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Desert mule deer, Odocolieus hemionus eremicus, occur at low densities in the Sonoran Desert of southeastern California and consequently are difficult to monitor using standard wildlife techniques. We used radiocollared deer, remote photography at wildlife water developments (i.e., catchments), and mark-recapture techniques to estimate population abundance and sex and age ratios. Abundance estimates for 1999-2004 ranged from 40 to 106 deer, resulting in density estimates of 0.05-0.13 deer/km(2). Ranges in herd composition were 41-74% (females), 6-31% (males), and 6-34% (young). There was a positive correlation (R = 0.73, P = 0.051) between abundance estimates and number of deer photographed/catchment-day, and that relationship may be useful as an index of abundance in the absence of marked deer for mark-recapture methods. Because of the variable nature of desert wildlife populations, implementing strategies that recognize that variability and conserving the habitat that allow populations to fluctuate naturally will be necessary for long-term conservation.