Sewanee Deer Hunt 2018-2019
Thursday, September 20, 2018
The 2018 hunting season in Sewanee begins Sept. 22 and runs discontinuously until Jan. 11, 2019. This year marks the 16th year of organized hunting on the Domain after a resolution passed by the University trustees in 2001 requested that the deer herd be controlled.
Since that beginning, the program has continually evolved in response to herd populations, community input, and ever-expanding datasets on the impacts of the herd on the ecological and human community.
The current hunt is organized around the 2016 White tailed deer management plan, http://www.sewanee.edu/media/offices/domain-manage.... This document outlines both the population and habitat goals, and the steps involved to reach those goals. In general, our goal is to bring the population down to what the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency feels is a sustainable population (approximately 25-30 deer per square mile) in a way that maximizes safety, minimizes impacts to the non-hunting members of our community, and maximizes student-led monitoring of the ecological and social impacts.
This year the largest change to the hunt is map-related. In previous years, there have been two maps; one for hunting while students are on campus, and another map for when students leave. While the rules for the two time periods remain largely unchanged, we have combined the two different maps to minimize confusion for the general public.
There are minor changes to the hunting hours. During the week, hunters must be out of the woods by 10 a.m., the same as on weekends. We have allowed limited hunting during both Homecoming and Family Weekends in zones away from heavy recreational activity. There will be no hunting on Breakfield Road during either weekend to ensure ample hiking opportunities for guests. As always, all trails and firelanes remain open to recreational use during the season and hunters maintain a 100-yard safety zone around all recreational trails.
As in previous years, there may be a surplus of animals available for local families. If you are interested in picking up a field-dressed deer for processing, please email domain@sewanee.edu