News Release Archives - November 2008
Return to November 2008 Archive
November 3, 2008
Mule Deer Population Remains Healthy
The mule deer population in western North Dakota is in good shape, according to Bruce Stillings, big game biologist for the state Game and Fish Department, Dickinson.
Aerial observations during the fall reproduction survey reveal two primary indicators – ratio of fawns-per-doe, and bucks-per-doe – were near long-term averages. The fawn-to-doe ratio was .89 fawns per doe, and the buck-to-doe ratio was .50 bucks per doe.
“Surveys continue to indicate a population with stable recruitment and good numbers of adult bucks,” Stillings said.
Observers who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 2,208 mule deer during the October survey, which encompassed 24 study areas and 291 square miles in western North Dakota.
Each spring, biologists survey the same study areas to determine a population index.
Will open a new window (pop-up).