Mule Deer Migration

[Roy68]

I as most are aware of herd migrations. Most of the time I think of these herds migrating from summer range to lower elevations & valley regions for winter. I guess I always envisioned that being no more than 50 miles at most. The only exception I could think of off the top of my head in North America in regard to ungulates was caribou (the longest?). According to the article this is the 2nd longest land migration of ungulates in North America

In my case though I was unaware of the distance traveled by Mule Deer specifically, and the documented 150 miles is surprising to me. The other thing I notice in this video is that the apparent weather during this seems to be rather benign. I have always associated the migration to the onset of winter, snow, and and lack of accessible food stuffs due to snow cover. In a lot of the video you see open water and lack of snow cover.

Video
https://vimeo.com/88619272

Article link
http://migrationinitiative.org/content/red-desert-hoback-migration-assessment

 

[gelton]

Saw this not too long ago very interesting. Never would have guessed it.

 

[Roy68]

I re-read the article and side bar and see where the footage occurred mostly from summer and fall. That would explain the benign weather in video, and not being directly related to the timing of the migration (my confusion is solved). Instead it only supports the efforts the animal undertakes to travel from A to B.

The whole thing makes me wonder about the accuracy of herd migration maps. Not that I put a lot of stock in them, but I do use them as a NR elk hunter for at home scouting purposes.

 

[Roy68]

Man I feel stupid. was reading threads down lower and saw this same topic was brought up several weeks ago by Robby. I must have had both eyes shut and missed it cruising the forum prior to posting to make sure I didn't double up....

 

[robby denning]

No worries Roy, I've reposted stuff many times.
Some of the Grey's river deer and Smokey Mountains deer start their migration late October rain, snow, or shine. God's internal clock tells them when to go.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

No worries Roy, I've reposted stuff many times.
Some of the Grey's river deer and Smokey Mountains deer start their migration late October rain, snow, or shine. God's internal clock tells them when to go.

Isn't it amazing how animals know when and where to go!!!

 

['Ike']

I'm just hoping they Migrate this year...El Nino baby!