A Survey of Over-Populated Deer Ranges in the United States

Abstract

This survey was first undertaken for the purpose of compiling a countrywide map of deer problem areas for use in classes. There is no such map. When the job was half done, it was mentioned to a meeting of deer men at the 1946 Wildlife Conference. This group asked that the findings be published. We were told that the findings, however crude, were needed in other states. Apparently deer men everywhere have found it hard to convince the average citizen, and especially the average deer hunter, that (1) delay in reduction of overpopulated deer ranges means ultimate shrinkage of both the herd and the range; (2) reduction is the only remedy, nothing else works; (3) to accomplish a reduction, female deer must be killed.