58 ANIMAL LIFE OF CARLSBAD CAVERN 



GRAY MULE DEER 



Odocoileus hemionus canus 



The gray mule deer are still common in the canyons 

 and gulches west of the Carlsbad Cavern, and increas- 

 ingly more abundant farther back toward the Guada- 

 lupe Mountains. On the upper slopes of Slaughter 

 Canyon, above the range of Angora goats, they are so 

 abundant as to make good trails over the chaparral- 

 covered slopes. Much of the country is so rough that 

 domestic stock does not compete with mule deer and 

 bighorns for the abundant browse on these wild and 

 picturesque upper slopes, which will always have a 

 greater value for game than for other purposes. Abun- 

 dance of mountain mahogany, syringa, Ceanothus, scrub 

 oak, and manzanita afford favorite food at all seasons 

 and would support a far greater deer population than 

 is found there at present. The mule deer range is 

 mainly on land that has been withdrawn from 

 entry and which should be kept for game and recrea- 

 tional purposes. It is unsuited for agricultural use, 

 but is wildly picturesque and full of interesting plant 

 and animal life. It is only necessary to control preda- 

 tory animals and hunting to increase the game animals 

 to any desired numbers. 



The gray mule deer is a pale desert variety of the 

 Rocky Mountain form, with the same large ears, small, 

 black-tipped tail, and doubly forked antlers. 



