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Top 20 States With The Most White-Tailed Deer

Columbian White-Tailed Deer
White-tailed deer are a very cute looking species with their large ears. Image by Joe Cox via Unsplash

They are common in many parts of the United States but do you know which states have the most white-tailed deer? These graceful creatures are often seen in forests, fields, and sometimes even backyards. Hunters, nature lovers, and photographers alike have a keen interest in where to find these animals. Here, we list the top 20 states with the highest populations of white-tailed deer.

20. Ohio

white tailed deer
White-tailed deer. Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Population: 670,000

Ohio has a healthy deer population, offering ample opportunities for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts.

19. South Carolina

White tailed deer
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus nelsoni) female with fawns, Orange Walk, Belize. Image via Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Population: 700,000

South Carolina’s forests and wetlands provide a good habitat for white-tailed deer.

18. Indiana

Fawn
Image of Fawn Via Depositphotos

Population: 700,000

Indiana’s agricultural lands and woodlands are home to a large number of these deer.

17. Oklahoma

White-Tailed Deer cutest animal
White Tailed Deer Von USDA photo by Scott Bauer – Image Number: K5437-3.http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/may01/k5437-3.htm, Gemeinfrei, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=245466

Population: 750,000

Oklahoma’s diverse habitats, from plains to forests, support a strong deer population.

16. West Virginia

white tailed deer
Image by Acton Crawford via Unsplash

Population: 800,000

West Virginia’s rugged terrain and forests are ideal for white-tailed deer.

15. Virginia

Deer
White tailed deer in Yellowstone National Park. Image via Lucas Golden, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Population: 850,000

In Virginia, deer are a common sight in both rural and suburban areas.

14. Tennessee

A very cute big eared species of deer.

Image generated by Animals Around The Globe via DALL-E

Population: 900,000

Tennessee offers a mix of landscapes, perfect for sustaining a large deer population.

13. Kentucky

A beautiful white tailed deer doe standing alert in the woods.

Image via Depositphotos

Population: 994,356

Kentucky’s fields and woodlands provide excellent conditions for white-tailed deer.

12. North Carolina

white tailed deer
Two white tailed deer graze in the grassy field near Hauser, Idaho. Image by gjohnstonphoto via depositphotos.com

Population: 1,000,000

North Carolina’s varied environments support a robust deer population.

11. Minnesota

Image by Veado de cauda branca Stock via Depositphotos

Population: 1,000,000

Minnesota’s forests and farmlands are home to a significant number of deer.

10. Arkansas

white tailed deer
Image by Marko Hankkila via Unsplash

Population: 1,000,000

Arkansas provides a diverse habitat that supports a healthy deer population.

9. New York

white tailed deer
Image by Robert Woeger via Unsplash

Population: 1,200,000

Despite its urban areas, New York has vast rural and forested regions that are perfect for deer.

8. Alabama

white tailed deer
Image by Y S via Unsplash

Population: 1,250,000

Alabama’s warm climate and plentiful food sources make it a great place for deer.

7. Georgia

white tailed deer
Image by Karl-Heinz Müller via Unsplash

Population: 1,300,000

Georgia’s varied landscape supports a large and healthy deer population.

6. Pennsylvania

white tailed deer
Image by Acton Crawford via Unsplash

Population: 1,400,000

Pennsylvania is well-known for its deer, especially in its extensive forests.

5. Missouri

white tailed deer
Image by Eva Blue via Unsplash

Population: 1,400,000

Missouri’s mix of farmland and forest provides an ideal habitat for deer.

4. Mississippi

white tailed deer
Image by Tetiana Semenova via Unsplash

Population: 1,500,000

Mississippi’s forests and fields are perfect for a thriving deer population.

3. Wisconsin

white tailed deer
Image by Acton Crawford via Unsplash

Population: 1,510,000

Wisconsin is famous for its deer, which are plentiful across the state’s forests and farmlands.

2. Michigan

white tailed deer
Image by Ken Goulding via Unsplash

Population: 2,000,000

Michigan’s vast forests and rural areas make it a haven for white-tailed deer.

1. Texas

white tailed deer
Image by Ravi Pinisetti via Unsplash

Population: 5,300,000

Texas leads by a large margin, with its expansive ranches and varied habitats supporting the highest deer population in the country.

All these populations numbers come from World Population Review.

Wrapping Up with the Top 20 States With The Most White-Tailed Deer

white tailed deer
Image by Camerauthor Photos via Unsplash

White-tailed deer are an integral part of America’s wildlife. From the dense forests of the Northeast to the wide-open spaces of Texas, these states offer some of the best opportunities to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat. Evidently whether you are a hunter, a wildlife photographer, or simply a nature lover, these states are worth a visit to experience the thriving populations of white-tailed deer.

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