This is the average. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: White-tailed deer in Maine. They are only found in the Florida keys and are an endangered species. Minnesota only harbors 9.4 deer per square mile. I hunted in Ohio for the first time this season. Human dimension studies conducted by the University of Tennessee show a deer hunting satisfaction rate of approximately 80% between the years 2000-2004. North Dakota is home to both white-tailed and mule deer. The Kansas DWP reports that white tailed numbers have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Land area updated every 10 years. Like other deer species they grow new antlers each spring and shed them during the winter. 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. Digitized white-tailed deer densities for the continental United States. In recent years, the Agency's attention has turned to increasing and maintaining the doe harvest in order to control herd growth. API. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. Estimated Harvest per 100 Hunter-days, by Species. 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. This 2021 article in the Greenville Sun quoted the states wildlife resource agency as estimating 900,000 white-tailed deer in the state. This not only allows them to digest a wide variety of foods, but they can eat and wait until later to digest. Crossbows are legal during the entire archery season on both the Kentucky and Tennessee portions of LBL. Fortunately, the early to mid 1900s is when most management programs began to try and reverse this population loss. Upwards of 400,000 deer are hunted in the state each year. 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. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department: white-tailed deer hunting information. Utah: 315,000 Only about 1,000 of these deer are white-tail deer. They theorize habitat change, two decades of aggressive antlerless deer harvest, and the complete colonization of the state by coyotes and their impact on fawn survival as possible causes. That said, like Kansas and Oklahoma, there is a lot of open ground in Iowa, much of which doesnt support large populations of deer. Illinois Department of Natural Resources: deer hunting information. It sure surprised me. 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. Many white-tailed deer live in forests and prefer habitat with young growth and forest edge. The tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge. 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)). The mule deer working group lists the 2021 population in the badlands at 21,000. All other states were looked at and the deer populations were measured to determine which states have the most deer. Some might ask what the perfect number is. After the 2021-2022 deer hunting season, Fayette County had the highest county-wide prevalence of CWD at 17.7% and Hardeman County had the next highest at 11.8%. Deer are browsers, eating young vegetation and twigs of shrubs and young trees. Overall, this strategy has worked relatively well, as most areas are harvesting the desired number of does (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 2005). Click here to learn more on deer hunting in Kansas. "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. Some even want to move to these states because the hunting is so good. 10 on this list. 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. This number doubled over five years and in 1996, hunters poured in over $909,687,000 to the local economy. 2015-16 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) Big Game Harvest Data back to 1915. This has rebounded from the estimated 10,000 deer in 1900. Estimated Number of Hunters by Species. On the flip side, there are other areas that support huge populations. General Info. Many animals, such as songbirds, rely on this understory habitat. Digitized white-tailed deer densities for the continental United States. In Tennessee, they are classified as a species . Bogart, GA. 68 pp. Click here for more deer hunting articles and videos. But it is a really solid figure. 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. Maryland Department of Natural Resources: hunting in Maryland. White tailed deer are found throughout the state, with the highest numbers in eastern half. Unfortunately, this is also where the majority of the states human population live, and too many deer can increase car crashes and crop loss. That is a far cry from nearly zero in 1890. Columbian weigh between 88 180 pounds. However, that's still a decent number. This helps them avoid the harsher high elevation winter conditions such as deeper snow that covers up food. The mule deer is a generalist and will forage on whatever is available. It was sometimes an up and down battle for the deer, but things really began to improve in the early 1970s when management of deer was turned over from the state legislature to the department of natural resources. While the white-tailed deer more or less stop east of the Rocky Mountains, the mule deer take over west of the Rockies. Bear Harvest Report. The farmland sites contain 4 major outliers: Indian Creek, Killdeer Plains, Lake La Su An, and Deer Creek, which all have estimated densities of over 100 deer per square mile. Unfortunately that number decreased in 2001 due to the slight decline in hunter numbers. The Deer density map shows our area to have at best 30 deer per sq. The increasing deer population has been reflected in an increasing harvest, which was a record 179,542 deer during the 2004/05 season. Mule deer are found in the western third of the state, mainly in the High Plains, Smoky Hills and Red Hills regions. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: white-tailed deer overview. Despite these high harvests, the population still remains pretty stable. The total deer estimate for the state in recent years is about 280,000 300,000. See Region 1 WMA regulations starting on page 37 to see which public lands are open during this hunt. Today, white-tailed deer continue to be a highly-valued resource forTennesseans, especially for hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts. By 1930 less than 500 deer remained. Deer harvests began to increase again in 2016, possibly due to coyote densities declining. While there is no one fail safe solution to keep them away, here are a few top tips. Forest Service Research Data Archive. 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 whitetails that come of out this state both the quantity and quality are nothing short of amazing. A 2020 study by the Mule Deer Working Group put total deer population (including black-tailed and mule deer) in California at 460,420. Many towns are trying to figure out programs that will work for them to keep the deer population in check. 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). By the late 1800s and early 1900s, deer populations had plummeted across the country and some states were in danger of loosing deer entirely. Because of this permits and licenses are becoming more flexible opening up new opportunities for the states hunters. Put up a fence but it has to be tall. While CWD is considered 100 percent fatal once contracted, it is not known to harm humans or livestock. However the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says that they are both crossing the border with Canada and starting to colonize. The units guide is available at tn.gov/twra.html. We have 6 members and if each of us take 3 deer per year, that would be more than half the population. I merged the data together to find the total area of land that can support a mountain lion and then limited the federal data to just Tennessee using the intersect tool. 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. In the current Maryland white-tailed deer management plan the most recent population estimate I saw was 207,000 tailed deer in 2018. And while Minnesota isn't what it used to be, it still does well and cranks out good harvest numbers each year. Nebraska Game & Parks: deer hunting in Nebraska. Click here for more information on deer hunting in Minnesota. 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. That leaves you with the average number of whitetails per square mile. 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. CWD is a contagious and a fatal neurological disorder that affects members of the deer family known scientifically as cervids. They remain an important part of the states economy, generating an estimated 1.2 billion dollars through hunting. Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries: Deer Research, Management and Reports. The most recent data I could find for white-tailed deer reported around 300,000 in 2016. While populations still continue to fluctuate due to habitat loss, weather, disease and other factors, it remains in the hundreds of thousands. Sitka are the smaller subspecies weighing between 80 120 pounds. It made our list of top meat hunting states and is one of the top producers of Booner bucks. Due to many factors including over-harvesting, hunting and habitat loss the white-tailed deer became uncommon in Connecticut between 1700 1900. White-tailed deer have played an important role in the lives of humans for generations and will continue to do so. In Tennessee, white-tailed deer are found throughout the entire State. Copy-Paste or input your values into our Excel template. Giles County led the state in the total . Mule deer make up the largest portion of the population and 95% of the annual deer harvested. 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. Here is my WAG. On the one hand they cause a lot of damage to crops and use up many natural resources. By 2000 the deer population in the state was estimated at 1.75 million. There are eight accepted subspecies in the U.S., including the two black-tailed species. After gathering 2020 data the state reported stable mule deer herds and slightly increasing whitetail herds. Their size can vary greatly dependent on their location. Not likely. And its certainly one of the best in the Midwest with 17.4 deer per square mile. If you see potential errors please contact the appropriate regional office. Accessed 2023-03-01. Thats an impressive comeback from the near extinction they faced in the state at the turn of the 20th century. Thank you for visiting! Mule deer are primarily found in the badlands alongside the Little Missouri River. TWRA has made a reasonable effort to assure the accuracy of the map; nevertheless, some information contained therein may not be accurate. 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. Deer become infected after being bitten by a midge carrying the virus. Deer friendly reports a white-tailed deer population of 72,900 in 2019 based on hunting data. In Tennessee, white-tailed deer are found throughout the entire State. This method rapidly reclaimed informational value of deer density maps and similarly may be applied to digitize a variety of published maps to geographic information system layers. Pull up a seat and join us. Deer can be found from sea level to high elevations in the mountains. For full disclosure, both Indiana and Michigan were excluded from this list because their respective DNRs no longer estimate statewide populations. New Hampshire Fish & Game: Deer Hunting in New Hampshire. 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. To get this data, we simply divided the states deer populations by their total number of claimed square miles. Advertisement The region as a whole had a harvest of 20,546 deer. Everyone wants to hunt there. Download a map ofA.E.D.C Wildlife Management Area, Information aboutLand Between the Lakes Wildlife Management Area, To order a color Wildlife Management Area map click here: WMA Color Map Order Form, CLICK ON IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP, Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Those that dont could be even lower than the average. Thus far they report that the harvest has not met the numbers they want, and the state is continuing to work on management strategies. White-tailed deer dominate Texas, being found in 252 out of 254 counties across the state with an estimated population of 5.3 million. portion of LBL have increased to two deer, only one antlered and by any means (gun, muzzleloader, or archery). 6 to 7 spot. 2009. That was a 26 percent increase from the 2019-2020 season of 126,452. 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.. Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Maps This map is intended as a guide only, and its content is subject to change without notice. Sitka overall have a darker coat than the Columbian. Seems to me (statistically) the place would eventually be hunted out. Deer where nearly extirpated from the state by the early 1900s, with only a few thousand left in remote pockets. With no natural predators the population boomed. In Vermont they also prefer the valley areas that have a mix of forest and fields. That said, dont take anything away from Kansas, because it continues to be one of the best states in the entire country. 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. Wyoming Game & Fish Department: Deer Hunting. Wyoming is home to both mule deer and white-tailed deer. They consider the population stable. However, where you find deer, youll usually find a lot of them. Estimated Number of Hunters and Trappers of Furbearers. 6 to 7 spot. This graph published by the NJDEP Division of Science and Research shows the 2018 population estimate at just over 125,000 white-tailed deer. The lighter shades of green determine the lower percentage rates of deer being harvested in Tennessee. Deer are browsers, eating young vegetation and twigs of shrubs and young trees. However, deer overpopulation can lead to damage and problems for human safety. They are small deer with fully grown males rarely weighing over 100 pounds. Something that many of you might find very interesting is how this list compares to that of our nations highest deer populations per square mile, of which almost all of these states did not make the cut. 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. Focus on plants that arent as attractive to deer (marigold, verbena, snapdragon, butterfly bush, boxwood, juniper, bee balm). Minnesota only harbors 9.4 deer per square mile. By the turn of the century people began to realize they needed conservation programs or the deer would go the way of the buffalo. Quality Deer Management Association. Market hunting decimated the states population by the late 1800s. Hunting controls, restocking and improved habitat brought the deer population up to about 17,000 by 1965. Tennessee Population Pyramid 2023 Tennessee Median Age 38.8 Total 37.5 Male 40.1 Female Tennessee Adults There are 5,264,378 adults, (1,107,564 of whom are seniors) in Tennessee. Hunting is the number one cause of mortality for adult white-tailed deer in many parts of their range, including Tennessee. Unlike white-tailed deer, some mule deer are migratory. Additionally, deer-vehicle collisions affect human safety and can cause economic loss. The deer herd in middle and west Tennessee has reached the point in some areas where management efforts are focused at slowing or stabilizing herd growth, and sometimes reducing the overall size of the herd. As the population grew, the demand for market hunting increased and deer were hunted in greater and greater numbers. 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. Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. White-tailed deer are statewide but more populous in the east, while mule deer are found in the western two-thirds of the state. Insurance provider State Farm estimated there were. Most of the population growth in recent years has occurred in the southern half of the lower peninsula. 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