The mule deer population has been in decline since 1980, decreasing from 300,000 to todays estimate of 170,000 190,000 in 2020. White-tailed deer are statewide but more populous in the east, while mule deer are found in the western two-thirds of the state. States with the Highest Deer Density. The University of Minnesota, Forest Ecosystem Health Lab and the US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service-Northern Research Station have digitized the deer density map to provide information on the status and trends of forest health across the eastern United States. This graph shows the estimated deer density of each wildlife area, separated by region. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. Georgia Wildlife Resources Division: deer hunting information. There is some concern that in the long run, they may outcompete the native mule deer. Efforts at management started as early as 1917 to save the remaining population. 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. The only population estimate I could find for sika deer was approximately 10,000 in 2016. This helps them avoid the harsher high elevation winter conditions such as deeper snow that covers up food. 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. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. However, where you find deer, youll usually find a lot of them. The white-tailed deer is Tennessee's most popular big game animal. This will only print the area on the screen. However the accompanying article states estimates are likely conservative. In recent years, the Agency's attention has turned to increasing and maintaining the doe harvest in order to control herd growth. Hunting expenditures in 2001 resulted in an economic impact of $654,682,000 (USFWS 2001). Washington state is home four subspecies of deer. It is the Agencys belief that hunting opportunities should be as liberal as possible without having a negative impact on the herd; therefore, more restrictive regulations should not be adopted unless it is the will of the majority of the hunting public. Virginia DWR: deer hunting regulations and seasons. Forest Service Research Data Archive. Coat color tends to be more reddish-brown in the spring and grayish-brown during winter. This includes plant shoots, legumes, cacti, leaves, grasses, fruit, corn, acorns and mushrooms. The Data Repository for University of Minnesota (DRUM), National Agricultural Library Thesaurus Term, White-tailed deer density estimates across the eastern United States, 2008. Because of this permits and licenses are becoming more flexible opening up new opportunities for the states hunters. This is one of those states that really offers great deer hunting. The Sooner State comes in at No. 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. Texans like to win. Antlers are vascular extensions of the skull covered with hairy skin, called velvet, during the growing period. 8 with 7.7 deer per square mile. To browse or use data from this site, no account is necessary! Some might not consider Kentucky a true midwestern state, but it practically is one. White-tailed deer density estimates across the eastern United States, 2008. Antlers may vary from small spikes that grow only a few inches above the skin to much larger racks including multiple points. Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. Despite these high harvests, the population still remains pretty stable. 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. Public Hunting Information; Leftover Tier 2 and Waterfowl Quota Hunt Permit Drawings; Manner & Means . Bear Harvest Report. Click here to learn more on deer hunting in Kansas. Value for Tennessee (No. Many towns are trying to figure out programs that will work for them to keep the deer population in check. The map contains information from 2001 to 2005, with noticeable changes since the development of the first deer density map made by QDMA in 2001. API. To browse or use data from this site, no account is necessary! We sent samples to Wildlife . Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. It made our list of top meat hunting states and is one of the top producers of Booner bucks. Deer are one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. Overall the state reports the population is currently stable or slightly declining. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation: The more recent 2021 mule deer survey (linked at bottom of article) lists about 80,600 mule deer. 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. The state reports that in areas where hunting is allowed and accessible, deer numbers are well balanced. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: information for hunting in Florida. Apparently people feeding deer, especially during the winter, has been an issue in the state. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: deer information and hunting guide. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: deer hunting guide. Illinois Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting information. Wild Hog Regulations. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. Montana has a large population of two types of deer, the mule deer and the white-tailed deer. Thank you for visiting! The range of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Tennessee has expanded from a few counties in east Tennessee in the 1940's to all 95 counties in the state. Click here for more information on deer hunting in Missouri. And while Minnesota isnt what it used to be, it still does well and cranks out good harvest numbers each year. Sexually mature males, known as bucks, grow antlers in the spring/summer of each year. May 20, 2010 #4 B Boone 58 Well-Known Member Joined Jun 23, 2004 Messages 15,991 Location Food Plot lol! Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. 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. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. By the turn of the century people began to realize they needed conservation programs or the deer would go the way of the buffalo. This 2015 article states the Arizona Big Game Management estimated Coues population at about 50,000-60,000 deer. Deer rely on young forest and forest edge habitat. Idaho is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. Their size can vary greatly dependent on their location. Deer overpopulation causes habitat destruction, crop damage, vehicle collisions and disease all of which threatens the long-term survival of white-tailed deer in Wisconsin. Biologists believe a new framework for deer management is in order, and one that takes into account the ecological capacity of the current ecosystem. When Europeans first came to America, they found deer a plentiful resource in most states. Site by Gray Loon. They consider the population stable. As you can see, populations drop drastically from the No. Growth of the Tennessee deer herd is expected to continue to increase at 1-2 % per year for the near future with most expansion occurring in the Mississippi River counties and in eastern Tennessee. North Dakota Game & Fish: deer hunting information. They also said that a significant portion of that population was found in east Tennessee. The sika deer population is mainly found along coastal regions and is much lower than the white-tailed deer. Their numbers rebounded through conservation efforts from 25 in 1955 to 800 in more recent years. Recent estimates indicate about 80,000 to 100,000 mule deer, and 10,000 to 15,000 Coues and other white-tailed deer. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. In late winter and spring when the male is courting females, he has a white forehead, bright blue face, and scarlet neck. However, these are the states the biggest, most mature deer come out of. Young fawns have white spots on their coats as camouflage for hiding from predators. Deer in the suburbs are well-known for eating the nice flowers and shrubs youve spent time planting in your yard. Total deer killed in a county (wilkinson) (1644) divided by the # of total land square miles (452) in that county ,taking into account that the total legal reported harvest should be 35% of the total deer killed and another 5% for road kill,predation. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. However in localized urban and suburban areas, many populations are increasing. Quality Deer Management Association. And here comes the biggest shock of all. Black-tailed deer have a white patch on rump, which their tail mostly covers. White-tailed deer and mule deer are not native to the area. It is transmitted through animal-to-animal contact, animal contact with a contaminated environment, and with contaminated feed or water sources. Does 2.5 years of age and older in high-quality habitats generally have two fawns, whereas their 1.5-year-old counterparts usually have only one. While CWD is considered 100 percent fatal once contracted, it is not known to harm humans or livestock. White-tailed Deer Hunting Units Unit A Unit A includes Bradley, Carter, Hamilton, Hawkins, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Rhea, Roane, and Sullivan counties. They are an attractive deer with a bright orange-brown coat covered in white spots, much like the fawn of white-tailed deer. Human dimension studies conducted by the University of Tennessee show a deer hunting satisfaction rate of approximately 80% between the years 2000-2004. Read more about New Yorks deer abundance on the DEC site here. The white-tailed deer has a reddish-brown coat in the spring which fades to a grayish-brown coat during the fall and winter. (Estimates & Examples), Bobcat Population by State (Estimates & Facts), 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), 4 Types of Water Snakes in Iowa (With Pictures), 5 Water Snakes in South Carolina (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). But, when its all said and done and the numbers shake out, Iowa only has 6.3 deer per square mile. Accessed 2023-03-01. One of the things that makes white-tailed deer so widespread is their ability to adapt to many environments. However, deer overpopulation can lead to damage and problems for human safety. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: white-tailed deer hunting information. Theres a lot more interesting history you can in Colorados Mule Deer Story. A small population has also been introduced on the island of Kaui, Hawaii. And their 15.3-deer-per-sqare-mile rating ranks them at No. Antlers remain on the bucks until after the breeding season, when they are shed. Click here for more information on deer hunting in Kentucky. The site is secure. SET OPTIONS. Click here to learn more on deer hunting in Ohio. However, that's still a decent number. White-tailed deer have played an important role in the lives of humans for generations and will continue to do so. In the early 1900s not many deer remained in Alabama after overhunting, estimates were down to about 2,000. 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 Agency's white-tailed deer program began in the 1940's with the initiation of deer restoration activities. 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. Mule deer make up the largest portion of the population and 95% of the annual deer harvested. The Deer density map shows our area to have at best 30 deer per sq. Tennessee: 900,000 Tennessee's deer are all white-tails. Idaho Fish & Game: Deer Hunting information. Kyle Sams, a deer program biologist, says the population models still show an upward trend and favorable growth rate that will allow the number of deer harvested to continue to increase. Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. Geography/TIGER or American FactFinder.. Ohio Department of Natural Resources: hunting and trapping regulations. Sitka are the smaller subspecies weighing between 80 120 pounds. These viruses are transmitted through a biting fly or midge in the genusCulicoides. Comments: Larvae and nymphs feed on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other wildlife. They will spend the summer in higher elevations, then travel down to lower elevations during the winter. 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. Oregon Department of Fish & Game: how to hunt deer and elk in Oregon. Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife: hunting rules and regulations. A useful trick if they are grazing and need to quickly flee from a predator. 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