CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 65 



VIII. Habits. 



There is relatively little exact information available regarding the habits of 

 deer. Many hunters have quite definite opinions in this regard that vary enor- 

 mously. We must, by this study, secure a mass of absolutely reliable and true infor- 

 mation on the subject. This should be done by each worker bearing the following 

 suggestions in mind at all times, making notes or field observations of same and 

 incorporating them in the monthly reports. Following are points regarding the 

 "Life History" or "Habits" of mule deer upon which we particularly desire infor- 

 mation at this time : 



A. Date of commencement of rut. 



1. Date when bucks start "running." 



2. Date of actual mating. Age classes mating. Do yearling bucks and 



does breed? Do very old individuals breed V 



B. Dates upon which bucks drop antlers. 



1. Note earliest date annually upon which first buck with shed antlers 



is seen. 



2. Note dates when most bucks on your area shed antlers. 



3. Note latest date in spring when buck with antlers is seen. 



C. Dates upon which "velvet" is shed. 



1. Exact dates of each instance where buck is seen in process of losing 

 velvet, i.e., shredded velvet clinging to antlers. In each case also 

 note color of pelage or coat at the time. 



D. Following information must be recorded regarding fawns : 



1. Date upon which earliest fawn is noted in spring. 



2. Date upon which latest new born fawn is noted. 



3. Dates between which most fawns are dropped. 



4. List dates of all fawns noted so young they can not run. 



5. All yearling does with fawns must be specifically recorded. 



E. Any reliable information obtainable (in the case of statements of hunters, 

 etc., provide name and address of same with date upon which statement was 

 secured) upon the following questions: 



1. How long do deer live? (Known positive individual examples.) 



2. How do deer "get along with" sheep, cattle or horses when these 



animals occupy the same range? In feeding? At water? Proven 

 examples of specific cases on this subject should be obtainable and 

 should be secured from reliable persons in the form of signed state- 

 ments. 



3. Are there any black-tailed deer in your mule deer range? If so, 



provide map of range, show area inhabited by each species and note 

 approximate percentages of each kind's abundance. 



4. Are there any hybrid (mule x black-tail) deer in your mule deer 



range? Provide information in this regard as above. 



5. Do deer eat bronco gi-ass? If so, does it cause lesions in their mouth 



or throat? Does overgrazing land by live stock increase the bronco 

 grass crop? Does fire do the same? 



6. Is brush-land increasing or decreasing in your vicinity? If decreas- 



ing, is it being replaced by conifers? Effect of same upon deer 

 population. 



7. Distance deer range from water (cite examples of deer killed known 



distances from nearest water). How often do does water? 

 Bucks? How does this vary seasonally, or with hot and cold 

 weather? 



8. Do deer show a preference for some water over other? Do they drink 



at sheep or cattle troughs or tanks? Do they refuse certain mineral 

 or muddy water? 



9. Do deer use certain mineral springs or salt licks? If so, send in 



sample of water or salt for analysis with notes regarding extent of 

 use by deer. 



10. Effect of "salting" (placing salt artificially for live stock or deer) 



upon deer? Their use or refusal of same? 



5—9030 



