deer population by state 2021 deer population by state 2021

That is up from an estimated 1.7 million ten years ago. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. Why The Deer Population Is Declining In The United States They are the mule deer, Coues deer, and Texas white-tail. A deer stocking program began in 1932 and continued for nearly 30 years. With no natural predators the population boomed. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. Icon. Facts + Statistics: Deer vehicle collisions | III 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. Wayne and Hickman counties are the only two counties that meet both of these criteria. The harvest was 10.9% lower than the 2020/21 record harvest of 17,265 deer, but marked the ninth consecutive year that the Delaware harvest exceeded 14,000 deer. Making deer dependent on human feeding can make them more vulnerable to predators, diseases, and vehicle collisions. A useful trick if they are grazing and need to quickly flee from a predator. The antlers grow in late spring, and are covered with tissue called velvet during this growth period. Which states have the most white-tail deer? File Layout [< 1.0 MB] Annual State Resident Population Estimates for 5 Race Groups (5 Race Alone or in Combination Groups) by Age, Sex, and Hispanic Origin: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021 (SC-EST2021-ALLDATA5) [< 1.0 MB] With each new release of annual estimates, the entire time series of estimates is revised for all years back to the last . While deer are not naturally found in Hawaii, an invasive species has taken over in the last 150 years, the Axis deer. Both species were introduced to Hawaii, but they have not damaged Hawaiis native ecosystems. Idaho is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. It will be something the state keeps an eye on going forward. Hunters harvested 168,427 deer during the 2021-22 season; a robust number indicative of a strong population. Texas is home to around 225,000 mule deer and millions of white-tail deer. During the past deer season, 209,356 deer were reported killed by deer hunters in Virginia (Figure 1). The state's 630,000 deer hunters generate $2.2 billion annually, but according to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, hunting license sales dropped by 5.8 percent from 1999 to 2017. This means they fork as they grow. 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. If this growth rate remained constant until year 10, the population would number about 900, or 1 deer per 1.3 acres. They are the most hunted big game in the state. Today, it is thriving. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). This is the only deer species in the state, and it is a huge conservation success story. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is one of the most populous animals in the United States, and it is found in almost every state. The TWRA page states that the deer population has expanded from just a few counties in eastern Tennessee during the 1940s to being present in all 95 counties state-wide today. Its 2020 estimate . Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: hunting in Utah. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission starting putting limits on hunting in 1916 to try and turn the tide, with an estimated 2,000 deer remaining in the state. Due to many factors including over-harvesting, hunting and habitat loss the white-tailed deer became uncommon in Connecticut between 1700 1900. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: white-tailed deer hunting information. When too many deer are in one environment, they can be a detriment by not allowing plants to grow to maturity or even completely wiping out a species of plant from an ecosystem. U.S. Deer Populations - DeerBusters.com Read more about New Yorks deer abundance on the DEC site here. While deer are prey for some large carnivores, there are not enough of these predators to keep deer numbers in check. Idaho has about 520,000 white-tails, and the rest are mule deer. The state says its population is well-managed and sustainable. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . She now has three rescue cats and two high-needs Pomeranian mixes to take up her love and attention. They have adapted well and currently coexist peacefully with the states native ecosystems. White-tailed deer are found throughout the state even in some coastal locales. Deer Hunting Season Forecasts - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife: hunting rules and regulations. The state almost destroyed its deer population. Recent estimates indicate about 80,000 to 100,000 mule deer, and 10,000 to 15,000 Coues and other white-tailed deer. Since losing its mountain lions and wolves, the state depends on hunting to keep the population under control. Conservation efforts, game management programs, and habitat protection have all helped them survive. The Largest Deer in the World Do you know which species of deer are the largest? Most deer live in the western part of the state. Since 2015, the statewide deer harvest has increased sharply, to a record high of 14,757 last year, with more deer killed east of 495 than the central and western parts of the state combined. During the past deer season, 191,731 deer were reported killed by deer hunters in Virginia. Tennessee's Most Efficient Deer Hunting Counties - ArcGIS StoryMaps They are accurate to the best of our knowledge. The more recent 2021 mule deer survey (linked at bottom of article) lists about 80,600 mule deer. While the white-tailed deer more or less stop east of the Rocky Mountains, the mule deer take over west of the Rockies. Take a look! Factors causing deer populations to grow in recent years include expansion of homes into rural areas that are hospitable for deer but are not suitable for hunting. It was estimated at 376,450 in 2018 but took a sharp decline in recent years. Archery (including crossbows) accounted for 14% of the deer kill; muzzleloaders, 23%; and firearms, 63%. In 1974 the state passed the Deer Management Act and had its first deer hunting season the following year. White-tailed deer and mule deer are not native to the area. The deer population in the United States varies by state. White-tailed deer are statewide but more populous in the east, while mule deer are found in the western two-thirds of the state. Delaware Sets Deer Harvest Record - State of Delaware News WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. Hunting is now an important part in keeping populations managed in the state, especially to help reduce populations in urban areas. New Hampshire Fish & Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. Deer are one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. It is a tough balance for the Axis deer on the islands. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio's 2021-22 deer hunting season concluded Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, with 196,988 deer checked, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Texas has the highest deer population, 5.5 million! March 29, 2021 6:10 am. Like many other states, Kentucky outlawed deer hunting in the early part of the 20th century. 2022 - 2023 Deer Statistics for Alabama - Game Harvest Menu How many deer live in the United States? Despite these high harvests, the population still remains pretty stable. Icon. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule . Opportunities to help us shape deer population goals for 23 of Minnesota's 130 deer permit areas continue through Monday, Feb. 13, when the goal-setting questionnaire for this year will be closed. Deer Friendly - Utah In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. Georgia Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) Current Deer Management Plan, 2015-2024; Deer Management Plan 2005-2014; Urban Deer Management Plan 2005-2014; Controlling Deer Damage; DNR Deer Restocking 1928-1974 In fact the 2020-21 hunting season is reported as one of Ohios most successful with 197,735 deer harvested. There are no western states with over a million deer. I have seen some debate on this but at the time of writing this article the consensus is that black-tailed deer are a subspecies of the mule deer. In the early 1900s laws regulating deer hunting were passed but did little good as they went unenforced for the most part. After gathering 2020 data the state reported stable mule deer herds and slightly increasing whitetail herds. Deer rely on young forest and forest edge habitat. Colorado doesnt count deer species separately. They theorize habitat change, two decades of aggressive antlerless deer harvest, and the complete colonization of the state by coyotes and their impact on fawn survival as possible causes. The two species live in different parts of the state. That is a far cry from nearly zero in 1890. Deer eat a lot, about 2,000 pounds of plant matter each year. The white-tailed deer gets its name from its white patches, which are behind the nose, around the eyes, inside the ears, over the chin and throat, and beneath the tail. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. Maryland Hunters Report Taking 70,845 Deer in 2021-2022 Season 84 . Deer numbers in Arkansas significantly declined due to unrestricted market hunting during the 1800s until 1915. Predators kill white-tailed deer. Sitka are the smaller subspecies weighing between 80 120 pounds. 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. Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. The Coues deer are most commonly found in the southeastern mountains but also up through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. Historically mountain lions and wolves helped to control the deer population, but with the absence of those predators today hunters are the only real population control. White-tailed deer are one of three deer species native to North America. 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. Kansas is home to two kinds of deer, white-tailed deer and mule deer. This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. Kansas has about 50,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tails. Montana has about 300,000 mule deer and about 213,000 white-tail deer. 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. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the deer and elk meat industry begun in Colorado as early as 1880. Their successful strategy has brought the estimated deer population today to about 500,000. The Sitka blacktail deer is native to the coastal rainforests of southeastern Alaska, and has been introduced to areas of South Central Alaska. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Plant them closer to your house, and put a border around them of stronger smelling plants such as lavender, mint or garlic. Alabama: 25 deer per square mile. The 2021 big game outlook states that the white-tailed deer population is stable to increasing. Learn more about the gestation period of fawn in this article. Pennsylvania: 34 deer per square mile. 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. Additional Sources used in this article : WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. Oklahoma has about 2,00 to 3,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tail deer. Hunting for mule deer is more popular in Wyoming than hunting for white-tail deer. Engage with us in 2023. The rest are mule deer. White-tailed deer dominate Texas, being found in 252 out of 254 counties across the state with an estimated population of 5.3 million. This booming population now has deer in overabundance and the state DEC aims to control this with managed harvesting. Most states have yearly hunting seasons that help keep deer populations in check. Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. On the other hand, hunting them provides food for many and their meat is very prized. Areas included in this final year of goal setting are the East Central Uplands block ( DPAs 52, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183 . Nevada is the western state with the . Importing of white-tailed deer from Michigan began in 1930 to strategic habitats. Wolves and mountain lions, their natural predators, no longer live in the state. Williamson, WV (25661) Today. The mule deer is a generalist and will forage on whatever is available. White-tailed Deer: Mammals: Species Information: Wildlife: Fish - Maine South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting resources. Iowa's most recent . By the late 1800s and early 1900s, deer populations had plummeted across the country and some states were in danger of loosing deer entirely. Wisconsin: 33 deer per square mile. In the early 1900s not many deer remained in Alabama after overhunting, estimates were down to about 2,000. 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. Like many states, Ohio successfully reintroduced deer, and they are now thriving. 2021 seemed to show a higher-than-usual occurrence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), but at the time of writing this article is is unclear if it will significantly impact the states overall deer population. Vermont has more deer hunters than any other New England state. During this time anyone could hunt deer and they were often a life line, providing meat and skin to the early settlers. This coupled with careful management clearly has allowed deer in Mississippi to make an impressive comeback. Nevada's mule deer 'problem': It's not what they say Unlike the white-tailed deers antlers which branch out from a single main beam, the antlers of mule deer are bifurcated. Emily is an editor and content marketing specialist of five years. Missouris white-tailed deer population sits at about 1.4 million. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. California's Deer Population Estimates - California Department of There is a great timeline of deer management through the years on the wildlife departments website. At that time, many state wildlife agencies were formed with the goal of conserving the nation's depleted wildlife resources. Also the growth of suburbs that broke up large swaths of forested land into smaller chunks actually benefited the deer. Nebraska. Missouri Department of Conservation: deer hunting regulations. Controlled hunting laws have kept the population stable. Over the years, she raised livestock animals, small animals, dogs, cats, and birds, which is where she learned most of what she knows about various animals and what allowed her to work as a dog groomer and manager of a specialty pet store. If you see a sick or abnormally thin deer or deer dead of unknown causes, please report its location to the CWD hotline: (866) CWD-WATCH (293-9282) . Florida has a healthy deer population that includes a large number of white-tails and fewer than 1,000 rare Key deer. The estimated all-time low whitetail deer population numbers in Louisiana was about 20,000 in 1925. It is one of the few states where mule deer are a more popular game animal than whitetails. Using Remote Sensed Data to Monitor Mule Deer Population Performance: Mark Hurley: 10:25-10:55 AM: . The most recent data I could find for white-tailed deer reported around 300,000 in 2016. Mule deer are classified as the species Odocoileus hemionus, the Rocky-Mountain mule deer. That brings us to the topic of this article, where we will dive into what the deer population is in each U.S. state, and which types of deer you can find there. Predation & Deer Population - Pennsylvania Game Commission The Mississippi State University Extension says only Texas has a larger deer population. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: information for hunting in Florida. However in localized urban and suburban areas, many populations are increasing. Estimated at 314,850 in 2020, down from 372,500 in 2018. Deer where nearly extirpated from the state by the early 1900s, with only a few thousand left in remote pockets. Have some feedback for us? Each year CDFW biologists estimate the deer population in California using a computer model that uses harvest numbers along with survey data. This can have a Catch-22 effect on the wildlife population in the state. The numbers above do not include deer . But things got worse. This includes plant shoots, legumes, cacti, leaves, grasses, fruit, corn, acorns and mushrooms. On Saturday, February 18, 2023, staff from CPW were able to recapture and refit the collar on male wolf 2101 near North Park. Please note that tracking wildlife populations is not an exact science. The only state they havent established at least a small population is Hawaii. 2021 Oregon Deer And Elk Hunting Prospects By Region As part of the states deer management plan, the state is divided up into numbered permit areas, each with their own deer population goal. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? Harvest numbers come from harvest reports submitted by successful hunters and data collected from meat locker records. There are approximately 5.6 Million White-tailed deer in Texas. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Maines many wild, pristine forests are a healthy habitat for deer. This 2021 article in the Observer-Dispatch reports a white-tailed deer population of approximately 1.2 million. Combined with habitat protection measures, this ban allowed deer to thrive. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy . Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. Population estimates for recent years put the white-tailed deer numbers around 850,000 1 million. It has around 100,000 white-tail deer, 100,000 mule deer, 100,000 black-tail deer, and more than 5,000 Columbian white-tail deer. 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. 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. The Wisconsin DNR annually estimates the size of deer populations in each deer management unit (DMU). Which states have named the white-tail deer their state animal? Statewide, deer populations benefited from a relatively mild winter and favorable weather during fawning season and early summer. The state does not count its two species separately. 2021's deer season in Kentucky exceeded already high numbers coming out of the pandemic-affected 2020 . West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: big game hunting information. Enough that the Fish & Game Department created a pamphlet outlining why too much food assistance from humans is problematic for people and deer alike. 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. The emphasis is a science-based approach to managing of mule deer populations and factors affecting deer populations. Kyle Sams, a deer program biologist, says the population models still show an upward trend and favorable growth rate that will allow the number of deer harvested to continue to increase. Deer Information & Resources | Department Of Natural Resources Division Survey data is collected by field biologists using aerial and ground surveys in the . Population Dynamics of Deer - Mississippi State University Deer Overabundance. These sika deer were originally from Japan and were released from private property in Maryland during the early 1900s. State Population by Characteristics: 2020-2022 - Census.gov This 2015 article states the Arizona Big Game Management estimated Coues population at about 50,000-60,000 deer. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? It is estimated that only 10,000 deer inhabited the state in 1900. Black-tailed deer have a white patch on rump, which their tail mostly covers. For instance, in farmland management zones, harvesting approximately 25% of the . This flash can alert other deer that danger has been spotted, and is known as flagging. They are allowed to be hunted and in the 2017-2018 season just over 3,000 were harvested. The rut, which is their mating season, occurs in the fall and the fawns are born in the spring. Market hunting decimated the states population by the late 1800s. The deer mostly live in the northeastern part of the state. But the lawsuit forced its hand, and between February 22 and 24, hunters killed 218 wolves, according to the Wisconsin . Delaware Deer Harvest Announced for 2021/22 Hunting Season They live all over the state, and the Department of Wildlife and Parks says the population is growing. Deer populations & goals | Minnesota DNR Put up a fence but it has to be tall. The top of their tail is brown, but the underside is very fluffy and white. Three of those are abundant enough to hunt, the white-tailed deer, mule deer and black-tailed deer. Although we think of deer as a forest animal, they also thrive in Floridas swampy coastal regions. The 2021 mule deer survey put their population within the state at 227,392. Arkansas nearly lost its deer population. Like many other states with healthy deer populations, Delaware uses managed hunting to control population levels. In 2017 the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division reported an estimated population of 1.27 million. Ohio Department of Natural Resources: hunting and trapping regulations. Most other western states have between 100,000 to 540,000 deer per state. Unregulated commercial hunting and subsistence hunting threatened to eliminate the white-tailed deer from much of its range. Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. According to data from State Farm, U.S. drivers had 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 2021 and June 2022, down 5.5 percent from the same period a year ago. The states Department of Natural Resources and other groups want to attract more hunters to reduce deer populations. On the one hand they cause a lot of damage to crops and use up many natural resources. An article published in November of 2021 in the CT Insider quotes the CT DEEP stating that the three year average for total deer population in the state is 101,000. Deer Statistics - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources As in other states, deer tend to live in different regions. Even though black-tailed deer are considered subspecies of mule deer, there is still some debate on their origins and they are often counted separately. Spotlight surveys have been used by biologists nationwide since the mid-1900s and are effective for monitoring population trends, determining the distribution of species, identifying habitat use, and predicting disease outbreaks. The DNR estimated 574,000 hunters spent 8.7 million days afield during the 2017 deer season, and harvested 376,000 deer for a nearly 50% success rate. The Department notes that deer live in natural woodlands, shelterbelts, old homesteads, and grasslands in every part of Kansas. . These deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach. Michigans many deer are all white-tails. 20+ Foods, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, Fallow Deer vs. White-Tailed Deer: Key Differences. Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, weighing only about 55-65 pounds. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac Deer Face Scent Glands, Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. We couldnt find any hard numbers and its likely an estimate has not yet been made. The mule deer working group estimates the 2021 mule deer population at 330,700. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million. States With Minimal Deer Populations. What Is The Deer Population In Wisconsin? - PartyShopMaine The supply of deer food throughout the state was in generally good condition. Wisconsin is having a deer boom, with this 2021 article reporting the states population of 1.6 million is the highest its been in decades. State wildlife officials say the actual number may be higher. There are nearly 2,000 different species! However world-wide there are 26 known subspecies, with 17 of those occurring in the U.S. They live in forests, prairies, coastal areas, and grasslands. Marylands deer population includes 207,000 white-tail deer and about 10,000 Sika deer. White-tailed deer were plentiful in Illinois during the early 1800s, but supply began to dwindle by 1850 with the development of the railroads, cutting of timber and conversion of prairie land to farm land. Animal husbandry and agriculture also grew, removing forested land in favor of farming. In 1927 a huge flood in the eastern part of the state forced deer into small areas of high ground where they were unfortunately picked off by opportunistic hunters. This not only allows them to digest a wide variety of foods, but they can eat and wait until later to digest. Overall the state reports the population is currently stable or slightly declining. Focus on plants that arent as attractive to deer (marigold, verbena, snapdragon, butterfly bush, boxwood, juniper, bee balm). They are adaptable to a wide range of climate conditions. However Texas is also home to mule deer, who live in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. The male white-tailed deer will grow a new set of antlers every year. However the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says that they are both crossing the border with Canada and starting to colonize. 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.