Mule deer production low
Aerial observations during the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's fall mule deer survey indicated production in 2012 was about the same as last year's record low.
Biologists who accompanied pilots in fixed-wing planes counted 1,224 (1,055 in 2011) mule deer in the October survey. The buck-to-doe ratio of 0.37 (0.47 in 2010) was similar to the long-term average of 0.43 bucks per doe, and the fawn-to-doe ratio of 0.59 equaled the lowest fawn-to-doe ratio since the demographic survey began in 1954. The long-term average is 0.92 fawns per doe. Bruce Stillings, big game supervisor in Dickinson, said mule deer densities in the badlands haven't been this low since 1996.
"The three consecutive severe winters from 2008-11 were devastating to our mule deer and pronghorn populations," Stillings said. "These winters not only greatly reduced overall mule deer abundance due to winter-related mortality, but led to poor fawn production. Three years of few young animals entering the population has resulted in an aged population with few prime-aged breeding females."
Winter 2011-12 was one of the mildest on record, but Stillings said it is likely the reproductive condition of the surviving females was still poor after being stressed for as many as three years.
"This summer was extremely dry, leading to reduced vegetative growth needed for fawn concealment and health of the doe," Stillings added. "An aging population and poor fawning habitat conditions resulted in another year of poor fawn production."
According to Stillings, no doe harvest is the first step needed to encourage population growth, and another mild winter is needed to help this year's fawns survive until adulthood.
"A spring and summer with normal precipitation in 2013 would go a long way to promote habitat conditions more favorable for fawn survival leading to population growth," he added.
Advisory Board meetings set
Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to attend a North Dakota Game and Fish Department advisory board meeting in their area. These public meetings, held each spring and fall, provide citizens with an opportunity to discuss fish and wildlife issues and ask questions of their district advisors and agency personnel.
The governor appoints eight Game and Fish Department advisors, each representing a multi-county section of the state, to serve as a liaison between the department and public.
District 1
Counties: Divide, McKenzie and Williams
Date: November 29 7 p.m.
Location: J.D. Electric, Crosby
Host: Crosby Area Sportsmen and Landowners
Contact: J.D. Nygaard, 965-6436
Advisory board member: Jason Leiseth, Arnegard, 586-3714
District 2
Counties: Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville and Ward
Date: November 27 7 p.m.
Location: Mountrail County Fair Building, Stanley
Host: Rolling Plains Sportsmen's Club
Contact: Chris Pulver, 628-4242
Advisory board member: Robert Gjellstad, Voltaire, 338-2281
District 3
Counties: Benson, Cavalier, Eddy, Ramsey, Rolette and Towner
Date: November 26 7 p.m.
Location: 110 Main Street, Sheyenne
Host: Wild Things Taxidermy Shop
Contact: Greg Kolstad, 996-2282
Advisory board member: Tom Rost, Devils Lake, 662-8620
District 6
Counties: Barnes, Dickey, Foster, Griggs, Logan, LaMoure, McIntosh, Stutsman and Wells
Date: November 29 7 p.m.
Location: Gladstone Inn, Jamestown
Host: Stutsman County Wildlife Club
Contact: Dave Brandt, 320-2055
Advisory board member: Joel Christoferson, Litchville, 973-4981
District 7
Counties: Burleigh, Emmons, Grant, Kidder, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Sheridan and Sioux
Date: November 26 7 p.m.
Location: Game and Fish Headquarters, Bismarck
Host: Lewis and Clark Wildlife Club
Contact: Mike McEnroe, 224-8335
Advisory board member: Frank Kartch, Bismarck, 516-2156
Muzzleloader season Nov. 30
North Dakota's muzzleloader deer season opens at noon Friday, Nov. 30, and continues through Dec. 16. Hunters with a lottery muzzleloader license can hunt white-tailed deer statewide. Hunters should refer to the 2012 North Dakota Deer Hunting Guide for more information.