Mr. Winchcombe's research focuses on effective ways of managing whitetail deer on the Cary Institute's grounds. The primary goals of the Cary Institute deer management program are to protect the structure and function of our forested ecosystems, and minimize damage or interference by deer to research, education efforts, and landscape plantings. The four major components the program include:
- Vegetation monitoring via browse surveys.
- Monitoring deer abundance with counts and observations.
- Specific site protection (as necessary) using fencing and repellents.
- Deer population control using annual reductions via a controlled access hunt.