Deer 2022 Threaten birds

Overabundance of deer threatens bird populations

Deer 2022 Tick

White-tailed deer are a primary carrier of dangerous tick-borne illnesses

Deer 2020 Forest

Overpopulations threaten forest regeneration

Deer 2018 Finland

White-tailed deer now Finland's second most populous game animal

Deer 2017 Disease

Fatal Hemorrhagic disease found in White-tail deer

Deer 2016 Back from the brink

Back from the brink

hist-4274-photo-Deer Management is a Societal Issue, The Nature Conservancy

Deer management is a societal issue

Deer 2013 Suburban

“Birth control, not bullets.”

Deer 2012 Culling

Animal rights group sues National Park Service over planned culling of white-tailed deer

Deer 2007 Damage Forests

Introduced deer populations threaten agriculture and native flora of Jamaica

Deer 2005 Deer now a threat

Deer populations are threatening other wildlife survival

Deer 2001 Fawn predator

"Black bears are a major predator of young white-tailed deer"

Deer 2000 Population Peak

US deer population peaks at 33.5 million whitetails

Deer 1995 Community Deer Management

Community based deer management

Deer 1995 Vehicle Accidents

726,000 deer-vehicle accidents occur annually in the US

hist-4269-photo-Deer population in NY Estimated at a Record 650,000, New York Times

Deer population in NY estimated at a record 650,000

Deer 1971 Wildlife Refuge

Julia Butler Hansen National Wldlife Refuge for the columbian White-tailed Deer established

Deer 1967 Columbian Endangered

Columbian white-tailed deer listed as endangered

hist-4267-photo-Key Deer Listed, Endangered Species Preservation Act

Key Deer Listed, Endangered Species Preservation Act

hist-4264-photo-Highway Collisions Claim 523 Deer, Chicago Tribune

Highway collisions claim 523 deer

hist-4262-photo-Thinking Like a Mountain, Aldo Leopold

Thinking like a mountain

Deer 1943 Starving

Deer starved by the thousands

hist-4259-photo-Wildlife Restoration Act Passed

Wildlife Restoration Act passed

hist-4257-photo-Game Farms Established to Restore Species, Pisgah National Game Preserve

Game farms established to restore species

hist-4256-photo-Lacey Act Passed, New York Times

Lacey Act passed

hist-4254-photo-Sale of Game Should Be Forbidden at All Seasons, George Bird Grinell

Sale of game should be forbidden at all seasons

hist-4252-photo-Record Low 300,000 White-Tailed Deer Remaining, T.S. Palmer

Record low 300,000 white-tailed deer remaining

hist-4251-photo-Deer Rarely Seen, Forest Commission of New York

Deer rarely seen

Deer 1871 Fire

"no deer could survive"

Deer 1836 Hunted in Excess

Deer still hunted in excess

hist-4250-photo-The State of Things will Not Last Long, Colonel John May

The state of things will not last long

hist-4249-photo-A Buck Valued at One Dollar, Col. George Rogers Clark

A buck valued at one dollar

hist-4248-photo-Closed Seasons on Hunting throughout the Colonies

Closed seasons on hunting throughout the colonies

hist-4247-photo-Volumes of Deerskins Exported

Volumes of deerskins exported

hist-4246-photo-Infinite Herds, Thomas Ashe

Such Infinite Herds

Deer 1128 Stag

"The Legend of the White Stag"

Deer 10000 Ghost of the White Deer

"The Ghost of the White Deer"

Deer 10000 Horns

How the Deer got His Horns

Deer 25000 Thirty Varieties

White-tails of the greatest abundance

Deer, White-tailed Deer

Population overgrowth

Since the first hunting season launched in 1969, predation of the white-tailed deer has become scarce and populations have ascended into the millions. Human development and the warming climate have forced many animals, specifically species who prey on deer, into increasingly smaller habitats and hindered their hunting capabilities. Adversely, these factors have expanded the range of the white-tail deer as suburban communities and agricultural tracts provide safe habitats with plenty of food. Additionally, warming temperatures allow the animal to roam further than previous climates may have allowed. 

Inhibiting forest regeneration

High deer density threatens forest health by hindering tree regeneration and species diversity. As the deer eat vulnerable saplings and low hanging shrubs, these plants have a lower chance of survival than old growth which towers above the animal’s feeding range. Additionally, deer will consume the vegetation they find most palatable, preventing forest diversity from developing evenly. 

Most Pressing Issues

Whitetails Unlimited

Whitetails Unlimited is a nonprofit conservation organization that works to enhance wildlife habitat and offers educational programs on safe and responsible hunting practices. 

National Deer Association

The National Deer Association is committed to the future of white-tailed deer population and habitat maintenance. They offer educational resources to individuals highlighting the success story of white-tailed deer conservation. They also provide hunters with the knowledge and understanding required to safely and sustainably practice their sport.

How You Can Help

U.S. Northeast Timeline

White-tailed Deer