Characteristics of Mule Deer Herds and Their Range in Northeastern Utah

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Abstract
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) which winter in Daggett County, Utah, are divided by the Uinta-Mountain crest into 2 distinct herds when on their summer ranges; migration routes and, in large part, winter ranges are also separate. The time, rate, and extent of migration vary from year to year as environmental conditions vary. During 1959-60, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus sp.) were the key mule deer foods on the winter range, but bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.), forbs, and grasses were important supplemental foods. Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) were important as emergency foods and escape cover. The Daggett deer winter range was heavily used by large numbers of big game and domestic livestock; preferred browse species were severely hedged or highlined wherever accessible and there was a low rate of seedling establishment. Predation, starvation, accidents, parasites, and disease contributed to deer mortality during the study period but losses were not large, mostly fawns and older deer with poor teeth. In Dec. and Jan. of 1958-59, there were 85 fawns and 42 bucks per 100 does; the next year there were 80 fawns and 42 bucks per 100 does. Net productivity during the study period was about 31%. Most deer were fat in the fall and gradually lost body condition as spring approached.

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