Drought conditions the last few years have left some mule deer populations hurting, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TPWD recently reported its findings from winter helicopter surveys and indicated Trans-Pecos region mule deer numbers are down 40-45 percent over the last three years. Surveys show numbers and biologists also log bucks, does and fawns they spot from the air.

“Not surprisingly, fawn production is down because of the drought,” said Philip Dickerson of Midland, a technical guidance biologist with TPWD.

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