deer population by state 2021

That is a quick comeback from the estimated 662 that were left in 1941. For many years deer hunting wasnt allowed in the state in efforts to allow the population to recover from the overhunting of the 1700s and early 180os. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. Over time this heavy hunting and habitat loss took a real toll. What is the White-Tailed Deer Population by State? This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). Part of what helped this rebound was less agriculture, which allowed the land to revert back to mixed woodland which deer prefer. They are the mule deer, Coues deer, and Texas white-tail. While statewide estimates are gained mainly through harvest data, in 2021 a thermal imaging drone was flown over Arlington in efforts to gain more accurate data. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. Like many other states, deer and other large game in Iowa was hunted to near extinction by the early 1800s. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: deer hunting resources. The Coues deer are most commonly found in the southeastern mountains but also up through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. Marylands deer population includes 207,000 white-tail deer and about 10,000 Sika deer. Thank you for visiting! Habitat, not predators, is the major factor determining mule deer numbers in Nevada. Be on the lookout. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: deer hunting information. 2021 Oregon Deer And Elk Hunting Prospects By Region 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. 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. . Deer Reports | Missouri Department of Conservation Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Things began to turn around when state refuges were created and periodic deer stocking occurred. There are no western states with over a million deer. White-tailed deer are mainly found in the Black Hills, Bighorn Basin and Riverton regions. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . White-tailed deer are an important game animal in the state. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. They live all over the state, and the Department of Wildlife and Parks says the population is growing. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Restrictive game laws also helped allow the population to grow. After gathering 2020 data the state reported stable mule deer herds and slightly increasing whitetail herds. Mule deer are classified as the species Odocoileus hemionus, the Rocky-Mountain mule deer. Elk Population By State (Estimates and Info) - Wildlife Informer 2021 Colorado Herd Counts (Online Edition) Market hunting decimated the states population by the late 1800s. New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule . Thing have come a long way from the first post-conservation deer estimate of 500-700 deer in 1936. Florida Coastal White-tailed Deer (panhandle and northwestern portion of the state), Florida White-tailed Deer (northwestern, central and southern portion of the state). The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife estimated a population of 1 million white-tailed deer at the start of the 2020-21 hunting season. Texas is home to around 225,000 mule deer and millions of white-tail deer. The population is mostly in the southern part of the state. White-tail deer are the official animal of Arkansas, These numbers are for mule deer and white-tail deer. . 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. Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. Strict measure were taken to improve this, including closing all hunting for many years, restocking from other states, and cracking down on enforcing regulations. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. The deer mostly live in the northeastern part of the state. California's Deer Population Estimates - California Department of 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. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. Pennsylvania had the highest estimated number of auto claims (156,176). Facts + Statistics: Deer vehicle collisions | III It also says hunters harvest a whopping 280,000 deer each year, on average. White-tailed deer have bounced back from near extinction in Rhode Island. Washington has the most variety of deer. 84 . However in localized urban and suburban areas, many populations are increasing. 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. Regular hunting ensures that a state will only have the number of deer its ecosystems can support. Managers have been able to relax hunting regulations over the years in response to increasing deer herds. Of the states roughly 500,000 deer, roughly 212,000 are white-tailed, and the rest are mule deer. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: big game hunting information. Native plant suppression when there are more deer than the ecosystem can sustain, native plants may be grazed to the point where they are never allowed to grow, reducing food for other animals and allowing invasive species to thrive. 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. Deer Accidents by State: The 12 Worst Areas Ranked - MoneyWise There are only white-tail deer in North Carolina. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Their size can vary greatly dependent on their location. Lets find out. 2) Oklahoma: Deer population around 500,000. We couldnt find any hard numbers and its likely an estimate has not yet been made. This represents a 2.4 percent increase in harvest from 2019 (193,073) and is 38 percent below the record harvest established in 2002 (319,902). That was a 26 percent increase from the 2019-2020 season of 126,452. . State wildlife officials say the actual number may be higher. Today, they are an important game animal and a key part of the states ecosystems. Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. 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. Additional Sources used in this article : WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. 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) . They mostly live along the watersheds of the states major rivers. Only about 1,000 of these deer are white-tail 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. Sika deer are native to Japan, but a small herd of them was introduced to the wild from a private farm. Like many other states with healthy deer populations, Delaware uses managed hunting to control population levels. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting resources. The reader should bear in mind that many . Icon. While deer are prey for some large carnivores, there are not enough of these predators to keep deer numbers in check. While deer are not naturally found in Hawaii, an invasive species has taken over in the last 150 years, the Axis deer. According to the states department of fish and wildlife, since the early 90s the deer population has stayed between 400,000 and just under 700,000. 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. However world-wide there are 26 known subspecies, with 17 of those occurring in the U.S. Deer - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries The Illinois Division of Wildlife Resources says deer are an important part of the states economy. White-tailed Deer in Florida | FWC - Florida Fish And Wildlife Using Remote Sensed Data to Monitor Mule Deer Population Performance: Mark Hurley: 10:25-10:55 AM: . 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. If you do plant deer favorites (fruit trees, sunflowers, peas, lettuce, tulips, hosta, berry bushes), do so strategically. Thus far they report that the harvest has not met the numbers they want, and the state is continuing to work on management strategies. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. On the other hand, hunting them provides food for many and their meat is very prized. All of Pennsylvanias deer are white-tails. The majority of the North American population lives east of the Rocky Mountains. States With Minimal Deer Populations. Statewide, deer populations benefited from a relatively mild winter and favorable weather during fawning season and early summer. Post hunt population estimates are the starting point for setting antlerless quotas and harvest of antlerless deer is the primary way to manage deer herd abundance. 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. Officials are still unsure of the exact number of white-tailed deer currently living in Alaska. Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from you about the current Colorado big game hunting season structure and possible changes for 2025-2029. 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. Oregon Department of Fish & Game: how to hunt deer and elk in Oregon. That number sure has come a long way from 1900 when they were thought to have been completely wiped out with no wild populations left. With no natural predators the population boomed. Wayne and Hickman counties are the only two counties that meet both of these criteria. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. 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. 2021 WAFWA Deer & Elk Business Meeting: Jim Heffelfinger: 1:00-2:40 PM: Deer Session 3: Disease: That includes white-tail deer, mule deer, black-tail deer, and a handful of rare deer species. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: White-tailed deer in Maine. Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report . By 1930 less than 500 deer remained. This flash can alert other deer that danger has been spotted, and is known as flagging. Columbian weigh between 88 180 pounds. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: deer hunting guide. Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. Hunting female deer a better population management strategy There are nearly 2,000 different species! Program Schedule - California Fish and Wildlife Scientific Journal Some states also have small populations of endemic deer species found only in that state. Most of these are mule deer. Outdoors: Deer population in New York wasn't always so high Their population is recovering due to prohibiting antlerless harvest for a few years and milder winters. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. Nebraska Game & Parks: deer hunting in Nebraska. The numbers above do not include deer . It was estimated at 376,450 in 2018 but took a sharp decline in recent years. White-tailed deer prefer the more agricultural and upland areas of the state, whereas the sika deer prefer marshes and forested wetlands. In 2017 the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division reported an estimated population of 1.27 million. The white-tailed deer is the most common game species in the state today, however hunting was banned between 1841 and 1954 to allow the population to rebound after a huge decline in the early to mid 1800s. There is some concern that in the long run, they may outcompete the native 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. When resources are scarce, they will eat insects and small animals. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. 2021 data shows an estimated mule deer population of about 84,000 90,000 in Nevada. 15 SOAs. 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. Deer are thriving in the states forested areas. Indiana: 28 deer per square mile. They have made most of this information available online at Minnesota DNR Deer Populations & Goals. In some areas, state wildlife officials have increased the number of hunting permits to help bring down deer populations. Like many other states, Kentucky outlawed deer hunting in the early part of the 20th century. They have adapted well and currently coexist peacefully with the states native ecosystems. Fall deer densities [PDF] in 2018 varied from 4 to 80 deer per square mile of land area. Missouris white-tailed deer population sits at about 1.4 million. Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries: Deer Research, Management and Reports. Animal husbandry and agriculture also grew, removing forested land in favor of farming. 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 . 3) Colorado: Deer population around 25,000. These deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. 2021 White-Tailed Deer Forecast | Virginia DWR A spring 2020 estimate put their population at about 1,200. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The states Department of Natural Resources says these deer are abundant in every county and habitat of West Virginia. How many deer are in Wisconsin 2021? Have some feedback for us? Which came first, the black-tailed deer or the mule deer? The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. Overpopulation of deer can damage ecosystems by preventing forest regrowth and causing declines in plant diversity. The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. It may be that monitoring of this species separate from overall deer in the state has not yet been established. Nebraska. It is one of the few states where mule deer are a more popular game animal than whitetails. New Hampshire: 100,000. In 1960, there were 22 deer management areas and most deer seasons were only 2 to 4 weeks, with the longest at 56 days. 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. Delaware Sets Deer Harvest Record - State of Delaware News The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. Deer friendly reports a white-tailed deer population of 72,900 in 2019 based on hunting data. Overall outlook: New York's 2021 deer hunting forecast said biologists expect 2021-'22 to be another productive season for hunters. See the 2021 report. Deer hunting in the state is an important tool to raise money for wildlife management and land acquisition. The Best Deer Hunting States in 2022 - Silencer Central The harvest was 13% lower than the 2020-2021 total of 81,729 deer. They are herbivores who eat what is seasonally available. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. A deer stocking program began in 1932 and continued for nearly 30 years. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. Hunting is the leading cause of deer mortality in most of the state (Figure 3). Unlike the white-tailed deers antlers which branch out from a single main beam, the antlers of mule deer are bifurcated. Current Management. According to this article in the Washington Times Herald, as of 2020 the white-tailed deer population in Indiana was estimated at 680,000. However the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says that they are both crossing the border with Canada and starting to colonize. Deer Management Survey: Deer Population - Fish & Wildlife The states only deer species is thriving in every region. If you ever see a deer in the woods and they spot you, you might catch them flagging as they run away. Today Arkansas enjoys plenty of deer, with a 2020 estimate of 900,000 white-tailed deer. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? 20+ Foods, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, How and Where Do Deer Sleep? There are an estimated 35 to 36 million deer in the U.S. Once hunted almost to extinction, they have made a successful recovery. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. Their numbers rebounded through conservation efforts from 25 in 1955 to 800 in more recent years. Deer Hunting Season Forecasts - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimated Utah's deer population at about 384,000 in 2015. Coat color tends to be more reddish-brown in the spring and grayish-brown during winter. . Hunting controls, restocking and improved habitat brought the deer population up to about 17,000 by 1965. According to a quote in the Michigan Bridge made by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, there may be as many as 2 million deer in the state today. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they are an abundant and sustainable game species in Louisiana and the species most targeted by Louisiana hunters.. Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Deer hunting information. The mule deer is a generalist and will forage on whatever is available. They are an attractive deer with a bright orange-brown coat covered in white spots, much like the fawn of white-tailed deer. Arkansas nearly lost its deer population. Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources: Kentuckys Deer Restoration. Montana has about 300,000 mule deer and about 213,000 white-tail 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. In the 1920s, the population almost went extinct from hunting and deforestation. Patterns and Habitats, Deer in Texas: Types, Populations, and Where they Live. Deer hunting plays an important role in keeping ecosystems balanced. The following population estimates were taken from state government websites and other authoritative sources. New Hampshires Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy . Overall outlook: "Unless there is a significant EHD event, deer populations and the deer kill across most of the state should be stable to increasing," Matt Knox, deer project coordinator with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, wrote in his 2022 forecast. It is important they have access to both the cover provided by the forest and the grazing in open areas and along the forest edge. Like many states, Ohio successfully reintroduced deer, and they are now thriving. Delawares White-Tailed Deer: Hunting and Management. The only population estimate I could find for sika deer was approximately 10,000 in 2016. Wisconsin: 33 deer per square mile. Deer populations & goals | Minnesota DNR In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. So what are the problems that come with too many deer? Areas included in this final year of goal setting are the East Central Uplands block ( DPAs 52, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183 . The main noticeable difference between the mule deer and the white-tailed deer are ear size, tails, and antlers. 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. Deer adapt to changing environments, and that adaptability has helped them make a strong comeback. Tennessee's Most Efficient Deer Hunting Counties - ArcGIS StoryMaps Alabama: 25 deer per square mile. 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. Body. In the early 1900s not many deer remained in Alabama after overhunting, estimates were down to about 2,000. The longest known mule deer migration occurs in Wyoming where deer travel 150 miles from the Red Desert to the mountain slopes around the Hoback Basin. The white-tailed deer is the states only native deer and is Illinoiss state mammal. Bobcats and coyotes also prey on deer, but human hunting is the main way to control their populations. The 2021 mule deer survey put their population within the state at 227,392. Whitetail Deer - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? This remains pretty average for the states deer population over the last 20 years which has ranged from about 115,000 to 160,000. 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. The two species live in different parts of the state. Read more about white-tailed deer in Michigan at Michigan.gov. The top of their tail is brown, but the underside is very fluffy and white. These categories represent coarse deer density levels as identified in the QDMA . The state is home to 20,000 mule deer and 130,000 white-tail deer. 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 Populations - Wildlife Control Information Since losing its mountain lions and wolves, the state depends on hunting to keep the population under control. Mule deer make up the majority, with white-tailed deer mainly found in eastern parts of the state and a few pockets in central and mountain areas. White-tailed deer are an important game animal in Michigan. Based on hunting data the white-tailed deer population in 2017 was about 135,000. Although they were once almost wiped out from many states, they have successfully repopulated most of their former territories. 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. The states Department of Natural Resources and other groups want to attract more hunters to reduce deer populations. Vermont has more deer hunters than any other New England state. 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. Hunting, Research, and Management. The 2020-2021 deer season showed hunters how . After the breeding season is over males will shed their antlers during the winter. Deer management | | Wisconsin DNR New Mexico has three native deer species. Recently, the number of hunters applying for a deer tag (residents and out-of-state applicants combined) is in the range of 60,000 to 80,000. Depending on the time of year, they eat: The total population of all deer in the U.S. is around 25 to 35 million. High 62F. Plant them closer to your house, and put a border around them of stronger smelling plants such as lavender, mint or garlic. 2021's deer season in Kentucky exceeded already high numbers coming out of the pandemic-affected 2020 . Alaska Department of Fish & Game: deer hunting information and regulations. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. The state is also home to the rare, endemic Key deer, which is the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer. White-Tailed Deer - Mississippi State University 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. Colorados white-tailed deer mostly live in the eastern and central mountain areas. Generally cloudy. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. In Wisconsin, there have been 1,822 entries for the buck, which is . While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. All of Alaskas deer are black-tail deer. This may seem small compared to the 10.1 million people living in Georgia, but it does not account for an accurate number of deer in urban areas. 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. Finally, Maine's deer population grew prolifically through the 1990's as a result of the regulatory system that limited doe harvest, plus a series of mild winters. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. 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). South Carolinas deer are all white-tails. Michigan: 31 deer per square mile. The Mississippi State University Extension says only Texas has a larger deer population. Legacy Stadium Schedule, Articles D