The Effectiveness of Managed Hunting as a Tool for Deer Population Management

Abstract

White-tailed deer populations are a growing nuisance in many state and national parks in the mid-Atlantic region. State parks implement regulated hunting seasons to help control the deer population. National parks have no deer management programs in place. This report compares deer populations in three state parks which allow recreational hunting and three national parks which do not allow recreational hunting. Excessive deer populations have produced a negative impact to many of the parks' vegetation and surrounding species. I illustrate that hunting can be an effective tool for deer population management. State parks have a statistically significant lower population of white-tailed deer/mi2 than national parks. In 1995, Gettysburg National Military Park reduced their deer population to save surrounding crop farms by implementing a sharp-shooting plan. Their deer control program enabled the park to reach its population goal in 10 years. Management programs are needed to reduce and maintain deer populations.