Florida Population and Management ArchiveFlorida Page

View the archive by scrolling through the window below or Load the Archive DocumentHistoric deer hunt data is below the Archive window on the left column with links to sources.    A list of all articles in the Archive is below the Archive window.

Florida Deer Population and Management Archive

Estimated Annual Deer Kill

Data for 1951 to 2007 estimated from FWC graph)

1950      6,000

1951      6,500

1952      7,500

1953      9,000

1954      9,200

1955    10,000

1956    12,500

1957    13,000

1958    14,000

1959    15,000

1960    17,500

1961    24,000

1962    25,000

1963    27,000

1964    29,000

1965    32,000

1966    38,000

1967    40,000

1968    43,000

1969    42,500

1970    49,000

1971    49,500

1972    59,000

1973    58,000

1974    55,000

1975    55,000

1976    70,000

1977    86,000

1978    55,000

1979    72,000

1980    73,000

1981    68,000

1982    65,000

1983    77,000

1984    75,000

1985    80,000

1986    90,000

1987   108,000

1988   109,000

1989     85,000

1990     80,000

1991     82,000

1992     82,000

1993   105,000

1994     90,000

1995     83,000

1996     81,000

1997     61,000

1998:    90,000

1999   105,000

2000   117,000

2001   110,000

2002   108,000

2003   118,000

2004   110,000

2005     80,500

2006   101,000

2007   108,437

2008*  130,058

2009   151,679

2010   176,791

2011:  136,966

2012:  142,325

2013:  102,626

2014:  102,478

2015:    96,892

2016:    87,591

2017:    94,594 

2018:    74,974

2019:    72,237

2020:

65,707

2021:  74,071


*2008 Estimated


National Deer Association Harvest Data for 2019 to 2021


Harvest Data


Florida Deer Management Plan.  2008 - 2018



A list of articles in the Archive.  Alphabetical Order by Year.

2021

Authorities teamed up to rescue a Key deer in the Lower Keys July 12, 2021, Florida

2020

Little deer creates big uproar on the Florida Keys March 16, 2020 Florida

White-tailed Deer of Florida 2020

Why we need to unite against chronic wasting disease and prevent it from entering Florida November 3, 2020

2019

Deer Hunting Forecast 2019, July 12, 2019, Florida

Florida Key Deer Among First Casualties of Gutted Endangered Species Act August 15, 2019 Florida

New deer hunting rules for the 2019-20 season April 2, 2019 Florida

Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Tell refuge to stop the deer hunts December 16, 2019 Florida,

Prescribed Burns planned on Big Pine Key Next Week October 22, 2019 Florida

Where to See Florida’s Key Deer July 13, 2019

2018

2018 Florida Deer Forecast October 27, 2018

2018 Impact of Hurricane Irma on Key Deer

Appeals Court Overturns Blackwater ‘Deer Dog’ Hunting Ruling April 11, 2018 Florida

Florida 2017-18 Deer Harvest

Hunter survey results on the 2015-16 hunting season

Key Deer: The Endangered Darlings of the Florida Keys and What We Can Do to Protect Them February 19, 2018 Florida

Where's the howl over the pet industry's decimation of Everglades wildlife September 14, 2018 Florida

2017

As pythons invade Florida, professional snake hunting becomes booming industry May 30, 2017

Deer dogs hunters clash with North Florida property owners September 17, 2017

Do you know when the peak deer rut occurs in your area? August 2, 2017 Florida

Don't feed the Key deer October 16, 2017 Florida

Federal agency agrees to allow more relief for flooded Everglades, deer June 27, 2017 Florida

Florida 2016-17 Deer Harvest October 2017

Florida panther population estimate updated February 22, 2017

FWC asks hunters to help monitor for CWD August 4, 2017 Florida

FWC uses prescribed fire as best management tool for maintaining wildlife habitat January 4, 2018 Florida

FWC uses prescribed fire as best management tool for maintaining wildlife habitat January 4, 2018 Florida,

How declining mammal populations in the Florida Everglades are linked to the invasive Burmese python October 31, 2017

Protecting America’s Smallest Deer April 14, 2017 Florida

The Key Deer Expedition July 11, 2017 Florida

2016

2016 Florida Key Deer Impact from ScrewWorm Outbreak

Emergency pumping increases during South Florida's winter soaking February 22, 2016

Everglades pythons found with deer, alligators, rats in their systems August 19, 2016 Florida,

Florida Forest Service shares importance of prescribed fires January 28, 2016

FWC must keep deer-dog hunters off private property October 10, 2016 Florida

FWC proposes changes to dog hunting laws September 14, Florida

FWC working with private landowners to conserve wildlife February 11, 2016 Florida

Most Southern forests privately owned September 13, 2016 Florida

Now, more Key deer being killed by cars December 2, 2016 Florida

On the prowl for the Florida panther July 30, 2016 Florida

On the prowl for the Florida panther July 30, 2016 Florida

2015

A Shifting Approach to Saving Endangered Species October 5, 2015 Florida

Annual Telephone Survey of Deer Hunters - Your Participation is Requested May 15, 2015 Florida

Box-R going back to nature December 2, 2015 Florida

Coyotes making home in Palmetto State in alarming numbers January 23, 2015 Florida

Florida deer hunting continues through Feb. 28 in Zone D February 6, 2016 Florida

Florida launches new deer hunt program August 27, 2015

Florida officials consider hunting at state parks June 16, 2015

Florida Panther Habitat Needed, Congressman Insists December 28, 2015

Florida Panthers Are Plentiful Enough, State Officials Say June 23, 2015

Florida Python Patrol wrestles with Everglades' giant snake problem February 28, 2015

FWC establishes deer management units, new deer hunting regulations February 5, 2015 Florida

FWC’s South Florida Deer Research Project July 2, 2015 Florida

Homework For Florida Deer Hunters September 5, 2015

How a Video Game Is Saving Wildlife From Being Run Over by Cars July 31, 2015 Florida

Hunting In State Parks Not A New Idea; What You Can Do August 9, 2015 Florida

Keep eye out for illegal saw palmetto berry harvests August 22, 2015 Florida

New Antler Rules for Florida’s 2015-16 Deer Season July 22, 2015

Panther on Southwest Florida road shot to death April 30, 2015

Seminole Tribe's cattle operation protects wildlife March 8, 2015 Florida

South Florida Deer Research Project Quarterly Update [PDF] July, 2015

South Florida Deer Research Project Quarterly Update: July – September 2015 [PDF] October 15, 2015

State may push to get panther off endangered species list June 5, 2015 Florida

Study finds Everglades pythons like saltwater mangroves as much as freshwater marshes April 28, 2015 Florida

The Snake That's Eating Florida April 5, 2015

Wildlife trafficker pleads guilty to illegal white-tailed deer activities March 9, 2015 Florida

2014

Deer Farmers Pleased with Farm Bill February 6, 2014

Deer hunting regulations, Antler Point Restrictions April 22, 2014 Florida

Deer Management in North Central Florida [PDF] April, 2014

East County wildlife deaths spurs concerns October 22, 2014 Florida,

Fake deer helps Sarasota deputies catch illegal hunters in the act April 9, 2014 Florida

Florida Deer Hunting Forecast for 2014 October 1, 2014

Florida lifts ban on silencers for game hunting November 21, 2014 WJXT

FWC looks to expand deer management units, new antler measures to the rest of Florida November 21, 2014

FWC modifies some hunting zones; adjusts turkey bag limit on private lands February 12, 2014 Florida

FWC Seeks Public Input on Deer Management in Central Florida March 21, 2014 Florida

Get out of the rut and into the rut - Deer huntin' lasts through March 2 in Zone D February 7, 2014 Florida

Gun Season Over, But Local Deer Hunting Lasts Through March 2 February 24, 2014 Florida

Merritt Island, Final Environmental Assessment, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville, FL UH Plan - 2014

North & Central FL (Zones B & C) Deer Hunters: We Want To Hear From You! April 9, 2014 Florida, Florida Wildlife Commission

Plant in spring to ease stress of late summer March 15, 2014 Florida

Should hunters be allowed to use silencers? August 8, 2014 Florida

South Florida sees record number of panther deaths on roads November 28, 2014

State Sued Over Deer Dog Hunts In The Blackwater Forest November 13, 2014 Florida,

The Quick & Interesting Details of the Deer Management in North & Central Florida Report May 15, 2014

Wildlife Foundation to manage funds from 'deer tag' license plate July 29, 2014 Florida

2013

A mixed case for seasonal gratitude November 28, 2013 Florida

Bigger and better deer August 29, 2013 Florida

Changes would affect deer management in Northwest Florida August 26, 2013 Florida

Deer decline in South Florida September 6, 2013

Deer hunting active during the rut, timing in Florida January 4, 2013

Deer Hunting Changes Proposed August 16, 2013 Florida

Deer hunting proposed for Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge September 19, 2013 Florida

Deer hunting season brings big bucks November 8, 2013 Florida

Deer hunting zone split expected for 2014-15 season February 18, 2013 Florida

Endangered Species: Deer, Butterflies And Other Animals That You Never Knew Might Go Extinct March 18, 2013 Florida

Facebook posts lead to arrest of 4 in deer killings October 9, 2013 Florida

Fish and Wildlife Commission bans deer importation September 6, 2013 Florida

FL Deer Management Meetings Set January 10, 2013 Florida

Florida Considers Ban on Importing Deer to Prevent Chronic Wasting Disease May, 2013 Florida Wildlife Commission

Florida Delays Vote to Ban Deer Border Crossings June 13, 2013

Florida NRA urges FWC to ban importation of deer July 2, 2013

Florida wildlife officials seek to avoid flooding Everglades animals November 20, 2013

Florida's National Key Deer Refuge January 28, 2013

Florida’s Private Lands Deer Permit Program Proposal February 12, 2013

FWC Approves Draft Plan With New Deer Hunting Regulations For Northwest Florida, Antler Point Restrictions November 21, 2013 Florida

FWC Continues To Study New Deer Hunting Regulations For Northwest Florida December 29, 2013 Florida

FWC Deer Management Program Update January 9, 2013 Florida

FWC Deer Management Program Update March 24, 2013 Florida

FWC plans new deer harvest strategy for Panhandle, Antler Point Restrictions October 9, 2013 Florida

FWC Seeks Public Input on South Florida Deer Management July 5, 2013 Florida,

G&F Forecast: Best Counties For Florida Deer Hunting in 2013 October, 2013

Group forming to better protect deer December 8, 2013 Florida

Herd Status, Florida Deer Season, 2012 Forecast October 4, 2013

High water leads to fears of deer die-off August 23, 2013 Florida

Large numbers of whitetail deer are hard to figure October 26, 2013 Florida

Lawmakers object to expanding ban on out-of-state deer June 11, 2013 Florida

New Fla immigration debate:Secure the borders - against deer July 16, 2013 Florida,

Proposal To Allow Deer and Hog Hunting On Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge June 26, 2013 Florida,

Record Rainfall Could Threaten Everglades Wildlife August 1, 2013,

Robot deer helps make arrest in Sarasota County November 5, 2013 Florida

South Florida outdoors notebook, deer management July 18, 2013 S

Time to get Deer Feeders and Food Plots Going in Florida March 12, 2013 Florida

Where Will Wildlife Go in Saturated South Florida? August 6, 2013 Florida

Whitetails: The Rut Is On … In Florida July 5, 2013

Wild hogs cause lots of damage May 16, 2013 Florida

2012

Coyotes prey on deer in Southeastern US March 2, 2012 Florida

Deer have a taste for wildflowers January 20, 2012

Deer Population Down in the Everglades June 26, 2012 Florida

Fire is often a welcomed visitor for native vegetation, wildlife in Corkscrew ... March 21, 2012 Florida

Fish & Wildlife officials arrest more than 50 in poaching sting March 1, 2012 Florida

Future of Deer Management in Florida November 16, 2012

Key deer May 24, 2012 Florida

Marine sanctuary, wildlife refuges revamping plans April 28, 2012 Florida

Nature Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation Hosting Meeting Thursday on Marine Sanctuary Management April 24, 2012 Florida

Nature's way? Cougars in Florida December 8, 2012

Permits to hunt wildlife management areas (with dogs) September 11, 2012 Florida

The Barbie-sized Bambis of the Florida Keys February 17, 2012

Tracking the Big Snakes September 12, 2012 Florida

2011

Battle brewing over hunting proposal at Cypress Creek Preserve December 17, 2011 Florida

Big Cypress Preserve sees white-tailed deer flight June 13, 2011 Florida

Feds may reopen St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge to public after 40 years June 28, 2011 Florida

Florida's conservation fund again put on hold May 31, 2011

Hunting called off in national preserve in South Florida; deer populations decline June 10, 2011

New Hunting Regulations Approved as Deer Populations Decline June 8, 2011 Florida

Sea-Level Rise Impacts to Florida Key Deer [PDF] August 2, 2011

Tracking The Southern Rut December 28, 2011 Florida

Other Years

Declining Deer Population in Big Cyress National Preserve September 11, 2010 Florida

Neighborhood association suggests proposal to mediate dispute over injured deer August 18, 2010 Florida

Officials try to solve major deer decline in Stairsteps August 22, 2010 Florida

Screwworm infestation threatens tiny deer in Florida Keys October 3, 2016

White-Tailed Deer of Florida, J. Schaefer, M. Main 2006

Wildlife of Florida Factsheet: White-Tailed Deer, University of Florida IFAS Extension