Spring surveys of mule deer populations across a large swath of Eastern Montana show populations stabilizing at numbers close to the lowest seen in 10 years, according to data presented by Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials on Monday.
As a result, hunters will have fewer opportunities to pursue mule deer does this fall.
The largest drop has been in southeastern Montana’s Region 7, where populations this spring are estimated to have increased by about 20% over last year when fewer than 60,000 animals were counted. That’s less than half of what the population was in 2016 and 40% below the long-term average for the region.
Region 7 wildlife manager Brett Dorak said mule deer populations in the extreme southeastern corner of the state were some of the hardest hit by continuing drought. Despite the decline, doe licenses – also known as antlerless or B licenses – won’t be reduced any further because they have been dramatically cut beginning in 2021.
“Although it was a lot of work to get to the deer, it was a lot more work to get back to the truck,” she said. “My heart was pounding, and I was very excited I made the shot.”
FWP Director Dustin Temple said it’s because of youngsters like Turner that FWP’s staff works so hard.
“We have a responsibility to do everything in our power to provide opportunities for memories like these,” he said.
