They live in forests, prairies, coastal areas, and grasslands. The majority of the North American population lives east of the Rocky Mountains. Overall outlook: New York's 2021 deer hunting forecast said biologists expect 2021-'22 to be another productive season for hunters. Rhode Island only has 18,000 deer and Delaware comes in at 45,000. This remains pretty average for the states deer population over the last 20 years which has ranged from about 115,000 to 160,000. A spring 2020 estimate put their population at about 1,200. White-tailed deer and mule deer are not native to the area. Emily is an editor and content marketing specialist of five years. Conservation efforts, game management programs, and habitat protection have all helped them survive. The sika deer population is mainly found along coastal regions and is much lower than the white-tailed deer. The state initially planned to wait for the fall of 2021 to hold a harvest. Wolves and mountain lions, their natural predators, no longer live in the state. Although we think of deer as a forest animal, they also thrive in Floridas swampy coastal regions. Deer Population by State: How Many Deer are in the U.S.? In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. Today Arkansas enjoys plenty of deer, with a 2020 estimate of 900,000 white-tailed deer. For white-tailed deer, the last mention I could find was about 520,000 around 2015. Some states also have small populations of endemic deer species found only in that state. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. It is estimated that only 10,000 deer inhabited the state in 1900. 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. They also said that a significant portion of that population was found in east Tennessee. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Today, they are an important game animal and a key part of the states ecosystems. This 2021 article in the Observer-Dispatch reports a white-tailed deer population of approximately 1.2 million. . The Largest Deer in the World Do you know which species of deer are the largest? 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. It is the only deer native to the state. Also the growth of suburbs that broke up large swaths of forested land into smaller chunks actually benefited the deer. The mule deer working group states it is difficult to estimate black-tailed deer numbers, however the 2004 estimate of 320,000 is likely close as the population has been stable since then. They live in every state of the country, and their numbers are stable. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. New Mexico is home to mule deer, Coue deer, and Texas white-tails. Combined with habitat protection measures, this ban allowed deer to thrive. 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. Deer Harvest Map. Columbia Black-tailed deer (Northern California and Pacific Northwest). This is mainly white-tailed deer however there is a small population of mule deer in the state also, about 1,750 3,000. Unlike the white-tailed deers antlers which branch out from a single main beam, the antlers of mule deer are bifurcated. The Axis deer, also known as the chital, is native to the Indian subcontinent. 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. The state department of wildlife and fisheries began to manage deer by setting hunting seasons and restocking in the late 1940s. Wildlife biologists suggest developing softwood, nut-bearing habitats as a better alternative to human feeding. Making deer dependent on human feeding can make them more vulnerable to predators, diseases, and vehicle collisions. Unlike white-tailed deer, some mule deer are migratory. Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. White-tailed deer dominate Texas, being found in 252 out of 254 counties across the state with an estimated population of 5.3 million. The most recent data I could find for white-tailed deer reported around 300,000 in 2016. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. For example, in 2016, Wisconsin had an estimated deer population of 1.3 million, while Texas had an estimated deer population of 4 million. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. 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. White-tailed deer populations are growing at a steady pace in Texas. There are nearly 2,000 different species! In the early 1900s laws regulating deer hunting were passed but did little good as they went unenforced for the most part. Washingtons deer thrive in the mountain regions. 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. There were fewer than 500 deer left at the time. Nebraskas deer population includes 300,000 white-tail deer and 130,000 mule deer. Today, it is thriving. Considering our current coyote population, these numbers go a long way in explaining why the deer harvests have decreased over the last few years. This can have a Catch-22 effect on the wildlife population in the state. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. Overall the state reports the population is currently stable or slightly declining. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: deer hunting information and regulations. The rest are mule deer. With laws enacted and amount of farmed land decreasing, deer began to rebound. Today, the population sits around 660,000. Which states have named the white-tail deer their state animal? The state attracts more deer hunters than almost any other. 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. New Hampshire Fish & Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. In the western states, Idaho is the only state that has at least 750,000 deer within a state. The Columbian white-tailed deer is an endangered species so is protected rather than hunted. But things got worse. They are also an important food source for the endangered Florida panther. Like many states, Ohio successfully reintroduced deer, and they are now thriving. This includes flowers, grass, tree and shrub fruits, nuts, acorns, berries and lichen. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the deer and elk meat industry begun in Colorado as early as 1880. This time the population grew to 212 deer in only 6 years. However the accompanying article states estimates are likely conservative. The 2021 big game outlook states that the white-tailed deer population is stable to increasing. The process is outlined in detail in Appendix 2 of our Management Plan for White-tailed deer in New York State: 2021-2030 (PDF). 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. Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. . Overpopulation of deer can damage ecosystems by preventing forest regrowth and causing declines in plant diversity. Based on hunting data the white-tailed deer population in 2017 was about 135,000. In fact the 2020-21 hunting season is reported as one of Ohios most successful with 197,735 deer harvested. They are the mule deer, Coues deer, and Texas white-tail. During the past deer season, 191,731 deer were reported killed by deer hunters in Virginia. 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. Caption: Ohio's deer archery hunting season . . I live in the Pacific Northwest and am surrounded by nature. Today, the state enjoys a healthy population of almost 1 million white-tailed deer who live in each of its 75 counties. They are herbivores who eat what is seasonally available. In 2021, the state launched a new initiative to enhance populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer. Winds light and variable.. Tonight As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Florida has a healthy deer population that includes a large number of white-tails and fewer than 1,000 rare Key deer. Based on preliminary data provided by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) the number of reported deer-vehicle collisions for 2021 was 6,409 . The state banned hunting in 1841, and the deer population increased. Habitat, not predators, is the major factor determining mule deer numbers in Nevada. . 48 State Parks. White-tailed deer were once common in Delaware, but hunting reduced their numbers. Slow down. 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.. When Europeans first came to America, they found deer a plentiful resource in most states. The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. They remain an important part of the states economy, generating an estimated 1.2 billion dollars through hunting. These deer are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach. Read More The estimated population total today is 427,500 mule deer and white-tailed deer. Like many other states, deer and other large game in Iowa was hunted to near extinction by the early 1800s. 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. Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations and seasons. There are more than 490,000 acres of wildlife management areas in West Virginia. See the 2021 report. Maines many wild, pristine forests are a healthy habitat for deer. While caribou, elk and moose are all Cervids, that is members of the deer family, we are not discussing them in this article. As the population grew, the demand for market hunting increased and deer were hunted in greater and greater numbers. The state says its population is well-managed and sustainable. New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. 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. They are classic forest creatures who feature in wilderness stories and artwork. These sika deer were originally from Japan and were released from private property in Maryland during the early 1900s. Thus far they report that the harvest has not met the numbers they want, and the state is continuing to work on management strategies. Deer populations are actually higher than they were historically in many areas, or they are at the point of exceeding the carrying capacity of their local environment. Kansas is home to two kinds of deer, white-tailed deer and mule deer. They also state the greatest density of deer can be found in Rockingham, Hillsborough and Cheshire counties, as well as along the Connecticut River Valley in Grafton County. 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. As part of the states deer management plan, the state is divided up into numbered permit areas, each with their own deer population goal. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation: deer hunting resources. Deer are thriving in the states forested areas. The data are then monitored over time to improve deer management and inform decisions about harvest goals. While deer are prey for some large carnivores, there are not enough of these predators to keep deer numbers in check. After two days of flying, they counted 796 elk - 172 were bulls with 460 cows and 160 calves. These deer live on a series of islands along the river. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. According to the state of Massachusetts deer management page, there are an estimated 95,000 white-tailed deer in the state. Everything You Want To Know About Muntjac, What Do White-Tailed Deer Eat? There is also a small population of black-tailed deer on the island of Kauai that were introduced from Oregon in 1961. Tennessee hunters harvested 159,879 deer in the state this hunting season. . White-tailed deer, also known as whitetails or Virginia deer, are a common game animal in the United States. Many animals, such as songbirds, rely on this understory habitat. They consider the population stable. Have some feedback for us? The numbers above do not include deer . States With Minimal Deer Populations. The first recorded sightings of the white-tailed deer in Utah happened in the northern part of the state, Cache county, in the late 1990s. Only about 1,000 of these deer are white-tail deer. There are three main types of deer in New Mexico, the mule deer, the Coues deer and the Texas white-tailed deer. As the largest of the lower 48 states, Texas has lots of room for deer. 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 In a 2020 article the state DNR estimated a white-tailed deer population of about 900,000 1,000,000. Like other states, Mississippi used conservation efforts to bring deer back from the brink of extinction. The white-tailed deer is native to North America, Central America and parts of South America. The antlers are used during the breeding season to compete for breeding females. Their numbers rebounded through conservation efforts from 25 in 1955 to 800 in more recent years. Nebraska is another state that is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. Maryland Department of Natural Resources: hunting in Maryland. This flash can alert other deer that danger has been spotted, and is known as flagging. Hawaii has about 1,000 black-tail deer and 110,000 Axis deer. The state's 630,000 deer hunters generate $2.2 billion annually, but according to a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, hunting license sales dropped by 5.8 percent from 1999 to 2017. About 74,000 hunters participated in the state's 2017 spring turkey season, and killed 33,000 birds. On average in North America, males weigh 150-300 pounds and females weigh 88 198 pounds. Visit our site to view our resource on Estimating Deer Populations on Your Property: Population Dynamics. Bobcats and coyotes also prey on deer, but human hunting is the main way to control their populations. 2) Oklahoma: Deer population around 500,000. . You can find blacktail deer in western Oregon, whitetail deer in northeastern Oregon and mule deer east of the Cascade range. Title. The states Department of Natural Resources and other groups want to attract more hunters to reduce deer populations. In 1960, there were 22 deer management areas and most deer seasons were only 2 to 4 weeks, with the longest at 56 days. It is a tough balance for the Axis deer on the islands. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: big game hunting information. While overall population is down from the peak years of the mid to late 1990s, density of deer still remains a problem in many suburban parts of the state. 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. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. The white-tailed deer found in Arizona belongs to the subspecies called Coues. The good news seems to be that the white-tailed deer numbers have recovered from the hit they took in 2012-2013 from a bad outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Connecticut DEEP: hunting and trapping information. This coupled with careful management clearly has allowed deer in Mississippi to make an impressive comeback. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. Oklahoma has about 2,00 to 3,000 mule deer, and the rest are white-tail deer. Nebraska Game & Parks: deer hunting in Nebraska. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 million.