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Mule deer in the Izzenhood herd are part of a larger population known in Nevada as the “Area 6” mule deer population. They primarily reside on winter ranges in the Izzenhood Basin and upper Rock Creek drainages in western Elko County and northern Lander County. From their winter range, mule deer in this sub population migrate approximately 70 miles to summer ranges in the northern Independence Mountains and Bull Run Basin area. Some of the most important stopover areas are located near upper Rock Creek, Toe Jam Mountain, and Chicken Creek Summit. Challenges to this deer herd include past wildfires on winter range, conversion of native shrub habitats to exotic annual grasses, and lower primary production in some...
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Mule deer in the South Tuscarora herd are part of the larger “Area 6” deer population that reside in the southern and eastern portion of this big game Management Area (MA 6). The winter range for this sub population is located along the western slopes of the Tuscarora Mountains and the Dunphy Hills. The spring migration route for this deer herd traverses north along the toe slopes of the Tuscarora Mountains on the east side and narrows to approximately 600 meters at one pinch point near the Carlin -Pete Mine area. The migration route generally spans about 30 miles to the northeast to higher elevations in the northern Tuscarora Mountains. Important stopover areas include Richmond Mountain, Jack and Little Jack Creeks,...
Mule deer within the Dubois herd make several long-distance migrations into the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (fig. 26). These migrations originate from winter range in the warm, protected sagebrush valley surrounding Dubois, Wyoming, and extend to the southeast on the Wind River Reservation. Each spring, an estimated 6,000–7,000 deer leave this valley and the Reservation and migrate northwest. These journeys, averaging 44 mi one way, begin as deer ascend Togwotee Pass (9,658 ft [m 2,944] in elevation). From there, they cross challenging natural terrain with high mountain passes and disperse into the north Wind River Range, Gros Ventre Range, Absaroka Range, Grand Teton National Park, and deep into...
Mule deer within the Red Desert population, part of the larger Sublette herd, make the longest ungulate migration ever recorded in the lower 48 states (fig. 33). Here, mule deer travel an average one-way distance of 150 mi (241 km) from the Red Desert in the south to the Gros Ventre Range and Teton Range in the north. This migration originates in the desert sagebrush basins of the Red Desert area of southwest Wyoming where deer winter. In spring, an estimated 500 deer travel 50 mi (84 km) north across the desert to the west side of the Wind River Range. From there they merge with 4,000 to 5,000 other deer that winter in the foothills of the Wind River Range and then travel a narrow corridor along the base of the...
The Platte Valley Herd Corridor was designated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2018 (fig. 30). The Platte Valley herd contains approximately 11,000 mule deer. The corridor is based on two wintering populations, including a south segment from Saratoga, Wyoming, to the Colorado State line, and a north segment from Saratoga to the Dana Ridge area north of I-80. Winter ranges in the Platte Valley are more dispersed than winter ranges in other parts of the state, so deer migrate in many different directions. Many deer in the southern segment follow the Platte River south to summer ranges in Colorado. Most deer migrations in the north radiate south and east from winter ranges along I-80. The WGFD collared 45...
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The Area 10 mule deer population is one of the largest deer herds in the state, accounting for roughly 20 percent of the statewide mule deer population. The Area 10 herd is comprised of several sub populations that occupy the majority of the Ruby Mountains, are highly migratory,and exhibit long distance migrations from summer to winter ranges. Several key stopovers occur within the migration corridor for the Area 10 deer migration. The largest stopovers are located along the Harrison Pass Road on both sides of Toyn Creek,the west side of Pearl Peak and Sherman Mountain, Little and Big Bald Mountains near the Bald Mountain Mine complex, and Bourne to Orchard Canyons west of Warm Spring Ranch. The winter range encompasses...
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The Area 10 mule deer population is one of the largest deer herds in the state, accounting for roughly 20 percent of the statewide mule deer population. The Area 10 herd is comprised of several sub populations that occupy the majority of the Ruby Mountains, are highly migratory,and exhibit long distance migrations from summer to winter ranges. Several key stopovers occur within the migration corridor for the Area 10 deer migration. The largest stopovers are located along the Harrison Pass Road on both sides of Toyn Creek,the west side of Pearl Peak and Sherman Mountain, Little and Big Bald Mountains near the Bald Mountain Mine complex, and Bourne to Orchard Canyons west of Warm Spring Ranch. The winter range encompasses...
The Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah is home to a prolific mule deer herd numbering around 5,200 individuals in 2019. In early October, these mule deer begin their migration from the Plateau traveling south distances up to 78 miles to winter range in the Buckskin Mountains near the Utah-Arizona border. Approximately 20-30% of the Paunsaugunt Plateau herd reside in northern Arizona during the winter, sharing winter range also used by deer from the Kaibab Plateau herd. Beginning in late April, deer reverse their migration to summer range on the Plateau. The most significant challenge for these deer is US Highway 89 which bisects this migration corridor and winter range, where deer-vehicle collisions have historically...
Moose in the Jackson herd make an elevational migration in the southern portion of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. This small herd of approximately 500 animals winters primarily in the Buffalo Valley just east of Jackson Lake. During migration, animals travel an average one-way distance of 33 miles, with some animals migrating as far as 67 miles. In the spring, most moose migrate north into the Teton Wilderness or the southern extent of Yellowstone National Park. Summer ranges consist of a mix of conifers and riparian habitats along the upper watersheds that flow into the Snake River. Nearly all moose in this herd are migratory, with the herd sharing a common winter range then branching out in the spring to summer...
Mule deer in the Atlantic Rim South population are part of the Baggs herd unit that is managed for approximately 19,000 animals. These mule deer winter in the sagebrush canyons and basins north and west of Baggs, Wyoming and migrate north and east 20–50 mi (32–80 km) to various summer ranges (fig. 23). Many of these deer must navigate coal-bed methane developments situated along the migration route between their seasonal ranges. In addition to navigating gas developments, many of these deer cross Highway 789 during winter and migration. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) recently installed two underpasses and several mi of game-proof fencing to facilitate highway crossings across Highway 789 and help...
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Mule deer in the Sheep Creek sub herd are part of the larger Area 6 herd that occupies portions of Elko, Lander, and Eureka counties. The primary winter range of this population is located along the eastern flank of the Sheep Creek Range and the west side of Boulder Valley. Most deer migrate approximately 30 miles from winter ranges in upper Boulder Creek and Antelope Creek drainages to summer ranges on the west side of the Tuscarora Mountains. However, some deer in this population migrate much farther – approximately 80 miles – and connect with mule deer that summer east of the Humboldt River. This deer herd faces several challenges, including migration routes that pass through increased mineral extraction activities...
The Platte Valley Herd Corridor was designated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in 2018 (fig. 30). The Platte Valley herd contains approximately 11,000 mule deer. The corridor is based on two wintering populations, including a south segment from Saratoga, Wyoming, to the Colorado State line, and a north segment from Saratoga to the Dana Ridge area north of I-80. Winter ranges in the Platte Valley are more dispersed than winter ranges in other parts of the state, so deer migrate in many different directions. Many deer in the southern segment follow the Platte River south to summer ranges in Colorado. Most deer migrations in the north radiate south and east from winter ranges along I-80. The WGFD collared 45...
Mule deer of the Kaibab North herd on the Kaibab Plateau are treasured for their historic and contemporary significance in North America. They are the densest population of mule deer in Arizona, with an estimate of 10,200 individuals in 2019. This report compiles two research efforts, the first completed by Arizona Game and Fish Department in 2014, and the second from Utah Division of Wildlife’s ongoing research started in 2017. The Kaibab Plateau is bound on the east, south, and west by vertical canyon walls which run along the Colorado River and Kanab Creek. The Kaibab North Deer herd winters among pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, and cliffrose landscapes along the west, east, and northern extents of the plateau. Portions...
In 2008, 13 mule deer were GPS collared near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to understand the impact of Arizona’s State Route 64 on mule deer movement. Unexpectedly, 4 individuals migrated over 50 miles to summer range near the San Francisco Peaks, north of Flagstaff, containing alpine, subalpine, and ponderosa pine habitats. The GPS collars dropped in 2009, but questions surrounding this long-distance migration remained. In June of 2019, the Arizona Game and Fish Department GPS collared 20 mule deer from the San Francisco Peaks herd on their summer range in Game Management Unit 7E/7W, where an estimated 5,300 mule deer reside. The primary challenges to mule deer in this migration corridor are related to navigating...
In 2008, 13 mule deer were GPS collared near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to understand the impact of Arizona’s State Route 64 on mule deer movement. Unexpectedly, 4 individuals migrated over 50 miles to summer range near the San Francisco Peaks, north of Flagstaff, containing alpine, subalpine, and ponderosa pine habitats. The GPS collars dropped in 2009, but questions surrounding this long-distance migration remained. In June of 2019, the Arizona Game and Fish Department GPS collared 20 mule deer from the San Francisco Peaks herd on their summer range in Game Management Unit 7E/7W, where an estimated 5,300 mule deer reside. The primary challenges to mule deer in this migration corridor are related to navigating...
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Mule deer in the Sheep Creek sub herd are part of the larger Area 6 herd that occupies portions of Elko, Lander, and Eureka counties. The primary winter range of this population is located along the eastern flank of the Sheep Creek Range and the west side of Boulder Valley. Most deer migrate approximately 30 miles from winter ranges in upper Boulder Creek and Antelope Creek drainages to summer ranges on the west side of the Tuscarora Mountains. However, some deer in this population migrate much farther – approximately 80 miles – and connect with mule deer that summer east of the Humboldt River. This deer herd faces several challenges, including migration routes that pass through increased mineral extraction activities...
The Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah is home to a prolific mule deer herd numbering around 5,200 individuals in 2019. In early October, these mule deer begin their migration from the Plateau traveling south distances up to 78 miles to winter range in the Buckskin Mountains near the Utah-Arizona border. Approximately 20-30% of the Paunsaugunt Plateau herd reside in northern Arizona during the winter, sharing winter range also used by deer from the Kaibab Plateau herd. Beginning in late April, deer reverse their migration to summer range on the Plateau. The most significant challenge for these deer is US Highway 89 which bisects this migration corridor and winter range, where deer-vehicle collisions have historically...
The Baggs Mule Deer Corridor was officially designated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) in 2018 (fig. 24). The Baggs Herd is managed for approximately 19,000 animals, and the corridor is based on two wintering deer populations: a northern and southern segment. Animals in the north segment occupy a relatively small winter range along a pinyon-juniper ridge that runs along the east side of Highway 789. From there, deer migrate north and west to summer ranges on Atlantic Rim, the Sand Hills, and the head of Savery Creek. The southern segment occupies a larger sagebrush winter range on both sides of Highway 789, some of which extends into Colorado. These animals migrate north and west to summer ranges...
Mule deer within the Upper Shoshone herd make a number of significant, long-distance migrations west into the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The longest is a 133-mile (214-km) migration that originates at the mouth of the South Fork of the Shoshone River near Buffalo Bill Reservoir and ends at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Deer in the Upper Shoshone herd winter in the lower-elevation sagebrush valleys of the South Fork Shoshone River and North Fork of the Shoshone River. Each spring, an estimated 6,700 deer head west into the high-elevation, mountainous country of the Absaroka Range and then into Yellowstone National Park or Grand Teton National Park. These challenging journeys, an average...
Mule deer within the Clarks Fork herd make a number of significant westward long-distance migrations. These migrations originate north of Cody, near Heart Mountain and along the foothills of Absaroka Front. There, deer winter in the lower elevation sagebrush valleys, and in spring an estimated 2,700 deer head west into the high elevation mountain valleys of the Absaroka Range and Yellowstone National Park. This herd summers along the Lamar River, Cache Creek, and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone. The longest migration is 68 miles and ends just north of Yellowstone Lake along the Yellowstone River in the Hayden Valley. These challenging journeys, an average of 38 miles long, cross rugged terrain and steep mountain...
map background search result map search result map Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Kaibab North Herd in Arizona Migration Corridors of Mule Deer in the San Francisco Peaks Herd in Arizona Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the San Francisco Peaks Herd in Arizona Migration Stopovers of Mule Deer in the Ruby Mountains in Nevada Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Ruby Mountains in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Izzenhood Herd in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Sheep Creek Range in Nevada Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Sheep Creek Range in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the South Tuscarora Mountains in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Paunsaugunt Plateau Herd in Utah Migration Corridors of Mule Deer in the Paunsaugunt Plateau Herd in Utah Migration Routes of Moose in the Jackson Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in Atlantic Rim South Population in Wyoming Migration Corridors (WGFD Designated) of Mule Deer in the Baggs Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in Clarks Fork Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Dubois Herd in Wyoming Migration Corridors (WGFD Designated) of Mule Deer in the Platte Valley Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Red Desert Population in Wyoming Migration Stopovers (WGFD) of Mule Deer in the Sublette Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Upper Shoshone Herd in Wyoming Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Kaibab North Herd in Arizona Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the San Francisco Peaks Herd in Arizona Migration Corridors of Mule Deer in the San Francisco Peaks Herd in Arizona Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Sheep Creek Range in Nevada Migration Corridors (WGFD Designated) of Mule Deer in the Baggs Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Moose in the Jackson Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in Clarks Fork Herd in Wyoming Migration Corridors (WGFD Designated) of Mule Deer in the Platte Valley Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Paunsaugunt Plateau Herd in Utah Migration Corridors of Mule Deer in the Paunsaugunt Plateau Herd in Utah Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Upper Shoshone Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the South Tuscarora Mountains in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Izzenhood Herd in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in Atlantic Rim South Population in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Sheep Creek Range in Nevada Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Dubois Herd in Wyoming Migration Stopovers of Mule Deer in the Ruby Mountains in Nevada Winter Ranges of Mule Deer in the Ruby Mountains in Nevada Migration Stopovers (WGFD) of Mule Deer in the Sublette Herd in Wyoming Migration Routes of Mule Deer in the Red Desert Population in Wyoming