Great Plains Ecoregion

This chapter describes the Great Plains Ecoregion, which extends from central Alberta, Canada to the Texas Panhandle and west to the Rocky Mountains, USA, and represents the easternmost range of mule deer. The Great Plains consists of broad, flat expanses and rolling hills of mixed and shortgrass prairies. Mule deer in the Great Plains are generally non-migratory but move throughout the habitat based on localized moisture and vegetation conditions. Climate conditions vary with extremes of cold and snowy winters in the northern portions and hot and dry conditions in the southern portions. The potential for winter mortality of mule deer decreases from north to south as winter severity decreases, while drought affects survival and recruitment of mule deer throughout the ecoregion. In the Great Plains, security cover, agricultural land conversion, energy development, fire suppression, oil and gas development, livestock operations, and excessive herbivory are key factors influencing mule deer habitats. Conservation strategies must focus on the retention of remaining mule deer habitat as part of working agricultural operations.