MULE DEER HABITAT CLASSIFICATIONS AND DEFINITIONS.


Classification Definitions:
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A-limited range--Includes habitat which is occasionally inhabited 
and/or contains small population of scattered mule deer.

B-Summer Range--That part of the overall range where 90% of the 
individuals are located between spring green-up and the first 
heavy snowfall. 

C-Other important habitat--Areas that are part of the overall 
range where higher quality habitat supports significantly higher 
densities than surrounding areas.  These areas are typically occupied 
year round and not necessarily associated with a specific season.  
Examples include:  rough break country, riparian areas, small 
drainages and large areas of irrigated cropland, migration corridors, 
highway crossings, fawning areas, etc.. 

D-Winter Range--That part of the overall range where 90 percent of 
the individuals are located during the average five winters out 
of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up, or during 
a site-specific period of winter.  A subset of this definition would 
include a “severe winter range” definition to include areas within 
the winter range where 90% of the individuals are located when annual 
snow pack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at a minimum in 
the two worst winters out of ten. 

E-Winter Concentration--That part of the winter range where densities 
are at least 200% greater than the surrounding winter range density 
during the same period used to define winter range in the average 
five winters out of ten.

F-Year-round Population--An area that provides year-round range for 
a population of mule deer.  The resident mule deer use all of the 
area all year; it cannot be subdivided into seasonal ranges although 
it may be included within the overall range of the larger population.
