We classify deer habitats into three main categories based on the season of use: winter, summer, and transitional. Deer use high-quality forage during the spring and early summer to aid in fat and protein deposition (Cook et al. 2013). The higher the quality of spring and summer forage, the better the antler growth in bucks, the better does are prepared for lactation, and the more fat reserves deer can build up for use during winter. Recent data from Utah's monitoring efforts suggest the amount of fat deer have entering into winter is an important predictor of over-winter survival. Similarly, high-quality forage on the winter range may help slow the rate of decline of accumulated fat reserves, helping deer survive. The size and condition of mule deer populations are primarily determined by the quantity, quality, and availability of crucial habitats as they provide the necessary nutrition to sustain deer throughout the year. Lack of quality habitat has been associated with decreased survival and recruitment of fawns, increased age at first reproduction, decreased reproductive output, and decreased survival by adults (Monteith et al. 2014). Loss and degradation of habitat are thought to be the main reasons for mule deer population declines in western North America over the last few decades (Workman and Low 1976, WAFWA 2003). Crucial mule deer habitat has been and continues to be lost or fragmented in many parts of central Utah due to human population expansion, development, and natural events. Continued degradation and loss of crucial habitat will lead to significant declines in carrying capacity and/or numbers of mule deer. Urbanization, road construction, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use, energy development, drought, catastrophic wildfire, and expansion of invasive plant species have all resulted in loss or degradation of mule deer habitat. The quality and quantity of forage available on important mule deer ranges can be limited by a variety of factors. The encroachment of pinyon and juniper trees threatens to choke out understory forbs and shrubs and increase risk of catastrophic wildfire. Annual weeds such as cheatgrass alter natural fire cycles by increasing fire frequencies, often resulting in shrublands being converted to annual grasslands that do not provide the essential nutrients for survival. Aspen and mountain meadow habitat is declining in part due to conifer encroachment resulting from the suppression of naturally occurring fires. The seeding of aggressive introduced perennial grasses that outcompete native shrubs and forbs can reduce the ability of rangelands to meet the dietary requirements of mule deer. The degradation and loss of natural water sources across the landscape from a wide variety of anthropogenic and climatic factors reduce water availability for mule deer, which is crucial for survival and healthy populations. The decrease in nutrient-rich vegetation in riparian areas from piping projects, poor grazing practices, and stream channelization and erosion have resulted in a decline in productivity, especially during crucial summer months. The DWR Range Trend Project has documented many of these threats and how mule deer habitat in Utah has changed over the last 30 years (UDWR 2014--2018). During the 1940s and 1950s, deer herds erupted in response to abundant shrub growth on mule deer ranges throughout the state, as a result of heavy grazing on most rangelands (deVos et al. 2003). Since then, many shrub-dominated rangelands have gradually converted to old decadent stands of shrubs or succumbed to drought, invasive weeds, wildfire, and juniper-dominated communities due to lack of fire or other disturbances. To address the decline in mule deer habitat in Utah we have done many restoration projects and this project will continue to build on those efforts by increasing water on the landscape and improving the winter range. Upland game species provide great opportunities for hunters of all ages to hunt every year. There are lots of opportunities as well to grow upland game populations and increase hunting opportunities throughout the central region for upland game hunting. For these reasons it is important that we invest in improving their habitats through this project.

1. Increase the availability of water for mule deer and upland game, like turkeys and chukars. 2. Improve mule deer winter range and transitional habitat by removing invasive weeds and planting preferred high-nutrient plant species.

If we don't work to improve the habitat for mule deer, their populations may remain stagnant or decline. We want to increase mule deer populations to ensure that we have hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for generations to come. By improving the upland habitat we will help provide greater opportunities for upland game hunters.

New 2025 Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan Habitat Objective 1: J. Drought a. Manage vegetation communities to be resistant b. Follow best management practices for guzzler maintenance Habitat Objective 2: Improve the quality and quantity of vegetation for mule deer on a minimum of 600,000 acres of crucial range by 2030 Central Region Mule Deer Habitat 10 Year Plan 1. Install guzzlers in the Tintic Mountains Utah Chukar Management Plan- 1. Increase water sources across landscape. Utah Turkey Management Plan- 1. Increase water sources 2. Increase available food and help reduce conflicts with humans. Utah Pheasant Management Plan- Improve cover habitats.

This project will reduce fire risk by replacing annual grasses that are a high fire danger with other vegetation that reduces the fire risk.

We will be increasing water across the landscape by constructing guzzlers that capture and store water.

All necessary cultural surveys will be done in-house by UDWR archeologist prior to project implementation.

We will install 5 big game Boss tank style guzzlers on the east side of the Sheeprock Mountains in the Tintic Valley. These guzzlers will be flown in with helicopters and will be placed in locations that are ideal for mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and turkeys to use. We will install 2 upland game/big game rotoguzzler style 500 gallon guzzlers on the Tintic Mountains and 2 more near Little Sahara to benefit mule deer, pronghorn, and chukars. These will be installed by ground crews. To remove annual invasive grasses like cheatgrass from our Wallsburg and Lasson Draw WMAs, we will apply aerially a pre-emergent herbicide called Rejuvra. Rejuvra can control annual plants from sprouting for up to five years, which will allow the native perennial plants that are already there to expand and be more healthy without the annual weed competition. Pheasant Food/Cover Plot: At our Walt Fitzgerald WMA, we will be working with Pheasants Forever to fix the irrigation system and plant a few fields of wheat to provide better cover and food for pheasants. Deer Food Plots: At our Santaquin and Manti Face WMAs, we will plant a blend of forbs in several fields to provide a nutrient rich food source for deer right before winter.

We will take photo points before and after.

Travis Proctor from the Utah Chukar Foundation provided us with locations of some ideal guzzler locations that will benefit mule deer and upland game. SITLA is the primary landowner and we have worked with Tyler Hamilton to get permission to build guzzlers. DWR habitat restoration biologist, Robby Edgel, is the lead biologist who is coordinating and planning the project and is very passionate about improving mule deer populations and also benefiting upland game species.

We will make sure that the guzzlers are in good condition and working. We will monitor vegetation response to Rejuvra treatments and seed planting.

This project will help increase opportunities for hunting mule deer, elk, pronghorn, chukars, and turkeys.