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Mule deer a cause for caution in the wild
By Victoria Sutton
Special
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| AP Photo/Arizona Game and Fish Dept., George Andrejko |
| A mule deer buck quietly enjoys a day beneath trees in Arizona . |
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When you think of a dangerous wild animal in Arizona, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of mountain lions, bears, coyotes, wolves or large birds of prey? How about the recently sighted jaguars? According to a White Mountain Forest Service office, it’s none of the above. Believe it or not, one of the most dangerous animals in Arizona is actually a mule deer buck.
Arizona is a land of many different biomes—from Tundra to Great Basin desert—and the mule deer is one animal that can survive in many of them. In fact, mule deer are found statewide with the exception of one small Southwestern area. They inhabit grasslands, plateaus, forests, deserts and rocky terrains and can thrive at almost any elevation Arizona has—from 100-10,000 feet. They have large ranges of up to 50 miles, which is extensive compared to the ranges of white-tailed deer, which only have a range of about 5 miles.
Mule deer are considered a large deer, much larger than white-tailed species found throughout the country and can weigh up to twice as much. A good sized male or buck can weigh over 225 pounds, and females, or does, weigh up to 130 pounds. Their palette is very diverse and they will eat cactus fruit, flowers, grasses, shrubs, weeds and just about anything that is relatively nontoxic.
Mule deer are striking looking animals. Usually dark brown to dark gray in color with a small black-tipped tail, they boast large unique ears, hence their name, “mule deer.” Bucks have large forked antlers that shed annually. The Black-tailed deer is a California mule deer cousin that is very similar in appearance and is considered a subspecies of mule deer.
Mule deer breeding season, or rut, occurs between the months of November and January and this is when the normally timid animals turn aggressive and can be dangerous. Mule deer bucks fight for the rights to several does, or a harem, and serious wounds and death can occur in these battles. Sometimes it doesn’t come to a fight—a buck can be victorious in a confrontation simply by being larger and having a larger set of antlers.
A mule deer buck in rut is not an animal to be approached. If the buck is collecting does for breeding, he can be exceptionally territorial and will charge at almost anything that comes into view—even a person. The antlers during this time of year are new and strong and can seriously injure or kill anything they strike. At 225 pounds, it may be outweighed by some people, but not by most, and it is certainly stronger. Mule deer fawns are usually born as twins in June-August.
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| If the buck is
collecting does for breeding, he can be exceptionally
territorial and will charge at almost anything — even a person. |
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Mule deer, although large and sometimes very aggressive, do have predators. Mountain lions, coyotes and golden eagles are top predators, especially feeding on the sick, young or injured. Although it seems cruel to think of a fawn being taken by an eagle, it is one way that the balance of nature keeps deer populations in check. Too many deer mean that they will starve, a much slower death than predation.
Aside from natural predators, mule deer are a game animal in Arizona, meaning that under strict regulations, they can be hunted with a permit or “tag” during the fall months. Hunting is another way to control the populations of the animals, especially if predators are reduced in an area.
If you are out and about in Arizona’s wilderness, watch for a deer that appears ill, unaware of your presence and unable to lift its head. There is a disease on the move in the U.S., especially in the Rockies, which includes Arizona, called Chronic Wasting Disease. This disease is related to Mad Cow Disease but has only been shown to affect deer and elk. If you suspect that a deer (or elk) is ill, immediately call Arizona Game and Fish at (602) 942-3000.
Fall in many parts of Arizona, especially the mountains, can be almost unsurpassed in beauty. The lure of a fall hike through Aspen trees is strong in many of us, however keep in mind that hazards may exist that you never thought possible. Not only are there mule deer bucks in rut, but there are also elk in rut and hunters—so be careful out there. Keep to marked trails if possible and go with a friend or two. Look for signs of deer—scat, footprints and scraped bark on trees and keep your eyes and ears open!
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