Surfing the Green Wave

Mule deer are an important part of the Western landscape and are coveted among big-game hunters throughout the country. These animals draw outdoor enthusiasts to states, such as Wyoming, where nearly 800,000 people hunted, fished, and viewed wildlife, and contributed $1.1 billion to the state’s economy. Balancing a growing infrastructure in the west that includes housing and resource development with the conservation of wildlife migration corridors is a priority of land managers, land trust organizations and private citizens. Therefore, USGS scientists study animal movement, behavior, and population dynamics to better understand how a changing world affects mule deer populations.