BEND, OR -- Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife is rewriting its Mule Deer Management Plan and looking for public input. ODFW’s Michelle Dennehy says new GPS data show the paths mule deer use to migrate each year, "With this research that we have with GPS collared deer, we think we’re in a better position to work with other agencies, like ODOT and other natural resource agencies."

She says the new information will help inform statewide decisions and regulations, "How can we site wildlife crossings, how do we site energy development so we do it in a way to minimize impact on mule deer; particularly their migratory routes? Because they do take the same route each year." Dennehy tells KBND News mule deer aren't that different from humans who drive the same route to the grocery store or work, "Mule deer migrate over the same routes each year. But what’s happened, we’ve seen in Oregon, as we’ve got housing development, energy development, more roads, we’ve seen that habitat fragmented."

A public webinar Tuesday evening will provide more information on ODFW’s draft plan and answer questions. "If you’re a big game hunter, you’re interested in this. Maybe you live in an area where there’s mule deer and you want to learn more. In some areas of the state, we have issues with urban deer causing damage or nuisance." Mule deer primarily travel through central and eastern Oregon and are responsible for numerous highway crashes each year. 

The webinar starts at 6 p.m. on ODFW’s mule deer webpage. Submit questions/comments before, during and after the webinar using this form or by emailing odfw.muledeerplan@odfw.oregon.gov. 

Dennehy says a final draft is expected to be presented to the Fish and Wildlife Commission early next year.