An optimistic spring survey of the mule deer population in western North Dakota following a mild winter has given way to a discouraging fall survey following a drought summer.
State Game and Fish Department biologists counted 2,671 mule deer during the April spring survey, indicating a population 21% above the long-term average. During the autumn survey in October they counted 2,163 deer, although snow and wind limited them to 20 of the 24 study areas tracked annually.
The ratio of 60 fawns per 100 in this case was well below the previous year’s 82 per 100 and the long-term average of 88 per 100.
“This year’s count was the lowest fawn-to-doe ratio since 2011 and 2012, after the harsh winters of 2008-2010,” said Bruce Stillings, big game management supervisor for Game and Fish. “Nutritional stress related to the drought was also evident as significantly more yearling bucks were observed as spines rather than pronghorns.”
A forked buck has branched antlers; a goat has unbranched antlers. Diet, age and genetics are factors in antler development.
According to the US Drought Monitor, a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US Department of Agriculture, and the National Drought Mitigation Center, a severe, extreme, and even exceptional drought this year has covered the mule deer habitat in North Dakota.
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“In the Dakotas, where the long-term drought continues, it has been reported that livestock water quality and fawn production are suffering from the drought,” said center climatologist Curtis Riganti.
Good news from the fall survey was that the ratio of $ 38 per 100 pups was similar to last year’s 36 out of 100 and the long-term average of 43 per 100. A healthy dollar ratio will help ensure a high quality progeny class.
Mule deer have been recovering since the series of bad winters from 2008 to 2010 that resulted in record-low fawn production. Female mule deer hunting was banned in North Dakota for four consecutive seasons starting in 2012. The restrictions were gradually lifted from 2016.
You can reach Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.
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