DMAP Frequently Asked Questions
What is DMAP?
The Deer Management Assistance Program, (DMAP) is a comprehensive deer management program, consisting of data collection and cooperator education. Using this, the MDWFP tries to put the landowner/cooperator in a better position to manage their lands for a healthy deer herd, while maintaining habitat integrity. Cooperators set their own deer management goals and collect biological information on harvested deer. In turn, wildlife biologists from the MDWFP, or other DMAP approved biologists, analyze the data and provide managers with the facts necessary to make informed management decisions. The program is continuously interactive and open for modification. Data from the program are used to develop site specific harvest recommendations, and have prompted numerous research projects to help better understand deer biology.
The starting point of DMAP is goal/objective setting by the cooperator. Then biological data are collected from harvested deer, (i.e. weights, antler measurements, lactation data on does, and a jaw-bone pulled to determine the age of each deer harvested). After analyzing the harvest data and in some cases limited habitat evaluation, the biologist will meet with the landowner/cooperator to discuss harvest strategies that are designed to meet their specific goals within the limitations of maintaining a healthy habitat.
What are the DMAP qualifications?
For a property to be considered for DMAP the landowner/lease holder must be interested in deer management and have the ability to perform the necessary activities to reach their goals. The property must be at least 1000 contiguous acres, or have the ability to harvest a minimum of 10 does per year.
What do Cooperators get from DMAP?
The cooperator receives a harvest summary report after each hunting season. This report contains a detailed analysis of the current and past year's harvest as well as graphs and charts that help show trend directions while facilitating data interpretation. Progress toward the desired goals and objectives are continuously evaluated. A phone conversation or a meeting with their respective biologist is usually an annual follow-up to answer the many questions that will arise. Ideally, the biologist attempts to schedule at least one meeting in person with each club or, at a minimum, all the clubs from each county each year.
What does DMAP cost?
Cost of DMAP is the collection of data for the MDWFP. This data includes: sex, weights, antler measurements on bucks, lactation data on does, and jawbones from all harvested deer from the property. Without proper data collection from the cooperator the biologist cannot give proper harvest recommendations. Cooperator responsibility within DMAP is a burden for some and yet quite easy for others. Data collection methods are standardized and mandatory.
For more information, please contact a Private Land Biologist.
