White-tailed deer pressure by US state
Click any state to see estimated deer density, browsing pressure rating, and the plant-protection strategy that works at that level. Data derived from state DNR deer population estimates and the QDMA Whitetail Report.
Free · No signup · State DNR dataWhat the pressure rating means for your garden
Low pressure (under 15 deer per square mile): deer-resistant plant lists work as expected. Repellents are usually unnecessary for unprotected plantings. Even hostas and daylilies often go un-eaten.
Moderate pressure (15-30): deer-resistant plants (lavender, catmint, Russian sage, salvia, foxglove, ornamental alliums) reliably ignored. Higher-value targets like hostas, tulips, and hydrangeas need repellent rotation or fencing.
High pressure (30-45): repellent programs become essential for any unprotected planting. Hostas and daylilies eaten consistently. The Rutgers A-rated plant list is your safest starting point.
Very high pressure (45+ — much of the Mid-Atlantic suburbs, parts of the Midwest, exurban Northeast): a 7-foot deer fence is the only reliable solution for ornamental beds. Repellents help but require weekly application and rotation between products. Per Rutgers, even A-rated "rarely damaged" plants get eaten during late-winter starvation in very high-pressure areas.
The full deer-resistance plant list, including the Rutgers rating system explanation, is here: Deer-resistant perennials: what actually works in suburban Long Island.
Sources: state-by-state deer density estimates compiled from each state's Department of Natural Resources or Fish & Wildlife agency reports. Rating bands derived from the QDMA Whitetail Report and Rutgers Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance. Density estimates are statewide averages; local pressure varies widely (suburban edge habitat often 2-4x higher than the state average).