Bird numbers were definately up this fall across NE Montana, hopefully with a decent winter, no doubt it will be harsher then last winter, but still, if we can avoid prolonged periods of drifting snow, then have good nesting conditions this spring and summer, 2013 should be a pretty good year, at least that is what I am hoping for. I sure am glad the bird populations have bounced back as much as they have from the 2010-11 winter. However, it is still discouraging to see the deer numbers, especially whitetails where they are. That winter, plus the flooding that spring and summer, followed by a breakout of EHD decimated the heard. I spoke with a well known outfitter from the Hinsdale area, and indicated they did very little hunting on the Milk river this fall due to the low numbers. We had both hoped the deer numbers might bounce back in 5-6 years, now we are beginning to wonder if it actually will. I guess mother nature knows what she is doing, just need to give her time to figure things out...
