Specimens examined (6).—2 mi. N, 5 mi. W Ludlow, 1; 9 mi. N, 10 mi. W Buffalo, 2; 10 mi. S, 5 mi. W Reva, 3.
The mule deer is common in the buttes and adjacent badland areas of the county, and many were seen by members of each of our field parties. Local residents reported "black-tails" to be widespread in the area and State Game Protector Merritt Paukarbek reported to Andersen that even though hunting success was high in the autumn of 1967, there was no apparent reduction in numbers in the spring of 1968. In contrast, Visher (1914:88) found this species absent in Harding County in the early 1900's, and stated that it was "exterminated by 1900."
An adult female taken on June 26, 1961, in the North Cave Hills was molting and evidenced no indication of reproductive activity.
Odocoileus virginianus dacotensis Goldman and Kellogg, 1940
White-tailed Deer
Specimen examined (1).—8-1/2 mi. N, 1-1/2 mi. E Camp Crook, 1.
The white-tailed deer is less abundant in northwestern South Dakota than is O. hemionus, but a number were seen by members of our parties (in Deer Draw of the Slim Buttes, for example), and local residents reported many sightings to us. Visher (1914:82) earlier recorded this species as once "fairly plentiful in the forest reserves" in Harding County, but stated that it had become rare when he made his biological survey of the area in 1910 and 1912.
Antilocapra americana americana (Ord, 1815)
Pronghorn
Specimens examined (2).—Sec. 28, R. 8 E, T. 23 N, 1; 12 mi. S, 10 mi. W Buffalo, 1.