MOVEMENT AND MIGRATION PATTERNS OF MULE DEER IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO

An understanding of the migratory patterns of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) is essential when defining populations and helps wildlife managers select appropriate management strategies. During 1985-89, I used radio telemetry to study movements and migration patterns of mule deer in southeastern Idaho. Migration between summer and winter ranges averaged 19.7 km and did not differ (P > 0.05) between sexes. Twenty-six percent of the marked deer were not migratory. Deer from 1 summer range migrated to 6 discrete winter ranges, and the overall migration pattern formed a complex web among the winter and summer ranges. Deer showed high fidelity to summer ranges; 100% of the females (n = 27) and 92% of the males (n = 12) used the same summer range during each year they were monitored. Fidelity to winter ranges was lower than for summer ranges. Distances traveled between centers of activity during successive winters averaged 1.4 km (n = 38 deer) and did not differ (P > 0.05) between males (n = 12) and females (n = 26). During 2 relatively mild winters, 48% and 19% of marked migratory deer did not use winter range habitat.