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Date: 05/02/05
Contact: Lynne Foster
Phone: (775) 688-1997

Mule Deer in Nevada – Habitat and Management, Part II
By: Lynne Foster from a report by Tony Wasley

This article is the second in a series on mule deer populations in Nevada. It describes changes to mule deer habitat that have ultimately influenced mule deer populations.

Most people consider mule deer populations as currently “low” or “down.” As with any population, the highs and lows are relative to some point of reference. Historically mule deer, although widely distributed throughout the west, were very rare in most of Nevada.

Prior to European Americans’ arrival in Nevada, vegetation was not conducive to supporting large numbers of mule deer. Whether due to old-age browse or an abundance of grass, there wasn’t a lot of high-quality mule deer forage.

Changes to habitat brought on by a growing human population actually benefited mule deer populations. Changes in vegetation were the trigger.

California ’s gold rush of 1849, the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859, and the completion of the Central Pacific Railroad in 1869 opened Nevada’s landscape to human populations. The expanding human population caused large-scale changes in vegetation. The livestock industry and the harvest of trees to support the mining industry and its associated human population caused significant impacts. The removal of trees to support the mines resulted in an increase in mule deer browse species, mainly shrubs and forbs (small, broad-leafed plants). Together, all of these human-caused disturbances to habitat facilitated ideal mule deer browse conditions.

Although changes to vegetation were overwhelmingly the most significant cause of mule deer population growth, there were other contributing factors. The predecessor to the United States Forest Service was created in 1905 and the predecessor to the Bureau of Land Management was created in 1934. Policies of these two organizations improved management and protection of mule deer range, contributing to peak mule deer population (and harvest) levels in the mid-1950s.

Drought caused mule deer populations to decline beginning around 1958. Devastating wildfires raged across Nevada. To the detriment of many wildlife species, burned areas were re-vegetated by non-native crested wheatgrass. Additionally, millions of acres were sprayed with the herbicide 2,4,D and planted with non-native vegetation for livestock forage. Consequently, the winter and transitional range the mule deer had come to rely on no longer offered them the nutrition they needed to survive.

After reaching a low point in the 1970s, mule deer populations began to rebound. A second mule deer population peak in the mid-1980s was likely precipitated by ideal weather conditions, which resulted in high-quality habitat. The right amount of precipitation at the right time likely resulted in soil moisture, which promoted an abundance of nutritious forage for mule deer. This hey-day of the mule deer was not to last.

The vegetation that was so instrumental in the initial increase in mule deer populations was getting old and beginning to lose its vigor. As century-long grazing practices were reducing diversity of plant life on many of Nevada’s rangelands, grasses and forbs important to mule deer were being lost. Invasive weeds, assisted by fires, were taking over ever more mule deer habitat. Pinyon and juniper were also encroaching into mule deer habitats at unprecedented rates. Nevada’s mule deer populations, further weakened by drought, suffered a catastrophic die-off in the severe winter of 1992-93.

The state is again in a drought cycle. Many wish for the mule deer glory days from the past. However it is critical to realize that all-time population peaks are unrealistic goals as population objectives. There is hope – hope for favorable climactic conditions such as summer rains to provide mule deer with nutritious vegetation. There is hope in habitat treatments that will restore young, vigorous browse, and plant types such as forage kochia which provide forage while slowing the onslaught of fire.

Nevada ’s incredible human population growth and its effects on mule deer populations will be covered in Part III of this series.

This information is taken from “ Nevada’s Mule Deer – Population Dynamics: Issues & Influences,” available at Nevada Department of Wildlife offices for $10.00.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for the restoration,

protection and management of fish and wildlife resources, and the promotion of boating safety on Nevada’s waters. Wildlife offices are located in Las Vegas, Henderson, Winnemucca, Fallon, Elko, and Reno. For more information, contact the agency web site at www.ndow.org.

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