Rocky Mountain Mule Deer

Mule deer doe and fawnMule deer browse in shrubby areas.

NPS

Mule deer are commonly seen browsing in open, shrubby areas between dusk and dawn. They browse shrubs, trees and occasional grasses and forbs and retreat to tree cover to bed down during the day. Studies from Specimen Mountain in the park indicated shrubs comprised 73 percent of the animal's diet, with broad-leafed herbs an additional 26 percent.

Mule Deer History

The first Estes Valley settlers in the early 1860's found a moderately abundant mule deer numbers. A growing population of people, predators and the often harsh elements took huge numbers of the animals. In 1895, according to one report, very few mule deer were seen in the Estes Park region and continued into the beginning of the twentieth century.

Mule deer became so scarce throughout Colorado that in 1913, a statewide hunting ban was put into effect. The dedication of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 and subsequent removal of wolves resulted in a dramatic increase int he mule deer population. in 1930, an estimated 2, 500 roamed the park.

Today several hundred mule deer reside in the park areas and their population is believed to be stable or increasing.

Mule deer play an important role in the wildlife food chain. They are the primary prey of mountain lions. Mule deer also can be taken by coyotes and bobcats. Unfortunately several also fall victim each year to a mechanized predator, the automobile.

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Popular Q&A

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San Timeteo Canyon California wildlife? | Yahoo Answers

You already mentioned some of the wildlife found there. There are also coyotes, bobcats, raccoons, skunk, fox, etc. Tons of birds species can be found there and there is also an endangered species of bird that nests there...the Least Bell's Vireo. All sorts of riparian plants can be found there..willows: Red, Arroyo, Yellow, Black, plus Mulefat, Fremont Cottonwood trees, Elderberry, etc.

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Where is a good place to find mule deer in the mountains?

Below the timberline, you will find lovely hidden places in the mountains where the mule deer could be. -On.

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