Mule Deer Populations

[solocam_aggie]

As I continue my dive into western hunting, it seems the same sentiments towards mule deer populations are echoed in every state; a declining population. I seen it first hand on a piece of private I used to hunt in NM over the last decade, to the point we finally gave the lease up.

Between increased predators, harsh winter kills, CWD, and drought, seems like everything is against the population recovering. What’s everyone’s thoughts towards this?


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[S-3 Ranch]

As I continue my dive into western hunting, it seems the same sentiments towards mule deer populations are echoed in every state; a declining population. I seen it first hand on a piece of private I used to hunt in NM over the last decade, to the point we finally gave the lease up.

Between increased predators, harsh winter kills, CWD, and drought, seems like everything is against the population recovering. What’s everyone’s thoughts towards this?


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Not going to disagree with you
Drought, weird weather, weirdos moving to mule deer areas
Weirdos running fish & game / favoring elk population, wolves, lions

[diamond10x]

I’ve personally witnessed it in numerous places. There’s a lot of reasons why, it’s not just one specific issue. Some things that were left out is migration routes being disturbed, wintering grounds being turned into developments, elk competing with mule deer (increased elk herds where they historically were not because elk are the fad right now), etc.

[Texans42]

As I continue my dive into western hunting, it seems the same sentiments towards mule deer populations are echoed in every state; a declining population. I seen it first hand on a piece of private I used to hunt in NM over the last decade, to the point we finally gave the lease up.

Between increased predators, harsh winter kills, CWD, and drought, seems like everything is against the population recovering. What’s everyone’s thoughts towards this?


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NM is just weird in general via tag allocation and basically unlimited LO tags for deer.

But in general, I agree cards are stacked against them everywhere in the west. This year West TX has been real dry also.

I drew a tag last year in CO that should of been unbelievable, after 5 days, I’d only seen 3 mature bucks. The 3rd one was just good enough to go in the freezer. That’s 5 days of 9 miles a day. Saw some stud 350 bulls but hardly mature deer. I also cut a lot of lion tracks though

[S-3 Ranch]

West Texas mule deer and pronghorn battling against aoudad and drought

[solocam_aggie]

I’ve personally witnessed it in numerous places. There’s a lot of reasons why, it’s not just one specific issue. Some things that were left out is migration routes being disturbed, wintering grounds being turned into developments, elk competing with mule deer (increased elk herds where they historically were not because elk are the fad right now), etc.

Elk part is definitely true too. Coincidentally, an increase in elk sightings occurred during the decrease in mule deer numbers on that private.


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[Mule Skinner]

Mountain lions kill mule deer. Mountain lion can’t feed for days on the mule deer because a bear will take over the kill. Which causes the mountain lion to have to quickly kill another mule deer. The process repeats itself.

Western states are protecting predators to the point that they are having to cut back in tags and lose money from out of state hunters.

[wheels]

Utah cut tags again this year. Drought is the excuse last 2 years.

[justletmein]

Wolves gotta eat.

Also as stated, just like increased Redfish numbers on the coast hurt Trout populations, gotta imagine increased Elk hurt Mulies. At least Elk taste better, wish I could say the same for Redfish.

[doghouse]

I'm going with drought. Another thing I learned years ago hunting in west Texas. We were on a mule deer lease on private land and the land owner ask us to kill every white tail we saw and let them lay. He said the white tail were slowly moving west and replacing his mule deer. Who really knows. He said a white tail buck could out fight a mule deer buck. I have no clue.

[diamond10x]

He said the white tail were slowly moving west and replacing his mule deer. Who really knows. He said a white tail buck could out fight a mule deer buck.

This is another issue, whitetail as well as other deer species will out compete Mule Deer when it comes to resources. I don't know why but it always seems the MD are the losers. As far as the rest of the statement by the rancher, I don't know about that as I've watched numerous fights between mature bucks and they get after it plus they're bigger than whitetails.

[doghouse]

This is another issue, whitetail as well as other deer species will out compete Mule Deer when it comes to resources. I don't know why but it always seems the MD are the losers. As far as the rest of the statement by the rancher, I don't know about that as I've watched numerous fights between mature bucks and they get after it plus they're bigger than whitetails.

I ask that question and he said white tail bucks were lots faster than mule deer bucks. I have no clue. Just what an older rancher told me years ago.

[justletmein]

I ask that question and he said white tail bucks were lots faster than mule deer bucks. I have no clue. Just what an older rancher told me years ago.

Wonder if thinner racks go in between the muley's rack and poke their faces.

[doghouse]

Wonder if thinner racks go in between the muley's rack and poke their faces.

No clue. I live in Mills county. This was back in the mid 70's.

[TTUgrad08]

Habitat, droughts, and more predators are making things hard for MD