Focus on plants that arent as attractive to deer (marigold, verbena, snapdragon, butterfly bush, boxwood, juniper, bee balm). The mule deer working group estimates the 2021 mule deer population at 330,700. They mostly live along the watersheds of the states major rivers. These categories represent coarse deer density levels as identified in the QDMA . Deer management | | Wisconsin DNR The two species live in different parts of the state. The estimated population total today is 427,500 mule deer and white-tailed deer. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. White-tailed deer in Florida tend to be a little smaller than in other states, due in part to the warm climate. Whitetail Deer - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Deer Information & Resources | Department Of Natural Resources Division 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. While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. Like many other states, deer and other large game in Iowa was hunted to near extinction by the early 1800s. 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). Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule . 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. . Columbian weigh between 88 180 pounds. Oklahoma has about 2,00 to 3,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tail deer. High 62F. 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. State-by-State Hunting Data | Archery Trade Association State Population Totals: 2020-2022 - Census.gov Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. The state does not count its two species separately. 4382 WMAs. By 1930 less than 500 deer remained. They are also an important food source for the endangered Florida panther. White-tailed deer are one of three deer species native to North America. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. This 2015 article states the Arizona Big Game Management estimated Coues population at about 50,000-60,000 deer. Deer | Montana FWP This coupled with careful management clearly has allowed deer in Mississippi to make an impressive comeback. The state almost destroyed its deer population. This total included 95,665 antlered bucks, 12,219 button bucks, and 83,847 does (44% females). With laws enacted and amount of farmed land decreasing, deer began to rebound. In 2021 the Nevada Department of Wildlife started the Mule Deer Enhancement Program to bring together people from all areas of the state to look at and address causes. This helps them avoid the harsher high elevation winter conditions such as deeper snow that covers up food. Population & Harvest Trends - Iowa Department of Natural Resources Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. They are allowed to be hunted and in the 2017-2018 season just over 3,000 were harvested. Title. 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 as many as 70,000 deer-motor vehicle collisions a year in New York state, and about 200 people across the country are killed in such accidents each year. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the return of this deer is a tribute to good landowner attitude and progressive management, research, and enforcement programs.. Opportunities to help us shape deer population goals for 23 of Minnesota's 130 deer permit areas continue through Monday, Feb. 13, when the goal-setting questionnaire for this year will be closed. There are only white-tail deer in North Carolina. That brings us to the topic of this article, where we will dive into what the deer population is in each U.S. state, and which types of deer you can find there. Fall 2021-22 harvest: 191,731. Idaho has about 520,000 white-tails, and the rest are mule deer. Last year, both rifle and archery harvests were below average. Newborn deer, or fawns, have white spots on their coats that help camouflage them in the forest. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, deer populations had plummeted across the country and some states were in danger of loosing deer entirely. If the deer population gets too large, it can damage forest growth and destroy native vegetation. Factors causing deer populations to grow in recent years include expansion of homes into rural areas that are hospitable for deer but are not suitable for hunting. Deer are a favorite big game animal. Hunting controls, restocking and improved habitat brought the deer population up to about 17,000 by 1965. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). They may occasionally eat small animals like mice or birds, but it isnt very common. There are six subspecies of mule deer found across California. This is the only deer species in the state, and it is a huge conservation success story. They live in forests, prairies, coastal areas, and grasslands. White-tailed deer populations are growing at a steady pace in Texas. White-tailed deer and mule deer are not native to the area. Each year, DNR compiles county-level deer data across Indiana. Which states have named the white-tail deer their state animal? This is quite a noticeable decline from the population high of 250,000 seen in 1988. Rhode Island only has 18,000 deer and Delaware comes in at 45,000. 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. 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. 2021's deer season in Kentucky exceeded already high numbers coming out of the pandemic-affected 2020 . 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. That is a quick comeback from the estimated 662 that were left in 1941. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: deer hunting information. At that time, many state wildlife agencies were formed with the goal of conserving the nation's depleted wildlife resources. Deer Research, Management, and Reports | Louisiana Department of . 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. . Deer Friendly - Utah Only about 1,000 of these deer are white-tail deer. Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. The main deer population in Utah is mule deer, with a 2021 estimate of 314,850. 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. New for 2021, all eastern Oregon deer hunting is controlled. U.S. Deer Populations - DeerBusters.com West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: big game hunting information. 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. New Mexico has three native deer species. 10 Black Snakes in Georgia (With Pictures), 16 Species of Bats in Texas (With Pictures), Black Bear Population by State (Recent Reports), Mountain Lion Population (In Each U.S. State), Moose Population by State (Estimates and Info), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Maryland white-tailed deer management plan, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks site, 2017-2023 South Dakota white-tailed and mule deer management plan, 2021 Range-Wide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer, 12 Types of Animals With a Long Tail (with Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), 460,420 (black-tailed and mule deer combined), 427,500 (combined white-tail and mule deer), central to eastern Canada, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New England and Nova Scotia, Key deer / Florida Keys white-tailed deer, Florida keys, mainly from Sugarloaf Key to Bahia Honda Key, Coues white-tailed deer / Arizona white-tailed deer / fantail deer, Arizona and parts of New Mexico into Mexico, Dakota white-tailed deer / northern plains white-tailed deer, western and central Canada, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, North & South Dakota and western Minnesota, Hilton Head Island, Beaufort County South Carolina, south-central Oregon and southern Washington/northern Oregon border, U.S. central plains including Texas panhandle, parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska, Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge, McIntosh county Georgia, Rocky Mountains white-tailed deer / northwestern white-tailed deer, western Canada and northern Rocky Mountains, Gulf coast of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, Virginia white-tailed deer / southern white-tailed deer, Pacific Northwest and northern California, southeastern coastal Alaska, south central Alaska, coastal British Columbia, California mule deer (Westside of Sierra Nevada down to south coast), Desert/burro mule deer (southwest California, northwest Mexico and Arizona), Southern mule deer (Southernmost California and Baja California), Rocky Mountain mule deer (Northwest California, western and central North America), Inyo mule deer (Sierra Nevada, California). The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife estimated a population of 1 million white-tailed deer at the start of the 2020-21 hunting season. Wyoming is home to 70,000 white-tail deer and about 330,000 mule deer. The Illinois Division of Wildlife Resources says deer are an important part of the states economy. Michigan: 31 deer per square mile. North Dakota is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. Read More The states Department of Natural Resources and other groups want to attract more hunters to reduce deer populations. White-tailed deer population in Pennsylvania has been 1.4-1.5 million for the last few years. State/Province Updates: Moderator: Sara Holm: 1:00-1:10 PM: California Deer and Elk Status Update: . 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. 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. Three of those are abundant enough to hunt, the white-tailed deer, mule deer and black-tailed deer. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. There are nearly 2,000 different species! 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. 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. Ohio Department of Natural Resources: hunting and trapping regulations. State wildlife biologists were concerned about damage from these non-native deer, but monitoring programs have found they coexist peacefully with the states native species. A popular game animal, it is so iconic to American forests that it has been named the official mammal of several states. Be on the lookout. We will be looking at the population of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. 2021 data shows an estimated mule deer population of about 84,000 90,000 in Nevada. For these numbers, we have included all deer species. 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. 3) Colorado: Deer population around 25,000. Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. 2021 Virginia Deer Season Review. If it is just a garden you are trying to protect, you can net off that specific area rather than your whole yard, Motion detecting sprinklers can work great to startle them away. 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. Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations and seasons. Things began to turn around when state refuges were created and periodic deer stocking occurred. In the issue: Big-game preference points and herd counts! 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. 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. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. February 07, 2022. Part of what helped this rebound was less agriculture, which allowed the land to revert back to mixed woodland which deer prefer. As any gardener knows, deer also eat fruits, vegetables, and flowers. A separate mule deer survey put the mule deer population in 2021 at 53,400, so it would appear the large majority of deer in Kansas are white-tailed. Hunters in Region B the remainder of the state harvested 62,916 deer, down 13% from 72,346 . We researched to find out. Controlled hunting laws have kept the population stable. Recent field studies from southeastern United States have . In the western states, Idaho is the only state that has at least 750,000 deer within a state. This includes plant shoots, legumes, cacti, leaves, grasses, fruit, corn, acorns and mushrooms. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. Damage to crops deer can cause huge amounts of crop damage, eating not only parts of mature plants but also destroying plants at the seedling and budding stages. Arkansas nearly lost its deer population. Indiana had almost deer left in 1900. In the early 1900s not many deer remained in Alabama after overhunting, estimates were down to about 2,000. White-tailed deer and mule deer roam the grasslands and prairies of Wyoming. 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. Deer eat a lot, about 2,000 pounds of plant matter each year. It is a tough balance for the Axis deer on the islands. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge. In 2017 the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division reported an estimated population of 1.27 million. 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. The reader should bear in mind that many . Restrictive game laws also helped allow the population to grow. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, fireweed, pearly everlasting, forbs, salmonberry, salal, and maple. Statewide, deer populations benefited from a relatively mild winter and favorable weather during fawning season and early summer. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. View the latest Missouri deer harvest numbers by county. The following section is not related to the 2021 Deer Hunter Survey but is offered as information relevant to the state's deer population. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. 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 . On average in North America, males weigh 121 331 pounds and females weigh 95 198 pounds. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: information for hunting in Florida. Predators kill white-tailed deer. 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. Fall deer densities [PDF] in 2018 varied from 4 to 80 deer per square mile of land area. Also the growth of suburbs that broke up large swaths of forested land into smaller chunks actually benefited the deer. It is the only deer native to the state. While there is no one fail safe solution to keep them away, here are a few top tips. 2022 - 2023 Deer Statistics for Alabama - Game Harvest Menu Kansas has about 50,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tails. Upwards of 400,000 deer are hunted in the state each year. Deer harvests began to increase again in 2016, possibly due to coyote densities declining. 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. New Mexicos game & fish page states that while poor conditions in the early 2000s suppressed deer numbers, things have since improved and today populations are stable with most experiencing growth. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Since losing its mountain lions and wolves, the state depends on hunting to keep the population under control. Additional Sources used in this article : WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. The Oklahoman reports the estimated deer population today at around 750,000. South Dakota has more than 80,000 mule deer and 420,000 white-tail deer. 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. 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. White-tailed deer are mainly herbivores and will eat what they can find during each season. 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. Deer Population by State 2023 While the white-tailed deer more or less stop east of the Rocky Mountains, the mule deer take over west of the Rockies. Archery (including crossbows) accounted for 14% of the deer kill; muzzleloaders, 23%; and firearms, 63%. They are most populous in states like Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and New York, but they are slowly infiltrating other areas like Alaska as well. In general, black-tailed deer occur in the western half of the state, while white-tailed and mule deer occur in the eastern half. This is according to the most recent (2019) population estimates conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TP&W).. Their successful strategy has brought the estimated deer population today to about 500,000. Hunters in southwest Michigan will be able to use a firearm from Nov. 15, 2020, through Jan. 1, 2021, except for Dec. 1-3. . Some states also have small populations of endemic deer species found only in that state. Regular hunting ensures that a state will only have the number of deer its ecosystems can support. . 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. 4) Iowa: Deer population around 400,000. Missouri Department of Conservation: deer hunting regulations. White-tailed deer are an important game animal in Michigan. Colorado doesnt count deer species separately. Mule deer are native to the state, and the white-tailed deer were introduced by Idaho Fish & Game in the 1950s to present more hunting opportunities. They are largely concentrated around the so-called Hill Country and Edwards Plateau regions. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. States With Minimal Deer Populations. By 1990 the population had grown to 250,000. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. The deer population in the United States varies by state. Kansas is home to two kinds of deer, white-tailed deer and mule deer. Indiana: 28 deer per square mile. Deer Season Summary and Population Status Report . Based on hunting data the white-tailed deer population in 2017 was about 135,000. "With roughly 35 calves per hundred cows, we know the herds are increasing. According to the same state estimates, White-tail populations have consistently increased since 1989 where they were estimated to number around 3.5 Million. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Although Fayette County had the highest harvest rate at 2.6%. 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. However, in West Virginia, drivers had the highest likelihood of hitting an animal. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. They will lose these spots after a few months. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. 15 SOAs. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. White-tailed Deer in Florida | FWC - Florida Fish And Wildlife South Dakota is home to both the white-tailed and mule deer. North Carolina's major efforts to restore our state's deer resource took place in the 1940s through the 1970s. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million. Deer Populations - Wildlife Control Information Like many other states with healthy deer populations, Delaware uses managed hunting to control population levels. Predation is a natural form of mortality for white-tailed deer. Sitka overall have a darker coat than the Columbian. Preliminary figures show that hunters registered 175,667 deer during the What Is The Deer Population In Wisconsin? 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 most recent number listed on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks site estimates 1.75 million white-tailed deer in the state. About 206,00 hunters used a crossbow and harvested 93,000 deer. 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 . The only population estimate I could find for sika deer was approximately 10,000 in 2016. Deer Accidents by State: The 12 Worst Areas Ranked - MoneyWise Arizona is home to two main types of deer, the mule deer and the white-tailed deer. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. This is mainly white-tailed deer however there is a small population of mule deer in the state also, about 1,750 3,000. State Harvest Statistics 2022 - 2023 Deer Statistics for Alabama # of Deer reported: 195241 # of antlered reported: 102366 Public Land. 84 . Its 2020 estimate . However the accompanying article states estimates are likely conservative. Icon. Read more about New Yorks deer abundance on the DEC site here. Growth has boomed since with an estimated population today of 700,000 750,000 white-tailed deer. In the 1950s, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission brought deer from other states to repopulate parts of Florida. Market hunting decimated the states population by the late 1800s. Thing have come a long way from the first post-conservation deer estimate of 500-700 deer in 1936. 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. Sitka are the smaller subspecies weighing between 80 120 pounds. Connecticut DEEP: hunting and trapping information. Patterns and Habitats, Deer in Texas: Types, Populations, and Where they Live. . Population estimates for recent years put the white-tailed deer numbers around 850,000 1 million. Outdoors: Deer population in New York wasn't always so high SCDNR - 2021 Deer Harvest Report - South Carolina Department of Natural Texas is home to around 225,000 mule deer and millions of white-tail deer. Overall outlook: New York's 2021 deer hunting forecast said biologists expect 2021-'22 to be another productive season for hunters. Deer Hunting Season 2022 Forecast: A State-by-State Guide The deer population in Boston suburbs is exploding to levels Delaware hunters registered a record 17,265 harvested deer during the 2020/21 hunting season with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, surpassing the previous record harvest of 16,969 deer set last year during the 2019/20 hunting season.