Deer University

The Deer University podcast focuses on deer biology and management, featuring Drs. Jacob Dykes and Eric Michel, co-directors of the Mississippi State University Deer Lab. As hunters, deer biologists, and wildlife professors, they're passionate about bridging the gap between research and management. In each episode, they discuss the latest deer research from around the country, breaking it down to show how it can improve wildlife and habitat management on your land. Whether you’re a hunter, a land steward, or simply interested in deer biology, Deer University is for you. Hosts of Deer University: Dr. Jacob Dykes, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, Mississippi State University Extension Service Dr. Eric Michel, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Management, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center

Episode 093 – Energy and Antlers 12/18/2025

Episode 092 - Deer-Pig Interactions 12/05/2025

The Rut 11/14/2025

Episode 090 - Arkansas Chronic Wasting Disease Deer Study 10/03/2025

Episode 089 - Cool-season Food Plots Part 2 09/08/2025

Episode 088 - Cool-season Food Plots Part 1 09/01/2025

Episode 087 - Late Summer Stressors 08/25/2025

Episode 086 – Taking the Reins and New World Screwworm 08/07/2025

Episode 085 - The New MSU Deer Lab 07/30/2025

Episode 084 - Steve's Dispersal Event 06/27/2025

Episode 083 - When You Can’t Hunt: Fertility Control as a Deer Management Tool 05/30/2025

Episode 083 - When You Can’t Hunt: Fertility Control as a Deer Management Tool In this episode, Stephanie Boyles-Griffin, Jessica Tegt, Steve Demarais, and Bronson Strickland discuss the complexities of urban deer management, exploring the challenges posed by growing deer populations in urban areas. While recreational hunting remains the most effective and practical tool for population control in most settings, an increasing number of circumstances—especially in urban and suburban areas—render it unfeasible. Stephanie and Jessica, both from the Botstiber Institute, outline non-lethal and alternative methods commonly used to manage deer in these environments and walk through the series of decisions required to evaluate which techniques are appropriate and how likely they are to succeed. Below, Stephanie and Jessica have provided resources if you are interested in learning more. Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series () and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel () Resources: Contact information Stephanie Boyles-Griffin: Jessica Tegt: Urban Deer Conflict Management Planning Resources BIWFC - - - - - Surgical - - DeNicola, A. J., and V. L. DeNicola. 2021. Ovariectomy as a management technique for suburban deer populations. Wildlife Society Bulletin 45:445–455. - Staten Island Story Map - DeNicola, V., Mezzini, S., Bursać, P. et al. Effects of vasectomy on breeding-related movement and activity in free-ranging white-tailed deer. Mov Ecol 13, 34 (2025). Nonsurgical Naugle, R. E., A. T. Rutberg, H. B. Underwood, J. W. Turner, Jr., and I. K. M. Liu. 2002. Field testing of immunocontraception on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at Fire Island National Seashore, New York, USA. Reproduction Supplement 60:143–153. Rutberg, A. T., R. E. Naugle, L. A. Thiele, and I. K. M. Liu. 2004. Effects of immunocontraception on a suburban population of white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus. Biological Conservation 116:243–250. Gionfriddo. J. P., A. J. DeNicola, L. Miller, and K. A. Fagerstone. 2011. Efficacy of GnRH immunocontraception of wild white-tailed deer in New Jersey. Wildlife Society Bulletin 35(3):149–160. Rutberg, A. T., R. E. Naugle, J. W. Turner, Jr., M. Fraker, D. Flanagan, and I. K. M. Liu. 2013. Tests of one-treatment immunocontraceptive vaccines on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on Fripp Island, SC. Wildlife Research 40:281–288. Walker, M.J., Shank, G.C., Stoskopf, M.K., Minter, L.J. and DePerno, C.S. (2021), Efficacy and Cost of GonaCon™ for Population Control in a Free-ranging White-tailed Deer Population. Wildl. Soc. Bull., 45: 589-596. /episode/index/show/deeruniversity/id/36794045

Episode 082 – Effects of Weather on Buck Movements 02/06/2025

Episode 081 - Lunar Table Fables - Does the Moon Affect Buck Activiy? 11/15/2024

Episode 080 - Buck Antler Size and Landscape Context 09/20/2024

Episode 079 - Estimating nutrient requirements for deer 08/23/2024

Episode 079 - Estimating nutrient requirements for deer In this episode, Dr. Mark Turner discusses his research on the nutrient requirements of deer and the availability of native plants to fulfill those requirements. He sampled common deer forages throughout the Eastern US and found that only 44% of the forages sampled met the minimum crude protein requirement, and only 19% met the minimum phosphorus requirement. This highlights the importance of providing a diverse range of forage options for deer. Mark also emphasizes the need to consider both the amount and quality of forage when estimating nutritional carrying capacity. He suggests that landowners consider incorporating native plants into their management strategies and diversify their food plots to provide a more balanced diet for deer. And Steve may have rambled a little too. Takeaways Providing a diverse range of forage options is important for meeting the nutrient requirements of deer. Only 44% of the forages sampled met the minimum crude protein requirement, and only 19% met the minimum phosphorus requirement. Estimating nutritional carrying capacity requires considering both the amount and quality of forage available. Incorporating native plants into management strategies can help provide a more balanced diet for deer. Diversifying food plots can also contribute to meeting the nutritional needs of deer. Sound Bites "Diversify your habitat and then let them do their job" "Deer have pretty high phosphorus requirements and a lot of the plants are not meeting that requirement" "Deer develop an aversion to forages that are very high in nutrients they already have" Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series () and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel () /episode/index/show/deeruniversity/id/32718367

Episode 078 – Predicting Antler Size from Doe Body Weight 07/30/2024

Episode 078 – Predicting Antler Size from Doe Body Weight In this conversation, Bronson, Steve, and Mark Turner discuss the relationship between doe body weight and buck antler size. Mark's research at the University of Tennessee aimed to evaluate how deer body and antler size varied across the eastern US and what habitat characteristics were associated with bigger deer. The results showed a consistent relationship between doe body weight and buck antler size, with an 8.5-inch increase in antler size for every 10-pound increase in doe body mass. This relationship provides a predictive equation that can help property managers and hunters assess and improve buck antler size by focusing on increasing doe body weight. The conversation also includes topics like harvest bias, compositional bias, and monitoring techniques. Check out the MSU Deer Lab’s online seminar series () and choose the Natural Resources option from the Categories drop down menu. You will have to create an account to view the seminars. The seminars are free unless you are seeking professional educational credits. Also, be sure to visit our YouTube channel () Takeaways: There is a consistent relationship between doe body weight and adult buck antler size, with an 8.5-inch increase in antler size for every 10-pound increase in doe body weight. Increasing doe body weight can lead to larger buck antler size, providing a predictive equation for property managers and hunters to assess and improve antler size. Harvest bias and compositional bias can affect the accuracy of data collected on deer populations, and monitoring techniques should account for these biases. Understanding the relationship between doe body weight and buck antler size can help property managers and hunters make informed decisions about deer management and habitat improvement. Further research is needed to explore the variation in doe body weight and antler size across different regions and climates. Sound Bites: "If you can produce 120-inch does, your average mature male is gonna be 139 inches." "When you give them food and manage the habitat, doe body weights respond, bucks respond, antlers respond." "If you're not seeing the size of deer that you think you should be seeing, it may be that pulling the trigger is the issue." /episode/index/show/deeruniversity/id/32354907