cantkillathing
Very Active Member
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I just read a report from the DWR that says that studies have been done to see if predators have an impact on mule deer, Specifically coyotes and mountain lions. Here is the conclusion of the report.
SUMMARY
Coyote Removal
1. Neonatal fawn survival increased after coyote removal.
Effectiveness of removal was dependent on the abundance
of primary prey (lagomorphs) for coyotes because coyotes
appeared to switch to mule deer fawns at low lagomorph
densities.
2. Winter fawn survival and adult survival did not increase
following coyote removal.
3. The effect of coyote removal on population growth rate was
undetectable.
Mountain Lion Removal
1. Mountain lion removal increased winter fawn survival.
2. Adult female mule deer survival increased with mountain lion
removal, up to 5.5% annually at maximum removal rates.
3. Fawn-to-adult female ratios increased with mountain lion
removal. We predicted a 6% increase at average removal
and up to 27% at maximum mountain lion removal.
4. Mountain lion removal had a minimal, positive effect on mule
deer population growth rates.
Factors Affecting Mule Deer Vital Rates
1. Pregnancy rates of adult females were high (91?98%).
2. Fawn-at-heel ratios in June were high (1.62?1.81) in normal
climate years.
3. Disease was not a factor in mule deer survival.
4. Age was an important factor in adult mortality.
5. Climate was the most important factor explaining survival of
fawns in winter, adult females in summer, fawn ratios, and
population growth rate.
Basically we can say that Climate is the factor now, so in conclusion we don't need any agency managing mule deer because obviously predators arent a factor, hunters arent a factor, habitat isn't a factor.
I am sorry but I don't believe the report or the study, I am a hick in the woods that will believe the old time hicks that will tell you that when predators were gone the mule deer exploded.
So I guess what I am hearing is the DWR cant do anything about the mule deer issue, is that what you hear.
SUMMARY
Coyote Removal
1. Neonatal fawn survival increased after coyote removal.
Effectiveness of removal was dependent on the abundance
of primary prey (lagomorphs) for coyotes because coyotes
appeared to switch to mule deer fawns at low lagomorph
densities.
2. Winter fawn survival and adult survival did not increase
following coyote removal.
3. The effect of coyote removal on population growth rate was
undetectable.
Mountain Lion Removal
1. Mountain lion removal increased winter fawn survival.
2. Adult female mule deer survival increased with mountain lion
removal, up to 5.5% annually at maximum removal rates.
3. Fawn-to-adult female ratios increased with mountain lion
removal. We predicted a 6% increase at average removal
and up to 27% at maximum mountain lion removal.
4. Mountain lion removal had a minimal, positive effect on mule
deer population growth rates.
Factors Affecting Mule Deer Vital Rates
1. Pregnancy rates of adult females were high (91?98%).
2. Fawn-at-heel ratios in June were high (1.62?1.81) in normal
climate years.
3. Disease was not a factor in mule deer survival.
4. Age was an important factor in adult mortality.
5. Climate was the most important factor explaining survival of
fawns in winter, adult females in summer, fawn ratios, and
population growth rate.
Basically we can say that Climate is the factor now, so in conclusion we don't need any agency managing mule deer because obviously predators arent a factor, hunters arent a factor, habitat isn't a factor.
I am sorry but I don't believe the report or the study, I am a hick in the woods that will believe the old time hicks that will tell you that when predators were gone the mule deer exploded.
So I guess what I am hearing is the DWR cant do anything about the mule deer issue, is that what you hear.
