The Deer Management Simulator or DMS is a general, yet powerful simulation tool developed for the National Park Service by Ken L. Risenhoover (Texas A&M University) and H. Brian Underwood (USGS) and was specifically designed to assist natural resource specialists attempting to manage problems relating to overabundant ungulate populations. However, this program has broad applicability for both researchers and managers. The DMS utilizes user input on deer population demography and dispersion to parameterize a spatially-explicit individual-based population model which it combines with GIS databases to predict population spatial and numerical responses to management scenarios. Simulations assist the user in identifying the set of circumstances and conditions necessary for a particular management strategy to succeed in accomplishing its objectives. The flexibility of the DMS also makes it a ideal research tool for conducting sensitivity analysis on input variables and for evaluating assumptions about the understanding of local deer herd demography and habitat use patterns.

Comments or questions about these pages should be directed to Ken L. Risenhoover