1. Strategies in the Statewide Deer Management Plan 1.Continue to monitor all mule deer populations annually to evaluate fawn production, herd composition, and habitat use. 2.Implement a method to collect annual adult doe and fawn mortality estimates on representative units statewide. 3.Use standardized, reliable population models to evaluate herd size and population trends over time.

2. Specific Items Discussed How data are collected on individual units within a region What information, derived from field observations, goes into a population model Present a simplified deer model

3. What is the Herd Composition on a Given Unit? 1.Continue to monitor all mule deer populations annually to evaluate fawn production, herd composition, and habitat use. Classify deer when congregated on winter ranges (often during rut) Representative sample areas of entire unit Consistent sampling year after year

4. La Sals Sampling areas

5. Methods Daily peaks of activity: 1-2 hours after dawn and 1-2 hours before dusk (no spotlight counts) 200 doe minimum (may vary by population size) Partial classifications discarded

6. Methods One count per area Avoid interference events (storms, full moons, weekend events) Consistent observers (fall / spring counts)

7. What are we Quantifying Post Season (November) –Buck:Doe ratios –Fawn:Doe ratios –Fawn:Adult ratios Spring Classification –Fawn:Adult ratios –Fawn survival estimate

13. Fawn Survival 2.Implement a method to collect annual adult doe and fawn mortality estimates on representative units statewide. Comparing (s) from collar data vs spring classification (preliminary) –Within 6% on 2 units

14. How/When are Data Collected June, fawn production Fall, buck harvest Jan, population estimate April-May, survival estimates Fall class – F:D ratio Check stations, mandatory reporting, harvest surveys All ratios collected in spring and fall Collars, F:A ratios, range rides, habitat assessment

15. Data Used in Models All data used in models are derived from field observations from individual units –Fawn:Doe ratio’s –Survival rates of adult deer and fawns –Harvest of bucks and does

16. UnitSUUnitSubunit buckdoebuck_huntersdoe_huntersbuck_daydoe_day harvesthuntersdays 11BNine MileRange Creek 2863683532234844 12ASan Rafael North 24842773431777105 3349992162 12BSan Rafael South 44018302800 13ALa SalLaSal Mtn 45801420036650 47514383737 13BLa Sal Dolores Triangle 170180720 14ASan JuanAbajo 982892649936354249 112327986818 14BSan JuanElk Ridge 45750620114 15AHenry Mountains Henry Mountains 4704901880 4749188 16A Central MountainsNebo 918107364721374141424 34401471437340 16B Central MountainsNorth Manti 10215642268311309196 16C Central MountainsSouth Manti 12508864776816807190

17. DATA USED FOR HUNT RECOMMENDATIONS BUCK DEER 3 year average buck/doe ratio age data on PLE units ANTLERLESS DEER Population status relative to objective (model estimate), range condition, and depredation

18. Utah is not Unique in Data Collection Every western state collects: –Buck:Doe ratio –Fawn:Doe ratio –Abundance or population size Most states collect: –Fawn recruitment

19. Models Simplified 3. Use standardized, reliable population models to evaluate herd size and population trends over time. Population growth is driven by survival of adult does and production and survival of fawns

20. JAN. 2009 DEER MODEL 158 BUCKS (30B:100D) 526 DOES 316 FAWNS (60F:100D) 1,000 TOTAL SPRING CLASSIFICATION 134 BUCKS (S=0.85) 447 DOES (S=0.85) 221 FAWNS (S=.70) 802 TOTAL SUMMER RECRUITMENT 245 BUCKS 557 DOES PRODUCTION FAWNS 802 ADULTS + FAWNS NOV. CLASSIFICATION 31 B:100 D 60 F:100 D 46 F:100 A HARVEST -75 BUCKS -10 DOES 0 FAWNS -85 TOTAL JAN. 2010 DEER MODEL 170 BUCKS 547 DOES 328 FAWNS 1,045 TOTAL DEER

21. Recommendations are a Year Round Process Every piece of data we collect revolves around what are we going to recommend in the future Biologists literally spend hundreds of hours geared towards recommendations and herd management for individual units

22. Models are Nothing More than Calculators They allow us to estimate populations quickly for individual units They are driven by data collected from the field (ratios, harvest, etc.) They get better with time They are exceptional at detecting and presenting trends in population status

23. SUMMARY Methods for data collection are sound and replicable Models are driven by data collected from the field All hunt recommendations must reflect action towards management plans Biologists are working hard to meet strategies in the management plan for mule deer

24. Thank You