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Review by Todd Black

  This book, like no other explains in great detail the issues facing our mule deer today and what needs to be done to turn them around. The following is written by Terry Messmer and taken from the back cover of the book.

“Mule deer are deeply imbedded in the history, culture, and folklore of the West. It has been said, that as goes the West so go mule deer. The same pressures that are changing the socio-economic conditions and demographics of the West also are affecting mule deer and their habitats. This book is an attempt to identify those factors and strategies that can be implemented to conserve mule deer in a rapidly changing environment. The authors have summarized hundreds of thousands of hours of mule deer research and management experience to devise their input. Their purpose is simple: to create common understanding and awareness of mule deer biology and current management dilemmas. The authors believe increased awareness fosters appreciation and cooperation and that these are important steps in achieving conservation of this great species”.

How it all came together

  Way back in 1998 the Western States and Provinces Mule Deer Working Group (MDWG) was established at a midwinter meeting of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies or WAFA. This committee consisted of at least one representative from each state or province (18 total) and Len Carpenter, representative from the Wildlife Management Institute to act as the technical adviser. Every member of this group has genuine interest in mule deer in general and making improvements in mule deer habitat and populations. This effort has allowed them to spend many hours (much of it on their own time and money) working and writing towards what they believe will be important contributions to conservation organizations, sportsmen, land mangers, and biologists as they work towards a common goal to save the plight of mule deer in the West.

  Their mission will be a daunting task that can’t be done alone; find solutions to our common mule deer management problems and to optimize cooperative research and management in the Western states and provinces. The group set out and identified their purpose and determined what steps needed to be taken to address mule deer problems on a large landscape level.

• Develop strategies to assist in management of mule deer populations throughout the West.
• Improve communication among mule deer biologists throughout the West, improve communication between biologists and agency administrators, and develop a mechanism to formalize communications with all entities interested in management of mule deer populations.
• Provide a forum, in addition to the WAFWA-sanctioned biennial deer/elk workshop, to respond to information needs from agency administration. This would include, but not be limited to, developing regional-based briefing documents, position papers, and reviewing research/management proposals.

Where they’re at now

  Much has been accomplished by this group to date; research on predation, winter feeding, and habitat improvements are being shared. Presently, efforts are underway to map and classify the entire 18 states and provinces creating a range wide habitat map. This map will not only classify habitat but will identify limiting factors (habitat changes, invasion of weedy species, grazing issues, competition with elk) that are putting constraints on local populations of mule deer. In addition to the book, a reader’s digest version is also being published. Each state agency is to receive several thousand copies of this newspaper style publication and should be available at little or no cost to the public.

More on the book

  The book contains over 200 pages and is divided into 10 chapters. Each chapter is full of photos including a color photo at the beginning of each page. The cover photo is the famous ‘grove buck’ and was provided by our friend Doyle Moss. Each chapter is written by one or more members of the MDWG. Numerous research projects, personal observations, and communications with other biologists were summarized by the authors into succinct and detailed chapters that clearly identify what has happened, what has been learned, and possible management solutions. As an example; Chapters 6 ‘Elk and Deer Competition’ discusses the conflicts of an increasing West wide elk herd and how that is affecting our struggling mule deer herds. Chapter 9 ‘Deer-Predator Relationships’ discusses the predator prey relationships and effects of predation when this delicate balance is disrupted.

  Jim deVos (editor of the book, chair of the MDWG committee and research biologist for the AG&F) in his epilogue had this to say about the book,

“Getting to a point on the map where mule deer numbers are as numerous as they were decades ago will not be a simple task. One of the key points contained in this book is that changes in mule deer habitat have to be done at a very large scale to be meaningful. We need to stop thinking on a scale of hundreds of acres and instead focus on hundreds of square miles. People that read this book must take it upon themselves to be active in pursuit of better things for mule deer. To make mule deer a higher priority than they are today will take a lot of time, money, and energy. No group or agency can do it all. People need to become active (financially, politically, and laboriously) in organizations that further the goal of improved conditions for mule deer. It is also important to engage in discussions with the state wildlife agencies to help develop an understanding of the reasons why agencies implement the mule deer management actions they do. To meet with success in bettering mule deer populations and habitat, it is important that you become part of an active and well-informed partnership for mule deer.” Parenthesis ( ) added.

  Having had the opportunity to proof and review each chapter and without trying to sound like a salesman giving his best sales pitch, it’s a great book, it was awe-inspiring. There is a great knowledge base assembled in each chapter and the overall book. It certainly sheds light on what has happened and what needs to be done. I believe this book will we improve our knowledge and awareness of mule deer.

How you can get a copy of the book?

  The book was published by the Jack H. Berryman Institute at Utah State University. If you would like to have a copy mailed to you, you can visit the MuleDeerNet order form www.muledeernet.org/BookOrder.htm or the Berryman Institute webpage www.berrymaninstitute.org, or you can contact Nevelyn Headrick or Todd Black at 435-797-8876. The cost is $22.00 (credit cards, checks or money orders) and includes Utah sales tax and shipping. For orders of 5 or more the cost is $20.00 per book. The book will be shipped to you once payment is received.