of wildlife resources. Also from Mission Statement |
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| Arkansas | General Objective Example for Deer Management Manage and maintain a healthy, stable deer herd appropriate for the habitat. from Statewide Goals and Objectives Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deer Season Summary ... The objective of collecting this data has been to monitor trends in deer numbers, buck-to-doe ratios, fawn-to-doe ratios, buck antler development in tagged |
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| California |
General Objective: "The Mission of the Department of Fish and Game is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public." from: Resource Management Mission Statement California's Wildlife Action Plan Report a 623 page report that can be dowloaded |
California Wildlife Action Plan (summary)
California's Wildlife Action Plan Report a 623 page | ||
| Colorado | Goal of Wildlife Commission: "The Commission shall actively promote, encourage, and provide sufficient opportunity for public participation and input for the purposes of carrying out duties and decision-making processes." from Colorado Wildlife Commission Policy Goals: Minimize loss of quality fish and wildlife habitat. Fish and wildlife disease do not significantly impact fish and wildlife. Colorado citizens are satisfied with the diversity and health of the state’s native fish and wildlife. Hunters, anglers and trappers are satisfied with the number and variety of fish and game available for harvest. The Division is regarded as a comprehensive source of objective scientifically based information on fish and wildlife in Colorado. Colorado’s fish and wildlife is managed such that federal ESA listings are minimized and the state retains primary management authority. From Colorado Division of Wildlife Strategic Plan, 2010 to 2010 |
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| Connecticut | Goal: Founded in 1971, the mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to conserve, improve and protect the natural resources and environment of the State of Connecticut in such a manner as to encourage the social and economic development of Connecticut while preserving the natural environment and the life forms it supports in a delicate, interrelated and complex balance, to the end that the state may fulfill its responsibility as trustee of the environment for present and future generations. from Mission Statement Deer Management Objectives Connecticut’s Deer Management Program goals are: 1) to maintain the population at levels compatible with available habitat and land uses; and 2) to allow for a sustained yield of deer for use by Connecticut hunters. The program has focused on the stabilization of zonal deer populations at moderate densities for the best long-term interest of the deer resource, native plant and animal communities, and the public. Regulated deer hunting efforts have focused on increasing harvest of antlerless deer, coordinating controlled hunts for overabundant deer herds, assisting communiies and large landowners with deer management issues, and research and management of urban deer populations. From 2009 Deer Management Summary |
Connecticut Division of Wildlife and the Connecticut Fisheries Division))
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| Delaware | Goal: The Mission of the Wildlife Section is to conserve our native wildlife populations, promote responsible resource management and provide wildlife related recreational and educational opportunities for all.
Guiding Principles/ideas: 1. We will manage populations of flora and fauna at socially acceptable levels. 2. We will maximize biodiversity 3. We will protect, improve, and restore native habitat. 4. We will provide and promote safe and enjoyable hunting and other wildlife related activities. 5. We will provide guidance to resolve human-wildlife conflicts. 6. We will educate all users about the value of wildlife and their benefits. 7. Decisions will be based upon science. 8. We will develop partnerships to develop and implement programs. 9. We will perform all activities in a professional manner in accordance with the Code of Ethics established by the Wildlife Society. 10. We will Incorporate public opinion into our decision making process. 11. Will manage wildlife as a Public Trust Resource. Conserve Native Wildlife 1. Science must serve as the foundation for all our decisions. 2. We are committed to conserving biodiversity and the integrity of biological functions. We will manage native wildlife species as viable free ranging populations. 3. We will protect, improve and restore habitats and natural communities to preserve biodiversity. 4. We will restore native extirpated species. from Delaware Deer Management Plan |
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| Florida | Goal (mission statement): Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term wellbeing and the benefit of the people From Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Long Range Program Plan Deer Management: (1) ensure the existence of robust deer populations that meet the public's desire for recreational opportunities and protection of private property while ensuring the long-term welfare of the species, (2) ensure a high degree of public satisfaction with deer management in Florida, and (3) manage deer habitats consistent with ecosystems health, deer population goals, and customer satisfaction goals. From: Strategic Plan for Deer Management in Florida 2008-2018. |
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| Georgia |
Goal: The Wildlife Division is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia's wildlife resources. From Wildlife About Us Harvest Strategies for Hunting Clubs
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| Hawaii | Goal of Department of Land and Natural Resources: Enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaii’s unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of visitors and the people of Hawaii nei in partnership with others from the public and private sectors." from DNLR There are black tail deer and deer hunts in Hawaii, deer are non native species. The management philosophy is: " Maintaining or restoring the dynamic natural processes is the goal of native ecosystem protection and restoration programs. Without a clear understanding of what native ecosystem management involves and why it is needed, public support for these programs will be difficult to obtain. Information and education should be incorporated into protection efforts whenever possible. Sound scientific research should be the base for management programs and activities. " From Managing the NARS |
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| Idaho |
Objective: Title 36–103 of the Idaho Code authorizes the Idaho Fish and Game Commission to administer wildlife policy in the state and mandates that: "All wildlife, including all wild animals, wild birds, and fish, within the state of Idaho, is hereby declared to be the property of the state of Idaho. It shall be preserved, protected, perpetuated, and managed." Title 36–202 IC defines wildlife as: "Wildlife shall mean any form of animal life, native or exotic, generally living in a state of nature." from Idaho Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Stategy, Introduction and Purpose |
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| Illinois | Deer Management Objective: The JTF recommends that the rate of deer/vehicle accidents be used as the objective to guide deer management and to judge the success or failure of the state’s deer management programs. The specific target rate (both statewide and at the county level) was set at halfway between the minimum and maximum rates measured during the period 1994 through 2007. The statewide target rate corresponds to a 14 percent decrease in the accident rate from the statewide peak observed during 2003. From Joint Deer Task Force Final Recommendations, 2009 |
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| Indiana |
Deer Management in State Parks Deer Reduction: Method of Choice • Extensive non-lethal management options have been explored in Indiana and elsewhere. Lethal removal has proven to be the most practical and cost effective method of ontrol.Extensive non-lethal management options have been explored in Indiana and elsewhere. Lethal removal has proven to be the most practical and cost effective method of control.
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Objectives
Wildlife and Deer Management Objectives by State
