Scientists use deer pellet DNA to study populations in Southeast Alaska

Deer populations around Petersburg’s Mitkof Island have been low in recent years. Hunters are only allowed to shoot one buck in a two-week open season in October. Keeping track of the population is difficult in a mountainous terrain covered in forest. Now, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is using DNA studies to help fill in the gaps.
ADF&G wildlife technician, Lucas Baranovic, holds a q tip with DNA from a deer pellet. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Department of Fish and Game)It&rsq