The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. Wyoming Game & Fish Department: Deer Hunting. White-tailed deer are one of three deer species native to North America. This number can drift up and down depending on the severity of the winter and how many harsh or mild winters there may be in a row. Overall the state reports the population is currently stable or slightly declining. Today, the state enjoys a healthy population of almost 1 million white-tailed deer who live in each of its 75 counties. Arizona has a small population of whitetails, though they tend to prefer areas with more vegetation. The population is mostly in the southern part of the state. develop estimates of deer density across the state. 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. Take a look! Some states also have small populations of endemic deer species found only in that state. When alarmed, white-tailed deer will raise their tail straight up, flashing the white. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they are an abundant and sustainable game species in Louisiana and the species most targeted by Louisiana hunters.. It is estimated by 1925 only about 400 deer remained. For our population numbers, we relied on official numbers from each states Fish and Wildlife Department, Department of Natural Resources, or another appropriate source. Washingtons deer thrive in the mountain regions. Deer live in every county of the state. On Saturday, February 18, 2023, staff from CPW were able to recapture and refit the collar on male wolf 2101 near North Park. 42. 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. Mule deer are the most populous with a 2020 estimate of 85,000-100,000 mule deer in Arizona. There are approximately 5.6 Million White-tailed deer in Texas. Many animals, such as songbirds, rely on this understory habitat. 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. Habitat, Mortality, Harvest Per Hunter, and Deer Observations. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife: White-tailed deer in Maine. 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. Like most deer, black-tail browse on what vegetation is available in each season. . This is due in part to lack of predators and changes in land use (less mature forest, more transition zones). 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. Unlike white-tailed deer, some mule deer are migratory. Today, the population sits around 660,000. They are most populous in states like Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and New York, but they are slowly infiltrating other areas like Alaska as well. 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 tail is straight and black on top with white underneath. New Hampshire's Fish and Game Department says human feeding has damaged its deer populations. 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. This 2021 article in the Observer-Dispatch reports a white-tailed deer population of approximately 1.2 million. 3) Colorado: Deer population around 25,000. While populations still continue to fluctuate due to habitat loss, weather, disease and other factors, it remains in the hundreds of thousands. This total included 101,509 antlered bucks, 13,637 button bucks, and 93,005 does (44% females). This is mainly white-tailed deer however there is a small population of mule deer in the state also, about 1,750 3,000. According to the Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, most of the state conservation efforts are funded through hunting and fishing license sales and firearms sales. On the other hand, hunting them provides food for many and their meat is very prized. South Carolinas deer are all white-tails. One of the things that makes white-tailed deer so widespread is their ability to adapt to many environments. Over the years, she raised livestock animals, small animals, dogs, cats, and birds, which is where she learned most of what she knows about various animals and what allowed her to work as a dog groomer and manager of a specialty pet store. White-tail deer are the official animal of Arkansas, These numbers are for mule deer and white-tail deer. The 2021 mule deer survey put their population within the state at 227,392. This total included 95,665 antlered bucks, 12,219 button bucks, and 83,847 does (44% females). It also has about 320,000 black-tail deer, and the rest are mule deer. Hunters Enjoying More Older Bucks Although Fayette County had the highest harvest rate at 2.6%. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The two species live in different parts of the state. On average in North America, males weigh 150-300 pounds and females weigh 88 198 pounds. The state does not count its two species separately. California Department Fish and Wildlife: Deer Harvest Requirements. This is according to the most recent (2019) population estimates conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife (TP&W).. . 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). 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. However, in West Virginia, drivers had the highest likelihood of hitting an animal. However the Alaska Department of Fish and Game says that they are both crossing the border with Canada and starting to colonize. The deer mostly live in the northeastern part of the state. White-tailed deer are a popular game animal found in almost every part of the United States. 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. Texas is home to around 225,000 mule deer and millions of white-tail deer. Deer hunting is a huge sport in the state, and the 2020-21 season saw a whopping 435,180 deer harvested, one of the largest in the country. The Columbian white-tail is a rare species named after the Columbia River. Once present in only a few counties, they are now abundant in each of the states 95 counties. 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. They have made most of this information available online at Minnesota DNR Deer Populations & Goals. Deer Meat: 10 Things You Should Know About Venison, Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Maine. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources: hunting in Utah. 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. In the early 1900s laws regulating deer hunting were passed but did little good as they went unenforced for the most part. Because of that, out-of-state hunters' dollars have been a huge boost to the Iowa economy. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy . They also said that a significant portion of that population was found in east Tennessee. 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. Read more about New Yorks deer abundance on the DEC site here. Cattle and sheep began competing with deer for space and grazing by the 1860s, combined with the 1859 Gold Rush that brought 100,000 people into the state soon to be followed by a railroad bringing even more settlers. There are nearly 2,000 different species! Deer Gestation Period: How Long Are Deer Pregnant? Whereas the size of white-tailed deer can vary greatly, mule deer dont show as much of a difference across their range. 27. Deer are plentiful, and people who enjoy watching wildlife will find many opportunities to see them roaming free in forests and parks all over the country. The Oklahoman reports the estimated deer population today at around 750,000. 84 . However world-wide there are 26 known subspecies, with 17 of those occurring in the U.S. A spring 2020 estimate put their population at about 1,200. An article published in November of 2021 in the CT Insider quotes the CT DEEP stating that the three year average for total deer population in the state is 101,000. Why do so many states allow deer hunting? Unfortunately, this is also where the majority of the states human population live, and too many deer can increase car crashes and crop loss. As the largest of the lower 48 states, Texas has lots of room for deer. New Mexico has three native deer species. 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. This includes plant shoots, legumes, cacti, leaves, grasses, fruit, corn, acorns and mushrooms. Habitat, not predators, is the major factor determining mule deer numbers in Nevada. Estimated at 314,850 in 2020, down from 372,500 in 2018. They will spend the summer in higher elevations, then travel down to lower elevations during the winter. In public hunting areas the population is estimated at 950-1050 deer. Over time this heavy hunting and habitat loss took a real toll. Survey data is collected by field biologists using aerial and ground surveys in the . Importing of white-tailed deer from Michigan began in 1930 to strategic habitats. They mostly live in the states coastal regions. 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. The male white-tailed deer will grow a new set of antlers every year. Deer are thriving in all parts of the state. The Largest Deer in the World Do you know which species of deer are the largest? In Mississippi, the deer herd is estimated at 1.75 million animals, which is higher on a deer-per-unit-area basis (density) than any other state, and only Texas has a greater number of deer. In some areas, state wildlife officials have increased the number of hunting permits to help bring down deer populations. The emphasis is a science-based approach to managing of mule deer populations and factors affecting deer populations. For instance, in farmland management zones, harvesting approximately 25% of the . Vehicle collisions as population density increases, so does the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions. The states only deer species is thriving in every region. New Mexico is home to mule deer, Coue deer, and Texas white-tails. Thank you for visiting! White-tailed deer were once common in Delaware, but hunting reduced their numbers. The 2021 estimate for mule deer is 249,691. 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. They are an attractive deer with a bright orange-brown coat covered in white spots, much like the fawn of white-tailed deer.