Northern Forest

Description: The higher elevations of the Cascades and Sierra Nevadas in the three most western states, as well as northern Idaho, western Montana and Wyoming, northern Washington, and the western Canadian provinces. Pine, spruce, fir, Douglas fir and larch are the dominant forest types, and forests become more thin as elevation increases. Mule deer are not found very far north of the northern boreal forest in subarctic woodlands.

Climate: Winters are long and cold. Average annual precipitation varies with elevation and topography, from 10 inches to as much as 120 inches.

The deer: Because of severe winters and heavy snowfall, most of the deer in this region are migratory, although some are yearround residents at lower elevations. The growing season is short, and the quality of food mule deer find during this critical time is high. Deer follow retreating snow in search of food.

Limiting factors: Severe winters. Deer follow the growth of plants throughout the growing season. It is only when severe winters and deep snow limit their ability to forage that they experience die-offs and high mortality. If mule deer populations experience a die-off, there is excellent chance for recovery as a result of spring and summer habitat conditions. The greatest threats to deer in this region are development and disturbance of winter range, and barriers to migration.

Recommendations:

1. Acquire winter range habitat and minimize housing developments to protect and enhance winter ranges.

2. Use fire to maintain shrubdominated habitats.

3. Maintain forest shrubs, forbs, grasses and saplings to provide foraging habitat in spring, summer and fall.

4. Avoid and manage forest encroachment into high elevation meadows.

5. Avoid barriers to migration.

6. Manage deer populations based on the ability of winter range to support them, and avoid overharvest in years when early winters send migratory deer to lower elevations.