Changes

The [[reindeer]] is domesticated and herded by the Lapps of Northern Scandinavia, and red deer and several other species are farmed for [[venison]] in Scotland and elsewhere.

The [[reindeer]] is domesticated and herded by the Lapps of Northern Scandinavia, and red deer and several other species are farmed for [[venison]] in Scotland and elsewhere.

==United States==

==United States==

Before 1600, deer were plentiful in North America. Native Americans hunted them, as did cougars and other large predators. Colonists, when they came, did the same and traded pelts to Europe. Later, market hunting -- killing deer to transport their meat to American cities -- severely reduced their numbers.  A hundred years ago there were  less than half a million white-tail and mule deer; deer were almost extinct in many parts of the country.

Before 1600, deer were plentiful in North America. Native Americans hunted them, as did cougars and other large predators. Colonists, when they came, did the same and traded pelts to Europe. Later, market hunting—killing deer to transport their meat to American cities—severely reduced their numbers.  A hundred years ago there were  less than half a million white-tail and mule deer; deer were almost extinct in many parts of the country.

Today there may be as many as 29 million. The maximum stable population is about 20 deer per square mile, but much higher densities appear in suburban areas, where they enjoy upscale meals from flower beds and landscaping.  Deer are an "edge species." They can handle different environments, but they prefer boundary regions between woods and grasslands. The deep center of a mature forest is not ideal for deer. They do better at the edge of a forest, where sunlight and ground vegetation are abundant, and where they can venture to browse in the open but retreat easily into cover.  

Today there may be as many as 29 million. The maximum stable population is about 20 deer per square mile, but much higher densities appear in suburban areas, where they enjoy upscale meals from flower beds and landscaping.  Deer are an "edge species." They can handle different environments, but they prefer boundary regions between woods and grasslands. The deep center of a mature forest is not ideal for deer. They do better at the edge of a forest, where sunlight and ground vegetation are abundant, and where they can venture to browse in the open but retreat easily into cover.  

In 2000 -- the last time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a count -- there were about 247,000 crashes involving animals, mostly deer, on American roadways. Annually, there are about 200 human fatalities involving a vehicle and an animal.  In the fall comes "the rut" -- bucks chasing does, sometimes for miles -- creates a surge in car collisions. In the summer, when fawns begin to follow their mothers, there will be another spike in accidents.  

In 2000—the last time the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a count—there were about 247,000 crashes involving animals, mostly deer, on American roadways. Annually, there are about 200 human fatalities involving a vehicle and an animal.  In the fall comes "the rut"—bucks chasing does, sometimes for miles—creates a surge in car collisions. In the summer, when fawns begin to follow their mothers, there will be another spike in accidents.  

Deer do not themselves contract Lyme disease, but they carry ticks that can spread the illness.  

Deer do not themselves contract Lyme disease, but they carry ticks that can spread the illness.  

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Hunting]] with:

* [[Hunting]] with:

** [[Firearm]]s: [[Handgun]], [[Shotgun]] and [[Rifle]]

** [[Firearm]]s: [[Handgun]], [[Shotgun]] and [[Rifle]]