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| 2002-2003 Gun Deer Hunts at Cahaba River WMAFebruary 22, 2003 FINAL REPORT: I had a telephone conversation with officer Rick Roberts, WMA Biologist, this evening to discuss the 2002-2003 deer season at the Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area. Officer Roberts was pleased with the attendance of the hunts, noting that over 2200 gun hunt permits were issued this year. Part of the reason for the large increase in the number of permits was due to the addition of one more hunt to this years schedule. A total of 49 deer were harvested during the gun and primitive weapons hunts this year. Of these, 41 were bucks and 8 were doe. The largest deer weighed in at 220 pounds live weight. This deer also sported the nicest headgear with 9 points; equal length left and right beams measuring 22 1/4" each; a 16 1/2" inside spread; and 5" circumference bases. Officer Roberts also commented on a very nice 8 point with a 17" inside spread, 4 1/4" bases, a 22 3/8" left beam and a 21 5/8" right beam. The oldest buck harvested was 8 1/2 years old and had a nice 10 point rack. No official information is available concerning the harvesting of deer with a bow on the management area. Roberts did state that the number of large deer harvest this year was less than the past several years, however he does not believe that this is indicative of a problem with management practices at the WMA. It is his observation that the rut came in earlier this year than in previous years. In previous year's hunts, the peak of the rut (a time when Mr. Big gets a little less cautious) closely corresponded with the late December WMA hunt, and according to Mr. Roberts, the timing was simply off this year. No changes in management practices are planned for the 2003-2004 season. Officer Roberts anticipates planting the same green fields next year, and each year he tries to add a couple of new green fields when a suitable location is found.
*136 is the number of youth and/or female hunter permits that were issued. Each of these permits was for the harvest of a buck or doe. |
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