Helena’s wildlife management program closed its seasonal trapping operation this winter after officials reported the highest recorded density of deer within city limits. The surge in urban deer numbers has prompted expanded removal and testing efforts aimed at protecting public health, reducing human‑wildlife conflict, and supplying food aid through local partnerships.

During the main trapping period, crews dispatched 94 deer. An additional 77 animals were handled through year‑round management for injured or ill deer, bringing the season’s total removals and interventions to 171 animals. Carcasses are being tested for disease, including chronic wasting disease (CWD), and processed for distribution. More than a thousand pounds of venison were donated to Helena Food Share via Old Salt, providing a local source of protein for households that rely on the food bank.

City officials attributed the record density in part to milder winters, a factor that can increase survival rates among urban deer and change seasonal movement patterns. At the same time, officials said extreme cold shortened active trapping days this season, limiting the window in which crews could operate safely and effectively. The combination of higher deer numbers and a compressed trapping schedule complicated management efforts in built neighborhoods and near public parks.

Health officials and wildlife managers emphasize disease surveillance as a core element of urban deer programs. Carcass testing for CWD and other illnesses helps guide future policy decisions about population control and public safety. The processed venison donation program also demonstrates a local approach to combining wildlife management with community needs: rather than waste, at least some of the removed animals are channelled into hunger relief networks.

For residents, elevated deer density carries multiple consequences. Increased browsing can damage gardens, young trees and landscaping. Higher concentrations of deer near roads raise the risk of vehicle collisions and can complicate everyday outdoor activity. The management program seeks to balance those risks with ethical and legal considerations around wildlife removal, disease control and community values.

The season’s results mirror broader trends seen in other parts of North America where milder winters have influenced wildlife populations, prompting municipalities to adapt management strategies. Locally, the city will assess data from this season — including test results for CWD and other pathogens — to refine next year’s approach to urban deer, community outreach, and partnerships with organizations such as Helena Food Share and Old Salt.

As spring approaches, residents can expect continued monitoring and occasional year‑round interventions for injured animals. Officials say they will also evaluate the effectiveness of trapping operations in light of weather constraints and rising deer densities, while keeping public health and community needs central to planning.