Maximum deer carrying capacity (expressed as KCC) is determined by habitat quality and weather and is difficult to predict from year-to-year. But knowing average KCC for an area is useful for population goal setting. KCC can be estimated mathematically or by using a couple of shortcuts or indices to KCC.
For example, the incidence of fawn breeding is correlated with lower levels of KCC. In southern Wisconsin, more than 50% of fawns might breed in their first year of life as they did during the 1980s. This would suggest that deer populations then were maintained below 40% of KCC. In northern WI, virtually no fawns breed at 6 months of age suggesting that populations there average above 60% of KCC.
Also, antler development reflects deer herd physical condition and can be used as an index to KCC. Spike ratios on yearling bucks increase and beam diameters decline as herds approach KCC. Chronically poor antler development
