MULE DEER MAPPING HISTORY
PROJECT
DEFINITION:
This project proposes to map all mule and black-tailed deer habitat
in North America and Mexico using a Delpi approach (expert opinion) in
a single Geographical Information System (GIS) database. To accomplish
this, regional representatives were solicit by the project manager and
regional team members for information from state-provincial experts in
mule deer habitat conditions and used this information to develop a
database that identifies mule deer presence in 6 categories (identified
herein) and to attribute these polygons with primary limiting factors
applicable to each polygon. A list of limiting factors adopted by the
WAFWA Mule Deer Working Group is identified herein. This database can
be used to assist in management programs such as habitat restorations
that cross administrative boundaries.
BASE MAP AND MAPPING SCALE:
The base map used will be that developed by Utah State University
RS/GIS Lab in cooperation with the western states-provinces
that are a part of the Mule Deer Working Group (MDWG). This map has
been edge-matched for accuracy at administrative boundaries. The scale
in the United States is 1:250,000. The minimum polygon size (mapping
unit) will be township.
PROJECT NEED AND JUSTIFICATION:
Mule deer habitat extends across jurisdictional boundaries. In the
past, there were no range-wide habitat maps available that identified
the distribution of mule deer in North America, nor was there a
database that identifies the factors that limit the quality of mule
deer habitat. When the WAFWA Mule Deer Working Group began planning for
a Joint Venture Habitat Restoration Project, they found that the lack
of these databases made cross-jurisdiction project planning impossible.
They believed other planning projects have been stymied by the lack of
this planning tool. They investigated methods to develop such databases
and found that the previous project by RMEF was the most suitable model
for us to pursue. This is particularly true given the commitment from
RMEF to provide existing databases to this project at no cost to WAFWA.
With this database in place, resource managers now have a tool that
they can use to identify important mule deer habitats and to plan
methods to maintain or enhance existing habitat values.
Back to main page