Where the Deer Stand:

Following the WAFWA (Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Associations) conference here’s what we know about mule deer and black-tailed deer.

Based on the 2024 Range wide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer report, here are the population status summaries for both species:

Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)

• Overall Trend: Most black-tailed deer populations across their range are stable or increasing.
• Notable Observations:
  • Western Oregon and parts of California have shown improved population indicators.
  • Washington reports largely stable trends, although some localized declines exist.
  • British Columbia reports regional variability, with some populations stable and others decreasing.
  • The species continues to face challenges from habitat loss, urbanization, and predation.

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus and subspecies)

• Overall Trend: Mule deer populations have seen a long-term decline in many areas but are currently stable or increasing in some regions.
• Notable Observations:
  • Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah report stable to slightly increasing numbers due to favorable weather and habitat management.
  • Nevada and New Mexico populations remain lower than historical levels, primarily due to drought, habitat fragmentation, and disease.
  • Northern states and provinces such as Montana and Alberta are seeing generally stable trends.

These trends reflect the impact of regional weather patterns, habitat quality, disease, and predation, with a continued focus on habitat management as a key factor in population health.

State Breakdown:

Mule Deer Populations by State (2024)

State	Population Estimate	Trend	Notes
Arizona	85,000 – 100,000	Decreasing	Drought and habitat loss issues.
California	370,000 – 400,000	Stable to Decreasing	Declines in some areas like the Sierra Nevada.
Colorado	418,000	Increasing	Following population recovery efforts.
Idaho	280,000 – 300,000	Decreasing	Winter mortality impact.
Montana	175,000 – 200,000	Increasing	Improved recruitment.
Nevada	80,000 – 90,000	Stable	Population recovering from drought.
New Mexico	80,000 – 90,000	Stable	Populations vary by region.
North Dakota	5,000 – 10,000	Stable	Limited range in badlands.
Oregon	180,000 – 200,000	Decreasing	Habitat loss and disease issues.
South Dakota	65,000 – 70,000	Stable	Stable with localized variability.
Texas	25,000 – 30,000	Stable	Concentrated in western regions.
Utah	330,000 – 340,000	Stable	Above long-term average.
Washington	150,000 – 170,000	Decreasing	Harsh winters and disease.
Wyoming	400,000 – 420,000	Stable to Increasing	High-quality habitat recovery.

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🦌 Black-Tailed Deer Populations by State (2024)

State	Population Estimate	Trend	Notes
California	300,000 – 350,000	Stable	Mostly along coast and northern forest regions.
Oregon	225,000 – 250,000	Decreasing	Affected by habitat fragmentation.
Washington	300,000 – 325,000	Decreasing	Disease and development pressures.
Alaska	80,000 – 100,000	Variable	e Highly variable due to winter severity and predation.

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Good luck this fall and remember to send any success pictures or stories from the field to [email protected] and you could be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article or any of our articles have helped you become a better hunter or conservation steward, consider becoming a member of the Mule Deer Foundation for only $35 dollars a year. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/