Winter habitat use by mule deer in the central interior of British Columbia

Abstract

We analyzed winter habitat use by 23 radio-collared mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, from February 1982 to March 1989. This research was essential to provide sound biological data for development of a selection silvicultural and planning system that would integrate timber harvesting with the habitat needs of mule deer. Habitat selection was analyzed by comparing deer use with habitat availability of various levels (categories) of the following variables: age, crown closure, species composition, slope, and aspect. Additionally, we compared the use of each category among snow classes. Regardless of snow depth class, use of old stands (> 140 years) by deer was greater than the availability of that age category. Also, the use of old stands was greater in moderate (26–40 cm) and deep (>40 cm) snow depth classes than in the low snow depth class. Areas of winter range dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) were more often used than areas where other tree species were most common. In the deep snow class, use of both moderate and high crown closures categories exceeded their availability.