|
 Photo by: D. Robert Franz |
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Habitat: Mule deer occupy all ecosystems in Colorado from grasslands to alpine tundra. They reach their greatest densities in shrublands on rough, broken terrain, which provide abundant browse and cover.
Diet: Winter diets of mule deer consist of browse from a variety of trees and shrubs (74 percent) and forbs (15 percent). Summer diets are 50 percent browse, and forb consumption increases to 46 percent. Several studies in Colorado have indicated that diets containing 30 percent or more sagebrush and juniper reduce rumen microbes and are therefore deleterious (L. Carpenter 1976, Nagy and Tengerdy 1967, Nagy et al. 1964, Schwartz et al. 1980).
Description: Mule deer are medium-sized cervids with conspicuously long ears and a coarse coat. Males are larger than females and can weigh up to 200 kg, but the average weight is closer to 70 kg (A. Anderson et al. 1974, Hunter 1947). Does are fully grown at 2 years of age, but bucks may continue to grow until 9 or 10. The color in summer is reddish tan, and the winter pelage is brownish gray. The rump and belly are white. The face is marked: the paler muzzle contrasts with the gray forehead and brownish spots on either side of the rostrum. The tail is short and pale except for a black tip. There are four hooves on each foot, of which two are reduced to dewclaws. Measurements are: total length 1,200-1,675 mm; length of tail 100-220 mm; length of hindfoot 380-530 mm; length of ear 180-230 mm.
Range in Colorado: Mule deer are found statewide in all ecosystems. Highest densities are reached in areas like the Piceance Basin in northwestern Colorado, the Gunnison River drainage, and the foothills of the Front Range.
Status: CDOW Big Game, CDOW WRIS Species
|
|
2001 Harvest Maps | | | | Note: Due to a bug in the way these maps pass data, you may need to reload or rotate your map to see all of the information. See the Help section for more detail. |
|
