Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

General Status Rank: 
Vagrant
ELCODE: 
AMALC02010
Common Name: 
Mule Deer
Scientific Name: 
Odocoileus hemionus
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Artiodactyla
Family: 
Cervidae
References: 
B001
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

18 months
References: 
B112

Longevity

Up to 22 years in captivity.
References: 
B112

Economic/Human Considerations

important big game species
References: 
B001
Habitat
Open coniferous forests, subclimax brush, aspen parklands, steep broken terrain, and river valleys.
References: 
B001
Distribution

Ecozones

Boreal Cordillera
References: 
B001

Distribution

6% of the NWT (B001), barely present (B112).
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
B001
B112

Number of Occurrences

Nahanni National Park Reserve occurrences (need confirmation see in WMIS).
References: 
DD100

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
References: 
H203
H300
Population

Population Size

Vagrant; barely present (B112).
References: 
RSC10

Density

From 0.5 to 4 deer per sq km.
Trends

Trends

Uncertain: recorded in Fort Smith area in 1950s then never seen later (H203); Noted in Fort Simpson area in the 1950s too (H300)
References: 
H203
H300
Threats

Threats

Habitat availability, environmental conditions, potential over-hunting, predation.
References: 
A097
B112

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
A097
B112
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Vagrant
Status Rank Description: 
Very limited population and range; unknown threats in the NWT.
S Rank: 
SNA
Decision Process Description: 
Reviewed in 2004 - no change in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change. Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, modified from undetermined to vagrant due to lack of new records (more information on frequency of presence).
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Area of Occupancy

  • Decker Robert (2001) RE: White-tailed deer. e-mail to Anne Gunn (Friday, July 20, 2001 3:08 PM) print out in binder - H203 Return
  • Larter Nic (2015) - H300 Return

Economic Status

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Ecozones

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Habitat

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Connolly GE (1981) Limiting factors and population regulation. University of Nebraska Press Mule and Black-tailed Deer of North America. Wallmo OC (editor) 245-285 RWED Library Call #QL737.UU5M84 - A097 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Longevity

  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • ENR (2014) WMIS database. - DD100 Return

Population Size

RWED biologists (2004) Forest Criteria & Iindicator Data Submission Forms - input from RWED on wildlife Criteria 1. Copy in Infobase Reference binder - RSC10 Return

Range Extent

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Decker Robert (2001) RE: White-tailed deer. e-mail to Anne Gunn (Friday, July 20, 2001 3:08 PM) print out in binder - H203 Return
  • Larter Nic (2015) - H300 Return

Taxonomy

  • Banfield AWF (1974) The Mammals of Canada. University of Toronto Press RWED Library Call #QL721.B3 - B001 Return

Threats

  • Connolly GE (1981) Limiting factors and population regulation. University of Nebraska Press Mule and Black-tailed Deer of North America. Wallmo OC (editor) 245-285 RWED Library Call #QL737.UU5M84 - A097 Return
  • Chapman JA and Feldhamer GA (editors) (1982) Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, Management, Economics. The Johns Hopkins University Press RWED Library Call #QL715.W5 - B112 Return