Which states have the most white-tail deer? 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. It is a tough balance for the Axis deer on the islands. 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 . 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 develop estimates of deer density across the state. If you ever see a deer in the woods and they spot you, you might catch them flagging as they run away. . There are six subspecies of mule deer found across California. 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. 48 State Parks. This helps them avoid the harsher high elevation winter conditions such as deeper snow that covers up food. Texas has the highest deer population, 5.5 million! In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. 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. 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. Maryland Department of Natural Resources: hunting in Maryland. Colorados white-tailed deer mostly live in the eastern and central mountain areas. Deer hunting has become a major industry in Alabama, the state has 33 wildlife management areas totaling over 700,000 acres where white-tailed deer can be hunted with a permit. However, they have adapted well to many environments. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. In the early 1900s not many deer remained in Alabama after overhunting, estimates were down to about 2,000. Columbia Black-tailed deer (Northern California and Pacific Northwest). 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. There are an estimated 35 to 36 million deer in the U.S. Once hunted almost to extinction, they have made a successful recovery. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. A useful trick if they are grazing and need to quickly flee from a predator. Arizona has a small population of whitetails, though they tend to prefer areas with more vegetation. For our population numbers, we relied on official numbers from each states Fish and Wildlife Department, Department of Natural Resources, or another appropriate source. While there is no one fail safe solution to keep them away, here are a few top tips. Restrictive game laws also helped allow the population to grow. Outdoor Alabama: Deer hunting information and regulations. They are classic forest creatures who feature in wilderness stories and artwork. In general, black-tailed deer occur in the western half of the state, while white-tailed and mule deer occur in the eastern half. Connecticut DEEP: hunting and trapping information. Missouris white-tailed deer population sits at about 1.4 million. White tailed deer are found throughout the state, with the highest numbers in eastern half. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the deer and elk meat industry begun in Colorado as early as 1880. 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. Nevada is the western state with the . The state does not count its two species separately. This remains pretty average for the states deer population over the last 20 years which has ranged from about 115,000 to 160,000. Deer prefer forested areas where they can find vegetation to eat. Some conservationists think the number of deer is too high. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. DEC determines desired deer population changes using data on public preferences and deer impacts to forests. 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. They have made most of this information available online at Minnesota DNR Deer Populations & Goals. Those areas where populations are rapidly increasing are typically urban/suburban areas where the utilization of hunting as a management tool has been greatly hindered. Their population is recovering due to prohibiting antlerless harvest for a few years and milder winters. Unregulated commercial hunting and subsistence hunting threatened to eliminate the white-tailed deer from much of its range. Generally cloudy. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. New Mexico has three native deer species. It is one of the few states where mule deer are a more popular game animal than whitetails. Mule deer are the most populous, and the state combines its counts of Coues and white-tailed. Wayne county had a harvest percentage rate of 2.4% and Hickman county had a harvest rate percentage of 2.1%. It is easy to see deer in most U.S. state parks, reserves, and even suburban yards. 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. Theres a lot more interesting history you can in Colorados Mule Deer Story. About 206,00 hunters used a crossbow and harvested 93,000 deer. The following population estimates were taken from state government websites and other authoritative sources. All of these states are located east of Texas. Using Remote Sensed Data to Monitor Mule Deer Population Performance: Mark Hurley: 10:25-10:55 AM: . 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 . High 62F. Hunters harvested 168,427 deer during the 2021-22 season; a robust number indicative of a strong population. 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. The tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. Maryland also has a population of sika deer. Bobcats and coyotes also prey on deer, but human hunting is the main way to control their populations. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). They are mostly herbivores who eat browse, which is a collective term for all types of roots, twigs, bark, grass, leaves, and other vegetation. Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations and seasons. See the 2021 report. It also says hunters harvest a whopping 280,000 deer each year, on average. Their numbers rebounded through conservation efforts from 25 in 1955 to 800 in more recent years. Ohio Department of Natural Resources: hunting and trapping regulations. Their tail is thinner than the white-tailed deer, with a distinctive black tip at the bottom. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission: deer hunting information. North Carolina's major efforts to restore our state's deer resource took place in the 1940s through the 1970s. We will be looking at the population of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. By 1930 less than 500 deer remained. Thank you for reading! The largest deer are often found along the northern portions of their range, while the tiny Key Deer of Florida barely make it to 100 pounds. Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. Long story short, conservation and advances in wildlife management brought the deer back. To understand how each metric is calculated and how the data are used view the annual deer management reports. The only state they havent established at least a small population is Hawaii. 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. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. LDWF biologists and technicians collect harvest and biological data and conduct other research on public . 2021 Virginia Deer Season Review. Thank you for visiting! 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. Alabama has more than 1.5 million white-tailed deer. But the lawsuit forced its hand, and between February 22 and 24, hunters killed 218 wolves, according to the Wisconsin . This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). They are only found in the Florida keys and are an endangered species. Florida Coastal White-tailed Deer (panhandle and northwestern portion of the state), Florida White-tailed Deer (northwestern, central and southern portion of the state). Michigan State University Extension . View the latest Missouri deer harvest numbers by county. On average in North America, males weigh 121 331 pounds and females weigh 95 198 pounds. Upwards of 400,000 deer are hunted in the state each year. Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. Title. Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: deer hunting information. However, the abundance of deer in many parts of the state is causing increasing problems, particularly in suburban and urban areas. The Illinois Division of Wildlife Resources says deer are an important part of the states economy. While populations still continue to fluctuate due to habitat loss, weather, disease and other factors, it remains in the hundreds of thousands. 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. 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. In some areas, state wildlife officials have increased the number of hunting permits to help bring down deer populations. The white-tailed deer has a reddish-brown coat in the spring which fades to a grayish-brown coat during the fall and winter. I live in the Pacific Northwest and am surrounded by nature. Like other deer species they grow new antlers each spring and shed them during the winter. Areas included in this final year of goal setting are the East Central Uplands block ( DPAs 52, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183 . The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 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. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. 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. Title. By 1990 the population had grown to 250,000. They are adaptable to a wide range of climate conditions. There are an estimated 36 million deer in the United States. The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Deer are a favorite big game animal. Although it has some mule deer, most of the deer in this state are members of the white-tailed family. 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. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. On the other hand, hunting them provides food for many and their meat is very prized. 4382 WMAs. How many deer are in Wisconsin 2021? 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. Many towns are trying to figure out programs that will work for them to keep the deer population in check. What is the White-Tailed Deer Population by State? Although they were once almost wiped out from many states, they have successfully repopulated most of their former territories. Found in forests as well as the suburbs, deer are often thought to have spiritual meaning and can bring nature close to home since they are often seen in backyards and neighborhoods. 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. The male white-tailed deer will grow a new set of antlers every year. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Deer live in almost every country of the world. These deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach. Deer adapt to changing environments, and that adaptability has helped them make a strong comeback. Montana has a large population of two types of deer, the mule deer and the white-tailed deer. Wyoming Game & Fish Department: Deer Hunting. In 1974 the state passed the Deer Management Act and had its first deer hunting season the following year. This means you would have had to put in an application for the 2021 controlled hunt draw and have been successful in order to hunt any eastern Oregon units for deer this year. A deer stocking program began in 1932 and continued for nearly 30 years. 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) . Damage to landscape overpopulation of deer in the suburbs makes them more and more apt to use your flower beds and gardens as a snack station. The distribution of hunted deer is about 60% mule deer and 40% Coues deer. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. Some states also have small populations of endemic deer species found only in that state. 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 . March 29, 2021 6:10 am. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. This time the population grew to 212 deer in only 6 years. The antlers grow in late spring, and are covered with tissue called velvet during this growth period. 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. With larger deer populations there is also an increased risk of elevated deer tick populations. The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. Today, the population sits around 660,000. Fallow Deer vs. White-Tailed Deer: Key Differences Discover the different traits between the white-tailed and fallow deer species. Columbian weigh between 88 180 pounds. 1756 Forever Wild. Current Management. "With the information we gathered from the aerial counts and the harvest reports we can then adjust the hunting permit levels for that area," Palmer said. In the early 1900s laws regulating deer hunting were passed but did little good as they went unenforced for the most part. They are most populous in states like Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and New York, but they are slowly infiltrating other areas like Alaska as well. Deer numbers in Arkansas significantly declined due to unrestricted market hunting during the 1800s until 1915. Deer are one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. In the 1800s, however, several Axis deer from India were sent to Hawaii. Black-tailed deer in their native Pacific northwest range live in dense coastal rainforest and semi-open habitats including riparian forest (along river banks) and areas of tangled shrubs and thicket. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. Thus far they report that the harvest has not met the numbers they want, and the state is continuing to work on management strategies. The dark green shaded counties have the most dense deer populations in Tennessee. 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. They mostly live along the watersheds of the states major rivers. Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, weighing only about 55-65 pounds. In Mississippi, the deer herd is estimated at 1.75 million animals, which is higher on a deer-per-unit-area basis (density) than any other state, and only Texas has a greater number of deer. While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. Wildlife managers are tasked with the difficult mission of maintaining or recovering deer populations, dampening the magnitude of potential future declines, and stabilizing hunter . 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. White-tailed deer are an abundant and sustainable game species in Louisiana and the species most targeted by Louisiana hunters. However, in West Virginia, drivers had the highest likelihood of hitting an animal. If you do plant deer favorites (fruit trees, sunflowers, peas, lettuce, tulips, hosta, berry bushes), do so strategically. Habitat loss, decrease in forgeable food and hunting brought species to the brink by the early 1900s. Idaho has about 520,000 white-tails, and the rest are mule deer. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting resources. The mule deer working group lists the 2021 population in the badlands at 21,000. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, fireweed, pearly everlasting, forbs, salmonberry, salal, and maple. Importing of white-tailed deer from Michigan began in 1930 to strategic habitats. California Department Fish and Wildlife: Deer Harvest Requirements. The state attracts more deer hunters than almost any other. 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. Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. 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. Deer live in every county of the state. They are herbivores who eat what is seasonally available. The state says its population is well-managed and sustainable. Sika deer are native to Japan, but a small herd of them was introduced to the wild from a private farm. The state is home to 20,000 mule deer and 130,000 white-tail deer. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. White-tailed deer are a popular game animal found in almost every part of the United States. Hunters in Region B the remainder of the state harvested 62,916 deer, down 13% from 72,346 . Be on the lookout. Due to many factors including over-harvesting, hunting and habitat loss the white-tailed deer became uncommon in Connecticut between 1700 1900. The white-tailed deer found in Arizona belongs to the subspecies called Coues. There are more than 490,000 acres of wildlife management areas in West Virginia. By 2000 the deer population in the state was estimated at 1.75 million. . 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. After many years of stability, the state reports deer population trended downwards between 2003 and 2015. Maines many wild, pristine forests are a healthy habitat for deer. Recently the state has been increasing their any-deer (does or bucks) permits in an effort to bring down the population due to complains about too many deer and high levels of Lyme disease in certain areas. Small herds also exist on prairies in Fall River, Meade, Butte, Bennett and Gregory counties. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. 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. 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. Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report . Habitat, Mortality, Harvest Per Hunter, and Deer Observations. State Farm says in any state, the risk of hitting a deer doubles in the fall, when the animals are mating. These categories represent coarse deer density levels as identified in the QDMA . White-tailed deer are not native to Alaska and do not have well-established populations there. 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. Like many other states with healthy deer populations, Delaware uses managed hunting to control population levels. They will spend the summer in higher elevations, then travel down to lower elevations during the winter. 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. Deer friendly reports a white-tailed deer population of 72,900 in 2019 based on hunting data. State/Province Updates: Moderator: Sara Holm: 1:00-1:10 PM: California Deer and Elk Status Update: . Predation and Deer Population. 4) Iowa: Deer population around 400,000. Deer Harvest Map. The program aims to address many factors impacting mule deer such as post-fire rehabilitation, pinyon-juniper removal, invasive weed abatement, re-establishing beneficial shrub/grass/forbs to compromised habitats, water development, spring protection, highway crossings, migration corridor protection, disease surveillance, assessing and trying to mitigate impacts from mining/energy development, predator management, and collaring and monitoring mule deer to identity limiting factors/mortality/habitat selection, etc.. In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. This is quite a noticeable decline from the population high of 250,000 seen in 1988. Today, it is thriving. How many deer live in the United States? When Europeans first came to America, they found deer a plentiful resource in most states. 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. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys.