COUNTING DEER HARVESTS is important for management, but how do they do it? Each year, millions of hunters set foot in the woods and harvest millions of deer. We count these harvests as a way to manage the whitetail population and to attempt to quantify an area s deer hunting opportunities. However, not all states determine their harvest totals using the same methods. Means of coming up with a total harvest include surveys, mandatory registrations, car checks and physical counts in the field. But they can be divided even further. Some surveys are done online, over the phone or through the mail; and some mandatory registrations require physical check points while others are done on the phone or online. How They Count Counting deer harvests is something state wildlife agencies have experimented with for many years. Most states have switched up their methods more than once, and most continue to do so in an attempt to get the most accurate and convenient method while maintaining a reasonable budget. b y D a n i e l l e b e y e r Having mandatory registrations with check stations is a very accurate way of reaching a total because, in theory, each whitetail harvested is accounted for. However, many hunters oppose this because of the inconvenience. And the costs of managing check stations and hiring personnel to collect and analyze the vast amount of data can add up quickly. Despite the downfalls, mandatory registrations are still very popular. Twenty-five states and four Canadian provinces use some sort of mandatory registration practice. Surveys are also a very popular option for estimating harvest totals. Fourteen states and four provinces use surveys as their main method of calculating harvests. Post-hunt surveys often include information such as the sex, age and weight of the deer, whether it was antlered, where it was killed and what harvest method was used. Some surveys will even ask for the antler measurements so records can be kept to reflect trophy potential. 94 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 95 P H O T O S B Y L O N L A U B E R
All-Time Single-Season Whitetail Harvests State Year Harvest *1. Texas 2008 619,650 2. Wisconsin 2000 618,274 *3. Texas 2006 604,800 *4 Texas 2005 584,385 *5. Texas 2002 575,317 *6. Texas 2003 570,706 *7. Texas 2004 566,482 *8. Texas 2000 561,534 *9. Texas 2009 559,357 10. Michigan 1999 544,895 11. Michigan 2001 541,701 12. Alabama 2003 535,092 13. Wisconsin 2007 520,416 14. Pennsylvania 2002 517,529 15. Wisconsin 2004 517,169 *16. Texas 2001 515,215 *17. Texas 2007 512,852 18. Alabama 2002 507,800 19. Wisconsin 2006 506,947 20. Texas 1987 504,953 21. Pennsylvania 2000 504,600 22. Alabama 2004 500,700 23. Michigan 2003 495,000 24. Wisconsin 1999 494,116 25. Michigan 2008 489,922 26. Pennsylvania 2001 486,014 27. Georgia 2004 484,000 28. Wisconsin 2003 483,951 29. Michigan 2007 480,638 30. Michigan 1995 478,960 31. Alabama 2000 478,700 32. Texas 1989 477,491 33. Michigan 2002 476,215 34. Texas 1988 474,968 35. Texas 1991 474,047 36. Texas 1992 468,893 37. Wisconsin 1995 467,100 38. Pennsylvania 2003 464,890 39. Wisconsin 2005 463,935 40. Michigan 2001 463,706 * In 2009, Texas recalculated its deer kill for the past eight seasons using a new formula against previous survey data. This correction factor increased the reported harvest by more than 100,000 deer per year. Statistics compiled by: Deer Hunters 2010 Almanac, F&W Media. Most agencies that use surveys generate a random sample from a list of hunting license holders. They will then request the selected hunters complete a survey online, through the mail or by the phone. The idea is that the data from the selected sample should be representative of the total population. The downfall of surveys is that it is sometimes difficult to get hunters to participate if it isn t mandatory. For example, each year South Carolina chooses 25,000 hunters at random to participate in its survey in an attempt to get reports from 15 percent of licensed hunters. In 2009, South Carolina s Department of Natural Resources received 6,501 surveys back, which was about a 26 percent response rate. However, when considering the number of hunters in the state, the survey only measured about 4 percent of the total hunting activity. Going Digital Saves Money Some states are getting creative with their reporting methods and are choosing to incorporate new technology into their calculations. Many states now allow hunters to report their harvests online, and Arkansas has even developed its own harvest-reporting app for the iphone. For the 2010 hunting season, Idaho is attempting to go completely paperless with its reporting. Agencies taking advantage of new technology are saving money as well as making hunting preparation more convenient for hunters. In most states, hunters can now purchase their hunting licenses online, and many allow deer tags to be printed from their website, too. Not all states have been able to improve their calculation methods though, even with the help of advancing technology. Harvest calculations cost money, and with a declining economy in the past few years, some states have had to cut back on funding for wildlife agencies. Florida has not had an estimate for harvest totals since 2004 because of staffing cuts at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. And Michigan had to eliminate some check stations in 2009 and 2010 because of budget cuts. However, Florida has proposed a new method that would begin producing harvest estimates in the next couple years. Evolving Models Other factors that affect harvest calculations are changes to the calculation method itself. Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho and Texas have all recently altered their methods for estimating whitetail harvests. Most changes are simply new rules for surveys that will alter new harvest calculations slightly. However, in 2009 Texas changed its formula for estimated white-tailed deer harvests, which ultimately changed its harvest statistics for the past 10 years and put its 2008 harvest as the new all-time single-season record for the entire country. Texas still sends out mail surveys similar to many other states, but it has adjusted the non-responding bias correction factor, which has in turn increased the yearly harvest by more than 100,000 deer. The state s wildlife authorities reported the bias correction factor was changed because of information obtained in telephone follow-ups to the mail surveys sent out in the 2005 to 2007 seasons. Why We Count Although many hunters consider harvest calculations to be inconvenient or intrusive, gathering information about each statewide harvest serves many purposes in managing wildlife. State wildlife agencies can use the information from these counts to set bag limits, estimate deer population and assess hunter approval. Many wildlife agencies use the number of deer harvested each season to estimate how many deer are in the area. This gives them an idea of how many deer the state s hunters should aim to harvest the next season. If the harvest estimate is inaccurate because of lack of reporting by hunters, it could lead to a significant imbalance in the deer population in future seasons. For example, one way wildlife agencies estimate the total deer population is through the SAK (Sex-Age-Kill) method, which is used in Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, SAK is used when the hunting season is over and the total harvest is known. It uses the number of bucks harvested, the age structure of the harvested bucks and does and the fawn-to-doe ratios 96 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
that were observed during summer to estimate the number of deer in the state before the hunting season began. Then, to determine the posthunt population, they multiply the total harvest by 1.15 (to factor in an estimated 15 percent non-recovered wounding and poaching mortality) and subtract from the pre-hunt population. This count is then used to set goals for the upcoming hunting season. Because surveys issued often include information beyond just the number of deer harvested, the agencies can look at how satisfied hunters were with the season and make changes accordingly. Hunters who participate in surveys and follow mandatory registration rules ultimately help make hunting better for all who are involved. Harvest calculations for each state and province are listed within the state-by-state statistics provided. This data has been compiled with the assistance of state wildlife authorities. EDITOR S NOTE: This section is designed to educate hunters on various aspects of deer hunting in the United States. Regulations are provided in general terms. Read and understand the official regulations before going afield. Single-Season Whitetail Harvests by State State Year Harvest Alabama 2003 535,092 Arizona 1984 7,181 Arkansas 1999 194,687 Connecticut 1995 13,740 Delaware 2004 14,669 Florida 2001 140,000 Georgia 2000 446,000 Idaho 1998 39,042 Illinois 2007 199,705 Indiana 2009 132,752 Iowa 2005 211,451 Kansas 2000 108,000 Kentucky 2000 157,321 Louisiana 2000 276,000 Maine 1959 41,735 Maryland 2009 100,663 Massachusetts 2002 12,416 Michigan 1999 544,895 Minnesota 2003 290,000 Mississippi 2002 352,159 Missouri 2006 321,829 Montana 2006 69,410 Nebraska 2008 68,600 New Hampshire 1967 14,186 New Jersey 2000 77,444 New York 2002 308,216 North Carolina 1992 217,743 North Dakota 2004 104,147 Ohio 2009 261,314 Oklahoma 2006 119,349 Oregon 2002 1,475 Pennsylvania 2002 517,529 Rhode Island 2008 2,945 South Carolina 2002 319,920 South Dakota 2008 73,872 Tennessee 2006 182,093 *Texas 2008 619,650 Vermont 1980 25,932 Virginia 2009 256,512 Washington 1979 66,000 West Virginia 2002 255,356 Wisconsin 2000 618,274 Wyoming 2009 15,423 * In 2009, Texas instituted a new formula with a larger correction factor, and current data should not be compared to un-corrected counts before 2000. mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 97
ALABAMA Deer Population... 1.75 million Average Harvest... 430,125 Bow-hunters... 69,600 Forested Land... 23.46 million acres 1999-00 372,000 47,000 419,000 2000-01 435,100 43,600 478,700 2001-02 376,200 34,500 410,700 2002-03 454,200 53,600 507,800 2003-04 483,749 51,343 535,092 2004-05 446,000 54,700 500,700 2005-06 385,600 55,400 441,000 2006-07 390,100 46,800 436,900 2007-08 304,700 37,200 341,900 2008-09 NA NA NA Highest total harvest...535,092 (2003-04) Lowest total harvest... 31,123 (1963-64) Bow hunting record... 55,500 (1997-98) Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources 63 N. Union Street, Suite 584 P.O. Box 301457, Montgomery, AL 36130-1457 (334) 242-3469 www.outdooralabama.com Arizona Deer Population... 75,000 Average Harvest... 5,081 Bow-hunters... 24,000 Forested Land... No estimate 2000 4,250 214 4,500 2001 3,440 225 3,654 2002 3,644 274 3,918 2003 4,013 291 4,304 2004 4,602 262 4,864 2005 4,270 401 4,671 2006 4,335 425 4,787 2007 4,598 393 4,991 2008 5,329 421 5,750 2009 4,651 554 5,205 Highest total harvest...7,181 (1984) Lowest total harvest...1,535 (1971) Bow hunting record...1,315 (1994) Arizona Game & Fish Dept. Game Branch 221 W. Greenway Road Phoenix, AZ 85023 (602) 942-3000 www.gf.state.az.us ArKANSAS Deer Population... 1 million Average Harvest...167,793 Forested Land... 17.86 million acres 2000-01 167,328 14,804 182,132 2001-02 140,791 9,488 150,279 2002-03 98,862 9,285 108,147 2003-04 117,891 13,043 130,934 2004-05 118,516 13,123 131,639 2005-06 118,363 21,814 131,457 2006-07 147,524 15,222 165,663 2007-08 145,294 18,069 169,853 2008-09 166,613 18,378 184,991 2009-10 NA NA 187,000 Highest total harvest...194,687 (1999-00) Lowest total harvest... 203 (1938-39) Bow hunting record...21,814 (2005-2006) Arkansas Game & Fish Commission No. 2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, AR 72205 (800) 364-4263 www.agfc.com COLORADO Deer Population... 460,000 (all species) Average Harvest... NA Bow-hunters... 11,507 Forested Land... NA Colorado does not distinguish between white-tailed deer and mule deer in its harvest statistics. State biologists estimate 1,000 whitetails are taken each year. Colorado Division of Wildlife 6060 Broadway Denver, Colorado, 80216 (303) 297-1192 www.wildlife.state.co.us CONNECTICUT Deer Population... 130,000 Average Harvest... 11,994 Bow-hunters... 13,333 Whitetail Habitat... 3,971 square miles 2000 10,586 2,687 13,273 2001 9,424 2,262 12,050 2002 9,093 2,889 11,982 2003 9,412 3,258 12,670 2004 10,201 3,334 13,535 2005 9,658 3,006 12,664 2006 7,482 3,157 11,598 2007 8,151 2,924 11,075 2008 9,299 3,559 12,858 2009 7,056 4,718 11,774 Highest total harvest... 13,740 (1995) Lowest total harvest...550 (1975) Bow hunting record...3,334 (2004) Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection 79 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106-5127 (860) 424-3000 www.ct.gov/dep DELAWARE Deer Population... 40,000 Average Harvest... 13,605 Bow-hunters... 7,000 Forested Land... 460,928 acres 2000-01 9,907 834 10,741 2001-02 10,945 1,037 12,200 2002-03 9,149 851 10,000 2003-04 NA NA 14,560 2004-05 NA NA 14,669 2005-06 12,480 1,504 14,401 2006-07 11,794 1,747 13,609 2007-08 12,222 1,467 13,689 2008-09 11,614 1,682 13,926 2009-10 10,778 1,622 12,400 Highest total harvest...14,669 (2004-2005) Lowest total harvest...1,494 (1976-1977) Bow hunting record...1,747 (2006-2007) State of Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife 4876 Hay Point Landing Road. Smyrna, DE 19977 (302) 739-9910 www.dnrec.delaware.gov 98 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
FLORIDA Deer Population... No estimate Average Harvest... NA Bow-hunters... 150,000 Forested Land... 29,280 square miles 2000 93,319 18,317 111,636 2001 117,000 23,000 140,000 2002 109,642 8,239 117,881 2003 109,665 7,048 116,713 2004 103,342 8,496 111,888 2005 NA NA *NA 2006 NA NA *NA 2007 NA NA *NA 2008 NA NA *NA 2009 NA NA *NA * Harvest totals for recent seasons not available. Highest total harvest... 140,000 (2001) Lowest total harvest... 48,900 (1971) Bow hunting record... 23,000 (2001) Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676 www.myfwc.com GEORGIA Deer Population... 1 million (2007) Average Harvest... 336,108 Bow-hunters... 91,234 Forested Land... 38,145 square miles 2000-01 401,400 44,600 446,000 2001-02 372,200 37,800 410,000 2002-03 361,500 37,100 398,600 2003-04 308,084 40,676 348,760 2004-05 287,884 30,924 318,808 2005-06 283,607 35,770 319,377 2006-07 283,734 35,766 319,500 2007-08 311,250 39,465 350,715 2008-09 356,037 42,880 398,917 2009-10 Highest total harvest... 446,000 (2000-2001) Lowest total harvest... 134,000 (1981-1982) Bow hunting record...49,368 (1996-1997) Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Commissioner s Office 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., S. E. Suite 1252 East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-3500 www.georgiawildlife.com IDAHO Deer Population... 200,000 Average Harvest... 20,153 Bow-hunters...17,000 Deer Habitat... 30,000 square miles required for first-time bow-hunters. 2000 15,850 390 16,240 2001 15,850 450 16,300 2002 15,160 340 15,500 2003 18,000 460 18,460 2004 17,048 498 17,546 2005 20,938 916 21,854 2006 20,000 2,000 22,000 2007 19,870 880 22,800 2008 NA NA 18,622 2009 14,801 690 15,491 Highest total harvest... 39,042 (1998) Lowest total harvest... 15,491 (2009) Bow hunting record...2,000 (2006) Fish & Game Department Box 25, Boise, ID 83707 (208) 334-3700 www.fishandgame.idaho.gov ILLINOIS Deer Population... 800,000 Average Harvest... 193,077 Forested Land... 7,896 square miles 2000 106,433 42,630 149,063 2001 101,566 42,900 144,460 2002 107,890 51,660 159,550 2003 110,960 57,802 168,762 2004 126,817 63,639 190,456 2005 125,479 64,735 190,214 2006 132,576 65,187 197,763 2007 134,411 64,294 199,705 2008 123,411 64,955 188,425 2009 124,413 64,864 189,277 Highest total harvest... 197,763 (2006) Lowest total harvest...1,709 (1957) Bow hunting record... 65,187 (2006) Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 782-6302 www.dnr.state.il.us INDIANA Deer Population... No estimate Average Harvest...127,562 Bow-hunters... 58,748 Forested Land... NA 2000 76,313 22,412 98,725 2001 79,047 24,116 103,163 2002 85,156 19,272 104,428 2003 85,823 21,163 106,986 2004 101,000 22,000 123,000 2005 101,300 24,200 125,500 2006 97,937 27,444 125,381 2007 97,784 26,643 124,427 2008 102,827 26,921 129,748 2009 103,336 29,416 132,752 Highest total harvest... 132,752 (2009) Lowest total harvest...68 (1954) Bow hunting record... 27,444 (2006) Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife 402 W. Washington Street, Room W273 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-4080 www.in.gov/dnr IOWa Deer Population... 340,000 Average Harvest... 157,383 Bow-hunters... 55,209 Forested Land... 2.2 million acres 2000 107,934 15,266 123,200 2001 112,161 18,798 130,959 2002 117,401 20,042 137,443 2003 158,915 23,941 182,856 2004 163,467 31,045 194,512 2005 177,333 34,118 211,451 2006 127,110 23,442 150,552 2007 122,287 23,927 146,214 2008 118,745 23,449 142,194 2009 114,809 24,995 136,504 Highest total harvest... 211,451 (2005) Lowest total harvest...2,423 (1954) Bow hunting record... 34,118 (2005) Department of Natural Resources 502 E. 9th Street Des Moines, IA 50319 (515) 281-5918 www.iowadnr.gov mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 99
KANSAS Deer Population... 450,000 Average Harvest... 76,582 Bow-hunters... 21,780 Deer Habitat... 81,000 square miles 2000 NA NA 108,000 2001 88,856 9,259 98,115 2002 77,000 10,000 87,000 2003 64,300 8,200 72,500 2004 67,565 9,435 77,000 2005 63,947 10,963 74,910 2006 68,000 11,000 79,000 2007 65,000 11,400 76,400 2008 55,600 18,000 75,000 2009 NA NA NA Highest total harvest... 108,000 (2000) Lowest total harvest...1,504 (1965) Bow hunting record... 11,770 (1999) Kansas Dept. of Wildlife & Parks Operations Office 512 SE 25th Ave. Pratt, KS 67124 (620) 672-5911 www.kdwp.state.ks.us Kentucky Deer Population... 1 million Average Harvest... 116,465 Bow-hunters... 105,700 Forested Land... 14.9 million acres required for people born after Jan. 1, 1975. 2000 138,821 18,500 157,321 2001 90,278 13,006 103,284 2002 102,129 11,523 113,652 2003 104,027 11,430 115,457 2004 110,617 14,135 124,752 2005 100,238 12,224 112,462 2006 106,815 15,418 122,233 2007 98,148 15,288 113,436 2008 105,108 15,502 120,610 2009 98,919 14,666 113,585 Highest total harvest... 157,321 (2000) Lowest total harvest...3,476 (1976) Bow hunting record... 18,500 (2000) Kentucky Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Resources No. 1 Sportsman s Lane Frankfort, KY 40601 (800) 858-1549 www.kyafield.com LOUISIANA Deer Population... 750,000 Average Harvest... 195,480 Bow-hunters... 42,600 Deer Habitat... 17 million acres 1999-00 246,900 20,500 267,400 2000-01 256,000 20,000 276,000 2001-02 193,800 18,400 212,200 2002-03 200,000 22,000 222,000 2003-04 219,400 22,000 241,400 2004-05 250,200 22,000 272,200 2005-06 182,400 22,000 204,400 2006-07 162,400 13,900 195,200 2007-08 147,000 11,300 158,300 2008-09 NA NA 147,300 Highest total harvest...276,000 (2000-01) Lowest total harvest... 16,500 (1960-61) Bow hunting record... 27,200 (1994-95) Department of Wildlife & Fisheries 2000 Quail Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 765-2800 www.wlf.louisiana.gov MAINE Deer Population... 200,000 Average Harvest... 25,191 Forested Land... > 90% of state 2000 34,724 2,161 36,885 2001 25,558 2,211 27,769 2002 36,124 2,029 38,153 2003 27,849 2,464 30,313 2004 28,243 2,683 30,926 2005 25,676 2,324 28,000 2006 24,862 2,494 29,918 2007 26,566 2,236 28,884 2008 18,699 1,853 21,061 2009 16,279 1,813 18,092 Highest total harvest... 41,735 (1959) Lowest total harvest...5,784 (1919) Bow hunting record...2,683 (2004) Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife 284 State Street, 41 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0041 (207) 287-8000 www.maine.gov/ifw 100 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
MARYLAND Deer Population... 234,000 Average Harvest... 91,333 Bow-hunters... 50,600 Forested Land... 2.9 million acres 2000 66,535 18,241 84,776 2001 65,431 18,356 83,787 2002 75,026 19,088 94,114 2003 48,988 18,577 87,223 2004 51,545 19,193 70,738 2005 51,826 21,382 73,208 2006 69,939 21,991 90,151* 2007 NA NA 92,208 2008 74,091 26,346 100,437 2009 73,290 27,373 100,663 Highest total harvest... 100,663 (2009) Lowest total harvest... 18,420 (1983) Bow hunting record... 21,991 (2006) Maryland Department of Natural Resources 580 Taylor Avenue Tawes State Office Building Annapolis, MD 21401 (877) 620-8367 www.dnr.state.md.us MASSACHUSETTS Deer Population... 95,000 Average Harvest... 11,159 Forested Land... 3.2 million acres 2000 8,455 2,811 11,266 2001 7,016 2,914 9,930 2002 9,598 2,819 12,4176 2003 8,980 3,045 12,025 2004 9,250 3,016 12,266 2005 8.898 3,162 12,060 2006 7,211 3,385 10,596 2007 8,266 3,303 11,723 2008 7,776 3,521 11,297 2009 6,874 3,247 10,121 Highest total harvest... 12,417 (2002) Lowest total harvest...6,708 (1989) Bow hunting record...3,521 (2008) Department of Fish & Game 251 Causeway St. No. 400, Boston, MA. 02114 (617) 626-1500 www.mass.gov/dfwele MICHIGAN Deer Population... 1,800,000 Average Harvest... 453,721 Bow-hunters... 305,000 Forested Land... NA 2000 412,775 128,926 541,701 2001 343,788 119,918 463,706 2002 358,440 117,775 476,215 2003 367,000 128,000 495,000 2004 308,000 125,000 433,000 2005 286,000 112,000 398,000 2006 331,000 125,000 456,000 2007 319,997 126,197 480,000 2008 364,887 125,035 489,922 2009 326,414 117,633 444,047 Highest total harvest... 544,895 (1999) Lowest total harvest...8,000 (1916) Bow hunting record... 142,615 (1999) Wildlife Office Department of Natural Resources Mason Building, Box 30444 Lansing MI 48909 (517) 373-1263 www.michigan.gov/dnr MINNESOTA Deer Population... 1.2 million Average Harvest... 240,572 Bow-hunters... 72,000 (2007) Forested Land... 16.7 million acres 2000 193,754 15,746 209,500 2001 201,557 15,895 217,452 2002 207,306 14,744 222,050 2003 268,300 21,700 290,000 2004 239,897 20,725 260,604 2005 232,200 23,400 255,600 2006 245,500 25,350 270,850 2007 228,526 24,161 260,434 2008 199,300 22,500 221,800 2009 173,519 20,659 194,178 Highest total harvest... 290,000 (2003) Lowest total harvest...1,279 (1971) Bow hunting record... 25,350 (2006) DNR Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 (651) 296-6157 or (888) 646-6367 www.dnr.state.mn.us Mississippi Deer Population... 1.75 million Average Harvest... 280,534 Bow-hunters... 39,805 Forested Land... 18.6 million acres 2000 243,000 33,000 276,000 2001 306,248 43,000 321,000 2002 245,757 52,738 352,159 2003 244,854 32,638 277,492 2004 249,988 34,185 284,173 2005 NA NA NA 2006 250,053 35,077 285,130 2007 237,814 37,804 275,618 2008 NA NA NA 2009 236,082 44,772 280,854 Highest total harvest... 352,159 (2002) Lowest total harvest...619 (1971) Bow hunting record... 52,738 (2002) Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks 1505 Eastover Drive Jackson, MS 39211-6374 (601) 432-2400 www.mdwfp.com MISSOURI Deer Population... 1.4 million Average Harvest... 298,161 Bow-hunters...150,000 Forested Land... 13.4 million acres 2000 220,495 23,558 244,053 2001 234,752 26,165 257,910 2002 249,858 29,587 279,445 2003 254,814 33,526 288,340 2004 275,227 37,646 312,873 2005 248,689 36,594 285,283 2006 *280,732 41,097 321,829 2007 260,166 39,866 300,032 2008 241,021 43,180 284,201 2009 249,849 49,612 299,461 *Includes crossbow figures Highest total harvest... 321,829 (2006) Lowest total harvest...583 (1944) Bow hunting record... 49,612 (2009) Missouri Department of Conservation P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City, MO 64192-0180 (573) 751-4115 www.mdc.mo.gov mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 101
MONTANA Deer Population... No estimate Average Harvest... 61,212 Forested Land... NA required for all first-time bow-hunters. 2000 45,242 6,212 51,454 2001 36,208 2,559 38,767 2002 NA NA 47,771 2003 NA NA 58,510 2004 50,595 3,231 53,827 2005 52,179 4,353 *56,922 2006 62,968 5,660 **69,410 2007 NA NA 65,664 2008 NA NA 60,148 2009 50,283 3,632 53,915 * Figure based on 390 kills by unknown weapon. **Figure based on 783 kills by unknown weapon. Totals before 1999 include mule deer figures. Highest total harvest... 69,410 (2006) Lowest total harvest... 38,767 (2001) Bow hunting record...6,212 (2000) Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1420 E 6th Ave., Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620 (406) 444-2535 www.fwp.mt.gov NEBRASKA Deer Population... 250,000 Average Harvest... 54,088 Bow-hunters... 16,000 Forested Land... 3% of state 2000 45,401 4,300 49,714 2001 44,876 3,939 48,815 2002 40,717 3,673 44,390 2003 40,357 3,775 44,132 2004 41,828 4,091 45,919 2005 45,462 4,125 49,587 2006 48,938 4,384 53,322 2007 52,530 4,591 57,121 2008 61,200 7,400 68,600 2009 34,199 7,612 41,811 Highest total harvest... 68,600 (2008) Lowest total harvest... 0 (1949) Bow hunting record...7,612 (2009) Nebraska Game & Parks Commission 2200 N. 33rd Street Box 30370, Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 471-0641 www.ngpc.state.ne.us NEW HAMPSHIRE Deer Population... 85,000 Average Harvest... 11,444 Bow-hunters... 19,221 Forested Land... 995,000 public acres 2000 8,889 1,970 10,859 2001 7,566 1,577 9,143 2002 9,235 1,854 11,089 2003 7,651 1,841 9,492 2004 7,975 2,158 10,133 2005 8,624 1,971 10,595 2006 8,210 2,978 11,766 2007 9,109 3,808 13,559 2008 7,940 2,740 10,916 2009 7,706 2,678 10,384 Highest total harvest... 14,186 (1967) Lowest total harvest...1,402 (1923) Bow hunting record...3,808 (2007) New Hampshire Fish & Game Department 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301 (603) 271-3511 www.wildlife.state.nh.us NEW JERSEY Deer Population... 140,000 (prehunt) Average Harvest... 53,878 Bow-hunters... 34,800 Forested Land... 1.6 million acres 2000 52,602 24,842 77,444 2001 45,153 23,516 68,669 2002 41,474 21,557 63,031 2003 44,099 25,357 69,456 2004 35,913 22,651 58,564 2005 36,413 23,244 59,657 2006 33,887 22,786 56,673 2007 29,705 17,312 47,017 2008 33,243 21,017 53,260 2009 29,725 23,059 52,784 Highest total harvest... 77,444 (2000) Lowest total harvest...86 (1909) Bow hunting record... 25,357 (2003) New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife Box 400 Trenton, NJ 08625-0400 (609) 292-2965 www.state.nj.us/dep NEW York Deer Population... 940,000 Average Harvest... 206,848 Bow-hunters... 214,100 Forested Land... 18.7 million acres (2006 est.) 2000 276,867 29,812 306,679 2001 252,939 28,931 281,870 2002 274,961 33,255 308,216 2003 223,162 29,926 253,088 2004 178,631 29,775 208,406 2005 153,783 26,431 180,214 2006 159,654 29,454 189,108 2007 188,081 31,060 219,141 2008 190,613 32,366 222,979 2009 188,252 34,546 222,798 Highest total harvest... 308,216 (2002) Lowest total harvest... 15,136 (1945) Bow hunting record... 34,546 (2009) Deptartment of Environmental Conservation Bureau of Wildlife 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233 (518) 402-8924 www.dec.ny.gov NORTH CAROLINA Deer Population... 1.25 million Average Harvest... 163,229 Forested Land... 38,544 square miles 2000 198,920 13,560 212,480 2001 134,501 8,268 143,122 2002 111,120 13,560 118,174 2003 125,855 8,268 134,507 2004 132,357 7,954 140,311 2005 135,701 8,614 144,315 2006 144,846 9,427 154,273 2007 160,557 11,429 171,986 2008 164,005 12,292 176,297 2009 156,169 13,104 169,273 Highest total harvest... 217,743 (1992) Lowest total harvest... 14,616 (1949) Bow hunting record... 14,000 (1995, 1997) Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Wildlife Management 1722 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699 (919) 707-0010 www.ncwildlife.org 102 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
NORTH DAKOTA Deer Population... NA Average Harvest... 92,930 Bow-hunters... 20,769 (inc. mule deer) Forested Land... 6% of state 2000 63,275 3,300 66,575 2001 81,000 NA NA 2002 82,625 4,700 88,325 2003 NA NA 86,371 2004 98,548 5,599 104,147 2005 92,300 NA NA 2006 93,076 6,790 99,866 2007 89,230 6,792 96,022 2008 91,500 6,346 95,146 2009 75,000 NA NA Highest total harvest... 104,147 (2004) Lowest total harvest...2,665 (1941) Bow hunting record...6,792 (2007) North Dakota Game & Fish Department 100 N. Bismarck Expressway Bismarck, ND 58501-5095 (701) 328-6300 www.gf.nd.gov OHIO Deer Population... 700,000 Average Harvest... 238,603 Bow-hunters... 300,000 Public Hunting Land... 1.4 million acres 2000 115,291 34,333 149,624 2001 116,092 34,340 150,432 2002 155,990 48,904 204,652 2003 147,226 50,564 197,790 2004 155,817 60,626 216,443 2005 149,423 60,090 209,513 2006 169,404 67,912 237,316 2007 144,154 78,639 232,854 2008 166,161 85,856 252,017 2009 169,793 91,521 261,314 Highest total harvest... 261,314 (2009) Lowest total harvest...168 (1943) Bow hunting record... 91,521 (2009) Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife 2045 Morse Rd., Bldg. G Columbus, OH 43229-6693 (800) 945-3543 www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife OKLAHOMA Deer Population... 475,000 Average Harvest... 108,777 Bow-hunters... 82,635 Forested Land... 37,425 square miles 2000 87,885 14,215 102,100 2001 88,728 12,907 101,635 2002 84,303 14,278 98,581 2003 87,276 13,326 100,602 2004 80,050 14,639 94,689 2005 86,500 14,544 101,044 2006 101,782 17,567 119,349 2007 84,801 11,090 95,891 2008 NA NA 111,427 2009 96,288 19,887 116,175 Highest total harvest... 119,349 (2006) Lowest total harvest...3,508 (1964) Bow hunting record... 19,887 (2009) Department of Wildlife Conservation Box 53465 Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3465 (405) 521-3851 www.wildlifedepartment.com OREGON Deer Population... 220,000 (all species) Average Harvest... 970 Bow-hunters... 38,200 Forested Land... 27.99 million acres 2000 1,013 NA 1,013 2001 1,095 NA 1,095 2002 1,475 NA 1,475 2003 1,112 NA 1,112 2004 610 NA 610 2005 1,013 NA 1,013 2006 NA NA 901 2007 NA NA 1,106 2008 NA NA 826 2009 NA NA 1,000 Note White-tailed deer are rare in Oregon. In fact, the 1992 season was the first time the Oregon Department of Wildlife distinguished between mule deer and whitetails in harvest totals. Oregon s estimated deer population includes mostly mule deer and blacktails. Department of Fish & Wildlife 3406 Cherry Avenue N.E. Salem, OR 97303 (503) 947-6000 www.dfw.state.or.us mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 103
PENNSYLVANIA Deer Population... No estimate Average Harvest... 336,758 Bow-hunters... 265,841 Forested Land... 16.98 million acres 2000 426,078 78,522 504,600 2001 411,963 74,051 486,014 2002 447,881 69,648 517,529 2003 399,790 65,100 464,890 2004 346,860 62,460 409,320 2005 293,450 60,940 354,390 2006 296,740 64,820 361,560 2007 262,180 60,890 323,070 2008 271,030 64,820 335,850 2009 235,480 73,440 209,920 Highest total harvest... 517,529 (2002) Lowest total harvest... 40,925 (1954) Bow hunting record... 78,522 (2000) Pennsylvania Game Commission 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 (717) 787-4250 www.pgc.state.pa.us RHODE ISLAND Deer Population... 16,000 Average Harvest... 2,578 Bow-hunters... 3,250 Forested Land... 401,400 acres mandatory. 2000 1,819 488 2,307 2001 1,582 470 2,052 2002 1,506 525 2,031 2003 1,523 737 2,260 2004 1,900 786 2,686 2005 2,037 638 2,675 2006 1,796 519 2,315 2007 2,028 512 2,540 2008 2,221 724 2,945 2009 1,841 581 2,422 Highest total harvest...2,945 (2008) Lowest total harvest...102 (1973) Bow hunting record...786 (2004) Department of Environmental Management 277 Great Neck Rd. West Kingston, RI 02892 (401) 789-0281 www.dem.ri.gov SOUTH CAROLINA Deer Population... 800,000 Average Harvest... 236,876 Bow-hunters... 42,555 Forested Land... 21,920 square miles 2000 278,700 16,000 294,700 2001 289,647 19,181 308,828 2002 300,598 19,322 319,920 2003 258,426 15,078 273,504 2004 237,608 13,597 251,205 2005 228,451 15,594 244,045 2006 207,155 14,165 221,320 2007 224,124 15,070 239,194 2008 230,369 18,409 248,778 2009 214,557 17,146 231,703 Highest total harvest... 319,920 (2002) Lowest total harvest... 18,894 (1972) Bow hunting record... 19,322 (2002) Department of Natural Resources Box 167 Columbia, SC 29202 (803) 734-3888 www.dnr.sc.gov SOUTH DAKOTA Deer Population... 200,000 Average Harvest... 70,763 Bow-hunters... 20,000 Forested Land... 1.7 million acres 2000 39,600 2,600 42,200 2001 45,340 3,418 48,758 2002 58,367 4,224 62,591 2003 53,739 4,283 58,022 2004 68,000 5,500 73,500 2005 62,334 7,450 69,784 2006 63,393 7,235 70,628 2007 62,787 7,253 70,040 2008 65,865 8,007 73,872 2009 61,305 8,188 69,493 Highest total harvest... 73,872 (2008) Lowest total harvest... 34,474 (1987) Bow hunting record...8,188 (2009) South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks 412 West Missouri Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 773-3485 www.gfp.sd.gov TENNESSEE Deer Population... 600,000-700,000 Average Harvest... 167,989 Bow-hunters... 90,000 Forested Land... 13.6 million acres 2000 129,580 19,900 149,480 2001 131,864 20,765 152,620 2002 132,265 18,272 150,537 2003 137,598 19,331 156,929 2004 159,076 20,466 179,542 2005 145,056 21,323 166,379 2006 158,934 23,159 182,093 2007 147,150 17,706 164,856 2008 143,541 20,872 164,413 2009 141,415 20,787 162,202 Highest total harvest... 182,093 (2006) Lowest total harvest... 6,567 (1971) Bow hunting record... 23,159 (2006) Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Box 40747 Nashville, TN 37204 (615) 781-6500 www.state.tn.us/twra TEXAS Deer Population... 3 million Average Harvest... 576,209 Bow-hunters... 157,000 Deer Range... 39,557,788 acres 2000 NA NA 424,000 2001 383,215 10,452 395,160 2002 420,432 16,517 436,949 2003 NA NA 346,942 2004 442,950 17,582 480,532 2005 443,719 17,582 464,378 2006 432,267 15,349 449,030 2007 NA NA 511,677 2008 NA NA 619,650 2009 531,330 28,027 559,357 Highest total harvest... 619,650 (2008) Lowest total harvest... 260,383 (1980) Bow hunting record... 28,027 (2009) Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 (800) 792-1112 www.tpwd.state.tx.us 104 Mathews Bowhunting Whitetails mathewsinc.com
VERMONT Deer Population... NA Average Harvest... 13,605 Bow-hunters... 20,151 Forested Land... 7,500 square miles 2000 15,975 4,523 20,498 2001 11,340 3,633 14,973 2002 13,140 3,492 16,632 2003 10,617 3,911 14,528 2004 8,349 3,576 11,925 2005 6,845 1,701 8,546 2006 10,129 2,553 12,682 2007 11,684 2,832 14,516 2008 13,332 3,714 17,046 2009 12,205 3,032 15,237 Highest total harvest... 25,932 (1980) Lowest total harvest...90 (1899) Bow hunting record...5,296 (1999) Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department 10 South,103 South Main St. Waterbury, VT 05671 (802) 241-3700 www.vtfishandwildlife.com VIRGINIA Deer Population... 1 million Average Harvest... 237,651 Bow-hunters... 70,000-75,000 Forested Land... 26,245 square miles 2000 168,527 17,210 187,114 2001 196,392 18,191 214,583 2002 195,325 18,593 213,918 2003 219,901 17,134 237,035 2004 203,671 16,857 220,528 2005 191,318 22,767 214,085 2006 189,302 24,151 222,453 2007-08 214,706 26,027 241,526 2008-09 226,200 27,478 253,678 2009-10 230,109 26,403 256,512 Highest total harvest...256,512 (2009-10) Lowest total harvest...1,158 (1935) Bow hunting record... 27,478 (2008-09) Department of Game & Inland Fisheries Box 11104 Richmond, VA 23230-1104 (804) 367-1000 www.dgif.virginia.gov WASHINGTON Deer Population... 100,000 Average Harvest... 26,832 Bow-hunters... 18,790 Forested Land... 1,200 square miles 2000 37,565 3,411 *40,976 2001 37,253 3,758 *41,011 2002 35,068 3,702 *38,770 2003 36,356 4,450 *40,806 2004 13,421 1,268 14,689 2005 13,406 1,430 14,836 2006 10,957 1,581 12,538 2007 32,928 4,964 37,892 2008 30,005 5,113 35,118 2009 28,919 4,859 33,778 *Washington is one of several states that has limited numbers of white-tailed deer. The above harvest figures before 2004 are for all species, including blacktails, whitetails and mule deer. Highest total harvest... 66,000 (1979) Lowest total harvest... 30,253 (1998) Bow hunting record...5,113 (2008) Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife 600 Capitol Way N.,Olympia, WA 98501-1091 (360) 902-2200 www.wdfw.wa.gov WEST VIRGINIA Deer Population... 673,000 Average Harvest... 147,429 Bow-hunters... 80,000 Forested Land... 12.1 million acres 2000 162,184 30,752 192,936 2001 182,155 33,622 215,777 2002 218,212 37,144 255,356 2003 178,465 29,790 208,255 2004 152,839 26,227 179,066 2005 113,412 21,949 135,361 2006 112,173 25,219 137,392 2007 118,612 26,965 145,577 2008 132,195 31,408 163,603 2009 126,732 28,482 155,214 Highest total harvest... 255,356 (2002) Lowest total harvest... 897 (1939) Bow hunting record... 37,144 (2002) Wildlife Resources State Capitol, Building 3 Charleston, WV 25305 (304) 558-2771 www.wvdnr.gov WISCONSIN Deer Population... 1.5-1.7 million Average Harvest... 454,457 Bow-hunters... 250,000 Forested Land... 16 million acres 2000 528,494 86,899 618,274 2001 361,264 83,120 446,957 2002 317,983 54,093 372,076 2003 388,344 95,607 483,951 2004 413,598 103,571 517,169 2005 385,907 78,028 463,935 2006 393,063 113,884 506,947 2007 402,563 116,010 520,416 2008 352,601 99,284 451,885 2009 241,862 87,241 329,103 Highest total harvest... 618,274 (2000) Lowest total harvest... 2,500 (1897) Bow hunting record... 116,010 (2007) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Wildlife Management (WM/6) 101 S. Webster Street, Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707-7921 (608) 266-2621 www.dnr.state.wi.us WYOMING Deer Population... 52,000 (2006) Average Harvest... 14,113 Forested Land... NA 2000 10,833 290 11,103 2001 9,125 292 9,417 2002 9,057 159 9,216 2003 9,968 360 10,328 2004 10,173 560 10,733 2005 11,718 828 12,546 2006 13,090 768 13,858 2007 12,879 1,076 13,955 2008 13,653 1,139 14,792 2009 13,977 1,436 15,413 Highest total harvest... 15,413 (2009) Lowest total harvest...4,306 (1972) Bow hunting record...1,436 (2009) Wyoming Game & Fish Department 5400 Bishop Blvd. Cheyenne, WY 82006 (307) 777-4600 www.gf.state.wy.us mathewsinc.com Bowhunting Whitetails Mathews 105