NORTHWEST (Region 1) 



Restrictive hunting regulations in the mid 1970s in conjunction with nearly two decades of 

 mild winters and habitat changes benefiting douglas fir have allowed dramatic (three fold in 

 some cases) increases in white-tailed deer populations, based on harvest records. At the same 

 time, although there has also been an increase in mule deer, growth of these populations 

 have leveled off; some populations may have actually started to decline. Although no 

 standardized trend survey routes have been established, harvest survey information and check 

 station information (See Harvest Section) provide indicators of population trend and 

 characteristics. 



SOUTH, WEST OF CONTINENTAL DIVmE (Region 2) 



Similar deer population trends as in the northwest are evident. White-tailed deer harvests 

 have more than tripled in the region. Mule deer show a decline in recent years in some 

 areas, with stable to increasing populations and harvest in others. Of note is the change in 

 the ratio of white-tailed to mule deer in the harvest since the early eighties. Prior to 1981, 

 white-tailed deer comprised only 1/3 of the region deer harvest, whereas today that number 

 is fully 2/3. Standardized trend survey routes have been established in 14 locations within the 

 region. Post hunting season mule deer buck:doe ratios in areas with low security and high 

 hunting pressure remain at 4-10 bucks/ 100 does. 



SOUTHWESTERN (Region 3) 



General deer population trends indicate mule deer numbers somewhat below recorded highs 

 but above the lows observed in the early 70s. In the central and northern portion of region 3, 

 the number of buck deer observed has declined in recent years, with some surveys recording 

 5% or less bucks following the hunting season. These are areas with good access, high 

 hunter numbers and low habitat security. Whitetail distribution has expanded over time and 

 harvest has been increasing over the years. Standardized trend survey routes have been 

 established in 13 locations throughout the region. 



CENTRAL (Region 4) 



Since the lows of the 1970s, mule deer numbers in most areas have generally increased, 

 stabilizing at a level below that observed in the 1980s. Shifts in areas of winter use have also 

 been observed in some areas. Whitetail harvest has been increasing and whitetail distribution 

 has expanded. 



SOUTHCENTRAL (Region 5) 



Two general habitat types occur - mountainous and prairie areas. Mule deer population 

 trends in each area are somewhat unique. Mule deer harvest information indicates that 

 harvest levels fluctuate at approximately five year intervals, with peak harvests coming 

 during the first half of the decade, years ending in - 4. Mule deer buck harvests during the 

 last four peak periods have remained constant despite fluctuations in hunters numbers and 

 deer populations indicating that trying to attain high mule deer buck numbers is probably not 

 possible. Mule deer population levels in mountain districts have not fluctuated to the degree 

 that they have in the prairie districts, and they are making a slow steady recovery from the 



