Deer numbers

[gr8outdoors]

If you hunt on the standing rock reservation, you are required to fill out a harvest report after the close of the season. Failure to do so results in at least 1 year of not being able of purchase a tag there.

 

[johnr]

why cant mother nature be more nurturing?

 

[Enslow]

Spirit lake nation is not selling rifle buck tags to non members. They are selling either or bow tags and doe tags though. Butthurt butter, pass it...

 

[johnr]

I miss Cecil.

cecil was opportunistic, and had he earned his meal like the other lions, he would not have been lured out by the meat mountain. This dentist made the entire pride stronger by getting rid of this weak link. #liberalsareevenintheanimalkindom

 

[dean nelson]

If you guys want the data get off your butts and go get it! Its the game and fish and they are a government agency! As such all you have to do is file an inquiry through the open records of law and wham bam thank you ma'am theres your data! They can't pick and choose who gets it.....they may not want you to have it but they also can't stop you either!

 

[DJE]

I've seen more deer in the area where I farm this year than the previous 2-3 years combined. Just 2 nights ago saw 4 bucks running together and 3 of the 4 were all 150" plus. Stood 100 yards off the road for 5 mins just looking at me. No rifle tag for this guy so for the first time in 10 years I'll be getting the bow ready.

 

[lunkerslayer]

I know its an old thread but the thread is about deer numbers, so do you guys think that does have more multiple fawns when numbers are low? I know that i have read that coyotes will produce bigger litters when numbers a low after a sickness had decimated the numbers. On my very short drive to work this morning. I seen 3 different does with multiple fawns. Two does had twins and one had triplets which seems odd or was it just a wierd coincidence.

 

[scrotcaster]

I think it has more to do with how bad/good the previous winter was if they will have multiples

 

[lunkerslayer]

You dont think that its has anything to do with low numbers in comparison to coyotes, even humans on the first year after a war have more male children then female its called the returning soldier effect

 

[NDSportsman]

Nope a mature doe will usually have twins if it's been a mild winter and she has good habitat. Harder winter she might only have a single, terrible long winter and they will absorb or abort and have none. Saw multiple triples back in the 90's when habitat and deer numbers were at an all time high. Fawn recruitment is definitely more dependent on habitat and winter severity IMO.

 

[lunkerslayer]

Well i know of a few ruptured pipelines in neighboring towns, heck the nddot didn't take load restrictions off till the 3rd week in may. What is your definition of a mild winter?

 

[Tinesdown]

Nope a mature doe will usually have twins if it's been a mild winter and she has good habitat. Harder winter she might only have a single, terrible long winter and they will absorb or abort and have none. Saw multiple triples back in the 90's when habitat and deer numbers were at an all time high. Fawn recruitment is definitely more dependent on habitat and winter severity IMO.

Seen multiple single fawn this year mule does. So habitat is a big deal 3 fawns with a 2.5 year old doe is a great sign. When iv seen that it's usually running together with spots but also some does will adopt a fawn I believe that is a thing not all parents are worthy.

 

[NDSportsman]

Well i know of a few ruptured pipelines in neighboring towns, heck the nddot didn't take load restrictions off till the 3rd week in may. What is your definition of a mild winter?

This last winter was mild for ND standards.

 

[lunkerslayer]

All i care about is that i can draw a tag for my unit, it juct nice to see 7 fawns in one time.

 

[riverview]

i haven't seen a fawn yet this summer, on cameras i used to get dozens of deer on now i only see one or two, habitat loss is a real thing. cameras have been in the same spots for years.

 

[Icepirate]

i haven't seen a fawn yet this summer, on cameras i used to get dozens of deer on now i only see one or two, habitat loss is a real thing. cameras have been in the same spots for years.

unfortunately we're probably past the point of no return for deer numbers in much of the state due to habitat loss. you know it's bad when after the gratis tag reductions, some units had zero licenses available for the regular draw. a look at the draw statistics is depressing to say the least.

 

[Rut2much]

Turn of the century= deer population was producing absolute numbers of studs (more than plentiful 140s, 150s, 160s+) and fawns hand over fist while the population was booming. Decided to treat it like a fishery that was producing too many trophy fish with a hot bite by upping the limit and allow netting.. Mix that followed by an unfortunate very very harah winter with the beginning unbelievable habitat loss ever since and here we are.

I'd obviously define the mild winters as the ones without multiple foot snow depth so the deer can get down to the feed and not have to work so hard for it in sub sub 0 temps stressing themselves out and starving themselves much faster w/ little body fat for energy and insulation.
The coyotes absolutely feast in these cold deep snow winters both on the living and dead. I'm not bitching though, grew up in apex of the nd outdoor era after the shitty 80s and have happily adjusted to an addiction to the wiley coyote.

 

[Prairie Doggin']

unfortunately we're probably past the point of no return for deer numbers in much of the state due to habitat loss. you know it's bad when after the gratis tag reductions, some units had zero licenses available for the regular draw. a look at the draw statistics is depressing to say the least.

I think it was 2E, 2G1, and 2G2 where every tag went gratis. I was smart enough to apply in 2G1.

 

[LBrandt]

I think it was 2E, 2G1, and 2G2 where every tag went gratis. I was smart enough to apply in 2G1.

Wonderful I live right in the middle of that. LB

 

[Rut2much]

Yea 2e shocked me.. I don't think gnf has their numbers right from what I see but I beleive in it all about as much as free and fair elections.