July 2010

The winter of 2009-2010 was another fairly mild one in terms of both temperature and overall snowfall.  In fact, until the spring rains began, there was much talk of drought.  Then, the spring rains we have experienced the past couple of years began, the reservoirs filled and the talk of floods began.  Temperatures were also very mild and combined with the low snowfall totals, most deer were able to stay very close to summer habitat. 

I have asked the Region 5 Department of Fish and Game for the survival rate of collared fawns twice, but have not been able to get the statistics to report. The rumors are the survival of fawns was around 85%. If that is true, and we have a good summer with deer going into next winter with a good fat reserve, we might have outstanding mule deer hunting in 2011.

A researcher with Idaho State University, Jesse Thiel, is conducting a study of mule deer doe browse habits to try to determine if available feed supplies have an effect on fawn survival. Take a look at the latest SEIMDF newsletter to see an article Jesse has written for us describing her study.  As a part of her study, she is capturing newborn fawns and reports every doe she observed had twins this spring. If they make it past the predators, hunters, and winter, to next spring, we could see a substantial increase in the huntable mule deer population.

One of the factors affecting wildlife in Idaho is the increasing incidence of highway mortality.  Here is a clipping from the Idaho State Journal on March 17, 2009 describing the scope of the problem:

The SEIMDF, along with Sportsmen For Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Fish and Game and Idaho Transportation Department, are working on a project to fence Interstate 15 from Inkom to near Century High School south of Pocatello to minimize wildlife/vehicle conflict. We are also funding the repair of the existing wildlife fencing along Highway 30 over Fish Creek Pass east of Lava Hot Springs. Both of these are difficult, expensive projects that are taking more time and money to complete than anticipated, but should make a substantial difference in mule deer survival in these areas.

Check back.  We will post more information on the status of the herd at it becomes available.

 

Rick Cheatum

 

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