Nevada Mule Deer Status

Mule deer is the only deer species that occur in Nevada. The current statewide population has declined to nearly one half of the modern-day peak in 1988. Yet, the 2006 population is likely over double what it was during presettlement time. Nevada's deer populations, because of the extreme weather patterns of drought and severe winters, are typically cyclic over the course of a decade or two. Mule deer populations experience natural mortality through exposure, disease, predation, and starvation to name a few, but our largest concern is through the unnatural loss of habitat caused by wildfires and urban development. Just in 1999 alone, Nevada lost more deer habitat to wildfires than all of the years combined since records were started in 1946. From 1999-2001, Nevada lost 3 million acres, nearly half of this being critical mule deer habitat. The summer of 2006 has been another devastating wildfire year with over 250,000 acres of mule deer winter range burned as of August 1. Though trememdous efforts have been made by land management agencies and the Department of Wildlife in restoring wildlife habitats, too much has been lost too fast. Even with successful fawn production, the total deer habitat carrying capacity has been reduced to prevent Nevada deer numbers from ever reaching the peaks witnessed in the 1980's. Though deer tags have declined significantly over the last decade in relation to the deer herd numbers, buck ratios have increased. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to draw a deer tag in Nevada, you should be able to observe plenty of mature bucks. The challenge of drawing a tag in Nevada is nothing new. All management unit deer tags in Nevada have been issued through a drawing process since 1976.

Hunter success in 2005 for resident any legal weapon hunters was unchanged from 2004 and still lingers below long-term averages. Resident rifle hunters posted a hunter success of 43%, muzzleloader hunters were at 34%, and archers at 14%. Comparing point class in the harvest for buck hunts, resident rifle hunters harvested 38% (same as 2004) 4-points or better and nonresident hunters harvested 54% (same as 2004) 4-points or better. Resident youth hunters continued with their relatively high hunter success of 58%.

The primary parameters used to evaluate the current status and trend of the herd are spring fawn ratio’s, body condition, and recent snowpack and moisture values for the various water basins. The northwestern portion of the state received increased precipitation and shows improvements in habitat quality and animal condition in 2005. Additionally, the northeastern units, similar to 2004, were again treated to significant amounts of spring, summer, fall, and winter precipitation in 2005. The benefits of this much need moisture was again realized by many hunters in 2005 as both fawn ratios and antler size demonstrated in 2005.

Regionally, spring 2006 fawn ratios for northwestern deer herds showed much higher ratios than the statewide average of 40 fawns/100 adults. The northeastern units were slightly lower than the northwestern units but still showed some improvement over last year. Area 10, the largest herd in the state, surprisingly recorded a relatively low fawn ratio of 29, down from 40 in 2005. Conversely, Area 6 and Area 7 continue to have good recruitment with recorded fawns ratios up from 2005 by 4 fawns/100 adults in each unit at 38 fawns/100 adults and 44 fawns/100 adults respectively. The central Nevada deer herds had ratios of 30 to 40 fawns/100 adults, which, on average, is up from 2005 and in most cases should produce limited herd growth.

The increase in the 2006 spring fawn ratio of 5 fawns/100 adults from 2005 is within the realm of what is required to achieve herd growth. The recent wet pattern the state has been experiencing has allowed for improvements in habitat quality and mitigated some of the effects of the prolonged drought. Although one year’s improvement in fawn ratios is insufficient to remedy a decade of drought effects, Nevada’s deer herds are beginning to show a positive response to the increased precipitation. There still is much to learn regarding mortality factors or combinations of factors influencing mule deer survival. However, breaking the drought, should improve mule deer survival.

The Department finalized a biological bulletin on mule deer in 2004 titled “Nevada’s Mule Deer” that provides an overall assessment of Nevada’s mule deer populations both past and present. The bulletin examines mule deer population dynamics in Nevada and discusses the issues and influences of the ups and downs of Nevada’s mule deer. This bulletin provides the basis for discussions and planning efforts to formulate effective strategies to prevent deer herds from further declines. You may download a copy of the report by going to this website address: http:www.ndow.org/hunt/resources/population/ Effective management for Nevada’s mule deer requires the combined support of land management agencies, sportsmen, the general public, and ranchers. Otherwise, maintenance of our current deer numbers will be even more challenging.