Posted on 11/23/2025 2:15:03 PM PST by DallasBiff
Why Has the Deer Population Exploded? Understanding the Surge in Deer Numbers
The dramatic increase in deer populations stems primarily from human-induced changes to their environment, including habitat alteration, predator removal, and supplemental feeding, leading to Why the population of deer increased so much?
Introduction: The Unseen Rise of the White-Tailed Deer
The rustling in the woods, the flash of a white tail – encounters with deer have become increasingly common. But what’s driving this proliferation of deer across vast swathes of North America and other regions? It’s a complex issue with deep roots in ecological changes, human intervention, and the remarkable adaptability of these creatures. Understanding the causes behind Why the population of deer increased so much? is crucial for managing ecosystems and mitigating the potential consequences of overpopulation.
Loss of Natural Predators: A Critical Imbalance
One of the most significant factors is the drastic reduction in natural predators. Historically, wolves, mountain lions, bears, and coyotes kept deer populations in check.
Wolves: The apex predator, wolves exerted the strongest influence.
Mountain Lions: Another major predator, particularly in mountainous regions.
Bears: Opportunistic predators, especially of fawns.
Coyotes: While less effective on adult deer, coyotes prey on fawns and contribute to population control.
(Excerpt) Read more at iere.org ...
The deer was going about 45?
If you're going to consider vehicles as natural predators, I'm not going to argue with you.........
The dramatic increase in deer populations stems primarily from human-induced changes to their environment
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I’m old enough to remember when deer weren’t totally rare, but they were definitely cause for comment when seen. This was in the 1970s.
My belief is the over hunting contributed to a great decline in the 19th century. The Great Depression in the 1930s put enormous pressure on the remaining herds. Poaching was Illegal then as now, but people were trying to feed their family. Rationing continued through the 1940s keeping the pressure on. Post-war inflation in the 1950s due to unprecedented military spending during the war saw beef shortages and high prices, enough to be a presidential campaign issue.
By the 1960s these pressures were largely eased, at least as far as poaching. 20 to 30 years later, deer rebounded, and they are seen as the pests they are, in some ways. Good eatin’. In Iowa they eat lots of corn, and makes for a fine rich venison. Too lean out west, need a sawzall to cut through that stuff
Some areas consider themselves “sanctuary cities” for deer, allow the populations to proliferate, and discourage or forbid hunting. We lived near Ithaca, NY about 15 years ago, and you could not go to the nearby mall without dodging deer coming at you from any angle. It was insane. I’d read about their angst concerning allowing them to be hunted, and want to scream: “They’re overgrown rodents! Shoot them and eat them!”
It was once my car hit it.
Yep. Lewis & Clark wrote in their Journals that once they got away from the immense Buffalo herds on the plains and into the mountains game got very scarce. Since there were 35 to 40 members they needed huge quantities of food to sustain themselves. But the deer and elk were so poor and lean it didn’t do them much good, at one point Lewis wrote the men were eating as much as 10 pounds or so of lean deer meat a day, but they were getting weak and sick.
Fat is the other crucial element, without fat, and protein, they were dead. There are no “essential carbohydrates” after all. That’s where the expression “Lean times” and “living off the fat of the land” comes from. I think protein alone in excess without fat causes some sort of poisoning of the blood over time, or kidney failure.
When we were living in Corning, NY, there were deer everywhere. One ran into the passenger side of our car and made some serious damage to the car. Hubby tried to find the deer, but she had run away and we never did find her. We hope she was unharmed enough to survive and not suffer any.
In our back yard we had 18 deer a short time ago — Aug. 14 — I just checked the date on the photo.
You’ve got the right answer: it’s not loss of predators, doh, they’ve been gone for over a century, it’s isolated habitat that concentrates deer populations within limited areas.
I see deer all the time in parks in Northern VA — 5, 10+ acres, yet I’ve never seen one in our woods in Maine, which lie amidst thousands of acres of connected woodland.
I was just pointing out the high number of deer, not predators.
The Deer carcasses on I-79 out of Pittsburgh on the way to Erie could double as mile markers.
My nephew shot a buck. He was excited and took a picture before he tagged it. Yup, an DNR officer saw it on FB, and yup, he got a ticket. That is why. Who wants to play cat and mouse over a deer and get a ticket?
Why the population of deer increased so much?
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So I guess it’s not because the deer along I-75 are getting smarter?
So far I guess I’m still in the category of “those who are going to”...
It is obvious . . . the doe is (does are) going for the big bucks.
It was long believed coyotes did not tend to have heart worms. A local young girl made arrangements with hunters to examine the hearts. She found that 60 percent of coyotes have heart worms. Not healthy animals.
At least self climbing tree stands are safer with Bambi down there to break your fall.
And I hope you remain so. It’s not a pleasant experience.
CC
I have found a product to keep them out of your plants. It’s a spray called Deer Fence. Works great. Wish I had discovered it years ago.
Wow! Guess not! I wonder if domestic digs passed it to them.
😃
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