Get reliable science

Mule deer populations have declined across the western United States recently. Poor quality habitat, food availability, drought, and predation have been factors limiting mule deer populations in north-central New Mexico. The 33,000 acre National Rifle Association Whittington Center located south of Raton, NM is implementing a habitat enhancement program intended to benefit mule deer. Included in this enhancement program is hydro-mulching up to 80% of pinyon/juniper vegetation in selected areas and mulching Gambel oak and mountain mahogany along ridgelines and roads, and selectively harvesting timber at higher elevations. Our goal is to investigate deer use of the enhancement sites and to investigate the impacts of these habitat enhancements on mule deer survival patterns. In March of 2011 and 2012, 35 and 14 adult female mule deer were captured respectively and outfitted with radio telemetry collars. In July 2011 and 2012, 13 and 37 neonate mule deer were captured respectively and outfitted with radio telemetry collars. Throughout the spring and summer, each deer was monitored daily for survival; during winter deer were monitored once a month. Cause-specific mortality and location were determined for each death. Predation was the most common cause of morality for adults and neonates (85% and 86% respectively). Pinyon-juniper woodlands comprised 47% and 46% of adult and neonate mortality locations respectively, followed by oak savannah and grasslands. To date, no impacts of habitat enhancements on deer predation have been detected