Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Utah
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Compelling evidence now suggest substantial anthropogenically driven reductions in seasonal migrations across multiple ungulate species. Despite the cultural and economical importance of mule deer in Utah, we currently have little knowledge of the variability in migratory behavior and timing (between populations, individuals, and years), and the whereabouts, environmental characteristics, and intensity of use of migratory routs across the state. This project is a partnership between the Utah State University Department of Wildland Resources, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and the USGS UT Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Completion of this project will enhance our understanding of mule deer migration in Utah, while providing managers with forecasting tools, allowing identification of areas where migratory benefits might be loss in the future, or have already been lost in the past.