She now has three rescue cats and two high-needs Pomeranian mixes to take up her love and attention. 2021-2023 Deer Population Objectives. While overall the deer population is considered to be stable, the migratory populations in the Sierra Nevada and the black-tailed deer in the northwest are likely in decline, while suburban populations are increasing. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? There were fewer than 500 deer left at the time. The states fish and game page describes mule deer as boom and bust, meaning their populations can vary quite a bit year to year based on environmental conditions such as drought. This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). Most states have yearly hunting seasons that help keep deer populations in check. They have made most of this information available online at Minnesota DNR Deer Populations & Goals. That is a quick comeback from the estimated 662 that were left in 1941. The Columbian white-tailed deer is an endangered species so is protected rather than hunted. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. New Mexicos game & fish page states that while poor conditions in the early 2000s suppressed deer numbers, things have since improved and today populations are stable with most experiencing growth. White-tailed deer can be found throughout the state while mule deer are mainly found around and to the west of the Missouri River breaks. Studies of mule deer populations have shown that they have been recorded as eating nearly 800 different plant species. Utah Deer Population: The state estimates 305,700 mule deer for 2021, above the recent low of 268,180 in 2003, but about the same as the 1998 population of 307,500. The white-tail deer is the most common type of deer hunted in the United States. Body. White-tailed deer are found throughout the state even in some coastal locales. State wildlife biologists were concerned about damage from these non-native deer, but monitoring programs have found they coexist peacefully with the states native species. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. What is the White-Tailed Deer Population by State? Some conservationists think the number of deer is too high. Most other western states have between 100,000 to 540,000 deer per state. Recent field studies from southeastern United States have . Wyoming Game & Fish Department: Deer Hunting. They are the mule deer, Coues deer, and Texas white-tail. 15 SOAs. Iowa's most recent . but is also indicative that the deer population is trending toward a population level that reduces damage to agriculture and minimizes impacts on our natural communities. On the one hand they cause a lot of damage to crops and use up many natural resources. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. Michigan: 31 deer per square mile. 48 State Parks. White-tailed deer are mainly herbivores and will eat what they can find during each season. Deer overpopulation causes habitat destruction, crop damage, vehicle collisions and disease all of which threatens the long-term survival of white-tailed deer in Wisconsin. Biologists believe a new framework for deer management is in order, and one that takes into account the ecological capacity of the current ecosystem. There are eight accepted subspecies in the U.S., including the two black-tailed species. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The Kansas DWP reports that white tailed numbers have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Deer living in suburbs and areas not zoned for hunting are hard to monitor due to the fact that most of the data about the deer . However world-wide there are 26 known subspecies, with 17 of those occurring in the U.S. The total deer estimate for the state in recent years is about 280,000 300,000. North Dakota Game & Fish: deer hunting information. How many deer live in the United States? This means you would have had to put in an application for the 2021 controlled hunt draw and have been successful in order to hunt any eastern Oregon units for deer this year. 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. State/Province Updates: Moderator: Sara Holm: 1:00-1:10 PM: California Deer and Elk Status Update: . The sika deer population is mainly found along coastal regions and is much lower than the white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer, also known as whitetails or Virginia deer, are a common game animal in the United States. The most recent number listed on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks site estimates 1.75 million white-tailed deer in the state. Deer are thriving in the states forested areas. The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. The Coues deer are most commonly found in the southeastern mountains but also up through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations and seasons. However they are a popular game species for the state, perhaps because they inhabit less hospitable terrain and are better at staying hidden than the mule deer, offering hunters more of a challenge. A 2021 article in the Press Herald quoted a state biologist as saying the 2019 whitetail deer population estimate was 230,000 250,000 and that today the numbers are likely closer to 280,000 300,000. They are small deer with fully grown males rarely weighing over 100 pounds. Since losing its mountain lions and wolves, the state depends on hunting to keep the population under control. In 2017 the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division reported an estimated population of 1.27 million. Arizona has a small population of whitetails, though they tend to prefer areas with more vegetation. During this time, Maine's deer population grew to an estimated all time high of 331,000, however, much of the growth occurred within the southern tier of the state. There are more than 490,000 acres of wildlife management areas in West Virginia. Thats an impressive comeback from the near extinction they faced in the state at the turn of the 20th century. For example, in 2016, Wisconsin had an estimated deer population of 1.3 million, while Texas had an estimated deer population of 4 million. Deer hunting in the state is an important tool to raise money for wildlife management and land acquisition. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: deer hunting information and regulations. Deer Population Facts Population History In the early 1900's there were an estimated 500,000 white-tailed deer in the United States. About 74,000 hunters participated in the state's 2017 spring turkey season, and killed 33,000 birds. If this growth rate remained constant until year 10, the population would number about 900, or 1 deer per 1.3 acres. After the breeding season is over males will shed their antlers during the winter. Lets find out. Nevada is the western state with the . The states Department of Natural Resources says these deer are abundant in every county and habitat of West Virginia. To understand how each metric is calculated and how the data are used view the annual deer management reports. Put up a fence but it has to be tall. Icon. The good news seems to be that the white-tailed deer numbers have recovered from the hit they took in 2012-2013 from a bad outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). It is estimated that only 10,000 deer inhabited the state in 1900. That was a 26 percent increase from the 2019-2020 season of 126,452. . We researched to find out. Restrictive game laws also helped allow the population to grow. You can find blacktail deer in western Oregon, whitetail deer in northeastern Oregon and mule deer east of the Cascade range. Today its hard to image they werent always so abundant. That is up from an estimated 1.7 million ten years ago. The data are then monitored over time to improve deer management and inform decisions about harvest goals. It also has a small but healthy population of sika deer (Cervus nippon yakushimae) They are not native to the state, but they were released into the wild from a private farm. Estimates of deer density were: White = rare, absent, or urban area with unknown population, Green = less than 15 deer per square mile, Yellow = 15 to 30 deer per square mile, Orange = 30 to 40 deer per square mile, or Red = greater than 45 deer per square mile. The distribution of hunted deer is about 60% mule deer and 40% Coues deer. While nobody knows exactly what the deer population was before the European settlers showed up, it is believed there are many more today than there were historically. Vermont is near the northernmost part of white-tailed deers range, and the deer must look for areas of shelter with mature evergreen trees to withstand the low temperatures and deep snow of winter. RALEIGH, N.C. (May 10, 2022) Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's annual deer harvest summary indicate hunters across the state reported harvesting 168,427 deer during the 2021-22 hunting season a 6.3% increase . By 2000 the deer population in the state was estimated at 1.75 million. Wayne and Hickman counties are the only two counties that meet both of these criteria. This number can drift up and down depending on the severity of the winter and how many harsh or mild winters there may be in a row. Mule deer population trends are of concern in Montana, where declines in abundance and hunter harvest have been documented in many areas throughout the state. Wyoming is home to 70,000 white-tail deer and about 330,000 mule deer. Washington has the most variety of deer. White-tailed deer are an important game animal in Michigan. The Illinois Division of Wildlife Resources says deer are an important part of the states economy. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. This graph published by the NJDEP Division of Science and Research shows the 2018 population estimate at just over 125,000 white-tailed deer. While deer are prey for some large carnivores, there are not enough of these predators to keep deer numbers in check. There is also a population of white-tailed deer in Utah, however I could not find any credible estimates other than 1,000 back in 2008. Cattle and sheep began competing with deer for space and grazing by the 1860s, combined with the 1859 Gold Rush that brought 100,000 people into the state soon to be followed by a railroad bringing even more settlers. Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. However in parts of their range, populations have adapted to prairie and savanna land (such as Texas, Arizona and Mexico), tropical or subtropical forests in Central America, and mountain grassland in the Andes of South America. The mule deer population has been in decline since 1980, decreasing from 300,000 to todays estimate of 170,000 190,000 in 2020. There is a great timeline of deer management through the years on the wildlife departments website. Washington has the most variety of deer. Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, weighing only about 55-65 pounds. They are herbivores who eat what is seasonally available. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is concerned that this population may not be sustainable. Making deer dependent on human feeding can make them more vulnerable to predators, diseases, and vehicle collisions. Deer where nearly extirpated from the state by the early 1900s, with only a few thousand left in remote pockets. There are only white-tail deer in North Carolina. Today Arkansas enjoys plenty of deer, with a 2020 estimate of 900,000 white-tailed deer. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. The following population estimates were taken from state government websites and other authoritative sources. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. In the 1920s, the population almost went extinct from hunting and deforestation. Today, the population sits around 660,000. White-tail deer are the official animal of Arkansas, These numbers are for mule deer and white-tail deer. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. Currently about 110,000 deer are harvested each year in the state. Although Fayette County had the highest harvest rate at 2.6%. Only about 1,000 of these deer are white-tail deer. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy . Read More Thank you for visiting! Conservation efforts, game management programs, and habitat protection have all helped them survive. So what are the problems that come with too many deer? White-tailed deer are not native to Alaska and do not have well-established populations there. Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from you about the current Colorado big game hunting season structure and possible changes for 2025-2029. Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. In general, black-tailed deer occur in the western half of the state, while white-tailed and mule deer occur in the eastern half. Deer harvests began to increase again in 2016, possibly due to coyote densities declining. While there is no one fail safe solution to keep them away, here are a few top tips. The reader should bear in mind that many . Like many states, Ohio successfully reintroduced deer, and they are now thriving. The others are black-tail deer and mule deer. Deer live in every county of the state. Deer are an important game animal in Georgia, and the state is among many that used conservation efforts to increase its population of these deer. . Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. Have some feedback for us? Producers working to lower deer populations in their fields have found that these early hunts are critical in reducing the total number of female deer over the course of the year. In the western states, Idaho is the only state that has at least 750,000 deer within a state. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. High 62F. DEC determines desired deer population changes using data on public preferences and deer impacts to forests. In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. These categories represent coarse deer density levels as identified in the QDMA . There are as many as 70,000 deer-motor vehicle collisions a year in New York state, and about 200 people across the country are killed in such accidents each year. Mule deer are native to the state, and the white-tailed deer were introduced by Idaho Fish & Game in the 1950s to present more hunting opportunities. If it is just a garden you are trying to protect, you can net off that specific area rather than your whole yard, Motion detecting sprinklers can work great to startle them away. Last year, both rifle and archery harvests were below average. In some areas, state wildlife officials have increased the number of hunting permits to help bring down deer populations. Delaware hunters registered a record 17,265 harvested deer during the 2020/21 hunting season with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, surpassing the previous record harvest of 16,969 deer set last year during the 2019/20 hunting season. Archery (including crossbows) accounted for 14% of the deer kill; muzzleloaders, 23%; and firearms, 63%. State Farm says in any state, the risk of hitting a deer doubles in the fall, when the animals are mating. Regular hunting ensures that a state will only have the number of deer its ecosystems can support. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Predation and Deer Population. The state is home to 20,000 mule deer and 130,000 white-tail deer. While overall population is down from the peak years of the mid to late 1990s, density of deer still remains a problem in many suburban parts of the state. Population estimates for recent years put the white-tailed deer numbers around 850,000 1 million. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission: deer hunting information. Slow down. Habitat, not predators, is the major factor determining mule deer numbers in Nevada. Hunting, Research, and Management. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: hunting in Utah. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. However in localized urban and suburban areas, many populations are increasing. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. Generally cloudy. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). They mostly live along the watersheds of the states major rivers. They are an attractive deer with a bright orange-brown coat covered in white spots, much like the fawn of white-tailed deer. Deer are one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. Efforts at management started as early as 1917 to save the remaining population. During the past deer season, 191,731 deer were reported killed by deer hunters in Virginia. Loss of habitat too many deer in a forested area can completely eat through the green understory. The FWC is working to reduce the risk of CWD spreading into this state with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, hunters, captive cervid owners, landowners, and the public. Mule deer are found in the central mountains and southern deserts of the state, while white-tailed deer are most populous in the northern forested areas. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, fireweed, pearly everlasting, forbs, salmonberry, salal, and maple. Nebraskas deer population includes 300,000 white-tail deer and 130,000 mule deer. Deer numbers in Arkansas significantly declined due to unrestricted market hunting during the 1800s until 1915. However, the abundance of deer in many parts of the state is causing increasing problems, particularly in suburban and urban areas. The total population estimate for deer living in the U.S. is approximately 35-36 million. Washingtons deer thrive in the mountain regions. Thank you for reading! Mule deer are classified as the species Odocoileus hemionus, the Rocky-Mountain mule deer. There is some concern that in the long run, they may outcompete the native mule deer. Deer Management Units divide the state into 10 geographical areas and were developed to group counties similar in land cover, hunter density, and development (read more in the 2018 Indiana White-tailed Deer Report). Since at least 1962, WRD has used scientifically valid, survey methodology to get estimates of not only deer harvest, but also harvest estimates of other game species. These experiments demonstrate the tremendous capacity for deer population growth when occupying good habitat. Potential Deer Population Growth in 10 Years. In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife estimated a population of 1 million white-tailed deer at the start of the 2020-21 hunting season. Deer are a favorite big game animal. Recently the state has been increasing their any-deer (does or bucks) permits in an effort to bring down the population due to complains about too many deer and high levels of Lyme disease in certain areas. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? Mule deer make up the largest portion of the population and 95% of the annual deer harvested. Enough that the Fish & Game Department created a pamphlet outlining why too much food assistance from humans is problematic for people and deer alike. 5) South Dakota: Deer population around 300,000. Due to many factors including over-harvesting, hunting and habitat loss the white-tailed deer became uncommon in Connecticut between 1700 1900. This includes during the winter and early spring, they feed on Douglas fir, western red cedar, red huckleberry, salal, deer fern, and lichens growing on trees. White tailed deer are found throughout the state, with the highest numbers in eastern half. Texas has the highest deer population, 5.5 million! Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. Using Remote Sensed Data to Monitor Mule Deer Population Performance: Mark Hurley: 10:25-10:55 AM: . Wayne county had a harvest percentage rate of 2.4% and Hickman county had a harvest rate percentage of 2.1%. While their historic range expanded further east, today you can find them in western Oregon, northern California, Washington, the Alaskan panhandle and areas of British Columbia.