Do mule deer migrate in Colorado?

Because of western Colorado’s topographic diversity, many mule deer populations migrate from high-elevation summer ranges to low-elevation winter ranges. Mule deer migration typically occurs during April, May, and October. Mule deer in Colorado typically migrate twenty to thirty miles between summer and winter ranges.

How many GMU are in Colorado?

There is much overlap, but there are 124 total OTC Archery Elk GMUs on public land. There are also 7 additional private only units, but those data are not included.

Where do mule deer migrate to?

Mule deer typically migrate northward and westward to high-elevation ranges in spring (Kucera 1992, Pierce et al. 1999); most migrate over the aforementioned passes to the west side of the Sierra Crest (Fig. 1), while some remain on the east side (Kucera 1992, Pierce et al. 2000).

What is a GMU in Colorado?

Colorado Game Management Unit (GMU) Videos.

How long do mule deer live in Colorado?

9 to 11 years
Mule deer usually live 9 to 11 years in the wild. For decades, western Colorado has been home to some of the country’s largest mule deer herds. Herds in a portion of northwestern Colorado were so prolific that the area was dubbed “the mule deer factory.”

Where are the biggest elk in Colorado?

White River National Forest
According to John Ellenberger, big-game manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the White River National Forest is the state’s elk mecca. “Our largest herd is the White River elk herd, found in the northern half of the White River National Forest–north of Interstate 70,” says Ellenberger.

How far will mule deer travel?

Usually the 150-mile migration goes something like this: A small herd, around 500 or so deer, travel 50 miles across the desert to a mountain range in western Wyoming known as the Wind River Range.

What causes mule deer to migrate?

A combination of increasing snow depth and falling temperatures force deer toward their winter range. Studies of migrating mule deer in Idaho and Colorado found that the deer were so intent on returning to the same place that while en route they march through winter range used by other deer.

Does Colorado have mule deer?

For deer hunters, Colorado is home to both mule and white-tailed deer. Mule deer are widely dispersed across the state. Whitetails are primarily found on Colorado’s Eastern Plains and in small populations on the Western Slope.

Are mule deer bigger than whitetail?

While it’s hard to determine size and weight in the field, in Colorado, mule deer tend to be a bit bigger and weigh in a little heavier than white-tailed deer. The mule deer stands three to three and a half feet tall at the shoulder, with bucks weighing 125-250 pounds.

Where are the mule deer and elk migrations?

Migration studies have also reached the Wind River Indian Reservation, where researchers are collaborating with the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Fish and Game to track mule deer and elk migrations and doing outreach to tribal youth.

Why is the Hoback mule deer migration corridor important?

For example, the mapping and official designation of Wyoming’s 150-mile Red Desert as part of the Hoback mule deer migration corridor enabled science-based conservation and management decisions. Detailed maps also allowed managers to enhance stewardship by private landowners, whose large ranches are integral to the corridor.

What’s the current population of mule deer in the US?

Populations The current statewide post-hunt deer population estimate is 433,000, which is well below the population objective range of 500,000-560,000 mule deer. In 2018, 23 of 54 (43%) deer herds are below their population objective ranges (Figure 2).

What kind of animals migrate in the west?

LARAMIE, Wyo. – For the first time, state and federal wildlife biologists have come together to map the migrations of ungulates – hooved mammals such as mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bison – across America’s West.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fuvVKpciz4