Ask the Conservation Officer (CO)

by Gary Hompland, Regional Conservation Officer Question: "A year ago I heard and saw lots of promotional information about the Mule Deer Initiative. Nearly a year has gone by. What's been done for mule deer in the Magic Valley?" Answer: Quite a lot actually. I'll summarize our activities in four basic areas: Habitat, Populations, Enforcement, and Communication. Department habitat biologists, conservation groups, high schools, individual volunteers and students from CSI planted over 40,000 bitterbrush seedlings on mule deer winter ranges in units 45, 52, 53, 54, and 56. Conservation groups included: the Mule Deer Foundation, Idaho State Bowhunters, Deer Hunters of Idaho, and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. Eleven area High School FFA chapters were also involved. In 2007 biologists expect to plant over 56,000 seedlings. More than 10,000 bitterbrush seedlings are now being delivered to high schools throughout the Magic Valley. Over the winter students in local high schools and at CSI will be raising the plants in one gallon containers to be planted in the spring. Aspen rehabilitation and planting winter range seedlings was the focus at several locations in the Sublett area in unit 56. Biologists also worked with local Farm Service (FSA) and National Resource Conservation Service Offices (NRCS) to assist farmers with habitat projects on idle land to benefit mule deer and other wildlife. Population biologists have involved sportsmen in the Sawtooth National Forest travel planning process to help them curb unauthorized off-road vehicle use and deer habitat degradation. In addition to their traditional aerial surveys, biologists are analyzing highway deer-vehicle collision data to identify road sections and time periods when mule deer are most vulnerable. Future efforts to impact highway construction or modification may result in saved lives, both human and deer. Population biologists are also surveying mule deer hunters to help focus the Department's management efforts. A project to monitor predation and mule deer fawn survival is also continuing. Conservation Officers have worked diligently on illegal hunting activities, especially on mule deer transition and winter ranges. Officers in uniform and plainclothes have detected hunting and off-road violations in units with off-road hunting restrictions. Conservation officers have worked in their communities and written several popular articles to educate the Idaho public about mule deer and their habitat needs. The Department's communication program has developed numerous information and education programs such as; the Mule Deer News Letter, several brochures about mule deer and the importance of habitat, as well as the ethical and lawful use of OHVs when hunting. Additional efforts to inform the public about mule deer have occurred at department-sponsored booths at county fairs and retail sporting goods dealers. If you or a group you belong to would like to learn more about the MDI program or would like to volunteer to help out, contact your nearest Idaho Department of Fish and Game regional office. If you have any further questions you may call the Magic Valley Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at (208)324-4350 or e-mail us at the Fish and Game web site at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov.