North Dakota’s Game and Fish Department launches its yearly autumn aerial count of mule deer on October 19 across the western part of the state. The effort typically lasts about two weeks when conditions cooperate.

Observers on the ground may spot small aircraft flying at low altitude over sections of the badlands during that time. Department biologists have conducted these flights over the same 24 locations in the badlands every year since the 1950s.

The work gathers herd numbers so staff can follow changes in the mix of bucks to does and fawns to does.