Mule deer fawn numbers are looking really good across much of the Upper Snake Region as we head into the rough part of winter. "Our fawn production across the region was pretty incredible," says Wildlife Manager Curtis Hendricks. "I think that we have only had fawn ratios rivaling these numbers on the east side of the interstate on one other occasion."

Wildlife Biologists conducted mule deer herd composition flights this past December in each of the region’s mule deer data analysis units (DAUs). The Upper Snake Region includes portions of 5 mule deer DAUs – Smoky-Boise, Mountain Valley, Island Park, Palisades and Caribou.

Fawn numbers in the Island Park, Palisades and Caribou DAUs are at 3-year highs while fawn numbers in Smoky-Boise and Mountain Valley were similar to counts in 2019. If these numbers carry through the winter, hunters will see more yearling deer on the landscape in 2021 than in previous years.

"We’ve had tough winters over the last several years, but these numbers are encouraging," says Hendricks.  "If they can make it through the winter, this crop of fawns will help contribute to an increase in mule deer populations down the road."