Mississippi Wildlife Department: Hunters need to kill more deer
According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the state's deer population could be at record levels and it's asking hunters to harvest more deer.
"Our population estimates show Mississippi has had an at, or near, record population the last three years," said William McKinley, MDWFP Deer Program coordinator. "We have numbers going back to the '70s."
McKinley said deer numbers are calculated by the department using annual harvest estimates along with ages of deer harvested.
"It's a very reliable method used by many states," McKinley said.
But an estimate based on scientific calculation isn't the only indicator of a growing population.
"Deer damage complaints are going up," McKinley said. "We're getting deer damage reports from farmers, gardeners and homeowners. The number of complaints in cities has gone up in recent years."
Insurance claims involving collisions with deer also indicate a rise in deer. According to State Farm Insurance, Mississippi now ranks No. 7 in the nation for collisions with animals. The state ranked No. 8 in 2020 and No. 10 in 2016.
While the ranking involves collisions with any animal, deer are at the top of the list.
"That actually puts us in the high-risk category and we pay more in insurance because of it," McKinley said.
Donate venison to help families in need
So, what about hunters who already harvest as many deer as they can use? McKinley said one option is to donate the meat to families in need through the Hunter's Harvest program. Hunters can donate as much as they want at participating deer processors. Processing fees can be paid by the hunter or by the program.
Another option is to donate it to a church.
"There are people out there that need it and local churches are really good vehicles to get it to them," McKinley said.
McKinley also said that reducing the deer population will reduce pressure on food sources and create healthier deer.
"Especially in a drought year like this," McKinley said. "This drought has had an impact on deer."
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Where to donate deer to Hunter's Harvest
Thrasher's Taxidermy and Deer Processing – Corinth, Alcorn County
Rut’n & Cut’n Deer Processing – Crystal Springs, Copiah County
Old River Road Deer Processing – Petal, Forrest County
Strick's Deer Processing – Hattiesburg, Forrest County
D’Wayne’s Deer Processing – Holcolm, Grenada County
Stacie's Deer Processing – Utica, Hinds County
The Meat Hook – Laurel, Hinds County
Sherman Deer Processing – Lena, Leake County
Boyd Deer Processing – Ruth, Lincoln County
Diamond J Meat Market & Deer Processing – Brookhaven, Lincoln County
Knight’s Deer Processing and Meat Market LLC – Brookhaven, Lincoln County
Buck Shop II – Canton, Madison County
The Buck Shop – Flora, Madison County
Sansing Meat Service – Maben, Oktibbeha County
Brister’s Taxidermy & Deer Processing – McComb, Pike County
MaxMan Deer Processing – Senatobia, Tate County
Oaks Deer Processing – Coldwater, Tate County
Backwoods Specialty Meats and Processing – Tylertown, Walthall County
Dave’s Custom Meats – Vicksburg, Warren County
Moore's Deer Processing – Vicksburg, Warren County
Milner’s Deer Processing – Yazoo City, Yazoo County
Rack Shack Outdoors – Benton, Yazoo County
Red Antler Processing – Yazoo City, Yazoo County
Van’s Deer Processing – Brandon, Rankin County
The Skinnin' Shed – Meadville, Forrest County
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MDWFP says Mississippi hunters need to kill more deer
