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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Predators Extirpated Predators were also extirpated
Wolves, mountain lion

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

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

8. 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

9. Healthy Understory

10. Damaged Understory

11. Other Problems Car collisions Agricultural Damage Garden Damage
Lyme Disease