232 



CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME 



LOCAL HABITAT 



The local habitat of the mule deer in California varies jjreatly with 

 locality. In tlie JMocloc region mule deer are commonly found in the 

 open stands of Jetfrey and western yellow pine, or at times the big 

 bucks may be found foraging- out in the broken lava beds adjacent to 

 the yellow pine forest (see Fig. 77). Tt would seem impossible for ani- 

 mals as large and as heavy as the mule deer to run as fast as they do 



Fig. 77. In the Modoc region Rocky Mountain mule 

 deer often forage out in the brolien lava bed.s at the 

 margins of the western yellow pine forests. Medicine 

 Lake, Siskiyou County, September 25, 192 4. Mus. Vert. 

 Zool. No. 4451. 



over the broken lava beds where a man would certainly fall if he 

 attempted to run across them at full speed. 



In the central Sierran region the mule deer is a characteristic 

 inhabitant of the yellow^ pine and white fir forest. In such localities the 

 deer often may be found bedded doAvn during the heat of the day in 

 the shade of some large yellow pine. However, the older bucks, during 

 the hours of sunlight, show a decided preference for the seclusion of 



