The subspecies of deer inhabiting Zone X-9c is the Inyo mule deer. The deer herd found within the boundaries of Zone X-9c is the Inyo-White Mountains Deer Herd. Deer in Zone X-9c are migratory, spending summers at higher elevations (7,500-12,000 feet) in the Inyo and White Mountains and winters at lower elevations (4,500-7,500 feet). Deer migration between these summer and winter ranges occurs twice annually, once during spring and then again in the fall. Migrations generally follow traditional routes oriented along major topographic features, such as drainages or the bases of mountain ranges. Fall migration back to the winter range is generally patterned by snow storms and freezing temperatures at the higher elevations. This migration generally begins in late October and follows the same traditional routes used by deer in the spring. During heavy fall snowstorms, deer will migrate together from the summer range, often making the trip to the winter range in just a few days. As the snowline lowers and the days become progressively shorter, deer concentrate on the winter range for the breeding season, which begins in mid-November.

No major deer migration route has been delineated in either the Inyo or White Mountains. Both the winter range and the summer range cover vast expanses of area making it likely that there are numerous migration routes, each used by a small numbers of animals. During winter on the White Mountains, snow is too deep and temperatures too low to serve as deer winter range. To a lesser extent, this is also the case in the Inyo Mountains. Temperatures and snow conditions at low elevations are more favorable to wintering deer. However, these deer may migrate down much lower than would be required by weather conditions alone. This movement is most pronounced in the early spring, and presumably it is to take advantage of succulent forage in the desert scrub plant community.

Summer use for the most part occurs at high elevations in both the Inyo and White Mountains. Limited field surveys, conducted by the Department of Fish and Game, indicate that most deer summer at high elevations in the White Mountains, either on the open expanses on the top or at the heads of drainages. Summer use also occurs at lower elevations in both ranges, particularly along drainages with year-round streams or springs. The Owens River provides year-round habitat for a small number of deer as well.

Deer occur throughout the entire zone during the general hunting season, however most deer activity is concentrated around water sources because habitat conditions are typically dry.

In the White Mountain portion of the zone, most deer are taken near the top of the southern half of the range where access is good. These areas include Cottonwood Basin, Crooked Creek, Wyman Canyon, and Westgard Pass. Hunters have also been successful in Pellisier Flats and Chiatovich Flats in the northeastern portion of the zone.

In the Inyo Mountains, hunter kill information indicates that the Waucoba Mountain and Gilbert Pass areas have the greatest concentration of deer. The Inyo and Piper Mountain Wilderness areas provide a remote, high country, rugged hunt for those who seek solitude. If hunters prefer a more accessible hunting location, the Owens River, from Laws extending south to Lone Pine, provides some excellent hunting opportunities as well.

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December 2024