Kie examined the effects of cattle grazing on the feeding times of mule deer, on a Sierra Nevada summer range, and black-tailed deer, on a moist, northern California winter range. Cattle grazing increased the amount of time mule deer spent foraging during the summer, simultaneously decreasing their resting time. Cattle grazing also caused the feeding times of mule deer to shift from dawn and dusk to day and night hours. Black-tailed deer exhibited similar reactions to cattle grazing during the winter. Kie stated that female deer (mule and black-tailed) will be energy-maximizers when forage condition are poor and will be energy-minimizers while forage is plentiful.
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.