Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) Rule Changes

Managed Lands Deer Program (MLDP) Rule Changes

James A. Hall Staff Biologist II Plateau Land & Wildlife Management

Understanding the MLD Program

? MLDP is a volunteer program through Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) ? Intended to support proper stewardship on private lands in Texas ? Wildlife and habitat management, not specifically deer management ? Allows extended hunting season lengths and more harvest opportunities



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Former MLDP System

? Levels I, II and III, each with different requirements and season lengths ? Required hands-on approach with landowner, agent & TPWD biologist ? TWIMS (Texas Wildlife Information Management Services) ? Very popular and growing steadily



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Why is change needed?

? Huge growth in MLDP participation since 1998 ? TPWD capacity challenged to keep up with high demand ? Program in need of streamlining and stabilization ? Deer numbers still high ? need for liberalized harvest in some

ecoregions



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Acres Number of Ranches

MLDP Growth 1998-2016*

30,000,000

Mule Deer Acreage

25,000,000 20,000,000

Level 2 and 3 Acreage Level 1 Acreage Level 1 - # Ranches

15,000,000

Level 2, 3, and Mule Deer Ranches

10,000,000

813 sites

5,000,000

10,350 sites

6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000

0

0

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

*Source TPWD, Alan Cain ? White-tailed Deer Program Leader

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