The North Bighorn mule deer herd inhabits the northern half of the Bighorn Mountains in north-central Wyoming (fig. 28). The herd consists of resident mule deer that live year round in lower elevation foothills (approximately 4,265 ft [1,300 m]), primarily on private, Wyoming State trust, or BLM lands, and migratory mule deer that travel from the foothills to the summer ranges at higher elevations (approximately 7,874 ft [2,400 m]) on the Bighorn National Forest. In general, annual precipitation across the mountain range increases with elevation. To the west of the Bighorn Mountains, the Absaroka Range and arid Bighorn Basin, which receives only 7 in. (18 cm) of rain annually, prevents moisture-laden winds from reaching the western slopes of the Bighorn Mountains; therefore, the western side of the Bighorn Mountains generally receives less precipitation than the eastern side (Nesser, 1986). At lower-elevation (approximately 4,265 ft [1,300 m]) winter ranges, the western side of the mountain range comprises primarily sagebrush-steppe, whereas the eastern side consists primarily of grassland and agriculture. Mule deer have vastly different migration strategies depending on where they winter; most mule deer that winter on the eastern side of the mountain range are residents (76 percent), whereas most mule deer that winter on the western side of the mountain range are migratory (97 percent). Summer ranges at high elevations on Bighorn National Forest lands comprise primarily coniferous forest, most commonly lodgepole pine followed by Picea engelmannii (Engelmann spruce) and Abies lasiocarpa (subalpine fir; Witt, 2008). The herd is threatened by competition from increasing elk and white-tailed deer populations and expanding CWD prevalence (Wyoming Game and Fish Department [WGFD], 2022). These mapping layers show the location of the migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the North Bighorn population in Wyoming. They were developed from 355 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 176 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the northern section of the Bighorn Mountains display altitudinal migration. In the spring, they migrate from the eastern foothills up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations (fig. 67). The herd, which numbers around 5,500, primarily winters along the eastern foothills of the northern Bighorn Mountains just west of Sheridan, though some will winter north towards Bighorn Canyon. Winter ranges are a mix of shrubs and herbaceous grasslands, largely supported by private land. During migration animals travel an average one-way distance of 21 mi (34 km) ranging from as little as 5 mi (8 km) to as far as 83 mi (134 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head west up the eastern side of the Bighorn Mountains. They traverse up the slopes generally following clearings between extensive pine forests. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands. The summer range is almost entirely within the Bighorn National Forest. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it largely consists of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they are relatively short, do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the National Forest. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the North Bighorn population in Wyoming. They were developed from 109 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 63 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the northern section of the Bighorn Mountains display altitudinal migration. In the spring, they migrate from the eastern foothills up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations (fig. 67). The herd, which numbers around 5,500, primarily winters along the eastern foothills of the northern Bighorn Mountains just west of Sheridan, though some will winter north towards Bighorn Canyon. Winter ranges are a mix of shrubs and herbaceous grasslands, largely supported by private land. During migration animals travel an average one-way distance of 21 mi (34 km) ranging from as little as 5 mi (8 km) to as far as 83 mi (134 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head west up the eastern side of the Bighorn Mountains. They traverse up the slopes generally following clearings between extensive pine forests. Summer ranges consist of evergreen forests that are predominantly lodgepole pine with smaller areas of open herbaceous grasslands. The summer range is almost entirely within the Bighorn National Forest. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. While there is a higher concern for the animals on their winter range because it largely consists of private land, their migration routes are much safer because they are relatively short, do not cross any highways and are for the most part within the National Forest. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the North Bighorn population in Wyoming. They were developed from 109 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 63 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Most of the Biggs mule deer herd is nonmigratory. Annual ranges are scattered throughout the relatively flat, low-elevation landscape near rivers such as John Day River, Deschutes River, Buck Hollow Creek, Ward Creek, and Hay Creek. Northern seasonal ranges occur in unforested expanses of grassland and Artemisia tridentata tridentata (basin big sagebrush), which are interspersed with farmland, nonnative annual grasses, and portions of intact sagebrush steppe. Grain and hay are economically important crops in the north where many mule deer ranges overlap winter wheat fields. Areas around the John Day Canyon and Deschutes River Canyon allow mule deer to access unfarmed habitat. Compared to the northern ranges, the southern ranges are more mountainous and feature higher proportions of Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper). Only 6.5 percent of the Biggs mule deer herd tracked for >100 days exhibited migratory behavior and distinct seasonal ranges. These three GPS-collared mule deer in the southern region of the Biggs herd management unit migrated to TV Ridge, Shoestring Ridge, and Ward Creek where Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine), western juniper, and mixed-conifer forests overtake herbaceous grasslands. Most land occupied by the Biggs herd is privately owned. Farmers can enroll fields in the Conservation Reserve Program and receive a yearly rental payment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove land from agricultural production, thus reducing habitat loss (Farm Service Agency, 2023). Along with habitat degradation from the intrusion of invasive grasses and western juniper, Biggs mule deer are also negatively affected by U.S. Highway 97. From 2010 to 2022, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) recorded an average 30.5 deer-vehicle-collisions (DVCs; all local deer species) annually for a 77-mi (124-km) section of U.S. Highway 97 (ODOT, 2023). These mapping layers show the location of the annual ranges for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Biggs population in Oregon. They were developed from 168 annual sequences collected from a sample size of 52 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

Most of the Biggs mule deer herd is nonmigratory. Annual ranges are scattered throughout the relatively flat, low-elevation landscape near rivers such as John Day River, Deschutes River, Buck Hollow Creek, Ward Creek, and Hay Creek. Northern seasonal ranges occur in unforested expanses of grassland and Artemisia tridentata tridentata (basin big sagebrush), which are interspersed with farmland, nonnative annual grasses, and portions of intact sagebrush steppe. Grain and hay are economically important crops in the north where many mule deer ranges overlap winter wheat fields. Areas around the John Day Canyon and Deschutes River Canyon allow mule deer to access unfarmed habitat. Compared to the northern ranges, the southern ranges are more mountainous and feature higher proportions of Juniperus occidentalis (western juniper). Only 6.5 percent of the Biggs mule deer herd tracked for >100 days exhibited migratory behavior and distinct seasonal ranges. These three GPS-collared mule deer in the southern region of the Biggs herd management unit migrated to TV Ridge, Shoestring Ridge, and Ward Creek where Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine), western juniper, and mixed-conifer forests overtake herbaceous grasslands. Most land occupied by the Biggs herd is privately owned. Farmers can enroll fields in the Conservation Reserve Program and receive a yearly rental payment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remove land from agricultural production, thus reducing habitat loss (Farm Service Agency, 2023). Along with habitat degradation from the intrusion of invasive grasses and western juniper, Biggs mule deer are also negatively affected by U.S. Highway 97. From 2010 to 2022, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) recorded an average 30.5 deer-vehicle-collisions (DVCs; all local deer species) annually for a 77-mi (124-km) section of U.S. Highway 97 (ODOT, 2023). These mapping layers show the location of the annual ranges for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Biggs population in Oregon. They were developed from 168 annual sequences collected from a sample size of 52 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 5-13 hours.

Elk (Cervus elpahus canadensis) within the southern section of the Bighorn Mountains display altitudinal migration. In the spring, most individuals migrate from the western foothills up into the mountains, and in the fall, they head back down to lower elevations (fig. 68). In the southern section where the range curves west, the herd migrates up the northern foothills in the spring and back down in the fall. Additionally, a few individuals will summer on the eastern foothills along the Crazy Woman drainage. These individuals migrate west up the slopes in the spring and back down in the fall. The herd, which numbers around 4,000, primarily winters along the western foothills of the southern Bighorn Mountains just east of route 434 (Upper Nowood rd.), though some will winter east towards Buffalo. Winter ranges consist primarily of low growing shrubs with smaller areas of herbaceous grasslands, largely supported by private land with scattered areas of BLM land. During migration, animals travel an average one way distance of 24 mi (39 km) ranging from as little as 10 mi (16 km) to as far as 62 mi (100 km). In spring, animals migrate off winter range and head east or south up the western or northern side of the Bighorn Mountains. Summer ranges consist of shrub land with smaller areas of evergreen forests. The summer range is a mix of private land and BLM land, though the northern most individuals summer predominantly within the boundaries of the Bighorn National Forest. The population size of the herd has remained relatively steady over the last decade. There is a concern for the animals on both their winter and summer ranges because they largely consists of private land. Similarly, while their migration routes are relatively short, and do not cross any highways, there is still a concern due to the large extent of private land along the route. These data provide the location of migration routes for elk in the South Bighorn population in Wyoming. They were developed from 89 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 33 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2 hours.

Mule deer in the Platte Valley North population are part of the larger Platte Valley herd unit with an estimated population of 11,000 animals (fig. 28). These mule deer winter in the sagebrush canyons and basins near the Platte River north of Saratoga, Wyoming. Other segments of this population winter in the Chokecherry Knob area, south of Sinclair, and the Dana Ridge area just north of I-80. The migratory patterns of these deer are diverse and vary with each winter range. Deer in this part of the Platte Valley have a noticeably higher proportion of resident animals compared to the Platte Valley South population. For example, half of the mule deer near I-80 are residents. Improving the connectivity of deer migration across I-80 has become a management priority in order to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and to provide deer with access to more habitat. Wind-energy development is a major concern for the northwest part of the Platte Valley, where 1,000 turbines are slated for construction beginning in 2022. The potential impacts of wind development on mule deer are being investigated. These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Platte Valley North population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 131 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 32 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Mule deer in the Platte Valley North population are part of the larger Platte Valley herd unit with an estimated population of 11,000 animals (fig. 28). These mule deer winter in the sagebrush canyons and basins near the Platte River north of Saratoga, Wyoming. Other segments of this population winter in the Chokecherry Knob area, south of Sinclair, and the Dana Ridge area just north of I-80. The migratory patterns of these deer are diverse and vary with each winter range. Deer in this part of the Platte Valley have a noticeably higher proportion of resident animals compared to the Platte Valley South population. For example, half of the mule deer near I-80 are residents. Improving the connectivity of deer migration across I-80 has become a management priority in order to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and to provide deer with access to more habitat. Wind-energy development is a major concern for the northwest part of the Platte Valley, where 1,000 turbines are slated for construction beginning in 2022. The potential impacts of wind development on mule deer are being investigated. These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Platte Valley North population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 131 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 32 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Mule deer in the northern Wyoming Range population use winter ranges in the area between Big Piney and LaBarge. During spring, these deer generally move northwesterly to high-elevation summer ranges in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges. Interchange with deer in the Sublette herd unit has been documented, with some individuals migrating northwest into Upper Green River drainages. At least one individual migrated 85 mi (137 km) north and summered north of the town of Jackson. Challenges for Wyoming Range mule deer include energy development on winter ranges, vehicle collisions on U.S. Highway 189 between LaBarge and Big Piney, severe winters leading to high episodic mortality, and disease. These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Wyoming Range North population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 159 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 56 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.

Mule deer in the northern Wyoming Range population use winter ranges in the area between Big Piney and LaBarge. During spring, these deer generally move northwesterly to high-elevation summer ranges in the Salt River and Wyoming Ranges. Interchange with deer in the Sublette herd unit has been documented, with some individuals migrating northwest into Upper Green River drainages. At least one individual migrated 85 mi (137 km) north and summered north of the town of Jackson. Challenges for Wyoming Range mule deer include energy development on winter ranges, vehicle collisions on U.S. Highway 189 between LaBarge and Big Piney, severe winters leading to high episodic mortality, and disease. These data provide the location of migration routes for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Wyoming Range North population in Wyoming. They were developed from Brownian bridge movement models using 159 migration sequences collected from a sample size of 56 animals comprising GPS locations collected every 2-8 hours.