With fawn recruitment numbers around 71 to every 100 does that indicates a strong path for recovery of a deer herd. Especially for the Sublette County, Wyoming mule deer herd that was significantly impacted by the ridiculously harsh winter storms of 2016/17. The recovery of the herd is aided by conservative hunting season and a little help from mother nature. With mild winters these mule deer should be back to full strength in a few years.
In regards to the winter kill of 2016/2017. 63 mule deer fawns that were radio-collared shortly after birth last spring in the Wyoming Range. Gary Fralick, WY Fish and Game Biologist said 58 percent died between June and September 2016.
“Twenty-six made it to winter range and those have all died now,” he said.
