CALIFORNIA MULE DEER

PHOTOS

California Mule Deer typically forage within a one to two mile radius of their water source such as a lake or stream and usually make their beds in grassy areas beneath trees. These beds will often be scratched to a nearly level surface, about six and half feet in diameter. California Mule Deer on hot summer days often seek shade and rest in the mid-day.

In summer, California Mule Deer mainly browse on leaves of small trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, but also consume many types of berry including blackberry, huckleberry, salal and thimbleberry. In winter, they may expand their foraging to conifers such as the twigs of Douglas fir trees, aspen, willow, dogwood, juniper, and sage. Year-round, they will feed on acorns. Grasses are a secondary food source. Fawns and does tend to forage together in groupings while bucks tend to travel on their own or with other bucks. California Mule Deer browse most actively near dawn and dusk, but will also forage at night in open agricultural areas.

Where humans have moved into native deer habitat, California Mule Deer will diversify their diet with garden plant material, tree fruit, and sometimes pet food. Keep in mind that allowing deer access to your garden and landscaping, or intentionally feeding them, you may also be attracting mountain lions since deer are their primary source of food. To help keep our local deer stay wild, the California Department of Fish and Game recommend the following:

• Never intentionally feed deer.
• Landscape with deer-resistant plants.
• Enclose gardens with deer-proof fencing.
• Pick up fallen tree fruit.
• Install motion-sensitive lighting around the house and garden.
• Consider using commercially prepared deer repellents.

The rutting season for the California Mule Deer occurs in autumn when the does come into estrus for a period lasting several days. Males become aggressive in competing for mates. If no mating occurs during this time, does will begin estrus once again. The gestation period is approximately 200 days, with fawns arriving in the spring; the young will remain with their mothers throughout the summer and become weaned in the autumn.

The buck's antlers fall off during the winter months and begin growing again during the spring in anticipation of the next autumn's rut.

California Mule Deer are abundant throughout the local area during the spring and summer months. Sometimes during the season you can view small herds of these deer foraging in the early morning and late afternoon hours at Fort Tejon located in Lebec.