I was looking on the internet this morning to see if the deer harvest totals have been reported yet for the state of Oklahoma. As it turned out the wildlife department’s website was down so I did a search to see if there was any other place out there that had the numbers. I came across some information that was alarming.


We all know that the harvest totals go up every year in most states. I knew that it had to do with the deer population, but I never really realized how much. As the deer population rises, the number of people that hunt is declining. I read an article out of an Oklahoma news site about introducing someone to the outdoors in 2008. They started out by talking about how the numbers of people enjoying the outdoors are dropping due to TV.





This prompted to see if the numbers are changing elsewhere as well. I found out that hunting and fishing license sales are down nationwide by approximately 26%. That’s over 1/4 of the hunting and fishing community! Those numbers are alarming. Not only does this mean that interest in our sport is falling, but since the harvest numbers are still increasing every year that means that the deer population may be in trouble.


There is an article on MSNBC about this problem. I have personally seen it’s affect some years back at the George Washington national Forest. When the deer population gets too big, it’s not only the deer herds that suffer. When they banned hunting at this national forest, the deer started to eat everything in sight. Eventually there wasn’t any food left for other wildlife as well. It wasn’t until they started eliminating the deer population that they were able to bring the forest back to life.


They estimate that in the early 1900’s there were approximately 500,00 deer nationwide. Today those estimates range over 30,000,000. However their habitat is declining. What does this mean to us? Accidents due to deer are on the rise. Forests and farmlands are being destroyed. Other wildlife is greatly being affected sue to lack of food. Illness among deer herds are going up.


The wolf, which is the deers natural predator, is no longer around in most states and not as plentiful as they used to be in others. This means that currently the only way to effectively control the deer population is through hunting programs.


Two things need to take place before it’s too late. First off the government needs to re-evaluate their hunting programs. I feel that most states need to start increasing harvest limits and lengthening seasons. The other thing is we need to encourage our sport. Pass it on to the next generation. If you don’t have children of your own, how about a nephew or niece? Get friends interested. Contact your legislature and lobby for better control.


One of the best programs I have seen come out of our sport is feeding the hungry. If the states would allow extra hunting days, or raise the limits to hunters willing to donate their harvest for the poor we could kill two birds (or deer) with one stone. In Oklahoma hunters donate thousands of meals annually. Hunters Against Hunger is not only a great way to help the needy, but it’s also tax deductible. Every state in the US has a program where hunters can donate their deer to feed to needy. Check with your states Wildlife Department for more information.


If we don’t start taking control, we may someday pay for it in the long run.

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