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Initiatives
ODSA is excited to implement several important projects that will showcase the power of organizing for collective action among our growing membership.
Deer Population Assessments & Restoration (WMU 84)
Deer Herd Assessments: We aim to establish credible deer herd population estimates for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) that are facing notable declines. Using thermal drone technology and stratified random sampling across representative areas of target WMUs, population estimates can be obtained. Currently, Ontario does not conduct any population size estimation or field surveys for white-tailed deer in Ontario. Hunter reporting surveys are intended to provide and index (trend) on population trajectories, but these methods have not been validated. The aim of our deer herd surveys is to provide herd-level estimates that are critical for generating prudent antlerless harvest quotas for WMUs. This is especially important for WMUs that appear to be suffering serious deer declines.
Herd Restoration (Antlerless Quota Reduction): Using the results of thermal drone population surveys, we will be presenting the OMNR with reliable estimates of the deer herd in WMU 84. We anticipate that this data will enable us to successfully demonstrate the need for antlerless harvest reductions. This demonstration project aims to showcase how similar efforts can be made for other WMUs facing chronically low deer densities. We also aim to track population change over time to test the effectiveness of antlerless quota reductions and track changes in herd structure. The end goal is to restore a resilient herd with larger overall population size and a well-balanced age and sex (buck/doe) structure.
Property Management Tours
Members will be invited to annual property management tours to gain insights from landowners across Ontario who are successfully managing land and habitat for high-quality deer populations. These events will provide valuable insights for how any land manager can improve their hunting experience and deer herds despite what government policy or neighbouring landowners are doing.
No Doe Zone Initiative
Starting in 2025 prior to deer season, in southern WMU 84, we have been installing signage encouraging hunters to not use their antlerless tags on female deer. This is being encouraged across WMU 84 due to dramatic herd declines. We would like to raise funds to expand this program, including metal signs, that can be removed once the herds recover. In addition, information pamphlets were provided in mailboxes in some core deer areas that have suffered declines.
If you would like a weather-resistant bumper sticker (which can be affixed to existing signs) or metal sign to help raise awareness in your area, please submit an order through the Online Store. Metal signs must be custom ordered - so please get in touch by email if you would like to order metal signage.
