The numbers in parentheses on the map are standard errors, and all reported numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 deer. Overwinter deer population estimates are derived from the fall population estimates and the total registered harvest. Units with the lowest fall deer densities were mostly in southeastern and north-central to northeastern Wisconsin. Deer management units with the highest fall densities were mostly in the east-central, south-central and southwestern parts of the state. The numbers in parentheses on the map are standard errors, and all reported numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 deer.īuck harvest density in 2018 varied among deer management units from less than 1 to more than 6 bucks harvested per square mile of land area.įall deer densities in 2018 varied from 4 to 80 deer per square mile of land area. Posthunt population estimates provide the starting point for annual determinations of antlerless harvest quotas and permit levels.įall deer population estimates are based to a large degree on the number of antlered bucks harvested in each deer management unit. Population estimatesĭeer population estimates are made for two time periods, a fall or prehunt estimate and an overwinter or posthunt estimate. Density estimates are useful for comparing population estimates among deer management units because they standardize abundance estimates by taking into account the difference in size of deer management units. Density can be calculated by dividing the abundance estimate by the area (square miles) within the unit. Abundance estimates are the total number of deer estimated for an entire unit. Deer population estimates may be expressed in terms of abundance or density. The Wisconsin DNR annually estimates the size of the population of deer in each deer management unit.
Contact information For information on deer, contact: Wildlife biologistĭeer abundance and densities in Wisconsin deer management units