How does the wolf population impact the deer population?
There is overwhelming evidence that wolves alone have little impact on deer population. The current wolf population relies on a small portion , not over 13%, of the deer population to sustain itself. Deer have an extraordinary population performance, dependent on a high capacity for survival, particularly after a year of maturity, and high reproductive success. Wolves are not particularly effective deer hunters. Deer numbers in forests are a result of direct management through hunter harvest and are influenced by the high reproductive potential during mild years or the detrimental effects of severe winters.