Their successful strategy has brought the estimated deer population today to about 500,000. For white-tailed deer, the last mention I could find was about 520,000 around 2015. Small herds also exist on prairies in Fall River, Meade, Butte, Bennett and Gregory counties. The first recorded sightings of the white-tailed deer in Utah happened in the northern part of the state, Cache county, in the late 1990s. The tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. Trying to figure out their population in the state is challenging due to the remote and densely forested areas where they live. High 62F. By the turn of the century people began to realize they needed conservation programs or the deer would go the way of the buffalo. . 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. New Mexico is home to mule deer, Coue deer, and Texas white-tails. Deer Harvest Map. 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. According to this article current estimates are about 40,000 60,000 on Molokai, 20,000 on Lanai and 30,000 50,000 on Maui. 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. 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. If you ever see a deer in the woods and they spot you, you might catch them flagging as they run away. Michigans many deer are all white-tails. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. See the 2021 report. Their tail is thinner than the white-tailed deer, with a distinctive black tip at the bottom. Tag numbers are approximately 20% of the estimated mule deer population for the year (low . If the deer population gets too large, it can damage forest growth and destroy native vegetation. It is estimated that only 10,000 deer inhabited the state in 1900. Population has been on a slow increase for many years. White-tailed deer population in Pennsylvania has been 1.4-1.5 million for the last few years. There are only white-tail deer in North Carolina. After the breeding season is over males will shed their antlers during the winter. Controlled hunting laws have kept the population stable. Of the states roughly 500,000 deer, roughly 212,000 are white-tailed, and the rest are mule deer. 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 live all over the state, and the Department of Wildlife and Parks says the population is growing. Read More They are largely concentrated around the so-called Hill Country and Edwards Plateau regions. The Axis deer, also known as the chital, is native to the Indian subcontinent. Its 2020 estimate . Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: deer hunting information. Vermont has more deer hunters than any other New England state. The total population estimate for deer living in the U.S. is approximately 35-36 million. The state almost destroyed its deer population. It will be something the state keeps an eye on going forward. This total included 95,665 antlered bucks, 12,219 button bucks, and 83,847 does (44% females). Managers have been able to relax hunting regulations over the years in response to increasing deer herds. The state attracts more deer hunters than almost any other. Additional Sources used in this article : WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Mule deer are found in the western third of the state, mainly in the High Plains, Smoky Hills and Red Hills regions. Emily is an editor and content marketing specialist of five years. Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report . New Hampshires Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: White-tailed deer in Maine. White-tailed deer are one of three deer species native to North America. View the latest Missouri deer harvest numbers by county. 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. The Wyoming Fish & Game Department notes, Many hunters choose where they hunt deer based on the type of terrain and scenery they want to experience in Wyoming.. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. New Hampshire Fish & Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. The overall size, length, and branches on antlers depends on how well-fed the deer is, how old it is, and some is just genetics. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: hunting in Utah. We will be looking at the population of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. Deer Overabundance. 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. Although Fayette County had the highest harvest rate at 2.6%. These sika deer were originally from Japan and were released from private property in Maryland during the early 1900s. . Fallow Deer vs. White-Tailed Deer: Key Differences Discover the different traits between the white-tailed and fallow deer species. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Missouris white-tailed deer population sits at about 1.4 million. The following section is not related to the 2021 Deer Hunter Survey but is offered as information relevant to the state's deer population. Current Management. The total deer population in Kansas was listed in this article as being 700,000. Based on preliminary data provided by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) the number of reported deer-vehicle collisions for 2021 was 6,409 . Each year CDFW biologists estimate the deer population in California using a computer model that uses harvest numbers along with survey data. Florida Coastal White-tailed Deer (panhandle and northwestern portion of the state), Florida White-tailed Deer (northwestern, central and southern portion of the state). This remains pretty average for the states deer population over the last 20 years which has ranged from about 115,000 to 160,000. White-tailed deer are a popular game animal found in almost every part of the United States. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Alabama has more than 1.5 million white-tailed deer. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting resources. Iowa has produced some of the largest bucks in the history of our country. According to one source, the introduction of the white-tailed deer did not negatively impact the mule deer, elk or moose in the state as they occupy different types of habitat. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. White-tail deer are the official animal of Arkansas, These numbers are for mule deer and white-tail deer. Most deer live in the western part of the state. 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 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. Deer eat a lot, about 2,000 pounds of plant matter each year. All this brings us to today. Browse, which is a collective term for shoots, twigs, leaves, and buds. A deer stocking program began in 1932 and continued for nearly 30 years. The Illinois Division of Wildlife Resources says deer are an important part of the states economy. Michigan State University Extension . 10 Black Snakes in Georgia (With Pictures), 16 Species of Bats in Texas (With Pictures), Black Bear Population by State (Recent Reports), Mountain Lion Population (In Each U.S. State), Moose Population by State (Estimates and Info), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Maryland white-tailed deer management plan, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks site, 2017-2023 South Dakota white-tailed and mule deer management plan, 2021 Range-Wide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer, 12 Types of Animals With a Long Tail (with Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), 460,420 (black-tailed and mule deer combined), 427,500 (combined white-tail and mule deer), central to eastern Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New England and Nova Scotia, Key deer / Florida Keys white-tailed deer, Florida keys, mainly from Sugarloaf Key to Bahia Honda Key, Coues white-tailed deer / Arizona white-tailed deer / fantail deer, Arizona and parts of New Mexico into Mexico, Dakota white-tailed deer / northern plains white-tailed deer, western and central Canada, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, North & South Dakota and western Minnesota, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County South Carolina, south-central Oregon and southern Washington/northern Oregon border, U.S. central plains including Texas panhandle, parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh county Georgia, Rocky Mountains white-tailed deer / northwestern white-tailed deer, western Canada and northern Rocky Mountains, Gulf coast of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, Virginia white-tailed deer / southern white-tailed deer, Pacific Northwest and northern California, southeastern coastal Alaska, south central Alaska, coastal British Columbia, California mule deer (Westside of Sierra Nevada down to south coast), Desert/burro mule deer (southwest California, northwest Mexico and Arizona), Southern mule deer (Southernmost California and Baja California), Rocky Mountain mule deer (Northwest California, western and central North America), Inyo mule deer (Sierra Nevada, California). But numbers have been on the rise since then, from an estimated 20,000 in 1940 to 700,000 in 2014. The Coues deer are most commonly found in the southeastern mountains but also up through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. 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. By 2000 the deer population in the state was estimated at 1.75 million. White-tailed deer are found throughout the state even in some coastal locales. Wildlife biologists suggest developing softwood, nut-bearing habitats as a better alternative to human feeding. Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. 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 . . Indiana: 28 deer per square mile. Outdoor Alabama: Deer hunting information and regulations. Idaho is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. 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. 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) . The mule deer working group states it is difficult to estimate black-tailed deer numbers, however the 2004 estimate of 320,000 is likely close as the population has been stable since then. The most credible white-tailed estimate I could find came from the 2017-2023 South Dakota white-tailed and mule deer management plan, which listed the 2016 preseason population estimate at 425,000. The process is outlined in detail in Appendix 2 of our Management Plan for White-tailed deer in New York State: 2021-2030 (PDF). Because of that, out-of-state hunters' dollars have been a huge boost to the Iowa economy. White-tailed deer are an important game animal in the state. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. 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. Part of what helped this rebound was less agriculture, which allowed the land to revert back to mixed woodland which deer prefer. Although they were once almost wiped out from many states, they have successfully repopulated most of their former territories. That is up from an estimated 1.7 million ten years ago. Deer friendly reports a white-tailed deer population of 72,900 in 2019 based on hunting data. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: deer hunting guide. Title. Using Remote Sensed Data to Monitor Mule Deer Population Performance: Mark Hurley: 10:25-10:55 AM: . New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. Although we think of deer as a forest animal, they also thrive in Floridas swampy coastal regions. The state is home to 20,000 mule deer and 130,000 white-tail deer. However Texas is also home to mule deer, who live in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. 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. Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, weighing only about 55-65 pounds. Columbia Black-tailed deer (Northern California and Pacific Northwest). Oklahoma has about 2,00 to 3,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tail deer. The over-arching goals of this mule deer plan are: 1) Preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage deer and their habitat to ensure healthy, productive populations; 2) Manage deer for a variety of recreational, educational, and . After two days of flying, they counted 796 elk - 172 were bulls with 460 cows and 160 calves. 2021-2023 Deer Population Objectives. 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 Vehicle collisions as population density increases, so does the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions. The most recent estimate I could find for West Virginias white-tailed deer population was about 550,000 in 2017. The Vermont fish & wildlife page reports that the pre-hunt estimate for white-tailed deer population in the state was approximately 133,000. Over time this heavy hunting and habitat loss took a real toll. Thank you for reading! In the 1920s, the population almost went extinct from hunting and deforestation. Newborn deer, or fawns, have white spots on their coats that help camouflage them in the forest. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. Since then, the introduction of white-tailed deer, habitat protection, and controlled hunting have allowed the deer to thrive again. They remain an important part of the states economy, generating an estimated 1.2 billion dollars through hunting. Today, the state enjoys a healthy population of almost 1 million white-tailed deer who live in each of its 75 counties. A popular game animal, it is so iconic to American forests that it has been named the official mammal of several states. Lets find out. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. Washington has the most variety of deer. Overpopulation of deer can damage ecosystems by preventing forest regrowth and causing declines in plant diversity. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. The state department of wildlife and fisheries began to manage deer by setting hunting seasons and restocking in the late 1940s. Body. 5) South Dakota: Deer population around 300,000. Damage to crops deer can cause huge amounts of crop damage, eating not only parts of mature plants but also destroying plants at the seedling and budding stages. . They are only found in the Florida keys and are an endangered species. Overall outlook: New York's 2021 deer hunting forecast said biologists expect 2021-'22 to be another productive season for hunters. 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 only state they havent established at least a small population is Hawaii. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Black-tailed deer have a white patch on rump, which their tail mostly covers. Deer play vital roles in the natural and cultural environment of New York and are highly valued for their beauty and grace as well as the utilitarian benefits they provide. Alabama: 25 deer per square mile. They are mostly herbivores who eat browse, which is a collective term for all types of roots, twigs, bark, grass, leaves, and other vegetation. Despite this, the deer population has remained stable for many years. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. This is mainly white-tailed deer however there is a small population of mule deer in the state also, about 1,750 3,000. Title. Deer Population Facts Population History In the early 1900's there were an estimated 500,000 white-tailed deer in the United States. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. In a 2020 article the state DNR estimated a white-tailed deer population of about 900,000 1,000,000. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. The state banned hunting in 1841, and the deer population increased. 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. In some areas, state wildlife officials have increased the number of hunting permits to help bring down deer populations. . Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Today, the population sits around 660,000. Kansas is home to two kinds of deer, white-tailed deer and mule deer. Overall the state reports the population is currently stable or slightly declining. Once the objectives are set, wildlife biologists and the CDACs work together to set hunting quotas and seasons to move the local deer population in the direction of that objective. Have some feedback for us? 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. 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. The state initially planned to wait for the fall of 2021 to hold a harvest. This is according to the most recent (2019) population estimates conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TP&W).. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimated Utah's deer population at about 384,000 in 2015. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. 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 . Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. Today, the deer population is estimated to be at least 500,000. File Layout [< 1.0 MB] Annual Estimates of Resident Population Change for the United States, States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and State Rankings: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022 (NST-EST2022-POPCHG2020-2022) [< 1.0 MB] With each new release of annual estimates, the entire time series of estimates is revised for all years back to the . They now live on several Hawaiian islands, and their population is estimated at around 100,000. Washington has the most variety of deer. Deer where nearly extirpated from the state by the early 1900s, with only a few thousand left in remote pockets. It also has about 320,000 black-tail deer, and the rest are mule deer. Washington state is home four subspecies of deer. Potential Deer Population Growth in 10 Years. By 1990 the population had grown to 250,000. Conservation efforts, game management programs, and habitat protection have all helped them survive. New Mexico has three native deer species. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The mule deer is a generalist and will forage on whatever is available. Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. As conservation efforts increased, deer restocking programs helped bring in just over 4,000 deer from other states between 1928 and 1992. Mule deer make up the largest portion of the population and 95% of the annual deer harvested. What is the White-Tailed Deer Population by State? You can find blacktail deer in western Oregon, whitetail deer in northeastern Oregon and mule deer east of the Cascade range. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. As the population grew, the demand for market hunting increased and deer were hunted in greater and greater numbers. They will spend the summer in higher elevations, then travel down to lower elevations during the winter. In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. For our population numbers, we relied on official numbers from each states Fish and Wildlife Department, Department of Natural Resources, or another appropriate source. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? Thats an impressive comeback from the near extinction they faced in the state at the turn of the 20th century. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. In the April 2020 state wildlife report, estimates put the elk population in the Black Hills at approximately 6,000 - 8,000, and the population in Custer State Park at approximately 460. This can have a Catch-22 effect on the wildlife population in the state. The white-tailed deer found in Arizona belongs to the subspecies called Coues. Despite these high harvests, the population still remains pretty stable. But by that time, damage to deer herds had already been happening for almost 30 years. As part of the states deer management plan, the state is divided up into numbered permit areas, each with their own deer population goal. It was estimated at 376,450 in 2018 but took a sharp decline in recent years. The total deer estimate for the state in recent years is about 280,000 300,000. For example, in 2016, Wisconsin had an estimated deer population of 1.3 million, while Texas had an estimated deer population of 4 million. The population is mostly in the southern part of the state. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? 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. 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. Their population is recovering due to prohibiting antlerless harvest for a few years and milder winters. Slow down. It is one of the few states where mule deer are a more popular game animal than whitetails. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Courtesy of onX Hunt, here are the eight states in the USA with the highest deer density: Mississippi: 38 deer per square mile. If this growth rate remained constant until year 10, the population would number about 900, or 1 deer per 1.3 acres. . 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). They are small deer with fully grown males rarely weighing over 100 pounds. They may occasionally eat small animals like mice or birds, but it isnt very common. Wisconsin: 33 deer per square mile.
