Pennsylvania’s Population White-Tailed Deer Pennsylvania’s Population

Historical Population Numbers have always varied in PA but they have always been a part of the forest community Estimated population when Europeans arrived: 5-15 per square mile Native Americans hunted for meat and hide

Unrestricted Hunting During logging years, deer were hunted to feed loggers—no restrictions/limits By 1890’s deer were almost extirpated from the state EXTIRPATED: extinct from a certain area

PA Game Commission Game Commission established in 1895 Main goal was to protect the remaining deer herd 1907 “Bucks Only” Law: kill only buck 1910 Hunting licenses: $ was used to restock deer

Predators Extirpated Predators were also extirpated Wolves, mountain lion

Deer Population Rises 1. Regulated hunting 2. Predators Gone 3. Restocking 4. Logging—created edges, new food sources from new growth

Population Size 1900 nearly 0/mi2 1930 40/mi2 What is appropriate? Resource managers say no more than 20/mi2

Effects of High Deer Density 1. Change in forest plants 2. Shrub and ground layer=gone 3. Habitat for: grouse, rabbits, squirrels, turkey, small mammals reduced 4. Songbird nesting sites=gone 5. Forest Regeneration affected

Healthy Understory

Damaged Understory

Other Problems Car collisions Agricultural Damage Garden Damage Lyme Disease