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Mother Nature played a role during the annual fall mule deer reproduction survey, as North Dakota Game and Fish Department biologists could evaluate only slightly more than half of the usual study areas during the October survey.
"Weather during this year^s survey was marginal at best," said Mike Oehler, big game biologist, Dickinson, "allowing us to survey only 14 out of a possible 24 study areas."
Observers who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 905 mule deer. "If we consider just the study areas that were surveyed in both 1999 and 2000," Oehler said, "we counted 869 mule deer this year and 451 during the 1999 survey, a 93 percent increase in deer observed."
The fawn-to-doe ratio was about the same as in 1999 throughout the badlands^ mule deer range, indicating stable recruitment, Oehler said. "What we are seeing is more deer on the landscape," he added, "but the apparent rate at which young are being recruited into the population is similar between years."
Data also suggests there may be more males in the mule deer population this year. "Our 2000 survey supports that notion," Oehler added. "Of the three management units surveyed, one had significantly more males than in 1999, a second was greater, but marginally non-significant, and no difference for the third unit.
"These are positive trends that we are observing for our mule deer population," Oehler continued, "and hopefully the weather will continue to shine on our herd."
Uploaded: 12/17/2000
Uploaded: 12/17/2000