| Deer population in the United States has varied | | | | Typically, land development increases the animals' |
| widely over the last century, and has had both | | | | available food supply. Old forests do not produce |
| positive and negative repercussions on our lives. | | | | much edible food for deer, usually because the tree |
| Learn more about how the growth of the deer | | | | branches are too high for deer to reach, and during |
| population in urban areas affects us all. | | | | the cold winter months, low shrubs are eaten very |
| The white tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is | | | | quickly. However, new urban areas with newly |
| indigenous to the continental United States, southern | | | | planted trees and shrubs can sustain a much higher |
| Canada, Mexico, Central America, northern portions | | | | population of deer. Some suburban areas in the U.S. |
| of South America, and some countries in Europe. In | | | | have reported populations as high as 200 deer per |
| many of these countries, deer pose problems such | | | | square mile. |
| as eating residential vegetation and causing car deer | | | | Deer in urban areas create a number of problems for |
| collisions on roadways. For this reason, deer | | | | humans. Gardeners often times find their gardens |
| population is often an issue of concern. | | | | eradicated after a harsh winter. Deer will eat |
| At the beginning of the 20th century, there were an | | | | everything within reach, and they can reach 5 to 7 |
| estimated half million deer in the United States. By | | | | foot on their hind legs. Deer have been known to |
| 1930, that number had dropped to approximately | | | | eat low hanging tree branches up to 7 foot from the |
| 300,000. At a certain point, the species was nearly | | | | ground. Deer also love acorns, fruits and field corn. |
| eradicated all together by hunters. As the result of | | | | Their stomach physiology allows them to eat some |
| an outcry by hunters and other conservation groups, | | | | things that few other animals can eat, like |
| individual U.S. states began passing legislation to | | | | mushrooms that are poisonous to humans and many |
| restrict hunting, particularly of does (female deer). | | | | other mammals. All of these factors make the deer |
| Most of the laws put in place shortened the hunting | | | | a menace to urban gardeners as well as agricultural |
| seasons and reduced bag limits, or how many deer a | | | | communities deriving their income from field crops. |
| hunter can kill at one time. | | | | Another major problem with deer population grown in |
| As a species, deer are known reproduce at a rapid | | | | urban areas is in incidence of car deer collisions. |
| pace. A doe grows fully mature in about two and a | | | | Deer on and around roadways are a serious danger. |
| half years and then produces twins each year for the | | | | It has been estimated that deer are responsible for |
| next 10 plus years. Therefore, one doe can create | | | | approximately 1.5 million automobile accidents each |
| 20 offspring. In a relatively short period of time, the | | | | year in the United States, some of which prove to |
| population growth of deer can be staggering, if left | | | | be deadly for the motorists involved. |
| unchecked. | | | | The growth in deer population is not all bad, |
| By the year 2005, the population of deer in the | | | | however. In the United States, deer are regularly |
| United States was estimated in excess of 30 million. | | | | hunted for sport, and an entire industry has |
| In fact, the deer is the state animal of Arkansas, | | | | developed around that pastime. Retail outlets |
| Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, | | | | specializing in sportsmen's products have entire |
| Michigan, South Carolina and Wisconsin, as well as | | | | sections of their stores devoted to deer hunting |
| being listed as the "provincial animal" of | | | | paraphernalia. In fact, the whitetail deer is |
| Saskatchewan. | | | | considered to be the most popular game in the |
| Not only is the population up, it also is up significantly | | | | United States, with approximately 11 million hunters |
| in urban areas. Urban areas are highly restrictive of | | | | chasing it each year. |
| hunting, and as a result, deer have flourished there. | | | | |