ATHENS, GA (February 13, 2018) – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) today released its 10th annual Whitetail Report, a comprehensive update on the status of white-tailed deer including deer harvest trends through the 2016-17 season, the most recent hunting season with complete deer harvest data available from most whitetail states and Canadian provinces.
“There are some very positive tends occurring,” said Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Conservation. “Yearling buck harvest remains at record low numbers, and we took 4 percent more antlered bucks in the 2016-17 season than the year before.”
Conversely, said Adams, other trends and issues are not as positive. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to spread and make major headlines. Also, the antlerless deer harvest has now declined 19 percent in the past decade, potentially ending a nearly 20-year streak in which hunters annually took more antlerless than antlered deer.
Complete state-by-state estimates of total buck harvest, buck age structure, and many other harvest parameters are available in the full Whitetail Report, which also includes a look at numerous other critical issues for whitetails and deer hunters.
Each annual Whitetail Report is different, as they cover the most pressing issues of that year. To review all of QDMA’s Whitetail Reports going back to the first edition in 2009, visit QDMA.com.
Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with 60,000 members in all 50 states and Canada, and several foreign countries. QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com
