The white-tailed deer needs a daily diet that contains sixteen percent protein for optimum development. This toxin is produced by a fungus and is present in corn which is grown under stress. While deer are less susceptible to the effects of aflatoxin, consumption can make the animal ill. Waterfowl and turkey who consume the contaminated corn often die. Deer in particular are prolific breeders and have the capability of doubling or even nearly tripling their population in one year.
Many factors influence the fawn crop of white-tailed deer.
The ecological carrying capacity of an ecosystem, or maximum number of deer an ecosystem can support and remain healthy, varies due to the makeup of vegetation in the area. Small body size and poor antler development is a result of poor nutrition due to overpopulation. The makeup of the herd is as important as the number. Close control of this ratio will prevent future overpopulation problems. The parks at Lake Georgetown have very few limiting factors which control their numbers.