They are herbivores who eat what is seasonally available. 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. Montana has a large population of two types of deer, the mule deer and the white-tailed deer. Please note that tracking wildlife populations is not an exact science. In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. Nevada is one of the few states where deer populations have declined in recent decades. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. Habitat, Mortality, Harvest Per Hunter, and Deer Observations. Hawaii does not have white-tailed deer or any native deer. However world-wide there are 26 known subspecies, with 17 of those occurring in the U.S. When I go for my daily runs I often see herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. Estimated at 314,850 in 2020, down from 372,500 in 2018. 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. Body. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. A 2018 estimate puts the white-tailed deer estimate around 18,000 for Rhode Island. This is the only deer species in the state, and it is a huge conservation success story. They are allowed to be hunted and in the 2017-2018 season just over 3,000 were harvested. The state department of wildlife and fisheries began to manage deer by setting hunting seasons and restocking in the late 1940s. This is according to the most recent (2019) population estimates conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TP&W).. Mule deer are the most populous, and the state combines its counts of Coues and white-tailed. All this brings us to today. Thank you for reading! There is some concern that in the long run, they may outcompete the native mule deer. 4382 WMAs. Animal husbandry and agriculture also grew, removing forested land in favor of farming. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, deer populations had plummeted across the country and some states were in danger of loosing deer entirely. The White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the most popular game species in Misissippi.Nationally, the white-tailed deer population likely exceeds 30 million. But what is their population by state? This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). Idaho is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Unregulated commercial hunting and subsistence hunting threatened to eliminate the white-tailed deer from much of its range. . 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. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. Body. Patterns and Habitats, Deer in Texas: Types, Populations, and Where they Live. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Preliminary figures show that hunters registered 175,667 deer during the What Is The Deer Population In Wisconsin? They are classic forest creatures who feature in wilderness stories and artwork. 20+ Foods, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Recorded, The 4 Best Deer Repellents: Reviewed and Ranked, How and Where Do Deer Sleep? Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. Because of this permits and licenses are becoming more flexible opening up new opportunities for the states hunters. Like many other states with healthy deer populations, Delaware uses managed hunting to control population levels. The white-tailed deer is the states only native deer and is Illinoiss state mammal. 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. 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. That includes white-tail deer, mule deer, black-tail deer, and a handful of rare deer species. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimated Utah's deer population at about 384,000 in 2015. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. While populations still continue to fluctuate due to habitat loss, weather, disease and other factors, it remains in the hundreds of thousands. develop estimates of deer density across the state. While caribou, elk and moose are all Cervids, that is members of the deer family, we are not discussing them in this article. The more recent 2021 mule deer survey (linked at bottom of article) lists about 80,600 mule deer. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks The white-tail deer is the most common type of deer hunted in the United States. Bobcats and coyotes also prey on deer, but human hunting is the main way to control their populations. However they are not out of the woods with continued habitat loss and disease (such as the 2017 screwworm epidemic that killed a large portion of male Key deer) threatening their numbers. Vehicle collisions as population density increases, so does the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions. What is the White-Tailed Deer Population by State? To understand how each metric is calculated and how the data are used view the annual deer management reports. Managers have been able to relax hunting regulations over the years in response to increasing deer herds. Missouri Department of Conservation: deer hunting regulations. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac Deer Face Scent Glands, Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. One of the things that makes white-tailed deer so widespread is their ability to adapt to many environments. With larger deer populations there is also an increased risk of elevated deer tick populations. 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. The mule deer working group lists the 2021 population in the badlands at 21,000. The states Department of Natural Resources says these deer are abundant in every county and habitat of West Virginia. Based on 2015 deer populations estimates from North American Whitetail Magazine, here are the worse deer states to live: 1) Georgia: Deer population around 1.2 million. Wisconsin is having a deer boom, with this 2021 article reporting the states population of 1.6 million is the highest its been in decades. Washington has the most variety of deer. Archery (including crossbows) accounted for 14% of the deer kill; muzzleloaders, 23%; and firearms, 63%. This can have a Catch-22 effect on the wildlife population in the state. Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. 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. Population expansion is expected at about 1-2% each year in the near future, how some areas of middle and west Tennessee may be trying to lower the deer numbers to a more manageable level. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. Today, they are an important game animal and a key part of the states ecosystems. Thing have come a long way from the first post-conservation deer estimate of 500-700 deer in 1936. 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. New Mexico is home to mule deer, Coue deer, and Texas white-tails. Tennessee hunters harvested 159,879 deer in the state this hunting season. 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. Each year CDFW biologists estimate the deer population in California using a computer model that uses harvest numbers along with survey data. 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. Conservation efforts, game management programs, and habitat protection have all helped them survive. "With roughly 35 calves per hundred cows, we know the herds are increasing. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. 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. 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. 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 Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. 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 one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. Have some feedback for us? Alabama: 25 deer per square mile. Sitka overall have a darker coat than the Columbian. With laws enacted and amount of farmed land decreasing, deer began to rebound. White-tailed deer are one of three deer species native to North America. If this growth rate remained constant until year 10, the population would number about 900, or 1 deer per 1.3 acres. As the population grew, the demand for market hunting increased and deer were hunted in greater and greater numbers. Many animals, such as songbirds, rely on this understory habitat. Most states have yearly hunting seasons that help keep deer populations in check. Deer are plentiful, and people who enjoy watching wildlife will find many opportunities to see them roaming free in forests and parks all over the country. Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? Deer are thriving in all parts of the state. While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. Overpopulation of deer can damage ecosystems by preventing forest regrowth and causing declines in plant diversity. Most of these are mule deer. As recently as 1968 the in-state population estimate was only 25,000, but through conservation and management by 1990 that number skyrocketed to 100,000. The antlers grow in late spring, and are covered with tissue called velvet during this growth period. 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. It also says hunters harvest a whopping 280,000 deer each year, on average. 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. Like many states, Oklahoma had nearly lost all its deer by the early 1900s. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. 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. It will be something the state keeps an eye on going forward. Georgia Wildlife Resources Division: deer hunting information. Deer enjoy eating mushrooms, nuts, berries, pumpkins, spinach, and apples. New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. Colorado doesnt count deer species separately. In the current Maryland white-tailed deer management plan the most recent population estimate I saw was 207,000 tailed deer in 2018. It may be that monitoring of this species separate from overall deer in the state has not yet been established. The harvest was 10.9% lower than the 2020/21 record harvest of 17,265 deer, but marked the ninth consecutive year that the Delaware harvest exceeded 14,000 deer. The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. They seem to be everywhere, but how populous are they? Spotlight surveys have been used by biologists nationwide since the mid-1900s and are effective for monitoring population trends, determining the distribution of species, identifying habitat use, and predicting disease outbreaks. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: White-tailed deer in Maine. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. White-tailed deer, also known as whitetails or Virginia deer, are a common game animal in the United States. The states population declined when coyotes returned to South Carolina in large numbers, but it remains stable. The deer population in the United States varies by state. . Thus far they report that the harvest has not met the numbers they want, and the state is continuing to work on management strategies. It is a tough balance for the Axis deer on the islands. Unlike the white-tailed deers antlers which branch out from a single main beam, the antlers of mule deer are bifurcated. Fall 2021-22 harvest: 191,731. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is concerned that this population may not be sustainable. 2021 seemed to show a higher-than-usual occurrence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), but at the time of writing this article is is unclear if it will significantly impact the states overall deer population. Deer numbers in Arkansas significantly declined due to unrestricted market hunting during the 1800s until 1915. Areas included in this final year of goal setting are the East Central Uplands block ( DPAs 52, 155, 156, 157, 159, 172, 183 . This graph published by the NJDEP Division of Science and Research shows the 2018 population estimate at just over 125,000 white-tailed deer. They are most populous on the western Great Plains, in the Rocky Mountains, the southwestern states, and on the west coast of North America. Emily is an editor and content marketing specialist of five years. The supply of deer food throughout the state was in generally good condition. Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Deer hunting information. Iowa has produced some of the largest bucks in the history of our country. Nebraska Game & Parks: deer hunting in Nebraska. Outdoor Alabama: Deer hunting information and regulations. 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. Maryland also has a population of sika deer. Today Arkansas enjoys plenty of deer, with a 2020 estimate of 900,000 white-tailed deer. Theres a lot more interesting history you can in Colorados Mule Deer Story. Deer harvests began to increase again in 2016, possibly due to coyote densities declining. Vermont has more deer hunters than any other New England state. Many white-tailed deer live in forests and prefer habitat with young growth and forest edge. The FWC is working to reduce the risk of CWD spreading into this state with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, hunters, captive cervid owners, landowners, and the public. The top of their tail is brown, but the underside is very fluffy and white. Title. 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. Michigans many deer are all white-tails. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. New for 2021, all eastern Oregon deer hunting is controlled. Montana has a large population of two types of deer, the mule deer and the white-tailed deer. Small herds also exist on prairies in Fall River, Meade, Butte, Bennett and Gregory counties. 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 They live in forests, prairies, coastal areas, and grasslands. They are mostly herbivores who eat browse, which is a collective term for all types of roots, twigs, bark, grass, leaves, and other vegetation. Their size can vary greatly dependent on their location. In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. On average in North America, males weigh 121 331 pounds and females weigh 95 198 pounds. Part of what helped this rebound was less agriculture, which allowed the land to revert back to mixed woodland which deer prefer. 3) Colorado: Deer population around 25,000. Habitat loss, decrease in forgeable food and hunting brought species to the brink by the early 1900s. 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 . This not only allows them to digest a wide variety of foods, but they can eat and wait until later to digest. . . 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. In the issue: Big-game preference points and herd counts! Most of the population growth in recent years has occurred in the southern half of the lower peninsula. This 2021 article in the Observer-Dispatch reports a white-tailed deer population of approximately 1.2 million. 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.. This number can drift up and down depending on the severity of the winter and how many harsh or mild winters there may be in a row. 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. Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries: Deer Research, Management and Reports. A 2019 study by the South Carolina department of natural resources estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be about 730,000. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? Alabama has more than 1.5 million white-tailed deer. The state is home to 20,000 mule deer and 130,000 white-tail deer. Currently about 110,000 deer are harvested each year in the state. Nebraskas deer population includes 300,000 white-tail deer and 130,000 mule deer. The total number of deer hunters in the state is obtained from the hunting license database. The deer mostly live in the northeastern part of the state. Although we think of deer as a forest animal, they also thrive in Floridas swampy coastal regions. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from you about the current Colorado big game hunting season structure and possible changes for 2025-2029. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. They are an attractive deer with a bright orange-brown coat covered in white spots, much like the fawn of white-tailed deer. They will lose these spots after a few months. New Mexico has three native deer species. Black-tailed deer have a white patch on rump, which their tail mostly covers. Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. The distribution of hunted deer is about 60% mule deer and 40% Coues deer. 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.. They live in every state of the country, and their numbers are stable. Deer hunting in the state is an important tool to raise money for wildlife management and land acquisition. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife estimated a population of 1 million white-tailed deer at the start of the 2020-21 hunting season. Their numbers rebounded through conservation efforts from 25 in 1955 to 800 in more recent years.