development would increase cattle use of areas now preferred 

 by deer and could result in increased impact of cattle on 

 deer. 



We can only speculate about habitat preferences and use 

 of mule deer, elk, and cattle in the absence of each other. 

 All data were collected during periods when all 3 species were 

 present and thus reflect mutual adaptation to the presence and 

 activities of the others. Considering seasonal use patterns, 

 there appears to be little conflict between mule deer, elk, 

 and cattle at current population levels. Although habitat use 

 by mule deer and elk overlaps more than that of mule deer and 

 cattle or elk and cattle on an annual basis, potential 

 conflict was reduced because of seasonal differences in the 

 use of preferred areas. It is possible that any one species, 

 in the absence of the others, might use the environment more 

 loosely (in a coarse-grained manner). As a result of long- 

 term coexistence, all 3 species may have evolved a more "fine- 

 grained" pattern of use that reduces direct competition. 



Campbell and Knowles (1978) reported that home ranges for 

 elk on this area varied from 75 to 448 km 2 or 2 to 13 times 

 the size of the largest mule deer home ranges. That mobility 

 enabled elk to take advantage of seasonal and temporarily 

 available preferred habitats throughout a wide area rather 

 than remain within a small area and compete for seasonally 

 dwindling resources. Over time, elk have evolved a strategy 

 that most efficiently utilizes resources over a broad area, 

 thereby reducing potential conflicts in any one area. 

 However, because of similarities in food habits between elk 

 and cattle and the desire for an economic return from their 

 investment, ranchers may perceive conflicts between elk and 

 cattle at current population levels . 



There was generally little overlap in distribution, 

 habitat use, or food habits between mule deer and cattle. The 

 greatest potential competition between cattle and mule deer 

 probably occurs during droughts when cattle make more use of 

 areas preferred by deer. During those periods, however, there 

 would be very little quality forage available for deer even if 

 no cattle were present. It is likely that grazing by cattle 

 reduces forage for deer on the edges of current mule deer 

 habitat (e.g. the heads of drainages and boundaries of 

 sagebrush-grassland and grassy bottoms with forested types). 

 These areas appear to be marginal deer habitat, and even in 

 the absence of cattle, might receive significant use by deer 

 only at high population densities. Thus, the absence of 

 cattle on the area might result in somewhat higher deer 

 populations at peak densities when marginal habitats are 

 filled. However, deer in these areas are those most 

 vulnerable to severe winters with deep snow and to severe 

 drought, therefore any increase in deer numbers that might 



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