Aggressive interactions of Rocky Mountain Elk, Cervus elaphus nelsoni, during the calving season toward Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus, in central Colorado

Abstract

We documented four aggressive interactions between Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus) and Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during the Elk calving season of June and July 1995. In one case, we believe a fawn Mule Deer was killed by two cow Elk. In the other three cases, Elk chased Mule Deer away from an area where they were grazing. These incidents are of interest because documentation of such interactions between Elk and Mule Deer is sparse in the scientific literature and because of the concern about declining Mule Deer populations throughout the western United States.