Mule Deer Range - Region 2 [ds796]

The purpose of this dataset is to provide general information on the distribution of important deer herds and ranges in Northern California. Description Range designations may not be current due to anthropogenic impacts or lack of data regarding the locations of seasonal ranges used by deer. CDFW should be consulted for current site-specific information on the designation or usage of seasonal ranges by deer. These maps have not been updated using current GPS techniques and may not include important corridors, reproductive areas, or other ranges important to deer populations. Critical deer winter range can include corridors essential for movement, staging areas where deer temporarily congregate, habitats containing high quality winter forage, or other elements important to the survival of deer in winter. Winter ranges are generally at lower elevations and are far less abundant than summer ranges making them vulnerable to human impacts and often a limiting factor in populations. Deer from different summer ranges may share a common winter range where breeding typically occurs. This mixing of genes on winter ranges contributes to genetically diverse and healthy populations. Critical summer range occurs generally at higher elevations, but can be similar to fall or winter ranges when deer are non-migratory. These ranges are vital to population productivity by providing habitats for parturition and rearing and forage for replenishing nutritional reserves. Summer ranges may be occupied by deer from several distinct winter ranges.. Fall holding areas are used by deer when transitioning to winter ranges. These areas can also be used in mild winters where adequate forage is available and escape from deepening snows is unnecessary. Fawning areas are critical to population productivity. They are generally located within summer ranges but can occur throughout the home ranges of non-migratory deer. Fawning areas are often linked to meadow complexes or riparian communities where adequate cover can hide newborn fawns and herbaceous forage can replenish the nutritional demands of lactation. HISTORY In the 1980's the CDFW created the 'Migratory Deer Herd Management Plans' for most of California. These plans describe the movement and concentrations of migratory deer herds in California using herd information dating back to the 1950's. In 1990 CDFW Wildlife managers began mapping and updating the herd areas onto paper USGS 15' quadrangle maps based on these management plans, field information telemetry studies from the 1970's and 1980's, and personal knowledge. As a result of their work approximately 300 Migratory Deer Herd base maps were created. CDFW contracted with the Natural Resources Management Dept. Ca. Polytechnic State Univ (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo to convert the paper map information into electronic GIS format. This data set is the result. The report from the GIS component titled "The Creation of a Migratory Deer Herd Data Base using ArcInfo" was submitted to the CDFW in March 1993. The migratory deer herd maps cover most of California and portions of Nevada.