A young mule deer bounds along a rise on Gordon Ridge Road near Biggs, Oregon. The wind turbines are on the north side of the Columbia River near Maryhill, Washington.
SALEM, OR - ODFW will host three in-person public meetings in February to present and get public input on the draft Mule Deer Management Plan. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are Feb. 1 in Salem, Feb. 6 in Bend and Feb. 7 in La Grande. See more details below.
ODFW biologists recently completed a full draft of the revised Plan, which they presented in a series of webinars. Find the draft Plan at the Mule Deer Plan webpage.
The upcoming meetings provide an in-person option for hunters and others who are interested in learning more, asking questions and providing comments.
The Plan incorporates the latest science and research on topics including biology, nutrition, habitat and predation. A highlight of the new Plan is a shift from managing mule deer by wildlife management unit to more biologically meaningful herd ranges that more accurately reflect mule deer behavior.
Salem
Feb. 1 from 6:30-8:00 pm
ODFW HQ, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr SE
Bend
Feb. 6 from 6:30-8:00pm
Embark (Tentative)
2843 NW Lolo Dr
La Grande
Feb 7 from 6:30-8:00pm
US Forest Service
1401 Gekeler Ln
The draft plan has updated chapters on historical information for Oregon mule deer and mule deer management and a description of mule deer biology and ecology. This basic information is followed by nine chapters describing numerous aspects of mule deer management that warrant a more detailed look into the factors affecting mule deer and their management.
The study focused on migration, movements, and habitat connectivity as well as economic and social values; habitat, nutrition, climate change, disturbance, and land management.
The plan also digs into parasites and diseases of Oregon mule deer; predation; harvest management; anthropogenic impacts; illegal take; and population monitoring.
The final chapter lays out a roadmap of actions organized by chapter topic that the department may implement to address the factors impacting mule deer. Since the last revision of the plan in 2003, the biological and social environment for mule deer has changed dramatically. Changes have occurred in mule deer populations and the landscape mule deer rely on for persistence, as well as other species' populations sharing the mule deer landscape have evolved. This plan provides the department direction for navigating through the contemporary complicated interactions of all the biological, environmental, and social factors affecting mule deer in an effort to improve mule deer populations to meet the department's mission to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
The public is encouraged to participate in these meetings and to shape to future for mule deer in Oregon.
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