Surveys Show Improved Deer Numbers In The Black Hills
Deer Hunters heading out to the Black Hills can expect better than anticipated numbers of animals this fall.
In a recent survey, Wyoming Game and Fish biologists and wardens counted about 30 percent more white-tailed compared to last year, despite drought and the effects of disease.
"Basically the concerns were based on that we've had a pretty hot, dry, summer and we also had an outbreak of EHD, which is epizootic hemorrhagic disease."
Robin Kepple, with the Casper Area Game and Fish offices, says the area around Hulett was hardest hit by EHD. Otherwise, good forage production and a mild winter last year helped deer numbers by increasing over-winter survival. The drought, meantime, will keep the animals in lower elevations where water is more readily available.