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Idaho Fish and Game

Mule Deer Survival Update May 2013

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Mule deer survival over this past winter promises to be better than average. Mule deer populations require good overwinter survival of does and fawns, and a high doe:fawn ratio going into winter. The quality of habitat, particularly summer habitat in conjunction with winter severity drive mule deer population growth.

 

Mule Deer Fawn Mortality Summary
May 31, 2013
         
  Study Fawns Total Dead % Mortality  
Weiser-McCall 32 11 34%  
Central Mountains 37 19 51%  
Mountain Valley 36 22 61%  
Boise River  23 7 30%  
Smoky-Bennett 35 6 17%  
South Hills 20 7 35%  
Bannock 0      
Caribou 0      
Palisades 0      
Island Park 0      
Total 183 72 39%  

 

Mule Deer Doe Mortality Summary
May 31, 2013
         
  Study Does Total Dead % Mortality  
Lower Salmon 11 0 0%  
Weiser-McCall 37 0 0%  
Middle Fork 26 0 0%  
Central Mountains 84 6 7%  
Mountain Valley 52 4 8%  
Boise River  47 2 4%  
Smoky-Bennett 54 1 2%  
South Hills 47 4 9%  
Bannock 54 5 9%  
Caribou 26 1 4%  
Palisades 17 1 6%  
Island Park 28 2 7%  
Total 483 26 5%