MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITY PATTERNS OF MULE DEER IN THE SAGEBRUSH-STEPPE REGION

The movements and activity patterns of radio-collared mule deer (O. hemionus) were studied from 1980-1982 in the sagebrush-steppe region of southcentral Washington [USA]. The average home range size for adult deer was 39.3 .+-. 26.5 km2 (n = 34). Home range sizes for male and female deer were not significantly different (P = 0.48). Intensity of use of home range area by deer was not uniform and physical features within the home range, such as trees and large bodies of water, influenced deer movements. Three (8%) of 37 monitored deer dispersed from their original home ranges during .apprx. 25 deer-years of monitoring. Seven (19%) deer made sporadic, temporary wandering movements of up to 15 km beyond their normal home range boundaries. Based on rate of movement, deer had clearly defined crepuscular activity patterns.