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Reproductive Strategies of Elk and Mule Deer

Rocky mountain elk and mule deer are two iconic species that both play important roles ecologically and economically in western North America. Like other ungulate species, population dynamics of mule deer and elk are greatly influenced by recruitment of young. However, comparatively little research has been conducted on neonate animals. Thus, this research seeks to better understand reproductive strategies in elk and deer, including (1) birth timing (2) reproductive bet-hedging, and (3) improving methods for researching neonate ungulates. In collaboration with Brigham Young University, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and other organizations, we collared and monitored neonate elk and mule deer to better understand their  ecology during this critical life stage.

SELECTED MEDIA

Story by KSL Outdoors

Overview of project by SFW

Podcast by MDF

PAPERS

Turnley, M.T., R.T. Larsen, K.R. Hersey, T.A. Hughes, M.S. Hinton, D.W. Sallee, and B.R. McMillan. Are capture methods for neonate ungulates biasing assessment of litter size? Animal Biotelemetry. 2022.10:3

Hughes, T.A., R.T. Larsen, K.R. Hersey, M. van de Kerk, B.R. McMillan. Evaluating movement-based methods for estimating the frequency and timing of parturition in mule deer. Movement Ecology. 2024. 12:1

Turnley, M.T., T.A. Hughes, R. T. Larsen, K.R. Hersey, B.R. McMillan. Cumulative costs of reproduction in a long-lived ungulate. Journal of Mammalogy. 2024. 105:6

Turnley, M.T., T.A. Hughes, R.T. Larsen, K.R. Hersey, M.S. Broadway, M.C. Chitwood, W.S. Fairbanks, R.C. Lonsinger, B.R. McMillan. A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates. Ecology and Evolution. 2024.14:7

Elk Reproductive Strategy: Text
Elk Reproductive Strategy: Pro Gallery

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