From Idaho’s Wilds to Big Game Science

Mark Bell has always felt at home in the wild. Raised in Idaho by an outdoors-loving family, he was backpacking 50 miles in the Wind River Range by age seven with his dad and grandfather. There, he was mesmerized by endless lakes and the promise of fishing at every turn. “Working with wildlife and ecology was kind of a thing I didn’t choose, but it chose me,” Mark recalls. That early immersion in nature set him on a path to study ecology and wildlife management.

Today, Mark is a research scientist in the Boone and Crockett Program in Wildlife Conservation at Michigan State University (MSU), where he tackles the state’s growing challenge of hyperabundant whitetail deer. Working with Dr. Jerry Belant, Boone and Crockett Chair in Wildlife Conservation at MSU, Mark is producing a white paper to help the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) develop more effective management strategies. “Our project is focused on places in southern Michigan where deer are damaging ecosystems and agriculture,” he explains. “We’re looking at everything from harvest regulations to innovative programs that encourage hunters and landowners to help reduce deer numbers.”

Mark’s journey to Michigan began with a deep dive into waterfowl. After earning his B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Utah State University in 2018, he skipped a master’s and launched straight into a Ph.D. in ecology under the mentorship of Mike Conover. His dissertation explored nest-site selection and predator response among ducks in Utah’s Great Salt Lake wetlands. “We found that cinnamon teal, gadwall, and mallard all sought similar nesting sites—and all faced heavy predation, especially from skunks and raccoons,” Mark says. “Nesting success was only high in wet years, when there were enough ducks to swamp predators.” His research led to practical recommendations for wetland managers, such as delaying mowing and enhancing grassy impoundments to improve nesting success, which could help sustain waterfowl populations in the face of environmental challenges.

Solving the “Deer Problem”

After completing his Ph.D. in December 2022, Mark headed to Michigan to study the state’s booming deer population. “Michigan sees about 60,000 deer-vehicle collisions each year,” he says. “The declining number of hunters and the reluctance from some hunters to harvest does means deer populations keep rising. We’re exploring solutions like expanded seasons, new harvest incentives, and partnerships with food banks to distribute venison from donated deer.” Mark’s work involves compiling and evaluating various management methods, including adjusting hunting regulations to encourage doe harvests, which are critical to controlling population growth.

His research also addresses the social challenges of wildlife management. “Hunters often say they support increased doe harvests but don’t always participate,” he says. “Programs that provide convenient ways for farmers and landowners to remove deer from their properties, such as refrigerated trailers for deer collection, are promising.” His collaboration with the Michigan Farm Bureau and DNR highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing complex ecological issues.

“Mark recognizes the value of legal wildlife harvests toward enhancing cultural values, food provisioning and security, and economics,” says Dr. Jerry Belant.

Looking to the Future

Supported in part by a Boone and Crockett Club fellowship, Mark credits the Club’s University Programs for providing both resources and a powerful professional network. “It’s quite a privilege to be associated with the Boone and Crockett Club and its mission to bolster conservation through hunters and big game management,” he says. “That network has already opened doors for me as I take the next step in my career.” The fellowship helps pay for his time, office space, and equipment, enabling him to conduct applied research that informs policy and management decisions.

This fall, Mark will become a Visiting Assistant Professor of Big Game at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where he’ll focus on invasive species like aoudad and continue his boots-on-the-ground approach to wildlife research. His long-term goal? “To keep investigating the dynamics of wildlife populations and help shape the future of conservation.” That, and become a tenured professor in wildlife ecology.

For Mark Bell, the wild remains a calling. Like that bright-eyed, fish-crazed kid who backpacked into the Wind Rivers, his work continues to fuel a passion for the natural world with the same sense of wonder and purpose.