Project Number: 6205-32000-034-24
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 01, 2011
End Date: Aug 31, 2013

Objective:
To develop and prototype a Rotunda Door Control System and an Automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Implanter to collectively facilitate efficient and humane capture, release, and permanent electronic identification of white-tailed deer.

Approach:
The ARS Deer Capture and Handling System, consisting of a 40-foot diameter rotunda, darkroom, working boxes, and the ARS-patented Deer Lift restraint and handling device, requires that two drop doors be released simultaneously to capture deer within the rotunda. The Rotunda Door Control System will electronically sense deer entering each of the two doors, record the maximum number within the rotunda at any one time daily, and permit the programming of doors to drop when a predetermined number of deer are within the enclosure. The Automatic RFID Implanter will provide for the unattended implantation of RFID tags beneath the skin of deer that are attracted to bait in the device, thus providing permanent identification without need for external appliances such as ear tags that can be removed or lost by the deer.