The ninth annual West Texas Deer Study Group conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service will convene Sept. 23-24 in Albany’s Aztec Theatre.

“We initiated the study group as a venue for landowners, managers and biologists to improve deer management throughout West Texas,” said Dr. Dale Rollins, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo. “To commemorate this year’s event we’re adopting ‘back to basics of deer management’ as our theme, and we’re expecting a standing-room-only audience.”

The first day will feature presentations on ethics, habitat management, prescribed burning, nutrition and census techniques. Speakers from the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute will present recent research on deer genetics and post-rut mortality.

There will also be an update on epizootic hemorrhagic disease which hit deer in the Concho Valley two years ago.

The second day will be devoted to a tour of the Stasney’s Cook Ranch just west of Albany. The morning tour will feature hands-on sessions on plant identification, deer anatomy, and recent prescribed burns.

Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered.

Along with AgriLife Extension, the meeting is sponsored by U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Wildlife Systems, Inc., Texas Wildlife Association and Stasney’s Cook Ranch.

Individual pre-registration is $60 until Sept. 16 and $90 thereafter. Fees include two meals, refreshments and a copy of the proceedings.

For additional details, contact Rollins at 325-653-4576 or see: agnews.tamu.edu.