Black-Tailed and Mule Deer

Abstract

Black-tailed and mule deer (both designated as Odocoileus hemionus; hereafter referred to as “deer” or “mule deer”) comprise an iconic species that is broadly distributed across western North America. This species occurs in all rangeland types including grasslands, desert shrublands, forests, savannah woodlands, and even portions of tundra. The distribution of mule deer has changed little since Euro-American settlement, but abundance has fluctuated in response to environmental variation and rangeland management practices. These deer are medium-sized, polygynous mammals classified as generalist herbivores (foregut fermenters). Population growth in this species is strongly influenced by survival of adult females and recruitment of young. The management of rangelands has direct influence on deer populations given the wide distribution of this species and measurable responses to rangeland management practices. Rangeland management practices including development of water, grazing by domestic livestock, prescribed fire, energy extraction, vegetation alteration, and others can have positive or negative influences or both on this species. Although mule deer are widely distributed and relatively abundant, conservation of this species is challenged by rapid changes currently occurring on rangelands of western North America. Altered fire regimes due to climate change and invasive plants, competition (with feral horses [Equus ferus caballus], livestock, and other wild ungulates), development of energy, ex-urban and urban expansion, and many other challenges threaten continued abundance of this species. Rangelands and their associated management will continue to play a disproportionally large role in the conservation of mule deer in the future.