low observed in the 1970s. Prairie districts on the other hand, have exhibited substantial 

 growth during the past four decades. Whitetails have shown steady consistent population 

 growth, with a neatly seven fold increase in harvests since 1960. In region five, the total 

 buck harvest for 1990-94 is 21% greater than it was from 1960-64. The increase is due 

 entirely to a 574% increase in whitetail buck harvest. In prior years, whitetail numbers in 

 the eastern half of the region have primarily been reduced or slowed by sporadic outbreaks 

 of EHD, a disease which generally occurs at high population levels. Deer population levels 

 for both whitetail and mule deer are currently at all time highs in the region. It is expected 

 that trends will decline through the last half of the decade due to mule deer fluctuations. 



NORTHEAST (Region 6) 



Mule deer populations steadily increased from 1987 through 1990, leveling off from 1992 to 

 the present at the most recent 10 year average. Declining numbers were usually preceded by 

 poorer fawn production and survival. The extreme weather conditions sometimes noted in 

 this region can significantly affect fawn production and recruitment as well as antler size. 

 Total number of whitetails have increased by 68% from 1987 to 1994. A decline noted in 

 1990 and 1991 was thought to be associated with an EHD outbreak. Standardized trend 

 survey routes have been established in 14 locations for mule deer and eight locations for 

 whitetails across seven major habitat types. 



SOUTHEAST (Region 7) 



Nine trend survey routes have been established within the five general habitat types of the 

 area. Mule deer populations declined from the early to mid 80s and have since recovered. 

 Whitetail populations have shown similar patterns. The better habitats support ten deer per 

 square mile, while the poorer habitats have seven deer per square mile. In better habitat, 65- 

 85 bucks per 100 does are present prior to the hunting season. Four-point or larger bucks 

 comprise 50-75 % of the buck component. 



TRENDS IN DEER HARVEST: 



Total deer harvest (mule deer & white-tailed deer) and total buck harvest have steadily 

 increased in Montana since 1945 (Figure 2). Significant periodic declines in harvest occurred 

 in the mid to late 60s, in the 70s, and in the 80s. 



For the period 1960 to 1994, the annual mule deer harvest has fluctuated widely with a 

 slightly downward trend (Figure 3). A significant decline occurred in the mid to late 70s. 

 During this same period deer numbers across the western United States declined. Since then, 

 mule deer harvests have rebounded, approaching the previously recorded highs. The 

 whitetail harvest has steadily increased throughout the same period (Figure 4). A decline in 

 harvest occurred in the mid to late 70s, concurrently with mule deer, but it was not as 

 significant as mule deer declines in the mid to late 60s and 80s. Whitetails have gained a 

 significant portion of the overall statewide deer harvest, 43% of the harvest in 1994 

 compared with 20% in 1960 (Figure 5). Hunters are apparently responding to the increased 

 numbers of whitetails and their expanding distribution. 



