Report Nr. 2900 1980 Deer Seasons

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were legal game in 1980 during several types of seasons. The total deer harvest by all hunters in 1980 (165,490) was the second highest on record, surpassed only by 1978 (171,240). During the regular season. the largest number of hunters in history, 727,210, bagged the largest number of bucks ever - 108,250. Statewide, same 108,960 hunter's choice permit holders harvested 28,210 antlerless deer, slightly more than the 27,040 taken in 1979. While the number of hunters (26,080) and bucks killed (920) were down slightly compared to 1979, the 1980 season was still second best of the six seasons held to date. For the first time since 1971, the number of archers was less than the previous year (216,190 to 204,550). The deer harvest (28,110) however, was an all-time record, nearly 10 percent above the 1979 figure. The camp permit was eliminated by Legislative action in 1980.