The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative : can adaptive management and local stakeholder engagement sustain reduced impact of ungulate browsers in forest systems?

Abstract

The Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) was established in 2000 to test new approaches to stewardship of white-tailed deer and forest habitat on a 30 000 hectare landscape in northwest Pennsylvania, USA. Partners included land managers, scientists, educators, tourism promoters,and hunters. KQDC goals were adaptive management of the deer herd, improved habitat quality and deer herd attributes, and sustained hunter participation. The KQDC's tools included novel Pennsylvania Game Commission programs, habitat management, monitoring of deer and habitat, and hunter outreach. Over the first decade, deer densities in KQDC declined by 50%. Deer weight and antler characteristics improved. Browse impact on woody seedlings declined. Herbaceous indicator plants improved. The need to fence regeneration harvests declined. Hunter participation met KQDC goals for deer density and impact. The authors, research scientists and participants in the cooperative, report the results of this case study here including outcomes from ecological research and monitoring and observations of the KQDC itself.