White-tailed Deer (Present population — 41,400) 



A careful study of the white-tailed deer represented one of the 



earlier projects. By far the largest numbers of this species were found 



in the northwestern portion of the state. Areas where these deer might 



be reintroduced pointed up the need for a trapping and transplanting 



program. Four hundred twenty-two were moved into new areas, thus 



producing nine additional herds. • '.■'•.• .. . ■•^■'" ... • 



:.■'.•'■.,; ■••■'•.•'•■' .. 



A study of food habits has indicated that yellow pine seedlings 



may be browsed during severe winters. The intensity of this use is, 



however, as yet undetermined. A detailed study is, therefore, being 



carried out at the present time in the Lincoln County area to ascertain 



the relationship of white-tailed deer use of pine seedlings tothe proper 



management of this forest resource. 



A study of the productivity of t l/gfe^ ontana deer herds, both 

 white-tailed and mule deer, has indicatec^/Ehat throughout several areas, 

 the population has reached a point whic^'^^a.^esulted in various degrees 

 of forage depletion on certain critical ra^^'4i^s. The need for care- 

 fully regujated^ither sejc l^nting has, J^herefore, become evident. A 

 careful fo^w ^^?%illjr^r^^e^ an important phase of the restoration 

 ii^^^Jd^9^itat§^he ef,^V(H x'iarious degrees of hunting 



prograrafej.^ 

 upon the feg 



Jni^ ^^aj,i©rr=^d wil] 

 number to;njg:y?taifl^^^alance with av 





the most desirable 

 supplies^ 



Mule Deer (Presenf pcipTSj^ti^feg^TZ^OO) 



Census work has indicated that the mule deer is by far tlie most 

 abundant game in Montana. Their distribution is almost state-wide. 

 The need for planting of this species was also indicated by this early 

 coverage. The 1,295 mule deer trapped and transplanted were moved 

 into 14 new areas. Their establishment in these locations has been 

 rapid. It has been possible to open several of the planted sites to care- 

 fully regulated hunting. A limited take of either sex has been found 

 necessary to keep numbers within the limits of the available winter 

 forage. With both species of deer, the upward trend in population has 

 been particularly noticeable during the past five to six years. 



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