Loft et al. looked at the interaction of cattle and mule deer and the accompanied effects on mule deer home range in the Sierra Nevada's of California. The presence of cattle never removed mule deer from their core home range areas, but moderate to heavy grazing displaced mule deer and forced them to expand their usual ranges. At a light grazing level, mule deer and cattle foraging behavior was quite similar. Both species were able to reach nutrition demands in a small area, with little interaction. As stocking rates increased, cattle had to move further out of the meadow and riparian areas on to the steeper slopes, where mule deer concentrated. This, in turn, forced mule deer out of their preferred habitat and into areas of less quality forage at higher elevations. Loft et al. emphasized that range management practitioners take into consideration, not only what is required for sustainable for livestock nutrition in a management plan, but also the management for wildlife species, such as mule deer, who need more out of a habitat than just forage acquisition.
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.