Local residents had an opportunity to gather for a Wyoming Game and Fish Department mule deer community conversation, part of a statewide series designed to address public concerns about declining mule deer populations. These informal discussions provide an opportunity for residents to voice their perspectives, which are then combined with additional data to help shape future management strategies for Wyoming’s mule deer.

Mule deer are a vital part of Wyoming’s wildlife heritage, ecosystem, and rural economies, but their populations have been in steady decline across the western United States. Wildlife Biologist Jeff Short, who oversees the Mountain View and Kemmerer District, explained the issue, pointing to a variety of factors.

Short emphasized that weather plays a significant role, particularly the severity of Wyoming’s winters. “The winter of 2022-23 was just atrocious,” Short said, noting that it caused a sharp decline in mule deer numbers.

He described the winter’s impact on does as unprecedented, stating, “Looking back all the way to the 1940s, there is not a winter that compares.” He added, “In this part of the world, winter severity is the factor that is really driving the deer populations,” with high elevation and recent severe winters further complicating the situation.

Short also highlighted the region’s dry climate, calling Wyoming the fifth driest state in the nation. He pointed to the severe drought of 2012 as an additional stressor on mule deer populations.

Other factors influencing the decline include habitat loss, predation, disease, resource access, and competition. Invasive species like cheatgrass outcompete native plants that provide essential nutrition for mule deer, while chronic wasting disease poses a significant threat.

“It will be here. It is just a matter of time,” Short said, explaining the fatal nature of the disease and the lack of a vaccine.

While predation rarely limits a thriving mule deer population, Short acknowledged it could hinder recovery efforts when numbers are already low. He also discussed competition with other ungulates, particularly elk, which are more adaptable and better equipped to handle challenging conditions. However, he noted that mule deer declines have also occurred in areas without elk populations.

Wyoming Game and Fish has been proactive in addressing these challenges. The department is working on habitat improvement projects, cheatgrass control, and wildlife-friendly fencing conversions. Short discussed the importance of wildlife crossing projects, such as one planned near the coal mine in Kemmerer.

“There is a price tag estimate of approximately $37 million,” he said, but noted that wildlife-vehicle collisions cost about $55 million annually. “In the future, this will be a wise investment both for deer hunters and motorists as well.”

Feeding mule deer during harsh winters is another conservation challenge. Unlike elk, mule deer have a more specific diet, making supplemental feeding efforts less feasible. Short explained the logistical difficulties of using specially designed pellets, saying, “Unfortunately, it has not been something that is feasible on a population level to actually help during one of these winter events.”

Addressing hunting regulations, Short emphasized that “buck-only hunting,” the type allowed in most of the state, does not impact overall population numbers. “If you are just hunting bucks, there is absolutely no population effect,” he said, adding that management decisions are often influenced by social preferences rather than biological necessity.

Wyoming Game and Fish encourages residents to remain engaged in conservation efforts by attending public meetings, reaching out to local staff, supporting conservation organizations, and installing wildlife-friendly fencing on private property.

These community conversations, combined with data from the 2023 Mule Deer Hunter Attitude Survey, will help guide future management strategies for Wyoming’s mule deer populations.

The department remains committed to addressing the decline and ensuring that mule deer remain a cornerstone of Wyoming’s wildlife heritage for generations to come.