Habitat management and population management are interrelated. Both can improve qualities of a deer herd such as fawn crop, average body weight, and average antler size. However, habitat improvements alone provide only temporary improvements in herd quality. Unless deer numbers are controlled through population management, deer eventually increase until habitat becomes limiting, which then causes deer quality to degrade. For long-term improvement or maintenance of deer quality, population management and habitat management must work hand in hand.

Population management should adhere to the same procedures for deer management outlined in the beginning of the "Habitat Management" section. The appropriate population management for a deer herd depends on the goal(s) for the herd. Each goal requires a somewhat different management strategy. Deer population parameters such as density, sex ratio, and age structure, as well as habitat parameters such as food and cover, are manipulated to accomplish the goals. Many deer herd management goals fit into one of these general categories:

1. eliminating deer or minimizing deer numbers,
2. sustaining a viable deer population at relatively low densities,
3. seeing lots of deer,
4. maintaining a natural balance between deer and their habitat,
5. optimizing deer herd health and numbers,
6. sustaining maximum harvest of deer (or bucks), or
7. sustaining maximum harvest and quality of trophy bucks.

These goals will be discussed in more detail later in the section Population Regulation.