Deer Surveys Show Herd Decline in Buck and Fawn Ratios

"Deer numbers are down across the board in our region," said wildlife biologist Gary Vecellio. "Our helicopter surveys show a lower buck to doe ratio and fawn to doe ratio than in previous years." Hunters who hiked the hills in search of a buck last fall found the same thing. At the fall deer hunter check station at the Port of Entry hunter success percentages were half of the normal average. Bottom line, it was a tough year for deer and deer hunting. The long cold winter of last year killed deer and its effects linger. We were not the only region to feel the brunt of last winter and the drought the summer before. To the west of us in the Magic Valley Region the deer herds on the south side of Highway 86 had approximately 15 buck for every 100 does well below average. On the north side of Highway 86 there were approximately 33 bucks for every 100 does. Hunts on the south side of the region are controlled hunts with limited hunter participation and harvest. Hunter harvest did not play a major role in the decrease of bucks south of I- 86. In Unit 69, northeast of us in the Upper Snake Region, buck to doe ratios declined to 14 per 100. It too was affected by summer drought and winter conditions last year. Unit 69 has a short general season that ends on October 15. Southeast Region Survey Numbers We fly seven trend areas in our region south of the I-86 and I-15 junction. All seven of the trend areas buck to doe and doe to fawn ratios were down. The overall average was 11 bucks per 100 does and 50 fawns per 100 does. This is the lowest buck to doe ratio since intensive helicopter surveys started in 1994 and the lowest number of fawns per 100 does. A total of 5,173 deer were counted in the trend areas. This is not a population count; it is a survey of seven wintering areas to get an overall trend. It is like other surveys that sample only a small percentage of a population and draw limited conclusions from the numbers obtained. Normally, in our region the buck to doe ratio is around 20 bucks per 100 does and 65-70 fawns per 100 does; in 1994 the buck to doe ratio was 23, 1995 it was 25, 1996-20, 1997-22, 1998 -15, 1999 -18, 2000-19, in 2001 the count was not completed due to early antler drop and bad winter flying conditions, in 2002 the ratios were 11 bucks per 100 does and 50 fawns per 100 does. Fawn to doe ratio usually average 65-70 fawns per 100 does. At 70 fawns per 100 does a deer herd is considered growing. Below that number it is either holding it's own or declining. This year at 50 fawns per 100 does herds show a decline. In 1994 the ratio was 66 fawns per 100 does; 1995 - 60/100, 1996 - 74/100, 1997 - 70/100, 1998 - 58/100, 1999 - 61/100, 2000 - 71/100, in 2001 flights were incomplete. The seven trend area results were as follows; Rockland Valley Unit 73A, 16 bucks per 100 does and 48 fawns per 100 does, Elkhorn Mountains Unit 73, 18 bucks per 100 does and 53 fawns per 100 does, Malad Face Unit 73, 12 bucks per 100 does and 42 fawns per 100 does, Portneuf Unit 71, 6 bucks per 100 does and 32 fawns per 100 does, Soda Hills Unit 72, 9 bucks per 100 does and 61 fawns per 100 does, Bear Lake Plateau Unit 76, 8 bucks per 100 does and 52 fawns per 100 does, West Bear Lake 14 bucks per 100 does and 51 fawns per 100 does. This year a total of 5,173 deer were counted, the second largest survey sample in eight years. The largest sample was counted in 2000 with 6,604 and the smallest in 1994 with 1,761 deer. The license fee increase in 2000 made more money available for flight time to survey big game herds. Biologists were right when they said populations were down across our region. Next door, a shorter season in Unit 69 and controlled hunts in the Magic Valley Region units did not affect the outcome. Winter conditions and summer drought took a toll no matter what type of hunting season was set. None of the regions had a general or controlled doe hunt in the effected units. We have not had a general doe hunt since the early 1990s. We were one of the few regions that fed deer. Over 6,000 deer were fed. Unfortunately, the areas we fed the most in also recorded low ratios of bucks to does and does to fawns. "The key element in winter survival is body condition. The summer drought of 2001 sent deer, especially fawns, into winter with below normal fat levels," said Wildlife Manager Carl Anderson. "The results of the long cold winter were higher than normal mortality." Predation was probably higher last year than normal in some areas. Deer were weak and easy to catch. But if you look at the stark survival differences on one side of the highway versus the other, over hundreds of miles and different landscapes, winter is the Grim Reaper. What Does This Mean? We got whacked, not very scientific but accurate. The Commission set management objectives of a minimum of 15 bucks per 100 does and a goal of 25 per 100. Since we do not meet the Commission objectives, changes will take place. Public sentiment and opinions voiced at the recent public meeting indicates support for change. The Commission will look at all the options and recommendations, then set seasons at their March meeting.