White-tailed Deer Monitoring (U.S. National Park Service)

Deer at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield — Three deer resting at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
NPS-Photo

White-tailed deer populations are excellent for wildlife viewing and for hunting. Their populations have changed a lot throughout time. Deer were very common and then nearly went extinct by the early 1900s. Deer are very adaptable to human disturbance and have since recovered in numbers. The addition of urban spaces broke up the once continuous woodlands. Deer thrive in the edges of these woodlands.

Deer populations will grow as long as food is available. When populations are large, deer will search for food elsewhere. They may wind up eating food in your garden or a farmer’s crops – a buffet! When there are lots of deer, disease is also easily transmitted. And, the chance of you hitting a deer with your car also increases.

Therefore, the Heartland Network monitors changes in deer populations over time. Monitoring allows us to determine trends. Annual changes could indicate illegal hunting or disease. Whereas long term changes can help parks determine if management is needed to control the population size. Population sizes may need controlled if vegetation or vehicular damage is occurring frequently because of deer.

Monitoring Updates

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Deer Monitoring at Arkansas Post National Memorial in Arkansas, 2024
- Locations: Arkansas Post National Memorial
- Offices: Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network
Heartland Network scientists monitor deer at Arkansas Post National Memorial using nighttime spotlight surveys. We track deer populations to understand how these charismatic animals may be changing over time. Too many deer can cause increases in disease, damage to park landscapes, and collisions with cars. Our monitoring information helps park managers protect deer, other animals, park habitats, and people.
Deer Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park in Arkansas, 2023
- Locations: Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Offices: Heartland Inventory & Monitoring Network
The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network has monitored deer at Pea Ridge National Military Park since 2005. Deer are charismatic creatures that were nearly extinct in the early 1900s. Now deer overpopulation is a significant problem that can lead to overbrowsing of park trees and other plants, increasing deer-vehicle collisions, and the spread of disease. We monitor deer to help the park make management decisions that protect deer, park ecosystems, and people.
Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Deer Monitoring at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
- Locations: Wilson's Creek National Battlefield
Deer are charismatic creatures at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. Without natural predators, deer can become overpopulated and die of disease and starvation, as well as have a negative effect on trees and other plants by overbrowsing. The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network has monitored deer on the park since 2005 to help park managers manage deer, conserve park ecosystems, and assess safety risks to visitors.
Pea Ridge National Military Park
Deer Monitoring at Pea Ridge National Military Park
- Locations: Pea Ridge National Military Park
The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network surveys for deer using nighttime spotlight surveys. Monitoring deer populations helps us understand how they may be changing over time.