FAWNING HABITAT OF DESERT MULE DEER

We monitored seven female desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) by using radio telemetry in the Belmont and Big Horn mountains, Arizona. We examined habitat use, size of seasonal ranges, predation by coyotes, and behavior, and identified fawning and fawn rearing habitat. Female desert mule deer preferred mountainous vegetation associations and avoided creosote flats (Larrea tridentata) during fawning. Seasonal ranges were smaller during the two weeks postpartum (xBAR = 3.75 km2) than during the two weeks prior to fawning (XBAR = 6.71 km2). Female desert mule deer were less active during daylight two weeks postpartum compared to the two weeks prior to fawning. Females during fawning were not any closer to water than during the remainder of the year.