Arkansas Wildlife Podcast Ep. 100: Deep Dive into the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP)

Host Trey Reid welcomes Dr. Craig Harper (University of Tennessee), Ronnie Ritter (Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry), and Arkansas Game and Fish Commissions Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) coordinator Jeremy Brown, to discuss deer management. Brown explains DMAP’s free, site-specific data, habitat guidance, and herd-balancing recommendations for large private lands, noting the program’s 25-year Arkansas milestone and the need to reduce deer densities in some areas. Dr. Harper outlines common habitat shortcomings and emphasizes improving native forage—especially forbs—through field and woodland management, prescribed fire, herbicide, and selective tree removal. The group connects increased doe harvest to donation efforts, highlighting DMAP’s refrigerated trailer program and last year’s 700+ donated deer. Ritter describes expanding venison distribution, snack sticks for schools, and how to support Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry via arkansashunters.org.