The winter diets of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ochrourus), Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni), and Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) in this study primarily consisted of deciduous shrubs and conifers. Dietary overlap was greatest with elk and the other two species. During harsher winters dietary overlap was increased between species compared to milder winters, due to greater browse consumption by all species. Variable snowpack and forage availability encouraged opportunistic rather than specialized winter foraging behavior. Interspecific competition could result during harsh winters due to greater dietary overlap and energy limitations.
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