Beginning in early December, Fish and Game staff will be flying to get a closer look at deer numbers, and several low-level helicopter surveys are planned throughout the state.

“We want to give folks a heads up regarding these operations,” Fish and Game Deer and Elk Program Coordinator Craig White said. “They may see a low-flying helicopter working in their favorite area in the weeks ahead and later during the winter.”

Each flight will cover a portion of the hunt unit being surveyed and flights are scheduled for many areas in Idaho. Flights in each hunt unit will take three to eight hours to complete, depending on weather conditions.

Fish and Game staff will again take to the air for extended surveys between January and March to estimate deer and elk numbers in other regions. Each of these surveys is estimated to take approximately one to four weeks in each management area, depending on weather conditions.

In early January, Fish and Game staff will also capture, collar and release dozens of mule deer and elk in several hunt units. Crews will then monitor the collared animals to get a better idea of herd survival throughout winter and early spring.

This information, together with the flight survey data, will be used to determine the overall health of Idaho’s mule deer and elk herds, which plays an important role in determining future big game hunting seasons.