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Research Updates

The Sublette mule deer movement study.
Maintenance of the Sublette mule deer herd is being effected by both development and oil and gas exploration. Over the past three years we radiocollared more than 160 mule deer on the Pinedale Mesa. From three years of data we determined that the deer are disturbed on winter range by the large amount of oil and gas development. These data are being examined now. The deer in some cases migrate up to 85 miles to five different mountain ranges. In come cases subdivision of the land is causing the to pass through every narrow (20-50 feet corridors).

Historical population tends of mule deer.

This project was initiated to provide a comprehensive review of long-term, large scale, mule deer population and productivity data collected by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Our objectives were to; 1. identify population and productivity trends in the state, 2. identify and cluster mule deer population and productivity trends for different herds, 3. identify factors relating to production and 4. identify population trends following influential events. After evaluation data for 40 mule deer herds we found distinct local and regional patterns among herds. These factors are now being translated into management techniques for particular herd units.

Identifying cumulative effects for mule deer winter range in western Wyoming.

About 160 mule deer in the Sublette mule deer herd are being followed in the winter to see what factors influence the deer. A cumulative effects model will be developed from the data to assist agencies in predicting the effect of disturbance, particularly oil and gas development.