Home Range Use And Movements Of Desert Mule Deer In Southwestern Texas

Average home range size for 10 desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crookii) was 384.1 ha. The average home range size for 5 bucks (493.4 ha) was I.7 times larger than that of 5 does (283.7 ha). Home range sizes increased with age and were largest among deer 5 to 7 years old. Deer 7.5 to 8+ years old had somewhat smaller home ranges than animals 5.5 years old. Seasonal migration or seasonal shifts in home ranges were not apparent; however, vegetative type preferences within home ranges did vary according to season. During the winter months deer preferred the skeletonleaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenolba) j catdaw (Mimosa biuncifera) cover type. The juniper (Juniperus Pinchotii) j javelina bush (Condalia ericoides) j catclaw cover type was preferred by deer during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Skeletonleaf goldeneyejcatdaw cover types were preferred diurnal bedding sites during the fall months. Diurnal movements ofdeer during the study period ranged from 0.1 to 1.3 km, with a mean of 0.7± 0.4 km.

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267
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278
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36445