The Sumpter mule deer herd includes resident and migratory individuals. Mule deer wintering near Oregon Route 244 and La Grande, Oregon, migrate south to Wolf Creek, Glass Hill, and Elkhorn Ridge in spring. Although mixed-conifer forest and ponderosa pine dominate seasonal ranges for these mule deer, winter ranges contain more sagebrush grassland and summer ranges contain more riparian and early shrub-tree habitats. Other mule deer wintering in patches of big sagebrush mixed with conifer, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and quaking aspen forests near North Powder Valley and Powder River also migrate to Elkhorn Ridge for the summer. Some mule deer along Burnt River, where winter ranges are characterized by big sagebrush, western juniper, and grassland, migrate south to areas with more mixed-conifer forest and invasive annual grasses near Monument Rock and Willow Creek in spring. Other mule deer either migrate north or west to Austin, Oregon, and Oregon Route 7, where big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, mixed-conifer forest, and ponderosa pine are common. Some of these mule deer travel as far north as Elkhorn Ridge and Wolf Creek. In 2015, the Cornet-Windy fire burned 56,766 acres (22,972 ha) of forested summer range near Oregon Route 245 (BLM, 2023a), improving browse quality but potentially reducing shelter by decreasing canopy cover. Highways are a significant cause of mortality in this area; for example, Interstate 84 had an annual average of 162 DVCs from 2010 to 2022 along a 100-mile (161-km) section (ODOT, 2023). No GPS-collared mule deer successfully crossed Interstate 84 although multiple seasonal ranges and migrations closely bound the highway, indicating a possible loss of historical migration routes. These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Sumpter population in Oregon. They were developed from 154 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 53 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

The Sumpter mule deer herd includes resident and migratory individuals. Mule deer wintering near Oregon Route 244 and La Grande, Oregon, migrate south to Wolf Creek, Glass Hill, and Elkhorn Ridge in spring. Although mixed-conifer forest and ponderosa pine dominate seasonal ranges for these mule deer, winter ranges contain more sagebrush grassland and summer ranges contain more riparian and early shrub-tree habitats. Other mule deer wintering in patches of big sagebrush mixed with conifer, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and quaking aspen forests near North Powder Valley and Powder River also migrate to Elkhorn Ridge for the summer. Some mule deer along Burnt River, where winter ranges are characterized by big sagebrush, western juniper, and grassland, migrate south to areas with more mixed-conifer forest and invasive annual grasses near Monument Rock and Willow Creek in spring. Other mule deer either migrate north or west to Austin, Oregon, and Oregon Route 7, where big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, mixed-conifer forest, and ponderosa pine are common. Some of these mule deer travel as far north as Elkhorn Ridge and Wolf Creek. In 2015, the Cornet-Windy fire burned 56,766 acres (22,972 ha) of forested summer range near Oregon Route 245 (BLM, 2023a), improving browse quality but potentially reducing shelter by decreasing canopy cover. Highways are a significant cause of mortality in this area; for example, Interstate 84 had an annual average of 162 DVCs from 2010 to 2022 along a 100-mile (161-km) section (ODOT, 2023). No GPS-collared mule deer successfully crossed Interstate 84 although multiple seasonal ranges and migrations closely bound the highway, indicating a possible loss of historical migration routes. These mapping layers show the location of the migration corridors for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Sumpter population in Oregon. They were developed from 154 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 53 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

The Sumpter mule deer herd includes resident and migratory individuals. Mule deer wintering near Oregon Route 244 and La Grande, Oregon, migrate south to Wolf Creek, Glass Hill, and Elkhorn Ridge in spring. Although mixed-conifer forest and ponderosa pine dominate seasonal ranges for these mule deer, winter ranges contain more sagebrush grassland and summer ranges contain more riparian and early shrub-tree habitats. Other mule deer wintering in patches of big sagebrush mixed with conifer, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and quaking aspen forests near North Powder Valley and Powder River also migrate to Elkhorn Ridge for the summer. Some mule deer along Burnt River, where winter ranges are characterized by big sagebrush, western juniper, and grassland, migrate south to areas with more mixed-conifer forest and invasive annual grasses near Monument Rock and Willow Creek in spring. Other mule deer either migrate north or west to Austin, Oregon, and Oregon Route 7, where big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, mixed-conifer forest, and ponderosa pine are common. Some of these mule deer travel as far north as Elkhorn Ridge and Wolf Creek. In 2015, the Cornet-Windy fire burned 56,766 acres (22,972 ha) of forested summer range near Oregon Route 245 (BLM, 2023a), improving browse quality but potentially reducing shelter by decreasing canopy cover. Highways are a significant cause of mortality in this area; for example, Interstate 84 had an annual average of 162 DVCs from 2010 to 2022 along a 100-mile (161-km) section (ODOT, 2023). No GPS-collared mule deer successfully crossed Interstate 84 although multiple seasonal ranges and migrations closely bound the highway, indicating a possible loss of historical migration routes. These mapping layers show the location of the migration corridors for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Sumpter population in Oregon. They were developed from 154 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 53 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

The Sumpter mule deer herd includes resident and migratory individuals. Mule deer wintering near Oregon Route 244 and La Grande, Oregon, migrate south to Wolf Creek, Glass Hill, and Elkhorn Ridge in spring. Although mixed-conifer forest and ponderosa pine dominate seasonal ranges for these mule deer, winter ranges contain more sagebrush grassland and summer ranges contain more riparian and early shrub-tree habitats. Other mule deer wintering in patches of big sagebrush mixed with conifer, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and quaking aspen forests near North Powder Valley and Powder River also migrate to Elkhorn Ridge for the summer. Some mule deer along Burnt River, where winter ranges are characterized by big sagebrush, western juniper, and grassland, migrate south to areas with more mixed-conifer forest and invasive annual grasses near Monument Rock and Willow Creek in spring. Other mule deer either migrate north or west to Austin, Oregon, and Oregon Route 7, where big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, mixed-conifer forest, and ponderosa pine are common. Some of these mule deer travel as far north as Elkhorn Ridge and Wolf Creek. In 2015, the Cornet-Windy fire burned 56,766 acres (22,972 ha) of forested summer range near Oregon Route 245 (BLM, 2023a), improving browse quality but potentially reducing shelter by decreasing canopy cover. Highways are a significant cause of mortality in this area; for example, Interstate 84 had an annual average of 162 DVCs from 2010 to 2022 along a 100-mile (161-km) section (ODOT, 2023). No GPS-collared mule deer successfully crossed Interstate 84 although multiple seasonal ranges and migrations closely bound the highway, indicating a possible loss of historical migration routes. These mapping layers show the location of the winter ranges for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Sumpter population in Oregon. They were developed from 198 winter sequences collected from a sample size of 88 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

The Sumpter mule deer herd includes resident and migratory individuals. Mule deer wintering near Oregon Route 244 and La Grande, Oregon, migrate south to Wolf Creek, Glass Hill, and Elkhorn Ridge in spring. Although mixed-conifer forest and ponderosa pine dominate seasonal ranges for these mule deer, winter ranges contain more sagebrush grassland and summer ranges contain more riparian and early shrub-tree habitats. Other mule deer wintering in patches of big sagebrush mixed with conifer, ponderosa pine, western juniper, and quaking aspen forests near North Powder Valley and Powder River also migrate to Elkhorn Ridge for the summer. Some mule deer along Burnt River, where winter ranges are characterized by big sagebrush, western juniper, and grassland, migrate south to areas with more mixed-conifer forest and invasive annual grasses near Monument Rock and Willow Creek in spring. Other mule deer either migrate north or west to Austin, Oregon, and Oregon Route 7, where big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, mixed-conifer forest, and ponderosa pine are common. Some of these mule deer travel as far north as Elkhorn Ridge and Wolf Creek. In 2015, the Cornet-Windy fire burned 56,766 acres (22,972 ha) of forested summer range near Oregon Route 245 (BLM, 2023a), improving browse quality but potentially reducing shelter by decreasing canopy cover. Highways are a significant cause of mortality in this area; for example, Interstate 84 had an annual average of 162 DVCs from 2010 to 2022 along a 100-mile (161-km) section (ODOT, 2023). No GPS-collared mule deer successfully crossed Interstate 84 although multiple seasonal ranges and migrations closely bound the highway, indicating a possible loss of historical migration routes. These mapping layers show the location of the winter ranges for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Sumpter population in Oregon. They were developed from 198 winter sequences collected from a sample size of 88 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

Most of the Southeast mule deer herd winters along the Owyhee River in regions containing sagebrush communities and Columbia Basin grassland mixed with non-native annual grasslands. These mule deer either migrate west to summer ranges on Road Canyon and Gravel Ridges or east to the Owyhee Mountains along the Idaho border, with one mule deer migrating as far as Bald Mountain, 38.3 mi (61.6 km) into Idaho. Summer ranges feature shrubland, Columbia Basin grasslands, western juniper, and evergreen forests. In 2014, the Buzzard Complex fires burned 398,596 acres (161,306 ha), including Road Canyon, allowing medusahead and other non-native grasses to invade areas with originally low perennial plant abundance. Five mule deer winter separately near U.S. Route 95, in areas containing higher percentages of western juniper. In the spring, they travel southeast into Nevada to summer on the Santa Rosa Range, with one mule deer migrating to the Tuscarora Mountains. Of the Southeast mule deer that were tracked for at least 100 days, 82 percent migrate seasonally, with several moving to summer ranges in different states, complicating issues of population management. The Southeast mule deer herd faces several challenges, including highways and the low abundance of preferred browse. The northeastern section of U.S. Route 95 had an AADT value of 2,007 vehicles in 2018 and intersects multiple migration corridors, with mule deer commonly crossing the highway along Succor Creek and Rock Creek Flat. In summer, Southeast mule deer spend more time in riparian zones and must compete with grazing cattle in the Owyhee Mountains for high-quality forage during drought years when natural water sources evaporate. These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Southeast population in Oregon. They were developed from 140 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 37 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5−13 hours.

Most of the Southeast mule deer herd winters along the Owyhee River in regions containing sagebrush communities and Columbia Basin grassland mixed with non-native annual grasslands. These mule deer either migrate west to summer ranges on Road Canyon and Gravel Ridges or east to the Owyhee Mountains along the Idaho border, with one mule deer migrating as far as Bald Mountain, 38.3 mi (61.6 km) into Idaho. Summer ranges feature shrubland, Columbia Basin grasslands, western juniper, and evergreen forests. In 2014, the Buzzard Complex fires burned 398,596 acres (161,306 ha), including Road Canyon, allowing medusahead and other non-native grasses to invade areas with originally low perennial plant abundance. Five mule deer winter separately near U.S. Route 95, in areas containing higher percentages of western juniper. In the spring, they travel southeast into Nevada to summer on the Santa Rosa Range, with one mule deer migrating to the Tuscarora Mountains. Of the Southeast mule deer that were tracked for at least 100 days, 82 percent migrate seasonally, with several moving to summer ranges in different states, complicating issues of population management. The Southeast mule deer herd faces several challenges, including highways and the low abundance of preferred browse. The northeastern section of U.S. Route 95 had an AADT value of 2,007 vehicles in 2018 and intersects multiple migration corridors, with mule deer commonly crossing the highway along Succor Creek and Rock Creek Flat. In summer, Southeast mule deer spend more time in riparian zones and must compete with grazing cattle in the Owyhee Mountains for high-quality forage during drought years when natural water sources evaporate. These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Southeast population in Oregon. They were developed from 140 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 37 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5−13 hours.

The Trout Creek mule deer herd is composed of residents and migrants that make short-range elevational migrations. Mule deer mainly winter at lower elevations surrounding Blue Mountain and the slopes of the Oregon Canyon Mountains. In spring, some of these mule deer migrate to higher elevations in the Oregon Canyon Mountains. Other members of the herd winter in the southwestern portion of the herd’s range, inhabiting areas near Hawks Mountain, the Pueblo Mountains, and the foothills of the Trout Creek Mountains. These mule deer migrate to summer ranges on the crests of Holloway Mountain and the Trout Creek Mountains. Notably, one mule deer formerly wintering on the Trout Creek Mountains migrated south from a summer range on the Nevada border to the Montana Mountains during the second documented winter before returning to Oregon in spring. Habitat on winter ranges consists of A. t. wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) plant communities and non-native annual grasslands. Summer ranges consist mainly of native grasslands, mountain big sagebrush plant communities, and mountain shrub communities. The Trout Creek mule deer herd faces several threats, including summer wildfires, highway barriers, and competition for resources. In 2012, the Holloway fire burned 462,017 acres (186,972 ha) including most of the Trout Creek and Oregon Canyon Mountains, resulting in the temporary loss of shrub cover at higher elevations and conversion of native forbs and shrubland to invasive annual grasses at lower elevations. Although no migratory mule deer attempt to cross U.S. Highway 95, some resident mule deer have ranges spanning the busy highway, which had an AADT value of 2,095 vehicles in 2018. The Trout Creek mule deer herd also borders the Barren Creek Complex HMA to the north and the Beaty Butte HMA to the east (DOI and BLM, 2020; BLM 2022). The Barren Creek Complex HMA contains approximately 2,500 feral horses while the Beaty Butte HMA contains 463 horses. Both feral horse populations surpass the respective maximum appropriate management levels of 892 and 250 horses, respectively, suggesting that mule deer and horses compete for resources in the few areas where ranges overlap. These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Trout Creek population in Oregon. They were developed from 40 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 10 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5 hours.

The Trout Creek mule deer herd is composed of residents and migrants that make short-range elevational migrations. Mule deer mainly winter at lower elevations surrounding Blue Mountain and the slopes of the Oregon Canyon Mountains. In spring, some of these mule deer migrate to higher elevations in the Oregon Canyon Mountains. Other members of the herd winter in the southwestern portion of the herd’s range, inhabiting areas near Hawks Mountain, the Pueblo Mountains, and the foothills of the Trout Creek Mountains. These mule deer migrate to summer ranges on the crests of Holloway Mountain and the Trout Creek Mountains. Notably, one mule deer formerly wintering on the Trout Creek Mountains migrated south from a summer range on the Nevada border to the Montana Mountains during the second documented winter before returning to Oregon in spring. Habitat on winter ranges consists of A. t. wyomingensis (Wyoming big sagebrush) plant communities and non-native annual grasslands. Summer ranges consist mainly of native grasslands, mountain big sagebrush plant communities, and mountain shrub communities. The Trout Creek mule deer herd faces several threats, including summer wildfires, highway barriers, and competition for resources. In 2012, the Holloway fire burned 462,017 acres (186,972 ha) including most of the Trout Creek and Oregon Canyon Mountains, resulting in the temporary loss of shrub cover at higher elevations and conversion of native forbs and shrubland to invasive annual grasses at lower elevations. Although no migratory mule deer attempt to cross U.S. Highway 95, some resident mule deer have ranges spanning the busy highway, which had an AADT value of 2,095 vehicles in 2018. The Trout Creek mule deer herd also borders the Barren Creek Complex HMA to the north and the Beaty Butte HMA to the east (DOI and BLM, 2020; BLM 2022). The Barren Creek Complex HMA contains approximately 2,500 feral horses while the Beaty Butte HMA contains 463 horses. Both feral horse populations surpass the respective maximum appropriate management levels of 892 and 250 horses, respectively, suggesting that mule deer and horses compete for resources in the few areas where ranges overlap. These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Trout Creek population in Oregon. They were developed from 40 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 10 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5 hours.

South Wallowas mule deer winter ranges are dispersed across areas of low elevation near the Idaho border. During spring, mule deer wintering north of Powder River and Pyles Canyon migrate to Catherine Creek and the Wallowa Mountains within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Interstate 84 creates a complete barrier to southern movement for the South Wallowas herd. Mule deer wintering in areas near Interstate 84, Lawrence Creek, and Manning Creek are largely residents with only two migratory mule deer traveling to Little Lookout Mountain and Thief Valley Reservoir. Other mule deer reside along Snake River, which forms the Idaho border. One mule deer crosses Snake River south of the Powder River headwaters, migrating 24.46 mi (39.36 km) to Weiser River north of Cambridge, Idaho. Their winter range primarily consists of sagebrush communities and Columbia Basin grassland, while summer ranges contain big sagebrush with spruce, quaking aspen, and mixed-conifer forests. Mule deer tend to avoid the lowest elevation areas near Lower Powder Valley and Richland and Durkee, Oregon, instead preferring to winter at an average elevation of 3,435 ft (1,047 m), with average summer range elevations of 5,185 ft (1,580 m). The South Wallowas herd transverses the Keating WMU, which was included in the 2015 Oregon Mule Deer Initiative (ODFW, 2020). Since then, ODFW has removed 159 acres (64 ha) of western juniper, reseeded 203 acres (82 ha) for native shrubs and grasses, and thinned 265 acres (107 ha) of timber stands. The impact these habitat improvements had on population number was reduced when in 2017, January snow depth exceeded 30 in (76 cm) in mule deer winter ranges and average overwinter fawn survival dropped to 24 percent, although fawn survival has since returned to 77 percent in 2018–2021 (ODFW, 2021). These mapping layers show the location of the stopovers for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the South Wallowas population in Oregon. They were developed from 64 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 27 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5−13 hours.