Ecology and Management of Black-tailed and Mule Deer of North America

James R. Heffelfinger is Wildlife Science Coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish Department and Full Research Scientist in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at University of Arizona, Tucson. For the last 17 years, he has served as Chairman of the Mule Deer Working Group sponsored by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. This working group consists of the leading black-tailed or mule deer expert from each of 24 states, provinces, and territories in western North America. James is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, and recipient of the O. C. “Charlie” Wallmo Award for contributions to black-tailed and mule deer knowledge and conservation in North America, Mule Deer Foundation’s Professional of the Year Award, Lee Gladfelter Memorial Award, and Distinguished Alumnus University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. He has authored and coauthored >65 scientific papers, 29 book chapters, 295 magazine articles, several TV scripts, and the book Deer of the Southwest published by Texas A&M University Press.Paul R. Krausman is Professor Emeritus from the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson. Paul is a Certified Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Fellow, Honorary Member of The Wildlife Society, and served as faculty advisor for the student chapters of The Wildlife Society at Auburn, Arizona, and Montana. He has served as editor, associate editor, and guest editor for numerous scientific outlets. Paul has published 41 book chapters, 14 books, >100 conference proceedings, and >270 peer-reviewed monographs and manuscripts. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and research including the O. C. “Charlie” Wallmo Award (1999), the Desert Ram Award (2000), and the Aldo Leopold Memorial Award (2006).

This is not a book to be kept on a shelf for occasional, casual reading, nor can it be used effectively as a textbook on which to base an undergraduate or graduate course. Ecology and Management of Black‐Tailed and Mule Deer of North America is a comprehensive compilation of everything currently known about black‐tailed and mule deer. As such, it will be an invaluable resource for anyone with an interest in this iconic species. Graduate studentsneeding to brush up on basic life‐history traits of mule or black‐tailed deer will find everything they need to know in these pages. Biologists and managers wanting to implement new strategies for monitoring deer populations or for modifying deer habitat will find clear, accessible guidance. Even non‐professionals will find this a useful reference. This is the bible for anyone interested in mule or black‐tailed deer, and I know my copy won't just sit on my shelf.Ryan A. Long, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, USARepresenting three subspecies of Odocoileus hemionus, black-tailed and mule deer are the iconic deer of western North America. Significant culturally, historically, economically, and spiritually, these deer have drawn a significant amount of attention in both technical and popular outlets. Until now, the most comprehensive volume on these deer was Mule and Black-Tailed Deer of North America, compiled and ed. by Olof Wallmo (1981), comprising 15 essays by 12 contributors. In the 40-years since 1981 much has changed and much has been learned. Wildlife scientists and managers have long been concerned over the steady decline in mule deer populations. Heffelfinger and Krausman, both respected experts, brought together 15 essays by a total of 82 authors. Readers at all levels, whether scientists, wildlife managers, students, or wildlife enthusiasts, will find this book readable yet packed with the most current science and technical information. Examples of topics represented in the present volume but not in the earlier book include chronic wasting disease, migration ecology, integrated population modeling, genetics, and finer treatments of ecoregional differences. The editors' care with this volume is evident throughout. It will be the definitive reference for this species.-J. Organ, Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Amherst

• Section I. Biology and Ecology. 1. Origin, Classification, and Distribution. 2. Historical Trends in Black-Tailed Deer, Mule Deer, and their Habitats. 3. Physical Characteristics. 4. Digestive Physiology and Nutrition. 5. Modeling Population Dynamics of Black-tailed and Mule Deer. 6. Diseases and Parasites. 7. Carnivore-Prey Relationships. 8. Competition with Other Ungulates. Section II. Ecoregion Habitats and Population Dynamics. 9. Northern Forest Ecoregion. 10. Coastal Rainforest Ecoregion. 11. Intermountain West Ecoregion. 12. Great Plains Ecoregion. 13. California Chaparral and Oak Woodlands Ecoregion. 14. Southwest Deserts Ecoregion. 15. Colorado Plateau Shrubland and Forest Ecoregion. Section III. Population Management. 16. Population Monitoring. 17. Harvest Management. 18. Human Dimensions. Section IV. Habitat Management. 19. Conflict Management. 20. Threats to Habitat Function. 21. Habitat Improvement and Water Supplementation. 22. Migration. Section V. The Future. 23. Challenges and Opportunities for the Future Conservation of Black-Tailed and Mule Deer.