Summary

This report evaluates the economic effects of deer and other wildlife damage on Tennessee agriculture using data from a 2026 survey of Tennessee farmers, with 617 usable responses representing 85 counties. The findings indicate that wildlife damage is widespread, materially affects crop production and farm infrastructure, and creates substantial direct and broader economic losses for the state. Deer were identified as the primary source of damage, particularly to crops, fences and roads, while rodents were also frequently reported as a significant source of damage to buildings and machinery. We used these survey data to extrapolate an estimated total economic impact for Tennessee using USDA acreage data, with additional downstream effects on household spending and tax revenues.