Human Dimensions Study of the White-tailed Deer Population in New Jersey

Lauren Seitz
Stockton University
Wildlife Management
Dr. Catherine Tredick
Introduction

When thinking of New Jersey, many people often think about the high population
density, though humans are not the only species living at high densities. Due to uneven
distribution, researchers estimate that as many as 114 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
per square mile can be found in areas prone to high deer populations. (NJDEP 2016) White-
tailed deer can be found throughout the state with the exception of urban areas. (NJDEP 2016)
An active species, the deer can be found throughout all 4 seasons feeding on a variety of
vegetation including grasses, shrubs, fruits, and nuts. (NRCS) Typically being a large sized
mammal, the deer also act as a good food source for other mammal species like coyote, bobcats,
and wolves. (NRCS) In the late 1800s, over-hunting of deer caused their populations to plummet,
therefore leading to increased hunting regulations and restocking programs. (Rutgers 2013) The
efforts to repopulate the white-tailed deer were successful, leading to a new type of population
problem--overpopulation. (Rutgers 2013)
Studies used in the Governor’s Report for New Jersey state that introducing deer in a
controlled area, the population grew 50% each year. (NJDEP DFW) When the introduced deer
were reduced, numbers climbed at an even quicker rate. (NJDEP DFW) The increase in
population is due to deer having readily available food, making healthy deer able to reproduce at
a younger age. (NJDEP DFW) The NJDEP DFW stated that in order for populations to remain
stable, the population needs to be reduced by 40% each year; without the reduction by hunting or
natural mortality, populations could climb to over 500,000 within a few years.
The overpopulation of white-tailed deer has lead to a rise in new issues ranging from an
increased number of deer-vehicle collisions, to a decrease in forest regeneration due to
overgrazing. (NJDEP 2016)

Objective

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the general public’s
attitude towards the white-tailed deer population in New Jersey and to gauge the efficiency of
current management tactics.

Methods

On March 28, 2018, I sent out a general, anonymous survey consisting of questions about
white-tailed deer in New Jersey. The questions were aimed towards getting a better
understanding of the public’s perception of the deer population, their feelings towards deer, and
their experience with deer. (See full survey including answer options in Appendix) The survey
ran for a 6 day span: March 28, 2018 to April 2, 2018 and 244 responses were received. From the
collected results, Microsoft Excel was used to break down and analyze data with pivot tables;
graphing the results.

Results and Discussion

After reviewing the results, the consensus was very partial in whether or not the New
Jersey deer population is too high. (See Fig. 1) When analyzing the responses, the majority of
surveyors felt as if the deer population was not too high, did not know, or believed it was too
low, The majority of surveyors also did not consider deer to be a “pest” species. Those that felt
the population was high, found the deer to be “pests”, and those that believed it is fine as is, felt
that they were not a “pest” species. Though minimal, the other surveyors who believed the
population was too low, or did not know whether there was a population problem generally did
not feel as if they are “pests”. When examining how frequently deer were seen, there was a
strong correlation in people only seeing deer 0-3 days per week and not considering them to be a
“pest” species. It appears as the more deer are seen, the more likely they are to be considered a
“pest”. (See Fig. 3)
The majority of surveyors are not, or have never been hunters. (See Fig. 2) Of those that
are hunters, the majority expressed that their purpose in hunting was to hunt for food. Other
popular purposes were to maintain tradition and to spend time with friends and family. The
minority of hunters hunted to control the population, and/or no longer hunt. There was an
overwhelming support of using hunting as a management technique for local deer populations,
even though the majority of surveyors are not, or have never been hunters. Of those that are, or
have been hunters, only 1 person did not support hunting being used to manage local deer
populations. The surveyors who are not, or have never been hunters still felt as hunting was a
good tool for managing the deer population. (See Fig. 4)
In addition to surveyors agreeing with hunting being used to manage local deer
populations, when asked if the government should be involved in managing local deer
populations, the majority of respondents were neutral, or did not agree. (See Fig. 5) The same
attitudes were also expressed when asked whether taxes should be used in funding deer
population management. (See Fig. 6)
Figure 1. Surveyor responses for determining whether there is a deer population problem in New Jersey and
whether they consider them to be a “pest” species

Figure 2. Surveyor responses, determining whether they are, or have been hunters, and if so, their reason for hunting
Figure 3. The amount of days surveyors saw deer, in addition to their attitudes towards deer being a “pest” species

Figure 4. Surveyors identified whether or not they are, or have ever been hunters, and whether they agree with
hunting being used to manage local deer populations
Figure 5. Public attitudes towards government being involved in the management of local deer populations

Figure 6. Public attitudes towards taxes being used in the management of local deer populations

Conclusion
After reviewing the results, I was surprised to see how many people were neutral in their
answers. Typically speaking, the public is often very opinionated on wildlife issues and how they
feel is most appropriate to go about them. Though the survey concludes that the general public
does not feel as if the deer population is a major problem, and does not feel as if they are a “pest”
species, studies show that the deer population is too high.
 The survey does suggest that the public is satisfied with annual deer hunts, and agree that
hunting is a good way to manage local deer populations. If deer populations present themselves
to be elevated and problematic, it could be recommended that increased bag limits, or season
lengths could be a widely accepted solution. Due to the variation in survey responses, public
education about the deer population may also be useful.
 References

Maslow, Brooke., Wehman, Samantha. 2013. An Overview of White-Tailed Deer Status and
Management in New Jersey. Accessed on April 13, 2018 from https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1202/

NJDEP. 2016. Wildlife Populations: White-tailed Deer. Accessed on April 13, 2018 from
http://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/trends/pdfs/wildlife-whitetail.pdf

NRCS. New Jersey Fact Sheet: White-tailed Deer Impacts and Forest Management. Accessed on
April 13, 2018 from
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_017804.pdf

NJDEP DFW. Governor’s Report on Deer Management in New Jersey. Accessed on April 13,
2018 from http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/govdrrpt.pdf
Appendix:

Appendix A: Wildlife Management: White-tailed deer

* Required

1) Do you think that there is a deer population problem in New Jersey? *

Yes, the deer population is too high
Yes, the deer population is too low
No, the deer population is fine
I don't know
Other:

2) Do you consider deer a "pest" species? *

Yes
No

3) I enjoy seeing deer in the area *

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

4) How many days have you seen deer in the past week? *
0 days
1-3 days
4-6 days
Everyday

5) Local governments should be involved in managing deer populations... *

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

6) Local taxes should be used to fund management of deer populations... *

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

7) I support hunting as a way to manage local deer populations... *

Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

8) Have you, or do you currently hunt deer? *

Yes
No

9) Where do you typically hunt deer? *

Public land
My land
Leased land near my home
In another state
Anywhere I have the opportunity
I don't hunt

10) Why do you hunt deer? *

For food
To spend time with friends//family
To help control the deer population
Tradition//From a family of hunters
I don't hunt