October 2022 - 41

THE CURRENT STATE
OF MULE DEER
Game and Fish knows a significant amount
about mule deer and what impacts their overall
success from decades of research and data
collection, and have tailored management
strategies as a result. Mule deer can be found
throughout Wyoming and are one of two deer
species in the state - the other is white-tailed
deer. Mule deer are recognized by their big ears,
black-tipped tail and beamed antlers. Hunters
apply for competitive licenses to pursue
muleys. In 2021, 19,000 hunters filled their
freezers with mule deer meat - and went
home with plenty of memories of chasing the
stately animal.
Mule deer are extremely dependent on
habitat - thereby also the weather. Good
habitat with high-quality forage is key for
bulking up to survive Wyoming's harsh and
long winters. Mule deer thrive in salt-desert
shrublands to alpine tundra, depending on the
time of year. Extreme weather conditions take
their toll on the species. Drought cycles are a
main threat - reducing the amount, timing
and quality of forage and the availability of
water sources. The most extreme impacts on
the population happen when two or more
stressful climatic events coincide. An example
is summer drought followed by a cold winter
with prolonged, deep snow. During these harsh
conditions mule deer are unable to accumulate
sufficient fat reserves and enter the winter in
poorer conditions. When female mule deer
enter winter in poor body condition they are
less likely to produce offspring that will survive
to adulthood. One way to battle the variability
is to create habitat resiliency. This is why Game
and Fish and partners prioritize projects for
habitat restoration, investing $10.5 million
in 2021 alone on improvements statewide.
Mule deer have physical adaptations to cope
with Wyoming's variable climate - migration
being the hallmark strategy. These historic
routes and summer and winter ranges
in Wyoming have been well-documented in
many herds. Understanding migration and
reestablishing connectivity to key habitats is
top-of-mind for Wyoming's conservation strategy
for mule deer.
" We know quite a lot about the regular and
seasonal movements of mule deer. Wyoming
is leading the way in mule deer conservation
with understanding migration movements and
wildlife crossing projects because they ensure
the pathways deer rely on stay intact. That's
what we know is key for their betterment,
Summer drought followed by a cold winter with prolonged, deep snow can have a negative impact on mule deer numbers.
(Photo by Wes Uncapher)
and we can pinpoint those locations based on
decades of study and millions of data points
monitoring their movements, " said Angi Bruce,
deputy director of Game and Fish.
A major threat to mule deer is chronic wasting
disease. CWD has been detected in most
herds throughout Wyoming. Mule deer are
the most identified species in the state for the
disease, and CWD can have population-limiting
effects in areas where prevalence of the
disease is high.
Mule deer populations have fluctuated
through time but in the last 30 years have
declined to a point that is worrisome to wildlife
managers and the public.
" Those who appreciate mule deer are concerned
that they've seen fewer mule deer over
the last several decades. Their observations
are accurate and reflective of the documented
decline, " said Game and Fish director Brian
Nesvik, in his March 2022 column for Wyoming
Wildlife.
According to Game and Fish's 2018 Mule
Deer Initiative report, mule deer crested their
maximum abundance during the 1950s and
Wyoming Wildlife | 41
Mule deer are extremely
dependent on habitat -
thereby also the weather.
Good habitat with highquality
forage is key for
bulking up to survive
Wyoming's harsh and
long winters.

October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2022