In Rut At The Arsenal
Winter Is A Perfect Time To See These Beauties Vying For The Affection Of The Does
Story and photos by Reid Neureiter
For the GPHN
Frisky mule deer bucks with wide antler racks are plentiful and active at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in early winter. This is the “rut” — deer mating season, when bucks search out receptive does and engage in antler jousting to show their dominance and run off competitors.
Colorado has two types of deer — mule deer and the smaller whitetail deer species. Both can be easily seen at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, just six miles north of Park Hill. This 15,000-acre site is free and open to the public and includes 20 miles of hiking trails, as well as a network of roads and a wildlife drive that provides ample opportunities to view other wildlife in winter as well, including bison and bald eagles.
The larger mule deer are named for the oversized ears that resemble a mule’s ears. Mule deer have a black-tipped white tail and white patch on the rump. The bucks are easily identifiable by the dark patch or black “eyebrow” across the forehead.
According to Colorado Parks & Wildlife, in 1900, with Colorado’s rangelands forming the basis of a booming livestock industry and uncontrolled hunting of big game, the state’s mule deer population had fallen to fewer than 6,000. Over the past century, with careful management and regulation of hunting and commercial outfitting, the mule deer population has rebounded to between 400,000 and 600,000 across the state.
While whitetail deer are found across the country, mule deer are typically found only west of the Missouri River into the Rocky Mountains. According to the National Park Service, adult mule deer are typically 31 to 42 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh anywhere between 100 pounds for does and up to 300 pounds for mature bucks. Gestation for the does is six to seven months, and one or two spotted fawns will be born in late spring or early summer.
Bucks usually lose their antlers in February, but new sets of antlers begin growing almost immediately. The best time to see mule deer at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is the hours just after sunrise and near dusk. A drive up the Rattlesnake Hill viewing area will usually reveal several bucks and does. If you are lucky, you will even see the big bucks battling for the does’ favor.
