Loft et al. concluded that heavy stocking rates, which are considerably higher than federal recommendation, cause negative effects in deer habitat preference during their fawning season. Cattle seem to push deer out of their preferred habitat types by over-grazing and physically trampling cover available for fawns. Moderate stocking rates saw a drastic decrease in the negative effects placed upon mule deer does. Heavy stocking rates did promote the growth of more corn lilies, which mule deer fawns use as cover in riparian areas. However, Loft et al. state that corn lilies are poor competitors and their numbers increase due to the decrease in other forbs.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.