Deer Hunting in the Salmon Region

With deer season upon us, hunters are wondering what to expect this season in the Salmon region. Overall, aerial surveys show that deer populations in the region are showing a modest increase from past years. Additionally, buck ratios have increased in all areas surveyed. Deer numbers have been helped by recent mild winters that were followed by several summers of normal to above-normal moisture. The accompanying increase in forage has allowed for better winter survival of deer, including fawns. Fish and Game's fawn monitoring project shows that more fawns have survived the past two winters because they began winter in better physical condition. These animals will now boost the population of 1 and 2-year old bucks this season. In general, these bucks make up the bulk of the deer harvest each year. Good food availability has also benefited older bucks, sending them into winter in better condition. In addition, the increase in summer forage may very well mean above-normal antler development this fall. Deer hunters in the region can now choose between hunting mule deer with a "Regular" Deer Tag and hunting white-tailed deer with a "White-tailed" Deer Tag. Any hunter who has always hunted mule deer will want to stick with a regular deer tag this season. Those hunters in the region, who previously could only focus on whitetails during a late controlled hunt, now have many more options for pursuing white-tailed deer. This tag also provides whitetail hunters with hunting opportunities throughout the state. Young hunters also have a good deer hunting opportunity with the Youth Deer Hunt that is currently open. Youngsters may harvest an antlerless deer using a short-range weapon on private property with the landowner's permission. Information packets on this hunt are available at the Fish and Game office. Some hunters are concerned with the later opening date for general statewide deer season. This slightly later date may actually mean higher success for hunters than the earlier date of past seasons. The animals will become more active later in the month, and this might make locating them somewhat easier. On the flip side, however, hunters will face a problem caused by the very conditions that are helping deer populations to increase. Abundant forage will cause deer to be scattered, possibly making them harder for hunters to find. But for many hunters, the more time spent outdoors pursing deer, the better.