Deer Management
Chronic Wasting Disease: Myths & What We Should Be Doing
By now most hunters and deer managers should be at least somewhat familiar with chronic wasting disease (CWD). For those that are not, hopefully you will have a…
Contributor
Jeremy Meares
Certified Wildlife Biologist
Jeremy Meares is the Wildlife Services Manager for The Westervelt Company. He holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from The University of Georgia and is a certified wildlife biologist with 15 years of experience working with hunting clubs and private landowners helping them to maximize the recreational value of the lands they lease or own.
17 articles by Jeremy Meares
Land Stewardship
Managing A Successful Hunting Club on Leased Timberland
Five years ago, I received a call from a gentleman (I will refer to him as Bob for the sake of this article) inquiring about some land we…
Predator & Pest Control
Lessons Learned from Wild Pig Trapping
Wild pigs have quickly become arguably the most destructive invasive species land managers face. Wild pigs are not native to the United States but were introduced during the…
Land Stewardship
Westervelt Lodge – The Challenges of Operating a Commercial Hunting Operation
Westervelt Lodge is located on approximately 12,000 contiguous, free-range acres in west Alabama along the Tombigbee River, owned and operated by The Westervelt Company (previously Gulf States Paper…
Predator & Pest Control
Imported Fire Ants and Their Impact on Wildlife
I would wager there are not many people who have not experienced the pleasure of being introduced to the pure joy of being stung by fire ants. Such…
Food Plots & Nutrition
Warm Season Food Plots
As we close the books on another deer season, most managers are thinking about next season and what is next on the to-do list. Planting warm season food…
Habitat Management
Streamside Management
Protecting riparian areas has not always been a practice followed by the agriculture and forestry communities. Deforestation and urban expansion have negatively impacted the ability of these riparian…
Wildlife Science
The Gopher Tortoise
Most landowners in the coastal plain regions of the Southeast are familiar with the gopher tortoise. With nicknames like Florida Chicken, Hoover Chicken, and Georgia Bacon, it quickly…
Habitat Management
Cover Habitat Management
Cover is a broad topic as it relates to wildlife management but is a vital habitat piece providing protection needed for survival and reproduction. When we are talking…
Predator & Pest Control
If At First You Don’t Succeed: Trial and Error Wild Pig Trapping
Background Wild pigs have become public enemy number one across most of the country. Many landowners are fighting daily battles in efforts to either reduce or prevent them…
Deer Management
Factors Influencing Antler Development and Quality
The “great spike debate” was a topic that has caused division among biologists, researchers, and certainly hunters. The “once a spike, always a spike” mentality spawned heated discussions…
Deer Management
Small Property…Big Dreams
Managing a small property can be extremely rewarding once you begin reaping the benefits of your hard work. However, small properties can present a unique set of challenges…
Deer Management
Keeping Deer Out – Mission Impossible?
In this day and time, I think most deer hunters and managers recognize the value of properly managing food plots. We plant food plots to provide added nutrition…
Land Stewardship
Building Paradise from the Ground Up
The Dorsey Farm was purchased in the fall of 2008 with the explicit plan to develop it into a recreational property then sell it once the improvements were…
Deer Management
Common Deer Diseases/Viruses and Their Management Implications
Every hunting season we get questions like…We’ve seen a deer that looks like he’s covered with warts. What’s wrong with him?”, or “We’ve harvested a few deer this…
Deer Management
Deer Data Collection – Essential for a Successful Management Program
Accurate and reliable data provide hunters and deer managers valuable insight into what is going on with their deer herd. How can you expect to have a successful…
Deer Management
It Takes a Village – Restoring the Pioneer Deer Management Cooperative
“It takes a village…” Most of us would probably agree that it does take a village to have a successful quality deer management program. Whether you have a…