Long-range Migration Patterns of Mule Deer

Over several years, Grand Teton National Park Senior Biologist Sarah Dewey has conducted a comprehensive study of migration routes of mule deer that summer in the park. Three grants from RWF have helped leverage additional GPS radio collars and data analysis, and enabled mentoring of young biologists. The study revealed 7 new migration routes and stop-over points and some remarkable feats of individual deer: one traveled 190 miles from the GTNP to Rock Springs; another ascended a 11,500’ pass through the Absaroka Range. The corridor maps and associated data enable managers to identify and protect mule deer passage-ways on both private and public lands, particularly into eastern Idaho.