Hungry Horse news. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1948-current, 1955-04-08
Glacier Park White Tail Deer Population Do,un

WEST GLACIER White tail
deer population in Glacier Nation
al Park, as elsewhere in north
western Montana, continues to d.
until this winter the
wildlife census in the park shows
an actual count Of 1O8 in
cluded in an estimated total Of
345, reports A. D. Cannavina. as
sistant chief ranger in charge Of
forestry and wildlife.
This compares with ATS white
tail deer two years ago; 500 in
1850, 800 in 1949, 1900 in 1948.
and 1900 in 1946.
This alarming decline in popu-
lation of this graceful animal of
the forests is caused, Cannavina
added by growing up Of old burn
areas. 1929 had been q severe for
est fire year and so was 1885. In
the years following there was the
growth Of brush, staple diet Of
these browsing animals. Now the
brush is being replaced in natures
cycle by conifers such as lodge
pole that deer find less tasty.
Another factor, Cannavina add
ed in the white tail problem is
that there has been a series Of
heavy snow winters until this year,
and another factor is competition
for some ranges by the more adj
aptable elk.
POOR COUNTING CONDITIONS
Glacier Parks wildlife CEN
sus was a difficult task this past
winter. Less snow and mild tenn
peratures resulted in animals being
scattered. AS a result the count
and estimate make up for what
the park force consider a poor
census. It is now taken every two
years.
In addition to the 345 white
tails with an actual count of 108,
there were 1000 estimated elk
with a count Of 881, $50 mule deer
including count of 223, lis
mountain sheep partial total es-
innate with a count of SO, and 81
moose with count of 80.
TWO YEARS AGO
Two years ago the park wildlife
census showed 3,140 elk with an
actual count of 1879, ATS white
tail with a count of 329, ITO mule
deer with count of 245, lis moose
with count of 43, and ITO noun
tain sheep.
Other wildlife totals in Glacier
include Ais black bear, 100 grizz-
lies and 900 mountain goats, not
the subjects of winter census. The
bear aren't to be found, and goats
against snowbanks don't show, il
one could get to the peaks where
they are.
In 1851, the park had 1920 elk
400 white tails, 80 mule deer, liz
mountain sheep and 1875 moose.
IDEAL ELK FIGURE
The present decrease in elk pop.
ulation to 1000 head is somewhere
near the ideal figure of what parl
rangers believe the range condi.
tons will sustain. Last winter
rangers encouraged about 500 ell
to leave the st. Mary valley goini
out on the Blackfeet Indian res.
ervation. Indians hunt all veal
Two years age the park had az
estimateal;60 800 Elk on the east sid
from TWO Medicine north through
lWaterton, American ride. I 100 ell
on the Middle Fork md $40 up TIL
North Fork. Now the elk division
is considered 292 North Fork, 96'
Middle Fork and $40 east side.
UP NORTH FORK
The white tail deer estimate in.
Guiding count shows: 258 includ
| ing count of IS up North Fork; S!
including 10 count up Middle Forl
and % including count of 4 on cas-
side.
Mule deer are listed as follows
1913 including count of IS on cas-
side; 318 including count of Is
on Middle Fork and AZ includin
count of up North Fork.
Moose are found as follows: 6
on east side including count of q
6 on Middle Fork, % on Mort
Fork including count of 4.
All bighorn sheep are considere
on east side.
Mule deer generally hold thei
own in Glacier, and elk at time
soar in numbers. In 1916 Their
were 1850, 1920 in 1947, $500 j
| 1850, 2,185 in 1851, 3,140 in 1875
and now 1000 elk.
! The recent mild winter result
in most of the parks Wildlife be
ing considered in good shape.
Il When the census is finally com
pleted it will include such descrip
tons as bald eagles, beaver an
porcupine common, and wolverine
rare. The park contains 100000
acres.