Mule deer populations in most parts of Montana fared better over the past year of drought than FWP predicted. Wildlife managers were concerned that the lack of quality forage due to the drought, combined with a potentially harsh winter conditions could reduce fawn survival. "We were happy to see in our spring aerial surveys that with the relatively mild winter we had better fawn winter-survival rates than we hoped. As a result, there are some nice gains in mule deer populations, especially in the eastern parts of Montana," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife bureau chief."In some areas in FWP Region 3 mule deer population numbers are average to about 10 percent above average while other areas in the southwest are rebounding more slowly with mule deer populations about 20 to 30 percent below average, " Erickson said. "On the other hand, total numbers of mule deer in the West Bridger Mountains are estimated to have increased 45 percent in two years, when compared to spring counts in 1999." Numbers of deer in the Bridgers are well above long-term averages. The scope of the rebound in a particular area depends in part on the precipitation and temperature. Weather, especially precipitation, is one of the most influential factors contributing to fluctuations in the number of mule deer. Another contributing factor is the type of habitat. Wildlife managers have identified five mule deer habitats in Montana. Each is a unique environment with conditions that affect mule deer population growth, fawn survival and the extent of long-term swings in population. For example, the mule deer habitat in the eastern part of the state is known as the Prairie/Breaks, a semi-arid environment with wider swings in precipitation and temperature and correspondingly wider swings in mule deer numbers. "We also have good data these days to help us understand how an increase or decrease in mule deer in a particular habitat is likely to play out in the long term big picture," Erickson said. "We manage hunting quotas as one of a variety of factors impacting these population trends." In FWP Region 6 the hunting season went from restrictive to standard hunting regulations, which means that because the population is near the long-term average for the area more licenses are available and more animals can be taken. In FWP Region 5 and 7 the seasons are moving from standard to liberal hunting regulations. Wildlife managers recommend liberal season regulations when the mule deer population is substantially above average and fawn survival is high. In most hunting districts in FWP Region 3, mule deer regulations have changed from restrictive to standard. Aerial surveys in parts of northeastern Montana show that after several years of low mule deer numbers the tide has turned there. Numbers of mule deer recorded in two areas in McCone County were at the highest levels since the surveys began there in the mid-80’s. Mule deer populations in two other areas in South Valley County are above the long-term population averages recorded there. The ratio of bucks to does across all of the survey areas was excellent in the eastern part of the state. They varied from a very good 28 bucks per 100 does in some areas to an astounding 73 bucks per 100 does. Research on mule deer populations and their habitats that began in Montana in the mid-1970’s in some areas and in the 1980’s in others is the basis of a management approach that adjusts hunting seasons according to the numbers of mule deer counted in the aerial surveys relative to the population objectives set in that area. The population objectives, in turn, are based on long-term average numbers of animals in these areas, giving the wildlife managers and biologists a good benchmark to use in managing these herds. "We have a enough data now to know the habitats that have traditionally been able to sustain more mule deer than others and to know the habitats where mule deer numbers will recover faster compared to others," Erickson said. "Overall, mule deer hunting in Montana this year should be as good as or better than last year in most locations," Erickson said. "How the picture will look in 2002 will depend once again on the severity of this winter following what was in the western half of the state another very dry summer. "
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