Great Plains

Description: The largest grassland ecosystem in North America, extending from central Canada to the Texas panhandle, west to the Rocky Mountains. The region includes a transition from tallgrass to shortgrass prairie.

The deer: Mule deer in this region are nonmigratory, although they shift their home range in response to local moisture conditions that affect plant quality. Mule deer forage on agricultural plantings in areas that are irrigated.

Limiting factor: Cover. Drought and severe winter snows can affect mule deer populations. Fire is important in maintaining grasslands. Draws that contain shrubs, hardwoods and moisture provide mule deer with critical habitat, especially in the winter. Grassland and shrub/grassland communities interspersed with draws provide critical year-round habitat for mule deer. Irrigated fields grow nutritious grasses for mule deer forage. Human activities are a doubleedged sword for mule deer. While agriculture provides watering holes and alternative food sources for mule deer, overgrazing by livestock is harmful to the woody draws that provide cover and moisture.

Recommendations:

1. Work with landowners to minimize the effects of severe weather conditions by providing hard woody cover for mule deer by improving grazing strategies and riparian habitats.

2. Provide hunting opportunities consistent with habitat conditions and deer populations.