Wildlife biologist Jim Heffelfinger has combed the scientific literature, researched the historical archives, rousted researchers out of retirement, and badgered other southwestern deer biologists for information to create the most comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date reference yet on mule deer and white-tailed deer (including Coues whitetails) in the North American Southwest.
In this book, anyone interested in deer will be treated to authoritative but nontechnical discussions of deer evolution, natural history, human use, physical characteristics, antler growth, movement, home ranges, density, diets, water requirements, mortality rates, rutting behavior, hybridization, and management.
Deer of the Southwest will be the definitive popular guide to these highly valued and critically important animals in this region.
JIM HEFFELFINGER is regional game specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and adjunct professor at the University of Arizona. He lives in Tucson.