Mule Deer and Elk Monitoring

Winter aerial surveys have long been Idaho’s primary method for counting mule deer and elk populations. However, they are too costly and time consuming to conduct in all areas every year. Therefore, we’re collaborating with the University of Montana to use survival information collected from GPS-collared mule deer and elk across the state, along with buck:doe:fawn and bull:cow:calf ratio and count data from aerial surveys, to produce estimates in years when aerial surveys aren’t flown.