One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. 89.7%. Pennsylvania hunters killed an estimated 435,180 deer during the 2020-21 hunting seasons, the state Game Commission announced Friday. WMU 2E: archery, 2,660 (2,540) antlered, 2,070 (1,944) antlerless; muzzleloader, 40 (60) antlered, 1,130 (1,252) antlerless. Despite predation and other mortality causes, 57 to 72 percent of fawns were still alive in Pennsylvania at 9 weeks of age. 2018. 0000003424 00000 n Deer populations in all WMUs have stable population trends. Consider that in Pennsylvania the average age of deer hunters increased from 40 years old in 1991 to 51 years old in 2016, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Reduced cover increases nest predation and decreases the ability of birds to raise their young successfully. It found that deer populations increased following coyote colonization. kzy~?[:|g6oF= @c7qq'~WsX?/;B& i,O.@uO)9$e)IDoh'Wlu Average post-hunt deer population has been 102,073 per year. Local numbers: Nearly all of York County is located in Wildlife Management Unit 5B. If a fawn survives its first 30 days, it is highly likely to survive to adulthood, as it will be able to outrun potential predators. The Journal of Wildlife Management. Unknown WMU: 80 (340) antlered, 200 (496) antlerless. The mule, blacktail, and other deer populations fell from about 4.6 million in 2000 to about 3.6 million in 2014, recovering to about 4 million in 2017. 2016-17 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) Because of these studies, questions about the role of predators in deer management in Pennsylvania are being asked: are predators reducing Pennsylvania's deer populations? Field studies from across the United States, including Pennsylvania, show that predators - notably coyotes, bears, and bobcats - prey on white-tailed deer. Mature, experienced does are more likely to choose birthing sites with security cover and adequate food nearby. Potential Deer Population Growth in 10 Years. Out-of-balance deer populations impact other wildlife and frustrate efforts to establish healthy, young forests. Populations are generally stable to increasing in, A 7.5 percent increase in antlerless deer tags in 2017, 14 of 23 units were increased, significantly less that recommended by staff. Coyote Removal, Understory Cover, and Survival of WhiteTailed Deer Neonates. If the goal of coyote population reduction is to increase deer populations, time and money would be better spent on deer habitat improvements than on coyote control. Forest Habitats and Deer Deterrent Fencing The estimated muzzleloader harvest 28,260 was down slightly from the previous years harvest of 29,604. . One antlered deer per hunting license year. In this example, predation is compensatory. Add-on archery and muzzleloader licenses must be purchased, and hunters can apply for antlerless licenses for $6 each. Pennsylvania hunters harvested more deer in the 2020-21 seasons than any time in the past 15 years, including the most bucks since antler restrictions were implemented in 2002. Predation is a natural form of mortality for white-tailed deer. An Evaluation of Deer Management Options(PDF) In the early 1900's, the Pennsylvania deer population was so low that the Game Commission began stocking deer in 1906. The PGC said the harvest also points to how antlerless allocations and not length of seasons drive deer harvests. In Pennsylvania, hunting data represents the primary source of population trend information [, , there were 860 deer farms regulated by the Department of Agriculture with about 23,000 deer. We see that in the entries coming into our Big Game Records Program, in the photos smiling hunters share, and in the deer we see when our staff visits deer processors to collect harvest data. n (t) = When their population is out of balance with habitat,they impact state forests and parks by browsing tree seedlings, shrubs, and wildflowers beyond their capacity to reproduce, impacting the ability to sustain a healthy, fully functioning forest. Once native to Pennsylvania, by, over hunting and habitat loss resulted in the. 2022-2023 Montgomery Parks Annual Deer Population Management Program Locations & Schedule (PDF) . If a coyote can find and eat one fawn, it will be satiated for a few days giving the rest of the fawns a better chance at surviving the crucial first 30 days. The deer population was estimated at about 1.2 million in, Population estimates have been a matter of public controversy. 2018-19 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) WMU 2A: archery, 3,540 (3,140) antlered, 3,000 (2,540) antlerless; muzzleloader, 60 (60) antlered, 1,200 (960) antlerless. This is a very high average of 41.05 deer per square mile. In each case, predators were shown to be an important factor affecting the composition and size of the deer population. In studies in Alabama and Georgia, declining or low fawn-to-doe ratios were observed. Media related to West Deer Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania at Wikimedia Commons; West Deer Township . Assume that the population grows exponentially. About 550,000 deer hunters. Kentucky Keystone State. Pennsylvania hunters followed up the 2019-20 hunting season's highest overall deer harvest in 15 years by topping it when they took an estimated 435,180 deer in the 2020-21 hunting seasons,. Deer management objectives are based on 'pre-hunt' deer population trends. Improved habitat conditions not only allow fawns to better escape predation it also reduce stress on does, increasing fawn birthweights and allowing them to produce more nutritious milk. Current levels of antlerless license allocations are producing stable 'pre-hunt' deer population trends. Wayne County Population statistics Wayne County PA - Wayne Tomorrow! This does not mean that coyotes do not eat deer. WMU 1B: archery, 5,160 (3,960) antlered, 4,180 (3,230) antlerless; muzzleloader, 40 (40) antlered, 1,520 (1,170) antlerless. The city of Philadelphia is coterminous with Philadelphia County, the municipalities having been consolidated in 1854, and all remaining county government functions having been merged into the city after a 1951 referendum. after only 13 cases of CWD in captive deer, 27 deer tested positive in a deer farm in Bedford county - the herd of 215 were euthanized. By giving birth in the spring, does are setting themselves up for success as this is the time of year when plants are the most plentiful and nutritious. WMU 3D: archery, 2,670 (2,250) antlered, 2,240 (1,470) antlerless; muzzleloader, 30 (50) antlered, 760 (830) antlerless. WMU 2D: archery, 6,080 (5,800) antlered, 3,560 (4,085) antlerless; muzzleloader, 120 (100) antlered, 1,740 (2,701) antlerless. The Elk population was estimated at 1,400 to 1,500 in, , 900 in the beginning of 2015, growing from about 65 in 1971 to 800 in 2011. WMUs (1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A and 5B. Proper habitat management increases available food and cover in a forest. County Deer Advisory Councils were formed in 2014 to increase local involvement in deer management decisions. As of 2018, both of these counties have grown their populations since the last census, with Philadelphia County increasing by 3.04% and Allegheny County by a more modest 0.30%. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Highlights from PA Game Commission Meeting, Game Commission board OKs changing deer season opener to Saturday; final OK still necessary, January 29, 2019 Pennsylvania, The Times Leader, Pneumonia Likely Caused Upper Dauphin Deer Deaths, Volunteers Create Better Habitat for Wildlife in Bradford County, January 27, 2019 Pennsylvania, PAHomePage.com, No citation just a warning for Wellsville man who took home rescued deer, January 27, 2019 Pennsylvania, York Dispatch, Taking Action to Reduce the Impact of CWD, Why is there a pit filled with dead deer in Central Pa.? 0000002157 00000 n Check out answers to other questions. A heavy fawn is better able to regulate body temperature when wet or chilled. The Pennsylvania Game Commission made a total of 925,000 antlerless deer licenses available, which is slightly down from 932,000 in 2020. 2021. It found the cases were clustered, showing it spread. The buck harvest also increased 7 percent over the previous license years buck harvest of 163,240. I would say yes. Antler Restrictions in Pennsylvania: Are They Working? Assume that the population grows exponentially. The 10-year average for Antlerless Deer Licenses is 3.1 per antlerless deer. But fawns are hard to find, they are camouflaged, almost scentless, and spend most of the day motionless in dense vegetation. The Bureau of Forestry recognizes the ecological importance and considerable influence of white-tailed deer on commonwealth forests, and is dedicated to maintaining a healthy forest plant community in balance with a healthy deer population. For questions about the statewide DMAP program, the application process, coupon availability, or DMAP regulations, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 717-787-4250. To determine deer population sizes and harvest recommendations by management unit. in 1986, there were 1,000,000 deer hunters in Pennsylvania, while today there are around 740,000 deer hunters modern success rates are said to be comparable to the past Game Commission releases 2018-19 deer harvest report, Hunters gather in Jefferson County, protest deer removal plans, March 8, 2019 Pennsylvania, WJAC Johnstown, Seminar to Provide Solutions for Human Deer Conflicts, March 6, 2019 Pennsylvania, Botstiber Institute, Major changes planned for popular Middle Creek deer hunt, March 3, 2019 Pennsylvania, LancasterOnline, CWD DIsease Management Area to Expand into Elk Range, Deer removals planned in Clearfield, Jefferson counties to combat disease, February 24, 2019 Pennsylvania, Altoona Mirror, February 22, 2019 Pennsylvania, Pocono Record, Hunters, Game Commission at Odds Over CWD Management, February 21, 2019 Pennsylvania, Morrisons Cove Herald, Nearly 150 deer taken out in this years Lower Merion deer cull, February 12, 2-19 Pennsylvania, Main Line. n (t) (4, 31,000) 30,000 - Deer 20,000- population 10,000- 1 3 2 Years since 2010 (a) What was the deer population in 2010? In 2018, 36 deer positives from a farm in Fulton County and two more from Bedford. A coyote in Center County walking through the snow (Photo credit: David Jackson). 0000001168 00000 n |WnLRTp" about 14 in the state. Pennsylvania hunters killed an estimated 435,180 deer during the 2020-21 hunting seasons, the state game commission announced Friday. 2021-22 Deer Population Report and Antlerless Allocations (PDF) 2020-21 Deer Population Report and Antlerless Allocations (PDF) Seeing the Whole Picture - Estimating Deer Harvests 2021-22 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) 2020-21 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) 2019-20 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) 2018-19 Deer Harvest Estimates (PDF) 0000003152 00000 n Hunters killed an estimated 376,810 white-tailed deer in the 2021-22 seasons, down sharply from the previous hunting-license year, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Across most of Pennsylvania, this is the population in late September or early October. 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