[ODFW-News] Local ODFW biologists are trapping turkeys and deer and conducting annual deer spotlight surveys

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 	
Contact: 	Information and Education 503-947-6002	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  
	

For Immediate Release	Thursday, November 18, 2004

Local ODFW biologists are trapping turkeys and deer and conducting
annual deer spotlight surveys

ROSEBURG - Wildlife staff at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
are busy with several fall projects, including trapping and
transplanting Columbian white-tailed deer that recently were taken off
the federal endangered species list.

Columbian white-tailed deer trap and transplant program
Beginning now through February 2005, ODFW employees are trapping and
transplanting Columbian white-tailed deer to expand the deers' range
back into historical habitat within Douglas County. Prime habitat is
lower elevation oak and woodland forests.

"We are looking for landowners who have Columbian white-tailed deer
on their property and are willing to cooperate in the capture and
relocation of these animals," said Tod Lum, ODFW district wildlife
biologist. Lum said white-tailed deer captured and relocated will be
radio-collared to monitor their movement and survival once relocated.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the Douglas County
population of Columbian white-tailed deer from the list of federally
threatened and endangered species in 2003 after the population climbed
to 5,000. The lower Columbian River population continues to be listed as
an endangered species.

Landowners who are willing to have Columbian white-tailed deer trapped
on their property should call Lum at 541-440-3353.

Biologists conduct nighttime deer counts
ODFW's annual census of Douglas County deer populations started
earlier this month and will continue into December. Fall population
counts give biologists a good estimate of the number of bucks and the
ratio of does to fawns going into the winter season. Spring counts
estimate how many deer survived the winter.

ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Tod Lum said this information is
critical to managing both black- and white-tailed deer populations. 

Agency employees are conducting deer counts using official department
vehicles with flashing amber lights and spotlights in the following
areas: Dixonville, Drain, Elkton, Glide, Myrtle Creek, Oakland, Rice
Valley, Scotts Valley, Sutherlin, Steamboat, Toketee, Umpqua, Wilbur,
Winchester, Winston and Yoncalla.

Turkey trap and transplant program begins
There is help for Douglas County landowners experiencing problems with
large flocks of wild turkeys on their property. The annual ODFW turkey
trap and transplant program began this month and continues through
February 2005.

Department biologists trap and transplant the birds at no cost to
landowners. The birds are transplanted to public lands in Tiller and
central and eastern Oregon where flocks already are established.

Turkeys gather in flocks, and if they are being fed by humans, flocks
can quickly grow and become bothersome and destructive. 

According to ODFW District Wildlife Biologist Tod Lum, many problems
begin when people feed the birds and they start to mess on porches,
sidewalks, and lawns, rip up gardens and flower beds and raid backyard
bird feeders. 

"Some people love to see the turkeys but their neighbors may not be
as thrilled, so we encourage people not to feed the birds," Lum said.

Landowners who would like turkeys taken off their property should call
Lum or Cindy Bright at 541-440-3353. Lum also reminds turkey hunters to
stay on public lands or contact landowners for permission to hunt on
their property. Fall turkey hunting season ends Nov. 30, 2004
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