North Dakota Mule Deer Survey 2022

Mule Deer

In May 2022, the North Dakota Game and Fish  Department (NDGFD) completed its annual spring mule deer survey.

Results of the survey indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is 13% higher than last year and 34% above the long-term average.

Biologists counted 2,923 mule deer in 298.8 square miles during this year’s survey. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 9.8 deer per square mile.

According to big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings, the 2022 spring survey was the longest on record due to two April blizzards. The blizzards produced approximately 40 inches of snow with high winds and low temperatures.

The spring mule deer survey is used to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after the snow has melted and before trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.

Mule Deer Facts

Mule average about 39 inches at the shoulder.

Bucks weigh from 125 to 330 pounds.

Does weigh 110 to 210 pounds.

Mule deer are reddish-brown in summer and blue-gray in winter, with white throat, belly and rump patch. Their tails are slender and white, with a black tip.

Mule deer bucks have antlers. Main beams divide into nearly equal branches, and may divide again to form four or more tines on each side.

Mule deer tracks are slightly larger in front with a walking stride of 15 to 25 inches.

Preferred habitats include brush plains, shortgrass prairie; they are often associated with buttes, badlands, and rough terrain.

Mule deer feed on a variety of trees, shrubs, and forbs including green ash, aspen, sweetclover, and sagebrush. When available, they also eat grass species, alfalfa, and other agricultural crops.

Their primarily range includes the badlands adjacent to the Little Missouri River. Secondary range extending north and east to the breaks along the Missouri River.

Breeding peaks in mid-November, with bucks tending one doe at a time. No permanent pair bonds.

The gestation period of mule deer is around 204 days.

One to three fawns are born late May to late June and weigh about 8 pounds. Fawns have a reddish-brown coat with white spots on back.

Mule deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Does often socialize in small groups with related females from several generations. Outside of the breeding season, bucks usually alone or in small bachelor groups.

When alarmed, mule deer often flee with a bouncing gait called “stotting.” 

Mule deer got their name because of their large ears.

source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department

South Carolina White-tailed Deer Antler Records

white-tailed deer | credit: USFWS

In October, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) announced that the complete listing of South Carolina’s antler records is now available to the public online.

The South Carolina white-tailed deer Antler Records Program was initiated in the spring of 1974 and since that time, 7,469 sets of antlers (7,167 typical and 302 non-typical) have been officially entered into the list, according to Charles Ruth, Big Game Program Coordinator for SCDNR.

Initially, measuring sessions were only conducted a few times each spring but, since 1987 antler scoring sessions have been scheduled throughout the state with approximately 12 sessions occurring annually.

Each year, SCDNR wildlife biologists, wildlife technicians, and volunteers measure approximately 500 sets of antlers. Generally, only about 25% of the antlers that are measured make the Antler Records List.

The first Records of South Carolina White-tailed Deer was published in 1998. Since that time, updates included only the new entries for the current year and the top 100 typical and top 50 nontypical entries from the All-time List.

The new online publication represents the complete listing of all typical and nontypical entries on file through Spring 2019. It is only available on SCDNR’s website because the size of the document makes printed copies cost prohibitive.

The purpose of the Antler Records Program is twofold. First, because of the increased interest in deer hunting exhibited by sportsmen, it is a means of recognizing outstanding white-tailed deer taken in South Carolina.

Secondly, it provides management information that allows SCDNR wildlife biologists to identify areas that produce quality deer. When particular areas stand out it is important to attempt to recognize the underlying characteristics that produce outstanding animals.

Mr. Ruth explained, “Records are based on the Boone and Crockett Club scoring system, which measures the mass and symmetry of deer antlers in two categories—typical and non-typical. The scoring system is based primarily on antler size and symmetry and includes measurements of the main beams, greatest inside spread of the beams, circumference measurements at certain designated locations, and the number and length of the points. To be counted as a point, a projection must be at least one inch long and it must be longer than it is wide at its base.”

Deductions are made for points that arise abnormally from the main beams or from other points and for symmetrical differences between corresponding measurements on the right and left antlers.

For non-typical antlers, abnormal points are added to the score rather than being deducted as in the typical category.

A set of antlers is classified as typical or non-typical based on its general conformation, the number of abnormal points, and a determination as to whether it will rank higher in the typical or non-typical category.

Current minimum scores for the South Carolina Antler Records List are 125 typical points and 145 non-typical points.

All antlers must undergo a minimum 60-day drying period before they can be officially measured and a fair-chase statement must be signed for all hunter killed deer.

If a set of antlers meets the minimum score the record is added to the list and a certificate is issued recognizing the outstanding white-tailed deer taken in South Carolina.

source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Vermont Deer Processing Videos: Field Dressing, Skinning, and Butchering

white tailed deer

In Vermont, deer hunting is a way to harvest a sustainable, natural food source.

Making the most of the meals provided by deer taken in hunting seasons starts with processing them quickly and correctly.

To guide hunters, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) has three online videos demonstrating how to process deer.

Finding the videos is easy on the Fish and Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Hunt” and then “From Field to Freezer.”

The educational videos are titled Field Dressing Your Deer, Skinning a Deer and Butchering a Deer.

“Correctly processing game can make a big difference in the taste of the meat,” said Nicole Meier, an information and education specialist with the department. “Taking the time to do it correctly assures that you and your family will have many enjoyable meals ahead.”

source: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Maryland Sika Deer Hunting

Maryland is one of several states where opportunities exist for sika deer hunting. During the 2013-2014 Maryland hunting season, hunters harvested 2701 sika deer (1,116 antlered and 1,585 antlerless).

2013-2014 Maryland sika deer harvest summary by county:

County        sika deer harvested

Caroline        3
Dorchester        2555
Somerset        10
Worcester        57

source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

2013 Montana Deer Hunting

Deer hunters in Montana could experience a mix of hunting success across the state when the general deer season opens Oct. 26.

Montana FWP wildlife biologists are reporting higher fawn production and survival, although outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) have been reported in some areas.

Depending on the hunting district regulations hunters can pursue antlered mule deer bucks, either-sex mule deer, antlered white-tailed deer, either-sex white-tailed deer.

For more information on Montana deer hunting, visit FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov.

source: Montana FWP

Vermont Deer Hunting

Vermont is home to a healthy white-tailed deer population, which could lead to opportunites for hunters this season.

“Vermont’s deer herd has benefitted from two relatively mild winters in a row,” according to Vermont deer biologist Adam Murkowski. “Mild winter weather coupled with a healthy and robust deer population mean herd growth is expected in many regions of the state this year, and hunters can choose between several different deer hunting opportunities starting in October and continuing into December.”

The 2012 Vermont Deer Harvest Report, available from the Fish and Wildlife Department’s web site (www.vtfishandwildlife.com) has a wealth of information to help plan a hunt, including the number of deer taken in each town.

The "2013 Vermont Hunting, Fishing & Trapping LAWS and GUIDE" explains all of Vermont’s hunting regulations and includes maps showing public hunting areas. The guide is available on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife website and where licenses are sold.   

Vermont hunting Licenses are available on Fish and Wildlife’s web site and from license agents statewide.

source: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department

Deer Hunting Gadgets

An incredible array of gadgets are available for deer hunters. Hunting equipment is used to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Equipment for deer hunting includes navigational aids, optics, cameras, lights, processing equipment, and more.

Navigation

Navigational equipment is essential for hunters. The most common items are compasses, portable GPS units, tracking devices, maps, digital mapping software, and accessories.

Optics

Optical equipment is especially useful in many hunting situations. Optical devices include binoculars, night vision equipment, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, eyewear, and other items.

Cameras

A variety of digital equipment is used for hunting. Scouting cameras have revolutionized big game hunting. These discrete units are mounted along known deer trails. Triggered by movement, these specialized cameras capture images of deer and other wildlife.

Lighting

Lights are essential accessories for deer hunters. Battery powered headlamps are extremely popular among deer hunters. These simple devices strap on to the hunter's head, leaving both hands free. Flashlights in a variety of sizes are also useful when hunting.

Processing

A variety of equipment is available to help hunters process, store, and cook venison. For field processing, knives, racks, winches, and other items are useful.

Once deer carcasses have been field dressed and transported back home, final processing can begin. Some venison needs only to be cleaned, cut, and packaged for freezing.

In addition to freezing cut venison, many hunters elect to further process their kill. Useful equipment for venison processing include sausage grinders, meat slicers, jerky ovens, smokers, and other devices.

Chronic Wasting Disease Affects North American Deer, Elk and Moose

According to a new U.S. Geological Survey study, the long-term impacts of the chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemic in North American deer, elk and moose will depend on how the disease persists in the environment.

The study used computer simulations to make predictions about future deer herds. CWD is caused by unusual, infectious proteins called prions; it is a fatal neurological disease of deer, elk and moose.

The disease is related to "mad cow" disease, a cattle disease that has infected humans. However, there is no evidence that CWD has infected humans. Prions can be transmitted directly through animal-to-animal contact, and indirectly through animals that come into contact with infected feces, urine and carcasses.

CWD has been detected in 19 states and two Canadian provinces. Disease-causing prions, responsible for some incurable neurological diseases of people and other diseases in animals, are notoriously difficult to decontaminate or kill. Prions are not killed by most detergents, cooking, freezing, or by autoclaving, a method used to sterilize medical instruments.

The USGS study, Modeling Routes of Chronic Wasting Disease Transmission: Environmental Prion Persistence Promotes Deer Population Decline and Extinction, is available from the public accesses journal PLoS ONE, online.

source: USGS press release

Colorado Big Game Hunting Opportunities

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has released statistics from the 2010 big game hunting seasons in the state.

"Hunters will continue to see great chances to get in the field in Colorado and access our world-renowned herds," said Tom Remington, Director of the Division of Wildlife.

The 2010 season was highlighted by a record-setting harvest of pronghorn. With recent expansion of access to licenses and lands, hunters statewide harvested a record 12,301 pronghorn during the 2010 seasons. The season beat the previous record of 10,941, set in 2009.

Colorado's most important attraction for big game hunters continues to be elk hunting with more than 214,000 elk hunters in the field last fall. Elk hunters experienced a 22 percent success rate, harvesting 48,018 elk.

Bull elk harvest continues to be available in both the limited seasons and the over-the-counter seasons with the harvest split almost equally between the two license types. Colorado is the only state to offer an unlimited, over-the-counter bull elk tag during the second and third rifle seasons.

Now the elk hunting capital of the world, long-time hunters in Colorado will remember the days when the state was renowned for mule deer hunting and those opportunities appear to be returning. The 2010 harvest of 34,768 was up slightly from the previous year total of 33,922.

Colorado has an estimated 460,650 deer, 287,270 elk and 76,710 pronghorn, making it a top hunting destination. With more than 23 million acres of public land, the state draws hundreds of thousands of hunters every fall, contributing more than $300 million direct dollars into the Colorado economy.

Because of the large number of big game hunters in the state, the Division of Wildlife does not require hunters to report harvest on most species instead the agency utilizes phone and on-line surveys to establish harvest estimates. The statistics are extensively validated and audits have shown that the process is quite accurate.

Harvest stats from 2010 can be found at the Division of Wildlife webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/hunting/biggame/statistics/.

source: Colorado Division of Wildlife

2010-11 Maryland Deer Season Harvest

According to MD DNR, Maryland deer hunters harvested a total of 98,663 deer during the 2010-2011 bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined. This figure is down just 2 percent from last year’s record harvest of 100,663 deer. The antlered harvest declined 1 percent to 33,341 deer this year, while the antlerless harvest decreased 2 percent to 65,322 deer. The harvest totals include 2,780 sika deer; a 17 percent increase over last year’s total for this species.

A regulation change enacted in 2010 moved the western half of Washington County into Deer Management Region A, which includes Allegany and Garrett counties. The regulation change was instituted to reduce the deer harvest in that portion of Washington County. As a result of the boundary change, deer harvest numbers for the region are not directly comparable to previous years. A total of 9,324 deer (5,412 antlered, 3,912 antlerless) were harvested in Region A during the 2010-2011 season. The Garrett County harvest remained stable while the harvest in Allegany and Washington counties dropped approximately 30 percent. The decline in Washington County was an expected outcome of the change in the Region A boundary. While the decline in Allegany County was partly due to a decrease in the overall deer herd, the boundary change further reduced harvest by putting several popular public hunting areas in the same Management Region, removing the option to take deer under two separate bag limits.

The reported deer harvest in the remainder of the state (Deer Management Region B) was similar to the previous year. Hunters in Region B reported taking 89,339 deer for the year; down 2 percent from last year. The antlered harvest of 27,929 deer was 3 percent lower than last year, while the antlerless total decreased 2 percent to 61,410 deer. Frederick County led the state this year with 7,942 deer, followed by Baltimore County with 6,919 and Washington County with 6,035 deer.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission To Hold Deer Antler Scoring

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers will be scoring deer antlers on January 29, 2011. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Scott's Gunsmithing and Sales, 4201 S. U.S. 441 in Lake City, Fl.

The deer being scored must have been taken in Florida by fair-chase methods. Qualifying antlers will be recorded in the Florida Buck Registry; owners will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a patch.

The FWC established the Florida Buck Registry in 1982 to provide hunters with a record of the number and quality of white-tailed deer taken in Florida and to give recognition to Florida hunters. The minimum qualifying antler score is 100 Boone and Crockett inches for typical antlers and 125 for non-typical antlers.

For more information, call Scott's Gunsmithing and Sales at 386-752-9898. To learn more about the Florida Buck Registry, go to MyFWC.com/Deer.

source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission