Mule Deer Habitat Selection Patterns in Northcentral Washington

Abstract
Habitat selection and movement patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) were studied along Rufus Woods Lake (RWL) in northcentral Washington to evaluate the effect of habitat loss resulting from water impoundment. Deer preferred the Conifer and Riparian cover types and the Breaks Land Form during summer and winter. Basin Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) cover types also were preferred during winter. Orchard development in these areas eliminated the greatest amount of habitat for the RWL mule deer herd.

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