Contact: Joe Rogerson, Fish and Wildlife Game Mammal Biologist, phone: (302) 653-2883
or Joanna  Wilson, Public Affairs, phone: (302) 739-9902

New Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program Open to Farmers Enrolled in Deer Damage Assistance Program

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife recently initiated a new deer management program, the Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program (SDDAP), to assist farmers experiencing severe crop loss due to white-tailed deer browsing.

Recently, there has been some confusion as to who may participate in this program. The Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program is only open to those individuals who have been enrolled in the Deer Damage Assistance Program for at least one year. The program is not open to farmers who have not participated in the Deer Damage Assistance Program.

SDDAP enrollees must submit an application, the tax parcel numbers for all properties enrolled in the program, and a list of names for all individuals hunting on the enrolled property(s). Only the persons acknowledged on this list are allowed to participate in the new program. Once the Division receives all of the requested information, a permit signed by DNREC Secretary John A. Hughes will be issued. This permit must be in an individual’s possession while he/she is pursuing deer under SDDAP.

After a deer is harvested, it must be tagged with a green 2006 Antlerless Deer Damage Tag. Within 24 hours of harvest, all deer must be registered. This can be accomplished by calling toll free at 1-866-511-DEER (3337) or by logging on to www.dehip.com. Successful hunters may also take their deer to a participating check station for registration. When registering a deer, please make sure you know your hunting license number and the county and deer management zone in which the deer was harvested. Deer Management Zone information can be found in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.

For an application or for more information on the Severe Deer Damage Assistance Program, crop damage issues or other deer management questions, please contact Joe Rogerson, Fish and Wildlife Game Mammal Biologist, at 302-653-2883.
 

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