Migration

Increasingly, mule deer are emerging as an example of why it is necessary to provide free movement of wildlife across large landscapes. Although not all black-tailed and mule deer herds are migratory, those that do migrate make some of the most impressive movements in the contiguous United States. As we learn more about mule deer movements, researchers are gaining a much more nuanced understanding of these migrations. Of particular importance for mule deer is the notion that these animals need to optimally time their movements during migration to derive foraging benefits during the growing season. As the human footprint expands across western North America, roads, fences, and myriad developments are making mule deer migrations more difficult. Managers should not be surprised to witness the loss of mule deer migrations on the most developed landscapes. To stem this loss, new methods to map corridors can be combined with traditional methods of habitat evaluation and assessment to target conservation solutions. Tracking data are increasingly being analyzed to produce detailed corridor maps that are allowing managers to identify threats with precision and target effective conservation solutions to sustain mule deer migrations.