Fawn survival of 25 to 30 per 100 does is necessary to maintain a herd's population. Goodwin attributes the increase in fawn survival to the temporary reduction in the coyote population. I'd attribute that change primarily to the gunning. Game and Fish is also working on removing fences in the area that are not antelope friendly, Goodwin said. Unlike deer and elk, antelope often refuse to jump fences even though they have the physical ability to do so.
Fences can act as migration barriers to antelope.
Gunning is also planned in portions of Units 13a and 13b, on the Arizona Strip. It will be the second year of gunning there. Goodwin said three consecutive years of gunning, or three out of four or five years, is needed for the program to have the desired effect on fawn survival. Antelope populations are generally holding steady in the Flagstaff region, though at low levels lower than historic numbers. Some are still in decline.