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. As you can see, populations drop drastically from the No. Top 10 Booner States for Deer Hunting Since 2010, 10 Worst Deer Hunting States to Kill a Booner, Top 15 Deer Hunting States for Meat Hunters, The Best Way to Cook Chanterelle Mushrooms, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, Midwesterner Discovers Very Rare Melanistic Deer, Why an Old-School .30-06 Hunter is Switching to the 6.5 PRC, Southerners Shoot the Oldest Bucks, Texans Bag the Most Does, and More Highlights from the 2023 NDA Deer Report, Lost and Found: Neighbor Finds Hunters Huge Buck More Than a Year Later, Alabama Rut Kicking, Police Dog Saves Deer Hunter from Icy River, and More Deer Hunting News. If you see potential errors please contact the appropriate regional office. I was blessed to take a beautiful 8-point buck. Deer are browsers, eating young vegetation and twigs of shrubs and young trees. 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. Private lands only and archery only, except in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are additionally open for hunting. White tailed deer are found throughout the state, with the highest numbers in eastern half. On the other hand, hunting them provides food for many and their meat is very prized. The main deer population in Utah is mule deer, with a 2021 estimate of 314,850. The white-tailed deer has a reddish-brown coat in the spring which fades to a grayish-brown coat during the fall and winter. Hunting is now an important part in keeping populations managed in the state, especially to help reduce populations in urban areas. Pennsylvania Game Commission: hunting and trapping resource page. Also, their numbers can fluctuate quite a bit based on how severe the winters are from year to year. Late spring to fall, they consume grasses, blackberries, apples, fireweed, pearly everlasting, forbs, salmonberry, salal, and maple. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. Like many other states, deer and other large game in Iowa was hunted to near extinction by the early 1800s. 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. Vehicle collisions as population density increases, so does the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions. While populations often have good and bad years, the state feels its time to step in and try to improve the situation. Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. Deer eat a lot, about 2,000 pounds of plant matter each year. Herd growth has been such that hunting is allowed in all Tennessee counties with the Tennessee deer herd numbering approximately 900,000 animals. This is the average. 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. 2009. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: deer hunting guide. The main noticeable difference between the mule deer and the white-tailed deer are ear size, tails, and antlers. Click here for more information on deer hunting in Kentucky. However, at an application level, density analysis can provide valuable insight into natural and social phenomena. Another plains state, we see virtually the same story as in Oklahoma. 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. Ohio Department of Natural Resources: hunting and trapping regulations. States with the Highest Deer Density. Texas: 5.5 million Texas is home to around 225,000 mule deer and millions of white-tail deer. Comments: Larvae and nymphs feed on birds and small rodents, while adult ticks feed on deer and other wildlife. Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries: Deer Research, Management and Reports. By 2000 the deer population in the state was estimated at 1.75 million. The fabled Wisconsin is the sorts legends are made of. Tennessee. Based on hunting data the white-tailed deer population in 2017 was about 135,000. 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. Whether you need to know how to test the soil in your food plot, tighten the groups from your crossbow, or scope out the latest on that big buck you saw online, you've landed around the right campfire. The mule deer is a generalist and will forage on whatever is available. And the numbers show its an incredible hunting destination. In Tennessee, white-tailed deer are found throughout the entire State. There is a great timeline of deer management through the years on the wildlife departments website. Theyre pretty appealing. Focus on plants that arent as attractive to deer (marigold, verbena, snapdragon, butterfly bush, boxwood, juniper, bee balm). Furthermore, they salivate excessively and have an increased pulse, respiration rate, and temperature. Arizona Game & Fish: deer hunting rules and regulations. Well, that depends on the location and habitat type. However, White emphasized that even though the overall harvest is lower, there are some very good deer hunting counties in the region. Alternatively, yearling males disperse away from their mother; which is thought to prevent inbreeding. White-tailed deer are statewide but more populous in the east, while mule deer are found in the western two-thirds of the state. An official website of the United States government. Unlike white-tailed deer, some mule deer are migratory. White-tailed deer and mule deer are not native to the area. Once the antlers are fully developed, the males rub the velvet off, exposing the bone antlers. Ideally 8 feet and solid (not opaque). Historical data from Tennessee suggests that there has been no negative impact on the herd due to lower buck limits (11-buck limit pre-1998, 3-buck limit post-1998). Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. 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. New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife: White-tailed deer hunting and harvest. Conversely, buck fawns only have small bony growths, which do not protrude through the skin, during the fall and winter after their birth. Minnesota only harbors 9.4 deer per square mile. Time_Period_of_Content: Time_Period_Information: Single_Date/Time: Missouris white-tailed deer population sits at about 1.4 million. 6 Types of Deer in North America (With Pictures), Gray Wolf Population by State (Estimates & Info), How Strong Are Rhinos? A 2020 study by the Mule Deer Working Group put total deer population (including black-tailed and mule deer) in California at 460,420. Quality Deer Management Association. While statewide estimates are gained mainly through harvest data, in 2021 a thermal imaging drone was flown over Arlington in efforts to gain more accurate data. The Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife estimated a population of 1 million white-tailed deer at the start of the 2020-21 hunting season. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Alaska Department of Fish & Game: deer hunting information and regulations. 9 10 12 15 18 22 26 Arial Book Antiqua Courier New Georgia The second most challenging aspect results from the lack of communication between the Agency and hunters. The summer coat of a white-tailed deer is reddish-brown, while its winter coat is gray. This has been accomplished through liberalized antlerless bag limits, liberalized deer tagging regulations, increased seasons, and increased non-quota antlerless hunting opportunities. Things began to turn around when state refuges were created and periodic deer stocking occurred. Unfortunately that number decreased in 2001 due to the slight decline in hunter numbers. Providing Central Access to USDAs Open Research Data, POLYGON ((-97.79296785593 49.08969639239, -93.39843660593 28.528552436928, -89.35546785593 29.604028198331, -84.7265625 29.840643899834, -83.3203125 28.921631282421, -81.26953035593 24.599077513253, -80.068359375 25.562265014427, -79.33593660593 26.50203882611, -81.09374910593 30.970072870503, -75.29296785593 35.668007004069, -74.00390625 39.504040705584, -69.873046875 41.640078384679, -70.048828125 43.389081939117, -67.03124910593 45.3922778262, -67.91015535593 47.57059587168, -82.49999910593 42.481820059448, -84.60937410593 46.974255311628, -88.30078035593 48.627099373266)). That leaves you with the average number of whitetails per square mile. 2021 population numbers listed by the state estimate 293,950 mule deer and 212,814 white-tailed deer. The map is intended to reflect the approximate boundaries of the TWRA Huntable Lands generally available for the use of sportsmen/sportswomen with proper licenses. Fluorescent orange is required in Unit CWD. 2. With no natural predators the population boomed. That said, dont take anything away from Kansas, because it continues to be one of the best states in the entire country. Digitized white-tailed deer densities for the continental United States. To get this data, we simply divided the states deer populations by their total number of claimed square miles. 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. Vermont is near the northernmost part of white-tailed deers range, and the deer must look for areas of shelter with mature evergreen trees to withstand the low temperatures and deep snow of winter. We have built the easiest Tennessee Heat Map Maker in the universe! In 1974 the state passed the Deer Management Act and had its first deer hunting season the following year. Mule deer are classified as the species Odocoileus hemionus, the Rocky-Mountain mule deer. Providing Central Access to USDAs Open Research Data, POLYGON ((-125.570437 23.246347, -65.705075 23.246347, -65.705075 50.962115, -125.570437 50.962115)), 005:059 - Department of Agriculture - Management Activities, These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks: deer hunting information. North Dakota Game & Fish: deer hunting information. The most recent number listed on the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks site estimates 1.75 million white-tailed deer in the state. Indiana Department of Natural Resources: White-tailed Deer History & Biology. By the turn of the century people began to realize they needed conservation programs or the deer would go the way of the buffalo. Black Bear Age Harvest Data. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: deer hunting information. Coming in slightly lower than Texas, with 14.4 deer per square mile, you cant exclude it from the list. 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. Although, young females may stay with their mothers for an extended amount of time and ultimately overlap her home range. This state isnt what it once was. However, deer overpopulation can lead to damage and problems for human safety. These deer gained the name mule due to their elongated ears that resemble a donkey. By 1930 less than 500 deer remained. Here is my WAG. Not likely. Because of restoration initiatives, effective game laws, and wise management, the deer herd in Tennessee has increased dramatically from approximately 2,000 deer in the 1940's to an estimated 900,000 animals in 2005. The tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. 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. Wyoming Game & Fish Department: Deer Hunting. "We saw a record harvest for the 2020-21 deer season of 216,835," said Ralph Meeker, deer program coordinator with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The sika deer population is mainly found along coastal regions and is much lower than the white-tailed deer. The most credible white-tailed estimate I could find came from the 2017-2023 South Dakota white-tailed and mule deer management plan, which listed the 2016 preseason population estimate at 425,000. On average in North America, males weigh 121 331 pounds and females weigh 95 198 pounds. Some even want to move to these states because the hunting is so good. The estimated all-time low whitetail deer population numbers in Louisiana was about 20,000 in 1925. Additionally, deer-vehicle collisions affect human safety and can cause economic loss. Other deer related concerns in the state include Lyme disease and deer-vehicle collisions, which are taken to account in the states management practices. This is due in part to lack of predators and changes in land use (less mature forest, more transition zones). This is quite a noticeable decline from the population high of 250,000 seen in 1988. 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. SET OPTIONS. 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.. Virginia: 1 million The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. This 2015 article states the Arizona Big Game Management estimated Coues population at about 50,000-60,000 deer. 2019. The percentage of does in the overall harvest has increased steadily from 19% in 1984 to 32% in 1994 to 45% in 2004. With 18.4 deer per square mile, its hard to argue against its validity. Right now all we have is a density map for south-central Tennessee. 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. White-tailed deer are mainly herbivores and will eat what they can find during each season. Realtree is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including those with disabilities.2023 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. The QDMA spatial map depicting deer density (deer per square mile) was digitized across the eastern United States. This map is intended as a guide only, and its content is subject to change without notice. According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the deer and elk meat industry begun in Colorado as early as 1880. North Dakota is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission: information for hunting in Florida. 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. In Tennessee cervids include deer and elk. In 2017 the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division reported an estimated population of 1.27 million. The white-tailed deer found in Arizona belongs to the subspecies called Coues. After gathering 2020 data the state reported stable mule deer herds and slightly increasing whitetail herds. 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. Wild hogs are invasive exotic animals that cause extensive damage to crops, wildlife habitat, contribute to erosion and water pollution, and carry diseases harmful to livestock and humans. Florida Coastal White-tailed Deer (panhandle and northwestern portion of the state), Florida White-tailed Deer (northwestern, central and southern portion of the state). Most of the population growth in recent years has occurred in the southern half of the lower peninsula. A total of 159,962 deer were harvested. This will only print the area on the screen. 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. The Kansas DWP reports that white tailed numbers have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Adult ticks have been associated with transmission of R. parkeri to humans.. About This Map DATA INPUT. I hunted in Ohio for the first time this season. Deer are one of the most populous and hunted big game animals in North America. White-tailed deer are even found in urban and suburban areas. However, I truly expected to see Kansas higher on the list since it is in fact a draw state in comparison to Oklahomas over-the-counter status. Length: Male 46", Female 37" Wingspan: Male 64", Female 50" Weight: Male 16.2 lbs., Female 9.2 lbs. Seems to me (statistically) the place would eventually be hunted out. Sexually mature males, known as bucks, grow antlers in the spring/summer of each year. Our deer blog is one of the longest-running and most popular ones out there. To try and combat this, the state has a community deer management assistance program, that includes additional licenses hunters can obtain to harvest deer on private properties, with landowner permission. The .gov means its official. 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. All other states were looked at and the deer populations were measured to determine which states have the most deer. Antlers may vary from small spikes that grow only a few inches above the skin to much larger racks including multiple points. 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. Pull up a seat and join us. Retrieved from the Data Repository for the University of Minnesota, http://dx.doi.org/10.13020/D6G014. But one thing is for sure, hunters wont mind seeing as many deer as the land can healthily support. Newborn deer, or fawns, have white spots on their coats that help camouflage them in the forest. 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. These outside sources sometimes do not give the proper information, or even worse, feed hunters misguided, commercially based information which does not pertain to statewide management. Within these two high-prevalence counties, the disease is not distributed evenly, and . QDMA Whitetail Report, 2009. 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. Many white-tailed deer live in forests and prefer habitat with young growth and forest edge. Outdoor Alabama: Deer hunting information and regulations. They are only found in the Florida keys and are an endangered species. API. 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. Bogart, GA. 68 pp. 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. The Coues deer are most commonly found in the southeastern mountains but also up through the Mogollon Rim and White Mountains. We will be looking at the population of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. Their successful strategy has brought the estimated deer population today to about 500,000. QDMA Whitetail Report, 2009. 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. This 2021 article in the Observer-Dispatch reports a white-tailed deer population of approximately 1.2 million. The mule deer working group lists the 2021 population in the badlands at 21,000. No, thats not at the top. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2019-0053. But, when its all said and done and the numbers shake out, Iowa only has 6.3 deer per square mile. Deer density remains highest in the Tennessee portion of LBL. A 2021 estimate puts mule deer at a population of between 90,000 130,000. 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. performance.franklintn.gov | Last Updated 2021-07-26T18:03:35.000Z. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: white-tailed deer hunting information. Deer in the suburbs are well-known for eating the nice flowers and shrubs youve spent time planting in your yard. They are small deer with fully grown males rarely weighing over 100 pounds. I definitely expected it to rank much higher on this list. Click here to learn more on deer hunting in Illinois. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. But its still really good in the grand scheme of things. 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. However Texas is also home to mule deer, who live in the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle regions. Sounds good for hunters, but populations this high can be problematic. Georgia Wildlife Resources Division: deer hunting information. However, these are the states the biggest, most mature deer come out of. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. White-tailed deer prefer the more agricultural and upland areas of the state, whereas the sika deer prefer marshes and forested wetlands. 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. 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. See table on backside of brochure for bag limits. For full disclosure, both Indiana and Michigan were excluded from this list because their respective DNRs no longer estimate statewide populations. Habitat loss, decrease in forgeable food and hunting brought species to the brink by the early 1900s. Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Big Game Hunting. That is up from an estimated 1.7 million ten years ago. Plant them closer to your house, and put a border around them of stronger smelling plants such as lavender, mint or garlic. As mentioned, some areas will be higher and some will be lower. Hunting seasons, bag limits, deer restocking and habitat restoration are just a few of the management practices that sprung up. Deer rely on young forest and forest edge habitat. White-tailed deer dominate Texas, being found in 252 out of 254 counties across the state with an estimated population of 5.3 million. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Coverage of the state was relatively complete during this effort, and deer populations were successfully established statewide (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 1991). We couldnt find any hard numbers and its likely an estimate has not yet been made. Hunting expenditures in 2001 resulted in an economic impact of $654,682,000 (USFWS 2001). To date, the majority of the herd exists in middle and western Tennessee, while densities in the Mississippi River counties, the Cumberland Plateau, and far eastern portions of the state remain below desired levels. 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. The following population estimates were taken from state government websites and other authoritative sources. There are six subspecies of mule deer found across California. Webpage with information and links to data files for download. West Virginia Department of Natural Resources: big game hunting information. According to this article, the DNREC estimated the deer population at the start of the 2020-21 season at 45,000 white-tailed deer. Oregon Department of Fish & Game: how to hunt deer and elk in Oregon. The top of their tail is brown, but the underside is very fluffy and white. The antlers are used during the breeding season to compete for breeding females. Deer friendly reports a white-tailed deer population of 72,900 in 2019 based on hunting data. 10 on this list. There are eight accepted subspecies in the U.S., including the two black-tailed species. The gestation period is around 199 days, and the fawns are weaned at 3-4 months of age. The white-tailed deer is the most common game species in the state today, however hunting was banned between 1841 and 1954 to allow the population to rebound after a huge decline in the early to mid 1800s. Iowas first conservation law came around in 1856, restricting what time of year deer could be hunted. Advertisement The region as a whole had a harvest of 20,546 deer. Males are larger than females. Land area updated every 10 years. Today, white-tailed deer continue to be a highly-valued resource forTennesseans, especially for hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts. Surprise you? The antlered deer bag limit is a total of two for the entire 2020-21 deer seasons. Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. This helps them avoid the harsher high elevation winter conditions such as deeper snow that covers up food. 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. 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. Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in North America, weighing only about 55-65 pounds. The North Carolina Wildlife Commission estimated the white-tailed deer population in the state to be around 1 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. 5. They may occasionally eat small animals like mice or birds, but it isnt very common. Which came first, the black-tailed deer or the mule deer? Deer species in the U.S. are split into eastern and western groups, with some cross over in the middle. 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. Like other deer species they grow new antlers each spring and shed them during the winter. 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. On the flip side, there are other areas that support huge populations. Sponsorship: Quality Deer Management Association; US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service-Northern Research Station; Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. 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. But everyone I talk to who has, heralds this state as one of the best in the country. The majority of the North American population lives east of the Rocky Mountains. And while Minnesota isn't what it used to be, it still does well and cranks out good harvest numbers each year. Statewide regulations have allowed QDM practitioners to implement their strategies with great success, while also keeping non-QDM practitioners happy. 2. Public Hunting Information; Leftover Tier 2 and Waterfowl Quota Hunt Permit Drawings; Manner & Means . This number doubled over five years and in 1996, hunters poured in over $909,687,000 to the local economy. White-tailed deer are generalists, thriving in a variety of habitat types. (2016). Some deer may survive and recover from the disease, but many die and are often found in or near water. Thus, for many research practitioners, there has been less of a focus on this methodology for GIS. 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.