This publication describes a simple, accurate and economical method for use by ranch operators to monitor deer, elk and pronghorn antelope populations. The collected data reflect the amount of change in the population from year to year. A trend is different from a population estimate. A population estimate is the total number of animals on the range. A trend indicates whether the population is increasing, decreasing or remaining stable.
Trends are most valuable when averaged over a several-year period.
Any one year may not reflect population changes. The trend of the wildlife population may be used to indicate potential impacts on habitat. It may also be utilized to help determine proper harvest of big game species. Ranchers involved in fee hunting operations need to know if their harvest program is increasing or decreasing the population. Over a period of years, the trend of deer, elk or antelope populations is a good indicator of the productivity and related stability of herds.