Winter Habitat use by Mule Deer in Idaho and Montana

Smith, Sonja; Krausman, Paul R.; Painter, Greg

doi:10.1898/nwn14-02.1

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Forest cover is an important component of mule deer winter habitat use throughout the inter‐mountain west in Colorado, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Idaho (Leckenby and Adams , Carson and Peek , D'Eon and Serrouya , Anderson et al , Smith et al ). Perhaps the most compelling function of forest cover is that it provides important energetic benefits for mule deer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although effects of reduced nutritional conditions on summer range may influence population performance of mule deer, it is unknown whether changes to forest canopy cover on winter range is beneficial or detrimental to mule deer. For example, forest canopy cover is an important habitat component for mule deer during winter (Leckenby and Adams , D'Eon and Serrouya , Anderson et al , Webb et al , Smith et al ). In contrast, increased western juniper ( Juniperus occidentalis ) encroachment may reduce availability of forage (Rowland et al , Witt and Patterson , Bombaci and Pejchar ) on winter range and be detrimental to mule deer.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Multiscale models of habitat use by mule deer in winter

et al. 2018

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Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) populations have experienced widespread declines in much of western North America and alteration or loss of habitat could be contributing to these declines. Consequently, understanding habitat features that are important to mule deer is necessary for effective management of the species and their habitat. From 2005–2012 we radio‐marked 452 mule deer with global positioning system collars across 9 distinct winter ranges to evaluate winter habitat use along the east slope of the Cascade Range in south‐central Oregon, USA. Using data from 357 mule deer across 9 analysis areas, we developed regional habitat use models for mule deer on winter range at 3 spatio‐temporal scales: herd range based on 100% minimum convex polygons around deer locations, home range based on 90% kernel density estimates of deer locations, and foraging range based on locations obtained within 2 hours of sunrise or sunset within the boundaries of the home range scale. We assessed habitat use of mule deer using a generalized linear model with a negative‐binomial link function. We validated our models with locations from an independent dataset of 95 deer that wintered within 8 of our analysis areas. Model validation indicated that regional models for all spatio‐temporal scales predicted probability of use moderately to very well. At all spatio‐temporal scales, predicted use by mule deer was greater in areas with forest canopy cover. These findings call into question large‐scale removal of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) in Oregon and other portions of western United States to enhance habitat for sagebrush‐dependent wildlife species. Across all spatio‐temporal scales, we documented increased probability of use of areas farther from roads open to motorized vehicle use by mule deer, highlighting the importance of limiting motorized vehicle use and access on mule deer winter range. We also documented increased use of areas with lower snow depth and on moderate slopes by mule deer. Our models can be used in land management planning to spatially predict mule deer distribution and probability of use under alternative management scenarios that affect forest canopy cover or motorized vehicle use on roads while accounting for other physical features of the landscape. Additionally, our models can be used to develop juniper removal projects to mitigate effects on mule deer winter range habitat while benefiting other wildlife. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Multiscale models of habitat use by mule deer in winter

et al. 2018

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“…In a blanket statement, Coe et al (:1286) assert that “…forest canopy cover is an important habitat component for mule deer during winter,” but studies cited as evidence suffer the same inferential shortcomings. Specifically, they cite several other correlative studies of habitat use (D'Eon and Serrouya , Anderson et al , Webb et al , Smith et al ) and one based on theoretical indices of thermal stress (Leckenby and Adams ). Two potential mechanisms are offered that might link mule deer demography with use of forest cover, including “…thermal and hiding cover…” (Coe et al :1294, 1295), but again evidence positively linking use of forest cover to survival or reproduction is lacking among the provided citations.…”

Section: Juniper and Mule Deer: Evidence For Fitness Benefits Is Lackingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mule deer juniper use is an unreliable indicator of habitat quality: Comments on Coe et al. (2018)

et al. 2019

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A recent paper by Coe et al. (2018) calls into question juniper removal for sagebrush obligate species based on results from a correlative study of mule deer habitat use. Our rebuttal clarifies limitations of inference in their study regarding mule deer habitat quality, highlights the importance of winter forage on demography with omitted literature, and discusses the diverse nature of the author's study area and the spatial overlap between mule deer winter range and known juniper treatments for sage‐grouse.

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“…Many terrestrial game species are drawn to riparian environments, and localized narrows and islands offer locations where larger game can cross the river. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) make winter habitat decisions that offer adequate forage, protection from predators and weather, and conservation of energy (Smith et al 2015). They typically choose ranges at lower elevations with south-facing slopes and moderate to high canopy cover (Smith et al 2015).…”

Section: Other Preymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) make winter habitat decisions that offer adequate forage, protection from predators and weather, and conservation of energy (Smith et al 2015). They typically choose ranges at lower elevations with south-facing slopes and moderate to high canopy cover (Smith et al 2015). The north bank of the Middle Snake River offers all three.…”

Section: Other Preymentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the Configuration of the Middle Snake River and Its Relationship to Prehistoric Fishing Site Locations

Wardle¹

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The configuration of the various elements of a river system can have significant impacts on the availability, abundance, and nutritional profitability of aquatic organisms utilized as food by groups of human foragers. These factors may have influenced the location and timing of prehistoric fishing along the Middle Snake River in southern Idaho during the Late Archaic when use of fish as a resource increased (beginning approximately 1500 B.P.). Previous work has established a relationship between physiographic features of the Middle Snake River channel and the presence of fishing sites. To improve on future studies of this type, it is important to question two assumptions: 1) the category of "fishing site" is useful and defensible; and 2) the configuration of the Middle Snake River was static during the period when archaeological evidence suggests increased use of fish. This study assesses the argument that prehistoric camp locations, regardless of evidence for fishing, were influenced by physiographic features of pre-dam channels and by possible changes in features over time. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Winter Habitat use by Mule Deer in Idaho and Montana

Cited by 4 publications

References 67 publications

Multiscale models of habitat use by mule deer in winter

Multiscale models of habitat use by mule deer in winter

Mule deer juniper use is an unreliable indicator of habitat quality: Comments on Coe et al. (2018)

Variation in the Configuration of the Middle Snake River and Its Relationship to Prehistoric Fishing Site Locations

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