Wildlife

Willow Point is known for its world-class whitetail deer hunting, with deer density estimates of one deer per 6-8 acres. Also plentiful on the island are Eastern Wild Turkey, small game, waterfowl, freshwater fish, and alligators.

Since being purchased by Mrs. Magdalen O. Bryant in 1987, recreational hunting and development of a quality deer population has been a central management focus on Willow Point. The Island was severely overpopulated with deer from the outset and the largest buck harvested in 1987 (gun) was a 185 pound 8 point buck with a 15 inch spread and 16 inch main beams.

Bow hunting has been the primary form of deer harvest at Willow Point for almost 20 years. Balancing hunter opportunity, deer herd quality and quality habitat remains an ongoing management challenge and deer harvest recommendations made prior to season opening, often change multiple times before season's end. Weather, water, food/cover distribution and mosquito density often dictate changes in hunting strategy/opportunity.

Summer planting has been an integral part of the overall habitat management program of Tara Wildlife. With such high deer density, summer planting has consisted of corn, peanuts, soybeans, peas, milo, clover and millet. With a typical April-mid-July flooding, a layer of fertile silt deposited by the river provides a natural vegetative browse response that contributes to great antler growth.

Winter plantings have generally been a mixture of crimson clover, wheat, oats, Austrian peas, and ryegrass, which help facilitate turkey nesting and maximum forage utilization by deer. Aside from summer/winter plantings, the island consist of many preferred native food sources including dewberry, fall asters, native legumes, trumpet vine, pokeberry, greenbriar, persimmon, native pecan nuts, honey locust pods and acorns.

---

Close