Population Characteristics 



Figures of yearly production and population have been pre- 

 sented in annual progress reports. The mule deer population in 

 the study area has been increasing each year from a low in 1974. 

 Tables 2 and 3 present data on winter deer surveys on the Missouri 

 River, Marias River and the west side of Arrow Creek. Winter 

 aerial surveys were conducted along the Missouri River from Fort 

 Benton to the mouth of Arrow Creek for 4 years. The 1976 survey 

 recorded 114 mule deer, while in 1977, 122 mule deer were ob- 

 served. The 1979 survey was felt to be low due to poor snow 

 conditions at the time. A 1976 Wildlife Division survey of the 

 Missouri River Breaks from Morony Dam to Fort Benton found 46 7 

 mule deer. A recent survey, 1980, observed 906 mule deer in 

 this same reach. 



Table 2. Mule Deer Winter Surveys - Missouri River, 



Missouri River 



Adults 



Young 



Unclass 



Total 



Morony Dam 

 1976 



100 



74 



97 



271 



Carter 



1976 



107 



60 



29 



196 



Fort Benton 

 1976 

 1977 

 1978 

 1979 



82 



82 



34 



176 



110 



Loma 



1976 

 1977 

 1978 

 1979 



Virgelle 

 1977 

 1978 

 1979 



32 



32 



65 



156 



156 



23 

 280 

 143 



Arrow Creek 

 West side Arrow Cr , 

 Hiway-80 to mouth 



1978 



1979 



148 

 84 



61 

 46 



127 

 78 



336 

 208 



19 



