The 2024 NDA Report: Summarized Insights into North America’s Deer Populations and Management Strategies

This is just a snapshot summary of the insights provided by NDA. If you’d like to learn more, we recommend reading the full report, linked at the end of this article. The National Deer Association’s 2024 Deer Report presents an in-depth analysis of the current state of deer populations, harvest trends, and the challenges and successes of deer management across North America. This comprehensive report draws on extensive data to offer a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing deer populations, the impact of diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Hemorrhagic Disease (HD), including Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (EHDV) and Bluetongue Virus (BTV), and the evolving role of technology in wildlife management.

Key Findings and Trends

The report highlights a balanced age structure in the harvested deer population, with a significant portion of the harvest comprising older bucks. This trend suggests positive outcomes from wildlife management practices and a shift towards more sustainable hunting. Over 2.9 million antlered bucks and 3 million antlerless deer were harvested, indicating robust deer populations and successful management strategies across various regions.

• Harvest Trends: The report indicates a significant shift towards a more mature age structure among harvested deer. For instance, in 2022, the percentage of antlered bucks aged 3½ years and older in the harvest was the highest ever reported at 42%. This reflects a successful outcome of wildlife management strategies aimed at promoting a healthier deer population and a more ethical hunting practice. It’s interesting to see this specific data point as it relates to the general climate of the hunting community when you consider the old adage of “Brown Down” mantra. It would seem even though a number of hunters chose to punch their tag on a spike buck or basket rack, the overall herd is considerably healthy. Moreover, hunters should feel comfortable punching their tag how they see fit, given how deer heard numbers are managed through various states’ licensing processes.
• Antlerless Deer Harvest: The report also delves into the antlerless deer harvest, noting that over 3 million antlerless deer were harvested in 2022. This marks only the second time since 2013 that the antlerless harvest has topped three million, highlighting the effectiveness of current deer management strategies in maintaining balanced deer populations. It’s good to see hunters tagging does, especially in a day and age when harvesting mature bucks is at the forefront of most hunting conversations across the internet.
• Harvest by Weapon Type: Analysis of the harvest by weapon type reveals a diversification in hunting practices. Muzzleloader hunters accounted for 9% of the total deer harvest, bow/crossbow hunters for 25%, and firearm (rifle/shotgun) hunters for 66% in 2022. This diversification not only reflects the evolving preferences and skills of hunters but also the regulatory changes that have expanded hunting opportunities. It’d be great to peel the numbers back a bit more to compare crossbow numbers exclusive to bow numbers rather than grouping them.
• Regional Differences: The report identifies significant regional differences in deer harvests, both in terms of numbers and methodologies used. For example, in the Northeast, bow hunters accounted for the highest percentage of the harvest (33%), while in the Southeast, firearms were used for over three-quarters of deer taken.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) Insights:

• CWD has been identified in 32 U.S. states and several other countries, with no vaccine or cure available. It’s particularly fatal and spreads through direct contact and environmental contamination. CWD affects deer species including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, and reindeer. Research indicates adult bucks have higher infection rates compared to does and younger deer.
• HD, including EHDV and BTV, is transmitted by biting midges or flies and has been confirmed in deer across at least 16 states. While 2023 saw a surprisingly low HD year, the diseases pose significant threats to deer populations, especially in areas experiencing drought conditions, albeit with limited distribution and prevalence compared to the previous year.

Harvest Success Across States

Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Missouri reported the highest buck harvest numbers, reflecting the effectiveness of their deer management and conservation efforts. The report underscores the importance of adaptive management strategies to maintain healthy deer populations and ensure the future of deer hunting.

The Impact of Technology

Trail cameras, including cellular cameras, have revolutionized deer management by providing real-time monitoring capabilities. These tools offer valuable insights into deer behavior, population dynamics, and the effectiveness of management interventions. Additionally, the use of drones for habitat assessment and wildlife management underscores the potential of technology to enhance conservation efforts, though it also calls for careful regulation to minimize disturbances to wildlife. There are strong opinions about cell cam and drone usage, and it’s important to note that things are evolving quickly as more legislation is introduced at the state level for some of these emerging technologies to be applied to the hunting realm.

Conclusion

The 2024 Deer Report offers critical insights into the challenges and successes of deer management in North America. It underscores the importance of sound management practices, the impact of diseases on deer populations, and the transformative role of technology in conservation efforts. As we move forward, continued research, innovation, and collaboration among wildlife professionals, hunters, and conservationists will be essential to ensure the health and sustainability of deer populations for future generations.

Read the full report here.