deer population by state 2021lolo soetoro and halliburton
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimated Utah's deer population at about 384,000 in 2015. White-tailed deer are classified as the species Odocoileus virginianus, the Virginia white-tailed deer. Most states have yearly hunting seasons that help keep deer populations in check. This study from 2020 says that while imprecise, their best estimate is 333,000 346,000 black tailed deer live across Alaska. 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. We will be looking at the population of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. Read more about white-tailed deer in Michigan at Michigan.gov. Deer hunting is a huge sport in the state, and the 2020-21 season saw a whopping 435,180 deer harvested, one of the largest in the country. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. In 1960, there were 22 deer management areas and most deer seasons were only 2 to 4 weeks, with the longest at 56 days. It is the only deer native to the state. Caption: Ohio's deer archery hunting season . As the population grew, the demand for market hunting increased and deer were hunted in greater and greater numbers. Delawares White-Tailed Deer: Hunting and Management. These deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach. In the late 1800s, India gifted eight Axis deer to King Kamehameha V. These eight ended up on Molokai and have since been introduced to most of the other Hawaiian islands. Potential Deer Population Growth in 10 Years. They mostly live in the states coastal regions. Hunting is the leading cause of deer mortality in most of the state (Figure 3). Sampling of ticks in the ESA, conducted in May 2021 by the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife found a high number of black-legged ticks (42 juveniles and 1 adult), which are known vectors for a number of diseases, including Lyme disease . In the early 1900s laws regulating deer hunting were passed but did little good as they went unenforced for the most part. Deer Overabundance. The 2021 big game outlook states that the white-tailed deer population is stable to increasing. Wayne and Hickman counties are the only two counties that meet both of these criteria. The Department notes that deer live in natural woodlands, shelterbelts, old homesteads, and grasslands in every part of Kansas. Studies of mule deer populations have shown that they have been recorded as eating nearly 800 different plant species. State Farm says in any state, the risk of hitting a deer doubles in the fall, when the animals are mating. 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. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule . Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: deer hunting resources. . Wisconsin: 33 deer per square mile. They are the most hunted big game in the state. . Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. Hunting of black-tailed deer is allowed, and at the time of writing this article so is hunting of mule and white-tailed deer, in order to help get more information on these new populations entering the state. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? For both species females are smaller than the males. According to this article in the Washington Times Herald, as of 2020 the white-tailed deer population in Indiana was estimated at 680,000. Field studies from across the United States, including Pennsylvania, show that predators - notably coyotes, bears, and bobcats - prey on white-tailed deer. Population has been on a slow increase for many years. Mule deer are classified as the species Odocoileus hemionus, the Rocky-Mountain mule deer. A spring 2020 estimate put their population at about 1,200. 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. Today, the state enjoys a healthy population of almost 1 million white-tailed deer who live in each of its 75 counties. Idaho is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Overpopulation of deer can damage ecosystems by preventing forest regrowth and causing declines in plant diversity. 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. As in other states, deer tend to live in different regions. They consider the population stable. 20+ Foods, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, How and Where Do Deer Sleep? Maryland Department of Natural Resources: hunting in Maryland. Nevada is the western state with the . Washington has the most variety of deer. By 1990 the population had grown to 250,000. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, fireweed, pearly everlasting, forbs, salmonberry, salal, and maple. 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. When Europeans first came to America, they found deer a plentiful resource in most states. The data are then monitored over time to improve deer management and inform decisions about harvest goals. March 29, 2021 6:10 am. This graph published by the NJDEP Division of Science and Research shows the 2018 population estimate at just over 125,000 white-tailed deer. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. This not only allows them to digest a wide variety of foods, but they can eat and wait until later to digest. Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: deer hunting information. For our population numbers, we relied on official numbers from each states Fish and Wildlife Department, Department of Natural Resources, or another appropriate source. (Texas is big in everything, it seems even deer!) Indiana: 28 deer per square mile. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. 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. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. The only state they havent established at least a small population is Hawaii. 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. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. So what are the problems that come with too many deer? Because of that, out-of-state hunters' dollars have been a huge boost to the Iowa economy. Their successful strategy has brought the estimated deer population today to about 500,000. 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. develop estimates of deer density across the state. Engage with us in 2023. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). All of Pennsylvanias deer are white-tails. If this growth rate remained constant until year 10, the population would number about 900, or 1 deer per 1.3 acres. 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 . The 2021 estimate for mule deer is 249,691. A popular game animal, it is so iconic to American forests that it has been named the official mammal of several states. However in many areas of eastern Massachusetts where hunting is restricted by town firearm laws or land closures, the deer population is not well controlled. It was sometimes an up and down battle for the deer, but things really began to improve in the early 1970s when management of deer was turned over from the state legislature to the department of natural resources. The sika deer population is mainly found along coastal regions and is much lower than the white-tailed deer. Of the states roughly 500,000 deer, roughly 212,000 are white-tailed, and the rest are mule deer. Mule deer are the most populous, and the state combines its counts of Coues and white-tailed. "With roughly 35 calves per hundred cows, we know the herds are increasing. Download the report for the 2021 season. The white-tailed deer has a reddish-brown coat in the spring which fades to a grayish-brown coat during the fall and winter. On the one hand they cause a lot of damage to crops and use up many natural resources. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million. Nebraska. In Wisconsin, there have been 1,822 entries for the buck, which is . The numbers above do not include deer . They also state the greatest density of deer can be found in Rockingham, Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, as well as along the Connecticut River Valley in Grafton County. The New Hampshire Fish & Game page lists the population estimate for the state at 100,000 white-tailed deer. Idaho Fish & Game: Deer Hunting information. Hawaii does not have white-tailed deer or any native deer. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. They are most populous on the western Great Plains, in the Rocky Mountains, the southwestern states, and on the west coast of North America. . I could not find an exact count that was more recent, however based on estimated deer harvest numbers the total population in Florida as of 2019 may be closer to 550,000. On average in North America, males weigh 150-300 pounds and females weigh 88 198 pounds. If you ever see a deer in the woods and they spot you, you might catch them flagging as they run away. The state says its population is well-managed and sustainable. 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. Although it has some mule deer, most of the deer in this state are members of the white-tailed family. Thank you for reading! The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. Sitka overall have a darker coat than the Columbian. The more recent 2021 mule deer survey (linked at bottom of article) lists about 80,600 mule deer. Deer live in every county of the state. The peak population over the last 25 years was in 2015 with an estimated It was hard to find a species break-down, but in general it appears each of the three main species make up a fairly equal portion of that total, about 100,000 each. 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 tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. Sitka are the smaller subspecies weighing between 80 120 pounds. The Largest Deer in the World Do you know which species of deer are the largest? WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. This means they fork as they grow. Clearly restocking, management efforts, and the shift away from clearing land for agriculture have worked, to the point where many counties are now trying to lower the number of deer to a more sustainable number. Deer Population Facts Population History In the early 1900's there were an estimated 500,000 white-tailed deer in the United States. She grew up in rural Pennsylvania where you can regularly encounter anything from elk to black bears to river otters. The only population estimate I could find for sika deer was approximately 10,000 in 2016. Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report . These deer live on a series of islands along the river. 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. In the issue: Big-game preference points and herd counts! Deer are thriving in the states forested areas. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . Areas included in this final year of goal setting are the East Central Uplands block ( DPAs 52, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183 . Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. Washington: 305,000. 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. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: information for hunting in Florida. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. Three of those are abundant enough to hunt, the white-tailed deer, mule deer and black-tailed deer. One of the things that makes white-tailed deer so widespread is their ability to adapt to many environments. LDWF biologists and technicians collect harvest and biological data and conduct other research on public . 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. 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. Wyoming is home to 70,000 white-tail deer and about 330,000 mule deer. . Williamson, WV (25661) Today. Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. 2021 Virginia Deer Season Review. According to the Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, most of the state conservation efforts are funded through hunting and fishing license sales and firearms sales. While the white-tailed deer more or less stop east of the Rocky Mountains, the mule deer take over west of the Rockies. 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. Currently, the estimated deer population in Georgia is 1.27 million. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. Survey data is collected by field biologists using aerial and ground surveys in the . While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. State wildlife officials say the actual number may be higher. They may occasionally eat small animals like mice or birds, but it isnt very common. The state attracts more deer hunters than almost any other. New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. Maines many wild, pristine forests are a healthy habitat for deer. Be on the lookout. Deer were in trouble in Florida with low populations between the 1700s and 1940s due to unregulated hide trading, hunting and a cattle-fever tick scare that caused mass deer removal. 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. We couldnt find any hard numbers and its likely an estimate has not yet been made. Their population is recovering due to prohibiting antlerless harvest for a few years and milder winters. Each year, DNR compiles county-level deer data across Indiana. Since losing its mountain lions and wolves, the state depends on hunting to keep the population under control. We researched to find out. Body. Fall 2021-22 harvest: 191,731. 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. New Hampshire Fish & Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. 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). North Carolina's major efforts to restore our state's deer resource took place in the 1940s through the 1970s. 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. White-tailed deer are an important game animal in the state. White-tailed deer are not native to Alaska and do not have well-established populations there. All of these states are located east of Texas. However, they have adapted well to many environments. Take a look! Today, they are an important game animal and a key part of the states ecosystems. Most of the population growth in recent years has occurred in the southern half of the lower peninsula. The state initially planned to wait for the fall of 2021 to hold a harvest. The lowest estimate in the state came around 1931, when Virginia was down to just 25,000 deer after over 100 years of hunting and habitat loss. This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). 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. The Sitka blacktail deer is native to the coastal rainforests of southeastern Alaska, and has been introduced to areas of South Central Alaska. While there is no one fail safe solution to keep them away, here are a few top tips. Theres a lot more interesting history you can in Colorados Mule Deer Story. They are allowed to be hunted and in the 2017-2018 season just over 3,000 were harvested. The emphasis is a science-based approach to managing of mule deer populations and factors affecting deer populations. In 1974 the state passed the Deer Management Act and had its first deer hunting season the following year. During the past deer season, 209,356 deer were reported killed by deer hunters in Virginia (Figure 1). Their size can vary greatly dependent on their location. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife: White-tailed deer hunting and harvest. How many deer live in the United States? The Alabama Department of Conservation and other groups began restocking white-tailed deer as early as the 1930s, with most of the restocking efforts happening during the 50s and 60s. Ohio's average harvest compiled from the past three seasons is 184,746 deer. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: deer hunting information. The state is also home to the rare, endemic Key deer, which is the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer. A small population has also been introduced on the island of Kaui, Hawaii. Like other states, Mississippi used conservation efforts to bring deer back from the brink of extinction. But things got worse. Many white-tailed deer live in forests and prefer habitat with young growth and forest edge. Today Arkansas enjoys plenty of deer, with a 2020 estimate of 900,000 white-tailed deer. That is up from an estimated 1.7 million ten years ago. While deer are not naturally found in Hawaii, an invasive species has taken over in the last 150 years, the Axis deer. White tailed deer are found throughout the state, with the highest numbers in eastern half. They live in forests, prairies, coastal areas, and grasslands. Unlike white-tailed deer, some mule deer are migratory. By the turn of the century people began to realize they needed conservation programs or the deer would go the way of the buffalo. 1756 Forever Wild. The states Department of Natural Resources and other groups want to attract more hunters to reduce deer populations. South Carolinas deer are all white-tails. This is quite a noticeable decline from the population high of 250,000 seen in 1988. 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. Although they were once almost wiped out from many states, they have successfully repopulated most of their former territories.