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0.15 



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 a 



Expected 



Summer 



Autumn 



Winter 



Spring 



Entire Year 



jMMSi. 



1 



2 3 4 5 6 7 



Number of Cover Polygons per Block 



8-12 



Figure 9 . 4 



Annual and seasonal distribution of mule deer in 

 relation to the number of different cover 

 polygons per 28.8 ha block. 



P < 0.005). Blocks of low relief were used much less than 

 expected, while those of high relief, especially in the range 

 of 150-230 m/km, were used much more than expected (Fig. 9.5). 

 In spring, deer used blocks with low relief significantly more 

 (P < 0.001) than during all other seasons, coinciding with use 

 of sagebrush-grasslands on level to gently rolling sites. 

 Average or above-average numbers of deer usually were observed 

 during summer, autumn, and winter where relief values were 135 

 m/km or higher, and in spring where values exceeded 80 m/km. 



Influence of Free Water on Habitat Use 



Earlier, Mackie (1970) reported that 50.2% of the deer 

 observed on the area during summer and 56.0% of those recorded 

 in autumn were found within 0.805 km of a known source of free 

 water, while 83.7% and 86.8%, respectively, occurred within 

 1.61 km of a water source. Those data have been 

 misinterpreted to indicate that mule deer require free water 

 and have been used to justify construction of additional 

 reservoirs for livestock while citing wildlife benefits. This 

 occurred even though Mackie (1970) noted (1) that the 

 distances deer were observed from water generally reflected 

 the distribution of water sources as well as deer, (2) few 

 portions of the area were more than 

 water, and (3) distribution of water 

 factor influencing deer distribution 

 seasons or years. 



1 mile (1.61 km) from 

 was not a significant 

 even during most arid 



253 



