Species Spotlight on Mule Deer:
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are the most common large mammal in Idaho. Their scientific name reflects one of their most recognizable features – its large, "mule-like" ears. Mule deer range is characterized by beautiful but unforgiving landscapes - their numbers have always been determined by ever-changing weather patterns, food sources, and predators. The margins for mule deer survival are slim, and today they face additional threats like loss of winter range, obstacles along their migration routes, poaching, and invasive plants.
During the winter, deep snow makes it difficult for mule deer to access food so they migrate between 50 and 75 miles from higher mountain elevations into valley bottoms and south-facing hillsides. If deer eat well during the summer and are nice and fat when winter comes, they can usually survive severe winters. But, if mule deer cannot find high-quality nutritious food in the summer, no matter how good the winter habitat may be, they may succumb to the harshness of winter. During the summer and spring, mule deer may be found on mountain slopes where shrubs, flowering plants, and grasses grow. Aspen groves have many flowering plants, called forbs, which are important for mule deer, especially nursing does, and the trees offer shelter for the fawns. Deer digestive tracts differ from cattle and elk in that they have a smaller rumen in relation to their body size, so they must be more selective in their feeding. Instead of eating large quantities of low-quality feed like grass, deer must select the most nutritious plants and parts of plants. The quality of food a buck eats determines how large his antlers will grow.
When alarmed, a mule deer does not “flag” its tail (like a white-tailed deer), but often bounces away in a motion called “stotting,” in which all four hooves push off the ground at the same time. With each bound, a mule deer may jump as high as two feet and as far as 15 feet! This action requires a lot of energy though. This brings into play what sportsmen and wildlife viewers can do to give mule deer every chance at survival. We should try not to stress the animals by getting too close to them and making them fight through the deep snow to get away. We can help them get through our harsh winter by observing and appreciating them from a distance.
Photo by Tim Mayo
Two of our six recently released Trumpeter Swan cygnets settling in on a Teton Valley wetland. We've observed them since early September staying together and bonding with a wild swan.
For more information about our Teton Basin Trumpeter Swan Project, go to our webpage: tetonlandtrust.org/conserve/trumpeter-swan-project/
Our recently Trumpeter Swan cygnets made the news💚
We would like to remind hunters to know your target. There is no hunting season for Trumpeter Swans in Idaho Trumpeter Swans are considerably larger than geese and adult swans have solid white wings and bodies. Young swans, called cygnets, are medium gray with a pale belly and wing lining.
Most of our released Trumpeter Swans are marked with large green neck collars with white alpha-numeric codes, but this year’s released cygnets have a green leg band instead. If you observe green-collared or banded swans in our region, please notify the Teton Regional Land Trust. For more information or to support the project, please visit www.tetonlandtrust.org or contact Nicole Cyr via email at nicole@tetonlandtrust.org.
Six swans released on protected land
www.tetonvalleynews.net
Trumpeter Swans are one of our region’s most iconic birds and embody the extraordinary landscape we call home. Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl species native to North America, andEmmalyn Hardy
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-10-12 12:01:512020-10-12 12:10:43Trumpeter Swans in Teton Valley
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-09-29 13:21:042020-09-29 13:21:04Caribou-Targhee National Forest Gains Priority Inholding The protection of the Maytag-Teton Timbers property will ensure additional access to public lands and enhance wildlife habitat protection
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-09-29 08:20:132020-09-29 08:21:02Expanded Protection of the Spring Creek Wetland in Teton Valley
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-09-11 14:08:142020-09-11 14:08:14Sandhill Cranes in Teton Valley
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-07-08 15:28:172020-07-08 15:34:452020 Tin Cup Challenge Op-Ed
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kate@tetonlandtrust.org2020-07-08 07:10:112020-07-20 14:03:56Get to know Aimee Babneau, the local artist behind our 30th Anniversary artwork.Until further notice, all of our staff will be working remotely. Although our office building is closed, we are available by telephone and email. The health and welfare of our staff, family, friends, and community is our top priority. Like you, we are following the CDC guidance. We will continue to update our website as we make decisions about upcoming events so please continue to check back.
Conserving working farms and ranches, fish and wildlife habitat, and scenic open spaces in Eastern Idaho for this and future generations.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 247
Driggs, ID 83422
Physical Address
1520 S. 500 W.
Driggs, ID 83422
208-354-8939
info@tetonlandtrust.org
