Historic population trends of mule deer, elk, and pronghorn in Wyoming.

Authors(s): F. Lindzey, S. Anderson, A. Reeve and L. Ayers

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: annual, completed project

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Abstract: 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 for individual mule deer herds, 2) identify and cluster mule deer herds with similar population and productivity trends, 3) identify factors related to mule deer population and productivity rates, and 4) identify temporal duration of population and productivity trends following influential events. We analyzed 1987-98 data for 40 mule deer herd units and found distinct local and regional patterns among herd units based on the timing, magnitude, and duration of fluctuations in their population and productivity data. These groupings can be used by managers to gain insight into the dynamics of particular herd units by looking at data from functionally similar herds within the parent clusters. Clusters can also be used to develop hypotheses about underlying factors that influence mule deer populations in Wyoming.

Keywords: Odocoileus hemionus, Cervidae, mule deer, deer, elk, wapiti, Cervus elaphus, animal, mammal, ungulate, pronghorn, antelope, Antilocapra americana, Wyoming, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, habitat, management, population