elkfromabove
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Another update.
Mule deer translocation update for November 3 - November 16.
We had 1 translocated deer mortality since the last update. This deer was found on the north end of the Pahvant, 50 yards west of highway 50. There was very little evidence to determine cause of death (mostly consumed and not cached). We also picked up 1 collar from a resident deer that detached prematurely (collar material was torn in a jagged fashion after getting snagged on a branch).
We found (visually) one of the deer that went missing several weeks ago (deer #26 from the first translocation). This deer is currently near Holden, on winter range and appears to be in good shape (see attached picture*). This deer's collar has failed (couldn't hear the signal while taking the attached photo) and we don't expect to have further contact with her and will no longer report her as missing.
We are currently missing 5 translocated deer. Three of these deer have been missing for several months.
Most of the deer are now back on winter range near their release sites. Interestingly, the 3 deer that summered on the Beaver (near Junction, Manderfield, and Beaver) have made the long return to Fillmore/Holden. For a couple of these deer it would have been less distance to go back to the Parowan Front rather than return to the release areas. The comparison of movement patterns shown by translocated deer in year 1 versus year 2 will be very interesting and informative. As a side note, much of the winter range where these deer are located appears to be in great shape this year with multiple healthy age classes of valued shrubs such as Mexican Cliffrose.
We have started our 2nd round of reproductive assessment for both translocated and resident deer. To date, we have carefully observed 21 deer (8 resident, 13 translocated) and noted the presence of fawns with at least 5 of them (attached image shows a translocated deer with her fawn*). These 5 deer observed with young include a single fawn with 2 of 8 resident deer, a single fawn with 2 of 13 translocated deer and twin fawns with 1 of 13 translocated deer. From this initial sampling effort, reproductive output appears similar for translocated and resident deer.
In summary, we've had 51** total mortalities (5 of 50 resident deer, 46 of 102 translocated deer), 5 slipped collars (3 resident, 2 translocated), and 1 failed collar (1st session translocated-#26). Forty two resident deer and 48 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week
Thanks to all for continued interest and support.
David Smedley and Randy Larsen (BYU)
From Lee:
*Their emails to me sometimes include photos, but since I don't know how to post them on this forum and since the majority of them are simply pictures of live deer, I don't include them in my updates, SORRY! However, if any of you want to see them please email me at [email protected] and I'll forward their emails.
**This number of mortalities (51) includes the suspected, but uncomfirmed, poached deer from the previous post.
Also, please be aware that sometimes I correct their spelling and/or figures and/or clarify with (....) some things that may be hard to put together. If I'm breaking any copyright laws or if you'd rather I didn't do that, please let me know.
Until next time,
Lee Tracy (UWC)
Mule deer translocation update for November 3 - November 16.
We had 1 translocated deer mortality since the last update. This deer was found on the north end of the Pahvant, 50 yards west of highway 50. There was very little evidence to determine cause of death (mostly consumed and not cached). We also picked up 1 collar from a resident deer that detached prematurely (collar material was torn in a jagged fashion after getting snagged on a branch).
We found (visually) one of the deer that went missing several weeks ago (deer #26 from the first translocation). This deer is currently near Holden, on winter range and appears to be in good shape (see attached picture*). This deer's collar has failed (couldn't hear the signal while taking the attached photo) and we don't expect to have further contact with her and will no longer report her as missing.
We are currently missing 5 translocated deer. Three of these deer have been missing for several months.
Most of the deer are now back on winter range near their release sites. Interestingly, the 3 deer that summered on the Beaver (near Junction, Manderfield, and Beaver) have made the long return to Fillmore/Holden. For a couple of these deer it would have been less distance to go back to the Parowan Front rather than return to the release areas. The comparison of movement patterns shown by translocated deer in year 1 versus year 2 will be very interesting and informative. As a side note, much of the winter range where these deer are located appears to be in great shape this year with multiple healthy age classes of valued shrubs such as Mexican Cliffrose.
We have started our 2nd round of reproductive assessment for both translocated and resident deer. To date, we have carefully observed 21 deer (8 resident, 13 translocated) and noted the presence of fawns with at least 5 of them (attached image shows a translocated deer with her fawn*). These 5 deer observed with young include a single fawn with 2 of 8 resident deer, a single fawn with 2 of 13 translocated deer and twin fawns with 1 of 13 translocated deer. From this initial sampling effort, reproductive output appears similar for translocated and resident deer.
In summary, we've had 51** total mortalities (5 of 50 resident deer, 46 of 102 translocated deer), 5 slipped collars (3 resident, 2 translocated), and 1 failed collar (1st session translocated-#26). Forty two resident deer and 48 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week
Thanks to all for continued interest and support.
David Smedley and Randy Larsen (BYU)
From Lee:
*Their emails to me sometimes include photos, but since I don't know how to post them on this forum and since the majority of them are simply pictures of live deer, I don't include them in my updates, SORRY! However, if any of you want to see them please email me at [email protected] and I'll forward their emails.
**This number of mortalities (51) includes the suspected, but uncomfirmed, poached deer from the previous post.
Also, please be aware that sometimes I correct their spelling and/or figures and/or clarify with (....) some things that may be hard to put together. If I'm breaking any copyright laws or if you'd rather I didn't do that, please let me know.
Until next time,
Lee Tracy (UWC)
