HABITAT USE PATTERNS OF WHITE-TAILED DEER, UMATILLA RIVER, OREGON

Habitat use of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ochrourus) along the Umatilla River in northeastern Oregon was investigated from January 1985 to July 1986. Twelve radiocollared deer were located 1 148 times to determine habitat use. Plant communities used most in winter were dominated by Douglas hawthorn (Crataegus douglasi), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). A model predicted that 50 percent, 75 percent, and 95 percent of use would occur within 44 m, 99 m, and 248 m of cover, respectively, which obscured 90 percent of a standing deer. The majority of relocations occurred more than 1600 m from main roads. Retention of existing mature ponderosa pine-Douglas fir and cottonwood-ponderosa pine communities, and restriction of access to these areas in winter will help maintain white-tails in this area.