A survey form will be mailed July 15 to randomly selected hunters north and south of the Salmon River in Idaho, 1,000 to each area. Anyone who does not get a survey but would like to participate can get one from a regional Fish and Game office, or under What's New on the Fish and Game website at www2.state.id.us/fishgame on July 15.

Fish and Game's current white-tailed deer plan covers only the primary range of the species, which is in the forested part of Idaho north of the Salmon River. The Idaho Fish and Game Commission has directed the department to develop a statewide plan in recognition of the fact that white-tailed deer have expanded their range into more of southern Idaho in recent years.

The new plan will address depredation concerns, hunter trespass and access issues, quality of bucks, and the desire of some hunters for a greater choice in where they can hunt.

White-tailed deer have always shared part of their range in north Idaho with mule deer but the ranges of the two species now overlaps in part of southern Idaho where mule deer have historically been the only species. The long-term ramifications of this overlap is not well understood, though the department is studying it now. Idahoans take widely divergent views of managing the new situation. Some see growing whitetail populations as an expansion of potential hunting opportunity for a species regarded as one of the premier big game animals in America. Others are concerned that whitetails might have an adverse impact on mule deer, perhaps even displacing mule deer in some habitats.

The two species have been lumped together for most management purposes up to now in Idaho. The department may consider management under two different plans to improve harvest data and refine management goals. Improved information might provide the basis for additional hunting.

Depredation will also be addressed in considering new management plans. White-tailed deer favor river valley habitats where they are likely to find crops, gardens and ornamental plants while mule deer more often stay in their brushy grassland habitats.