It has only been in recent years that we have begun to understand the extreme importance of migration routes to ungulates such as mule deer. Thanks to efforts by scientists to collar and track the animals as they move across the landscape, we can begin to map these journeys and to start the process of creating policy that will protect the herds for generations to come.
A helicopter flies into the collaring area with two doe mule deer carefully packaged and suspended.
With the goal of getting the deer back on their feet as soon as possible, teams work to take blood, collect data and attach tracking collars.
Lightweight and as sleek as possible, the collars provide invaluable information about animal movements over seasons.
A pair of scientists quickly remove the animal’s blindfold and leg restraints once it is ready to be released.
A mule deer wastes no time bolting to freedom once it has been released from its restraints.
