Virginia Deer Population and Management Archive - Virginia

View the archive by scrolling through the window below.  Historic 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 window.

Virginia Deer Population and Management Archive

Annual Reported

Deer Kill

1930:      1,299

All Years 1947 - 2014

1947:      4,019

1951:      7,514

1957:    22,473

1967:    24,983

1968:    24,934

1977:    67,059

1980:    75,208

1981:    78,388

1982:    88,540

1983:    85,783

1984:    84,432

1985:  101,425

1986:  121,801

1987:  119,309

1988:  114,562

1989:  135,094

1990:  160,411

1991:  179,344

1992:  200,446

1993:  201,122

1994:  209,373

1995:  218,476

1996:  209,743

1997:  198,561

1998:  179,027

1999:  190,043

2000:  187,878

2001:  215,872

2002:  214,847

2003:  237,035

2004:  221,492

2005:  215,082 

2006:  223,775

2007:  242,792

2008:  256,382

2009:  259,147

2010:  222,074

2011:  233,104

2012:  215,241

2013:  245,440 

2014:  190,745

2015*  209,197

2016:  180,121

2017:  189,730

2018:  190,636

2019:  206,976

2020:  208,131

2021:  190,582

2022: 184,968

2023:  206,586



* not currently available on state website


Data Source




Deer Harvest by City-County 2005 to 2014


Virginia Deer Management Plan 2015 to 2024



A List of Articles in the Archive

..........2021

A stable deer harvest March 11, 2021 Virginia

Virginia 2020-21 Deer Kill Summary

Virginia's deer, turkey and bear harvests were strong in 2020 March 3, 2021

.........2020

2019 Deer Kill Summary

Buchanan County elk reintroduction boosts tourism, economy October 20, 2020 Virginia

Deer hunters experience better success during recent season March 31, 2020 Virgina

Historic Virginia Deer December 7, 2020

........2019

Deer season outlook for the valley October 14, 2019 Virginia

Elk reintroduction ignites backlash in Southwest Virginia June 30, 2019 Virginia

Restoring the American chestnut by researching its genome July 23, 2019 Virginia

Virginia 2018 Virginia Deer Harvest March 11, 2019

.......2018

Deer Population, Risk of striking a deer rises for Virginia drivers as mating season begins October 17, 2018 Virginia

Elk population in Virginia is growing November 12, 2018

Elk restoration moving forward in Buchanan County October 17, 2018 Virginia

No cougars in Virginia . . . so far February 22, 2018 Virginia

Outlook for coming deer season September 3, 2018 Virginia

Rappahannock County, Lowest deer harvest in 20 years for Rappahannock County March 5, 2018 Virginia,

Virginia Deer Population during the 1930s March 3, 2018

Virginia DGIF Announces Bear, Deer, Turkey, Harvest Data February 22, 2018

......2017

2016–2017 Virginia Deer Kill Summary

Hunting law change expected to lower Virginia deer population June 21, 2017

.....2016

Deer Harvest On Rise January 23, 2016 Virginia,

Deer, dogs, and property rights January 9, 2016 Virginia,

Not a big year for bills relating to hunting and fishing February 9, 2016 Virginia

VA Deer, Bear, Turkey Harvest Data Announced February 22, 2016 Virginia

Wildfire generates new life for Shenandoah National Park April 29, 2016 Virginia

Wildlife agency celebrates 100 years of success June 21, 2016 Virginia

....2015

2 General Assembly bills raising ire of Virgina hunters January 27, 2015 Virginia

2015 Trophy Deer Forecast: Virginia October 21, 2015

Accomack committee acts on deer hunting with dogs May 1, 2015 Virginia

Are there mountain lions in Virginia? November 22, 2015

Ban on deer urine scents in effect July 13, 2015 Virginia

Ban on urine-based scent in deer hunting causes a stink June 23, 2015 Virginia

Battlefield conversions: Hunters see climate changing their traditions April 7, 2015 Virginia,

Best seeds to plant for summer food plots May 11, 2015 Virginia

Coyote Hunting Tournament To Control Population March 14, 2015 Virginia,

Coyotes' danger to fawns prompts worries about deer season lengths, limits November 13, 2015 Virginia

Deer harvest plummets statewide April 10, 2015 Virginia

Deer hunting experiences a big drop January 22, 2015 Virginia

Deer kill up a modest 6 percent November 8, 2015 Virginia

Deer management plan not just a hunting document October 21, 2015 Virginia

Deer season should be better, but not a return to “the good old days” September 29, 2015 Virginia

Deer, bear, turkey harvest data announced February 24, 2015 Virginia

Fall hunting data released by state March 11, 2015 Virginia

Gerald Almy: Prime time for Brassicas July 6, 2015 Virginia

House bill challenges dog hunting laws January 24, 2015 Virginia

Hunters believe coyotes putting the bite on deer population November 10, 2015 Virginia,

Hunters verify that it was a so-so deer season June 19, 2015 Virginia

King George officials shoot down request to allow rifles during deer season February 9, 2015 Virginia

Landowner group wants hound hunting changes October 21, 2015 Louisiana,

Natural Deer Urine Attractants Illegal in Virginia November 24, 2015

New group advocates more young forest habitat July 24, 205 Virginia

New group calls for registration of deer dogs November 4, 2015 Virginia

Opening-day deer harvest climbs November 19, 2015 Virginia,

Pipestem, Controlled deer hunt scheduled at Pipestem Resort State Park November 13, 2015 Virginia

Plan on statewide deer management being finalized July 9, 2015 Virginia

Public Invited to Comment on Draft Deer Management Plan June 3, 2015 Virginia

Top outdoors stories of 2015 Deer Rebound December 29, 2015 Virginia

Tough hunting results in fewer big game trophies August 25, 2015 Virginia

Va. deer harvest plummets March 16, 2015 Virginia

Virginia 2014–2015 Deer Kill Summary

Virginia Deer Forecast for 2015 September 1, 2015

Virginia Deer Hunters Seek Damages from Irresponsible Dog Owners February 28, 2015

Virginia Farm Bureau satisfied with elk management plan June 6, 2015

Virginia hunting for 2014/2015: Deer numbers down February 27, 2015

Virginia seeks feedback on Deer Management Plan June 11, 2015 Virginia

Virginia Tech study shows adaptability of coyotes April 13, 2015 Virginia

Wildlife officials want to ban use of deer urine in hunting March 18, 2015 Virginia

...2014

'Feast or famine' for Lynchburg area's deer hunters this season January 25, 2014 Virginia

33 Fascinating Findings from Deer Research May 22, 2014 Virginia

A Study Report on the Effects of Removing the Prohibition Against Hunting Over Bait in Virginia [PDF] FM Ruff Jr, SJR Patron - 2014

Antler craze leads to controversial hunts May 13, 2014 Virginia

Baiting’s byproducts cloud its success October 30, 2014 Virginia

Caroline County hunting ordinance at issue January 27, 2014 Virginia

Combination of factors have led to low deer numbers December 25, 2014 Virginia

Decline in acorns benefited hunters through past season, Harvest Data February 19, 2014 Virginia

Deer hunters see ‘tale of two seasons’ January 6, 2014 Virginia

Deer kill is down 40 percent in Virginia December 24, 2014

Deer kill numbers called into question December 26, 2014 Virginia

Deer kill up in Virginia February 20, 2014 Virginia

Deer mortality reported: 'They look like they just laid down and died' April 10, 2014 Virginia

Deer population not out of control here February 8, 2014 Virginia

Deer pulling a disappearing act December 3, 2014 Virginia

Deer researcher shares thoughts on how coyotes can impact deer populations September 23, 2014 Virginia

Deer season forecast looks promising October 22, 2014 Virgina

Deer, bear, turkey harvest data announced February 12, 2014 Virginia

Food plots: getting started July 7, 2014 Virginia

Game officials uphold 78-year old ban on hunting over bait October 28, 2014 Virginia

Home Range Methods for a Reintroduced Yearling Bull Elk in Virginia PL Gopalan, J Vance - Proceedings of the Symposium on BEER, 2014

Lawmakers to Consider Allowing Hunting on Sundays January 26, 2014 Virginia

Mastering The E-Hunt November 4, 2014 Virginia

National Park Service OKs deer kill at Civil War battlefields September 23, 2014

Perfect VA Management Plan: Food Plots and Let Bucks Walk April 10, 2014 Virginia

Plan targeting 2,800 battlefield deer progresses August 1, 2014 Virginia

Southampton big on deer hunting, except when it comes to muzzleloaders March 27, 2014 Virginia

Soybeans excellent choice for food plots April 28, 2014 Virginia

Spatiotemporal variation in deer browse and tolerance in a woodland herb HR Prendeville, JC Steven, LF Galloway - Ecology, 2014

Sunday Hunting Bill Clears Hurdle in Virginia January 28, 2014

Sunday hunting bills progress through General Assembly February 10, 2014 Virginia

Sunday hunting expected to be signed into law March 1, 2014 Virginia,

Va. deer-kill numbers down greatly this year December 11, 2014 Virginia

Virginia Whitetail Deer Hunting Outlook October 3, 2014

Virginia will have Sunday hunting on private lands February 22, 2014

..2013

Accomack Supervisors to revisit deer dog issue March 2, 2013 Virginia

Accomack, Divided Board of Supervisors preserves deer hunting with dogs, OK's complaints committee October 17, 2013 Virginia

Annual Deer Feeding Ban to Begin Sept. 1 August 27, 2013 Virginia

Bath County, Deer hunters flooded campgrounds in Bath County in the old days December 11, 2013 Virginia

Biologist says “Bah Humbug” to big deer kill December 3, 2013 Virginia,

Cochran’s take in on deer kill rollercoaster December 4, 2013 Virginia,

Deer are main target of DGIF hunting regs changes June 14, 2013 Virginia

Deer dog hunts alive March 30, 2013 Virginia

Deer poaching is up this year and officials want help November 21, 2013 Virginia

Deer, Bear and Turkey Harvest Data March 9, 2013 Virginia

Don't feed deer during hunting season September 18, 2013 Virginia

Henry and Patrick counties, Deer kills are lower in area January 28, 2013 Virginia

Herd Status, Virginia deer season preview September 28, 2013

Issue of deer hunting with dogs will be revisited by county this fall August 30, 2013 Virginia

Land parcelization and deer population densities in a rural county of Virginia KR Lovely, WJ Mcshea, NW Lafon, DE Carr - Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2013

Local hunters hope legislators will establish season to exercise deer dogs May 29, 2013 Virginia

Majestic animals return to Southwest Virginia - Elk September 23, 2012

Manassas, Hunting and Birth Control Proposed to Decrease Deer Population in Manassas Battlefield Park August 27, 2013 Virginia

Manassas, Park Service deer control plan at Manassas battlefield won't include public hunting August 30, 2013 Virginia

Manassas, Park Service proposes culling deer at Manassas battlefield August 26, 2013 Virginia

New signs Virginia hunters embracing Quality Deer Management May 22, 2013

Poaching steadily increasing December 22, 2013 Virginia

Prince William Forest Park Deer Survey December 12, 2013 Virginia

Rather than dining on venison, some preseason deer forecasters are eating crow November 19, 2013 Virginia

Southampton County saw a 22 percent drop in its deer harvest this year February 28, 2013 Virginia

State plan thins county white-tailed deer population May 1, 2013 Virginia

The Price of Deer October 8, 2013 Virginia

There are fewer deer August 21, 2013 Virginia

Timber cuts a magnet for deer October 21, 2013 Virginia

Virginia deer hunters get updates on studies, declining deer population January 18, 2013

Virginia deer, bear, turkey harvest data announced February 27, 2013

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries tightens whitetail limits June 13, 2013

.2012

Amendment would facilitate control of coyote population January 18, 2012 Virginia

Deer ... harvest data announced February 28, 2012 Virginia

Deer kill up from previous seasons March 22, 2012 Virginia

Elk reintroduction a success November 8, 2012 Virginia

Forest Service plans 788-acre burn in Amherst County February 8, 2012 Virginia

Good and bad news for deer October 18, 2012 Virginia

Hunters bag slim whitetail harvest on national forest April 10, 2012 Virginia

Hunting is big business for Virginia December 27, 2012

Keeping Deer Wild in Virginia April 30, 2012 Virginia

More opposition to 'immoral' hunting March 14, 2012 Virginia

Non-hunters deserve Sunday peace January 20, 2012 Virginia

Quantico uses tracking devices to study coyote impact on deer June 18, 2012 Virginia

Some General Assembly bills are out of this world [hunting system for landowners] January 17, 2012 Virginia

Valley Crop Mob Helps Last Virginia Deer Farmer Turn Things Around [Last Deer Farmer in Virginia] January 30, 2012

Virginia Bill Would Destroy Hunting, Trapping, & State Wildlife ConservationJanuary 20, 2012

Virginia deer spotter headed to court March 5, 2012 Virginia

Virginia deer-feeding ban begins Saturday August 31, 2012

Virginia's ... deer kills up from past season March 4, 2012

What is the Real Killer of Deer in Virginia's Forests? June 20, 2012

Wild Elk Return To Southwest Virginia May 18, 2012

Wildlife Center treating poisoned bald eagle January 13, 2012 Virginia

2011

Age of trees in George Washington National Forest's key issue in management September 4, 2011, Virginia

As hunting declines in Virginia, a way of life is lost January 24, 2011 Virginia

Coyote Control: Necessary Part of Deer Management? June 2, 2011 Virginia

Deer kills for Virginia's fall-winter season decline March 7, 2011

Don't feed the deer: Ban goes into effect Sept. 1 in Virginia August 28, 2011

Drop In State Deer Herd Concern To Hunters February 25, 2011 Virginia

Drop in Virginia deer herd concern to hunters February 26, 2011

Hunters concerned over decline in national forest deer June 24, 2011 Virginia

Hunters' deer tally drops considerably March 3, 2011 Virginia

Hunting Regulation Amendments, Virginia July 4, 2011

Loudoun County Plans Managed Deer Hunts at Nature Preserve September 13, 2011 Virginia

Manassas Deer eating house and home at Manassas battlefield April 14, 2011 Virginia

Manasses: Deer management plans on Manasses National Battlefield Park, Antietam National Battlefield Park and Monocacy National Battlefield July 19, 2011 Virginia

QDMA chapter's Field Day helps with habitat improvement May 31, 2011 Virginia

Rescuing Wildlife August 16, 2011 Virginia

Sundays Won't Bring Deer Back June 29, 2011 Virginia

Virginia Deer Harvest Down July 29, 2011

Virginia game officials report smaller deer harvest July 31, 2011

Where have all the mountain deer gone? August 17, 2011 Virginia

Where have the deer gone? January 20, 2011 Virginia

Will hunters see a rebound in whitetails? September 23, 2011 Virginia

Deer hunters: Don't shoot the does 10/26/2010

Influences of Precipitation, Temperature, and Acorn Mast on White-Tailed Deer Body Weight in the Northern Piedmont of Virginia SAB Campbell

Lighter deer harvest forecast (Population decline in Virginia) December 2, 2010