Keeping Tabs on Deer Populations
Each winter, as snow blankets the rugged landscapes of western Wyoming, a team of wildlife managers, biologists, and volunteers takes to the skies and the ground to assess the status of one of the state’s most iconic mule deer herds—the Wyoming Range herd. If you’ve heard of Wyoming’s Region G and Region H, this is the herd that resides there.
The annual mule deer surveys, conducted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, are more than just a tally of numbers; they’re a critical tool for understanding the health, resilience, and future of this renowned population. For the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Association (WRMDA), these surveys represent a cornerstone of our mission to unite hunters and stakeholders in preserving this vital herd.
A Look Back at the 2024 Surveys
In 2023, Wyoming Game and Fish staff did another sight-ability survey; above and beyond the usual survey. They flew over a larger area of the Wyoming Range and Sublette winter ranges, counting fawns, does, yearling bucks, and adult bucks. The winter of 2022-23 was especially hard. It cut the Wyoming Range herd from about 30,000 deer to only 11,000.
The results from this year’s aerial surveys, however, brought some hope after many challenges. This year, the Wyoming Range herd showed signs of a promising rebound. The December survey counted 4,902 mule deer, with a fawn ratio of 83 fawns per 100 does—a dramatic leap from the record-low 34 fawns per 100 does in 2023.
Buck ratios also ticked upward to 28 bucks per 100 does, inching closer to the management objective of 30-45 bucks per 100 does. The Sublette herd nearby was not as affected by the tough winter of 2022-23. They had a fawn ratio of 76 fawns for every 100 does. This is the highest ratio since 2006. They also had a stable buck ratio of 34 bucks for every 100 does, with a total of 7,645 deer counted.
These numbers tell a story of resilience. After two mild winters and abundant summer forage fueled by high precipitation, surviving deer entered the 2024-25 winter in top condition. Research from the University of Wyoming’s Monteith Shop confirmed that deer boasted some of the highest fat levels since 2013, a testament to the quality habitat and reduced competition following the population decline.
Why the Surveys Matter
For WRMDA members, the annual surveys are more than data points—they’re a call to action. The Wyoming Range herd has long been a jewel for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts, known for producing trophy bucks and supporting a rich ecosystem. But its dramatic decline after the 2022-23 winter underscored the fragility of even the strongest populations in the face of harsh weather, habitat fragmentation and other contributors. The surveys provide the hard data we need to advocate for sound management policies, from hunting season adjustments to habitat enhancement projects.
Take the fawn ratios, for instance. That jump to 83 fawns per 100 does signals strong reproductive success and high fawn survival through the summer—key ingredients for population recovery. But it’s not a done deal. As South Jackson Wildlife Biologist Gary Fralick notes, consecutive years of favorable weather will be critical to rebuilding the herd. The surveys help us track these trends, ensuring we’re not just reacting to the past but planning for the future.
A Collaborative Effort
The surveys are a team effort, blending the expertise of Game and Fish biologists with long-term research from partners like the University of Wyoming. They also rely on the eyes and boots of volunteers who’ve joined mortality surveys in years past, scouring winter ranges for clues about survival rates.
While the December flights focus on classification, spring mortality surveys offer a ground-level view of winter’s toll. Together, these efforts paint a fuller picture of the herd’s status, guiding decisions on everything from predator management to habitat connectivity.
Photo Courtesy of A. Valencia
Looking Ahead
As we close the chapter on the 2024 surveys, the Wyoming Range herd stands at a crossroads. The encouraging fawn and buck ratios are a step in the right direction, but rebuilding a herd takes time, patience, and a unified effort. For WRMDA members, that means staying engaged—whether by attending Game and Fish season-setting meetings, volunteering for spring surveys, or pitching in on habitat projects like the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Initiative.
The signs of recovery in the 2024 surveys also spark hope for Wyoming’s hunting community. With fawn ratios climbing and the herd showing resilience, there’s growing optimism that future seasons could see adjustments—like a return to traditional season lengths dates or expanded NR license numbers.
For WRMDA and Wyoming hunters, this is about more than just tags; it’s about safeguarding a tradition that’s woven into the fabric of Wyoming life. Sustaining the Wyoming Range herd ensures that hunters today—and tomorrow—can share in the thrill of the chase and the stories around the campfire, preserving a legacy as enduring as the mountains themselves.
