Mule Deer Migrations

[Jfet]

This is new to me.

 

[CAustin]

Never knew this either! Interesting study. The guy talks about 150 mile trecks and I always thought deer stayed within two or three miles of their range.

 

[IdaRam]

Amazing critters! I love Mule Deer... And hunting them

Never knew this either! Interesting study. The guy talks about 150 mile trecks and I always thought deer stayed within two or three miles of their range.

Generally true of whitetail deer for sure. Although here in Idaho there are areas where the whitetails have to migrate further, maybe up to 10 miles, to get to survivable winter range. Definitely the exception rather than the rule.
The mule deer are a different story. We have numerous mule deer herds that migrate 40 - 50 miles or more between summer and winter range.
This migration described in the video is pretty amazing! Makes you wonder why? Why are these deer in a perpetual state of motion, migrating through regions with "resident" deer who have different summer and winter ranges?
Very, very interesting...

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Very interesting video. I noticed Pinedale, Wyoming is right in the middle of the migration route. Assuming I draw a tag in 2018, I'll be doing a moose hunt in that area. Pinedale's elevation is 7125 ft and I'm guessing the Wind River Range is a considerably higher. I see the mule deer are smart and stick to the flatter areas and lower elevations to migrate.