Game Counts Starting

The first results of this winter's Fish and Game big game counts show an encouraging increase in mule deer in one unit. Aerial surveys of Unit 22 winter ranges flown in early December found 1,624 deer, the most animals seen in surveys of that unit in the past decade. The previous high in the unit was 1,558 deer in 1999. Last year an aerial survey showed only 908 animals. Idaho Fish and Game wildlife biologists are revving up the annual aerial surveys of game animals, primarily mule deer and elk, across the state. "Biologists will be spending close to 1,000 hours in helicopters this winter," state big game manager Brad Compton said. They will count mule deer on 29 winter ranges between now and early March. The numbers will show total numbers of animals, ratios of males to females, and fawns to females in those winter ranges. The numbers they gather during the winter will be assimilated by March and used to make decisions on the 2006 hunting seasons. The numbers they find will give an accurate representation of the health and population trends of deer and elk herds, as well as the condition of the habitat. Because deer populations can fluctuate rapidly, winter ranges are counted every year. Elk areas are counted every three to five years, Compton said. The aerial surveys help keep track of population status and fawn and calf production rates. "They also give biologists an opportunity to look at the animals and get a sense of their condition," Compton said. "You see broad changes in habitat." They look at the condition of the landscape and look for changes in winter range and the reasons for the changes. For example, in recent years in southern Idaho some areas that have traditionally been mule deer winter habitat are increasingly occupied by elk. Aerial surveys will be accompanied by work on the ground. Starting close to Christmas, biologists will begin capture operations to radio collar about 250 fawns. The monitoring program, done each winter, will help determine fawn winter survival across southern Idaho. "By March we'll have a good handle on any mortalities that need to be reflected in the 2006 season," Compton said. This year, with a good spring and summer, the young animals are bigger. Check stations during the hunting season also showed good to excellent animal health generally. "As far as we can tell, the animals are entering the winter in really good body condition," Compton said. The monitoring program is an expensive proposition - helicopter time goes for about $600 or more per hour. The whole program comes with a price tag of about $1 million, but the benefit is real numbers that help manage herds and identify problems before they become serious.