FWNC&R Deer Management

• Loss of native plants and wildflowers due to overgrazing
• Reduced habitat for birds, pollinators and small mammals
• Increased spread of parasites such as ticks
• Greater risk of disease transmission within deer populations
• Higher likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions
• Increased stress on the ecosystem’s ability to support wildlife

A single deer can consume approximately 2,000 pounds of vegetation annually, making population balance critical for habitat conservation.

Many species depend on the same vegetation that deer consume. When deer browse heavily on shrubs, young trees and native plants, it can reduce habitat for:

• Ground-nesting birds such as turkey, quail and songbirds
• Small mammals such as rabbits and voles
• Native pollinators including bees and butterflies
• Predators that rely on healthy populations of birds and small mammals

Managing deer helps support a greater diversity of wildlife throughout the Refuge.

Yes. Large deer populations can increase:

• Deer-vehicle collisions
• Tick populations and the risk of tick-borne illnesses
• The spread of wildlife diseases
• Environmental impacts that affect water quality

Maintaining healthy deer numbers benefits both wildlife and enhances public safety.

Wildlife professionals continually monitor for diseases

that affect deer populations. Two diseases of concern

include:

• Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) – A fatal neurological disease affecting deer species. While not currently detected in Tarrant County, it has been found in nearby North Texas counties.
• Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) – A viral disease spread by biting midges that can cause significant deer mortality during outbreaks.

Deer harvested during management activities will also provide critical samples for disease monitoring in Tarrant County, helping biologists better understand and respond to potential health threats.

Relocating deer is generally not considered an effective wildlife management strategy. Relocation can be stressful for animals, logistically implausible and often results in low survival rates. It may also transmit diseases and lead to overpopulation in other locations. Wildlife agencies across the country generally recommend population management over relocation when dealing with large deer populations.

Yes. The Refuge would be temporarily closed to the public during scheduled TYHP events to ensure public safety. Closures would be limited in duration and communicated in advance.

Safety is the highest priority. All culling would be carefully planned and supervised by the Refuge’s Natural Resource Management Team. Participants would be required to follow strict safety protocols, and the Refuge would be closed to visitors while management activities occur. Programs such as the Texas Youth Hunting Program have a long history of conducting safe, supervised harvests throughout Texas. Since 1996, TYHP has conducted more than 4,650 hunts involving over 32,650 youth participants without a single firearm-related incident. This long-standing safety record reflects the program’s structured supervision model, required hunter education components and strict adherence to established safety protocols.

The Refuge uses several scientific monitoring methods, including:

• Deer population surveys
• Vegetation monitoring
• Habitat assessments
• Wildlife observations

These data help determine whether deer populations are moving toward sustainable levels and whether habitat conditions are improving.

The program is designed to be largely self-supporting. Participation fees associated with the program will be paid by the youth participants and their families, and scholarship opportunities will be available to ensure that financial barriers do not prevent participation. Supplies will also be provided through private donations and grants. For those interested in supporting this program, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge below. 

naturecenterfriends.org/make-a-difference/donate

The goal is not to eliminate deer. The goal is to maintain a healthy deer population that the habitat can support while protecting native plants, wildlife diversity and the overall ecological health of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge for future generations, as well as promoting public safety.

Education has always been a core mission of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge. Today's youth are tomorrow's land managers, conservationists and environmental stewards. By involving them directly in the process, they gain firsthand experience in responsible outdoor ethics and the importance of balancing wildlife populations with available habitat.

The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is a protected natural area surrounded by urban development. Historically, natural predators and larger landscapes helped regulate deer populations. Today, those natural controls are limited, allowing deer populations to grow beyond what the habitat can sustainably support. Without active management, deer populations can continue to increase, leading to habitat degradation, reduced biodiversity, increased disease risk and poorer overall herd health. Wildlife professionals use science-based management practices to help maintain a healthy balance between wildlife and the habitat that supports it.

No. Deer harvested through the program will be utilized by participants and their families. The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is working with local processors to provide processing services, allowing youth participants to experience the full process from harvest to table. This approach reinforces responsible wildlife stewardship, conservation and an understanding of where food comes from.