Eugene Fuchs Research studies conducted on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area have demonstrated that genetics have an effect on body size and antler characteristics in white-tailed deer. Departmental check station data indicate that the incidence of spike antlers increased during extended periods of drought and poor habitat conditions. This supports the hypothesis that one of the causes of poor antler characteristics can be nutritional stress. Deer used in the study have pedigrees which date back to 1973. Since 1991, known pedigreed bucks have been placed with 8-12 pedigreed does using single sire herds.
Fawns are ear tagged and matched with their respective dams for pedigree records.
In October, fawns are removed from their dams, segregated according to sex and placed in 2 separate pens. Blood samples have been obtained from over 300 deer involved in the study for DNA analysis. This study has been funded by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.