80 -. 



70 - 



60 - 



£ 50 - 



CO 



r 40 - 

 o 



S 30 - 



20 - 



10 - 



0- 



-• Entire fawn population 



-» — Radio-coilared fawns 



— i i 1 1 1 i 1 1 i 1 1 — 



1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 



Year 



Figure 5.5. 



A comparison of finite summer mortality rates 

 between small samples of radio-collared mule 

 deer fawns and the entire fawn population, as 

 determined by change-in-ratio calculations, 

 1976-1986. 



Coyote predation was the major cause of death for fawns 

 during summer. Eighty-nine percent of all deaths (48 of 54) 

 of radio-collared fawns during summers 1976-1986 resulted from 

 known or probable coyote predation (Table 5.6). Additionally, 

 1 died as a result of accidental suffocation, and 2 (all 

 during 1984) as a result of non-capture related abandonment. 

 Cause of death for 3 fawns was unknown. 



Cause of death was established for 4 unmarked fawns during 

 summer. Three were victims of coyote predation and 1 died as 

 the result of a disease resulting in diarrhea. Only during 

 1984, when non-capture related abandonment was observed, did 

 any fawn appear to be in obviously poor condition at or after 

 the time of capture. Four abandonments believed related to 

 capture and handling were recorded, one each during 1978, 

 1979, 1980, and 1983. Those fawns were not included in 

 mortality calculations. 



Coyote predation and hunter harvest were the primary causes 

 of fawn mortality during autumn. Four (57%) of 7 deaths of 

 radio-collared fawns for which cause was established were the 

 result of coyote predation. Two were shot (1 legally and 1 

 illegally), and 1 died as the result of an infection from a 

 puncture wound between the hooves . One unmarked fawn 



128 



