Despite deer declines in northeastern Montana following a harsh winter, deer populations in most of the state are thriving. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks surveys generally show good winter fawn survival, and good forage throughout the summer as a result of well-timed precipitation.
“With some local exceptions in parts of northeastern Montana, we should see some good deer hunting this season, including plentiful opportunities to hunt antlerless mule deer and white-tailed deer,” said Gary Hammond, FWP wildlife management bureau chief.
This year, the general deer hunting season runs from Oct. 24 through Nov. 28.
In northeastern Montana winter took a toll on mule deer fawns.
“It was a tough winter for deer in some portions of FWP Region 6 near Glasgow, and spring surveys in the area showed heavy fawn losses, though adult deer seemed to weather the harsh winter fairly well,” Hammond said.
“Hunters may see slightly fewer opportunities from last year in the northeastern portion of the state resulting from these losses,” Hammond said. “Our hope is for an easier winter that will help increase fawn survival and reduce the impact of losing what would have been this year’s crop of yearlings.”
To monitor these and other population dynamics, FWP annually conducts mule deer surveys across the state on 13 census areas and 67 trend areas.
FWP biologists track fawn over-winter survival rates, the ratio of bucks to does and the ratio of fawns to adult animals, and size of the total population. These numbers are essential to deer management and regulation setting.
“An example of a potentially developing trend is the population decline observed in a portion of FWP Region 3. Deer numbers appear to have peaked and seem to be declining now in the Bridger Mountains in spite of favorable conditions,” Hammond said.
Hammond said that the well-being of wildlife is tied directly to the quality and quantity of forage. In turn, the quality of the forage depends on precipitation, weather trends, and other factors such as over browsing.
“Generally speaking, we’ve had good conditions for mule deer and both mule and white-tailed deer are abundant in the state. We anticipate a good hunting season ahead in the vast majority of hunting districts,” Hammond said.
Here is a regional look at Montana’s deer populations: In FWP Region 1, Kalispell and the surrounding northwestern area, mule deer populations are holding steady and mule deer fawn survival over the past winter was good. Mule deer hunters can expect hunting opportunities similar to those in 2003. There are significant increases in the number of antlerless white-tailed deer B licenses available in some hunting districts and new either-sex white-tailed deer hunting opportunities the last four days of the general season.
In FWP Region 2, Missoula and the surrounding area, western Montana’s relatively short winter allowed for good mule deer and white-tailed deer fawn survival. Continued summer precipitation has kept forage succulent and as a result, deer populations will go into winter in good condition. Spring counts showed a healthy ratio of 60 mule deer fawns per 100 adults on average, putting the population a little above the seven year average. With some cool weather and snow, hunting is expected to be good.
In FWP Region 3, Bozeman and the surrounding area, fawn recruitment last spring ranged between 30-45 fawns per 100 adults. Intermittent precipitation this summer has benefited the current crop of newborn fawns. Antlerless mule deer B licenses doubled in some hunting districts in the Paradise Valley and a number of additional hunting districts. Conversely, as a result of declines in fawn recruitment, hunters may observe fewer deer in the Bridgers in the next few years. Overall this fall, hunters should see average to slightly above average numbers of mule deer and white-tailed deer in most habitats.
In FWP Region 4, Great Falls and the surrounding area, offers abundant mule deer hunting opportunities again this year, with very liberal quotas including additional antlerless deer hunting licenses in a number of hunting districts. Favorable spring and summer precipitation has also helped improve the condition and the potential winter survival of deer. White-tailed deer are also plentiful in north central Montana with good hunting opportunities.
In FWP Region 5, B illings and the surrounding area, biologists expect mule deer populations in the mountain areas to be good. Fawn production and survival appears to be below average, but numbers of adult deer remain good. Hunters should find ample numbers of mule deer in the mountains and foothills of Region 5. In the prairie areas, mule deer seem to be suffering from the long-term effects of drought, with fawn and adult numbers appearing to be in somewhat of a decline. The effect seems to be greater in the eastern portions of the region. Hunters will probably find fewer mule deer in the prairies of Region 5.
In FWP Region 6, Glasgow and the surrounding area, most adult mule deer came through a very harsh winter, but fawns were heavily impacted and survival rates were low. Hunting here should be similar to last year. Biologists hope this summer’s good forage and a more moderate winter will help this season’s fawn crop to survive winter. Moving further west in the region, in Blaine and Hill counties, the winter weather was less harsh and fawn survival was good. Overall, hunting is expected to be good here.
In FWP Region 7, Miles City and the surrounding area, deer are abundant and mule deer populations are averaging about 6 percent above the long-term average. In the northern portion of the region, winter did take a toll on the fawn crop. Though spring’s surveys show fawns making up only about 30 percent of the deer population here , biologists say adult deer fared well and the hunting season throughout the region should be similar to last year.
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