Historically(at the point of European colonization-circa AD 1500) deer densities in North America varied from 2-6 animals per square kilometer(5 to 15 per sq. mile)........... Today, white-tailed deer inhabit a range of natural, semi-natural, and anthropogenic environments, and they can reach densities in excess of 40 per sq. km((100 per sq. mile), in the absence of hunting or predation.......... Even where deer are managed through sport hunting, populations typically exceed 10 per sq. km(25 per sq mile), even though negative impacts to vegetation and fauna become apparent at lower densities..........Despite complaints from Vermont deer hunters this fall about "scarce" deer, the State harbors a healthy 123,000 white tails.........No snow thus far in the Green Mtn State makes tracking deer harder..........you have to truly be a skilled woodsman in these wierd-ass weather years that have become the norm to take an animal out of the woods.............Do coyotes and other predators regulate deer numbers in Vermont? ....The Fish and Game folks deserve kudos in their reply: "If they did then the deer herd would not have nearly doubled in size from 2003–2007. Coyotes kill some young fawns, and they scavenge and kill dead and dying deer in late winter; domestic dogs can be a bigger problem because they chase deer during winter for fun, not just to get a meal. Predators can have noticeable localized impacts, at work with other factors such as severe winters and deep snow"

Deer few and far between in 2011

By Ian Oliver

 

 

It's been just over a week since Vermont's deer hunting season ended, and the word from hunters is not good. "Everyone you talk to, they're struggling to even see a deer," said Jim Datillio, who owns Datillio's Guns & Tackle in South Burlington.

Datillio has spoken with many disappointed hunters over the past couple of weeks."It's probably been one of the poorest hunting seasons for myself, a lot of people would agree with me," he said.
Hunter Bronson Johnson says he was lucky to bag a deer this year -- his friends werenot as fortunate. "A lot of my friends didn't get deer and no one is seeing deer soI really think Vermont, as far as a deer herd, I think it's extremely low," he said.

Hunters like Johnson say the conditions during deer season were not conducive for success. "The weather was very warm, which means we didn't have snow, which means you can't track, and also the deer don't seem to move as much compared to when it's colder," he said.

"There are hunters out there that are trackers and unless they get snow, they're going to have a hard time on dry ground to track a deer. It's very difficult," Datillio said.

Prior to hunting season, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department had anticipated a 10-percent smaller deer harvest this year because of the harsh winter last year. The actual numbers are a little worse.

"In looking at our archery, youth and rifle seasons to date, we're looking at 14-20 percent declines in the harvest totals," said state wildlife biologist Scott Darling.

Darling says the mild Fall will make for a healthy deer herd. The Department is optimistic about restoring the deer population for next season.  "We don't have any concerns about our ability to get our deer herd back to the population objectives that satisfy most hunters," he said.

This difficult year for hunting and fishing has had a financial impact on the Fish and Wildlife Department. The Department has requested a 1.2 million dollar increase in support from the General Fund to help out with their budget deficit. Fish and Wildlife is largely funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and those sales have declined by about 1-million dollars.

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Vermont's Deer Population(as described on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Website)

How many deer are there in Vermont?

The pre-hunt prediction for 2011 was about 123,000 (+/- 15,000).

How many deer should there be?

No more than 20/mi2 for most of the state, and the new statewide density objectives are 13–18 deer/mi2, or 102,000–141,000 deer - a little more in productive areas with mix of agriculture and forests and a little less in the northeast where moose are abundant and winters severe.

Southeastern Vermont also has a relatively low deer-density objective because overabundant deer from 1940–1980 literally paved the way for invasive plants expanding their range north up the Connecticut River valley. The forage base is now low for deer in this region and foresters are having difficulty regenerating valuable tree species such as oak, ash, and maple, also preferred deer browse. We need to battle invasive plant species, increase the deer food base, and maintain relatively low deer densities to recover healthy ecosystems in the southeast region of Vermont.

Parts of southwestern Vermont remain above density objectives, but deer densities have declined in the past few years as a result of increased antlerless harvests in that region.

Why can’t we have more deer like in the 1960s and even in the mid-late 1990s in some places?

 

Many forest habitats were younger in the mid-1900s and could support more deer – still, there were too many deer back then causing them to be in poorer condition and more susceptible to winter-kill and self destruction of their own habitats, like deer wintering areas.

Deer are healthier now with adult females conceiving, producing, and rearing more fawns on average compared to the 1960s and 1970s. Also, deer are now heavier going into winter, which means that fewer deer are wasted to winter starvation.

It is Vermont law that we protect and promote the health of our deer herd; this is done by taking the right number of does from the right areas to keep deer from becoming overabundant like they were in the 1960s and 1970s. There are much fewer deer in the state now, but this is considered a biological success story, not a failure. It is understood that different people have different opinions on the matter. Also, in many places, edge habitats have grown up so deer are just harder to see now too.

Were there fewer deer in Vermont just a few years ago?

 

Yes, the harsh winters of 2001 and 2003 took their toll on the deer population. However, because the herd is healthy and habitats have been improved by reduced deer densities since 1980, and we’ve had some mild winters since, the deer herd has bounced back quickly since a population low in 2004.

In 2007 and 2008, the deer population was considered overabundant again at the statewide level, so antlerless deer permits for muzzleloaders were markedly increased in 2008 and maintained at a high level in 2009 where more does need to be taken. Statewide, deer population size in 2011 is where it should be.

Can the deer herd support the 3 deer annual limit?

 

Yes, less than 1% of hunters harvested 3 deer when Vermont used to have the 3 deer limit. Recent rule changes were designed to put more pressure on does, where it is needed.

 

Do coyotes and other predators regulate deer numbers in Vermont?

 

If they did then the deer herd would not have nearly doubled in size from 2003–2007. Coyotes kill some young fawns, and they scavenge and kill dead and dying deer in late winter; domestic dogs can be a bigger problem because they chase deer during winter for fun, not just to get a meal. Predators can have noticeable localized impacts, at work with other factors such as severe winters and deep snow.