White-tailed deer populations faced near extinction in the early 20th century, dropping to about 300,000 due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, their numbers have surged to approximately 30-35 million, a recovery attributed to concerted conservation efforts and a reduction in predation. Historical accounts, like those from Henry David Thoreau, illustrate their decline in regions like Massachusetts. The species thrived after megafauna extinctions, filling previously occupied ecological niches. Research on archaeological deer bones highlights their importance to Indigenous cultures and suggests a complex relationship with human activities.
White-tailed deer reached near extinction with just 300,000 remaining by the early 20th century but later rebounded to 30-35 million due to conservation efforts.
The resurgence of white-tailed deer populations is attributed to the elimination of top predators and subsequent effective management practices that helped restore their numbers.
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