Bed-site selection by desert mule deer in southern Arizona.

We compared bed sites selected by desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus ere micus) to nearby random sites to assess bed site features. Thermal cover of bed sites (i.e., vegetation greater than or equal to 75 cm high that provi ded shade for a deer) was highest in summer ((X) over bar = 43.7% +/- 4.1 S E) compared to spring (29.7% +/- 4.4), winter (33.5% +/- 3.1), and autumn ( 39.8% +/- 4.0); however, selection for bed sites with thermal cover that di ffered most from that available randomly was highest in spring ((X) over ba r difference between bed and random sites = 14.8% +/- 5.2) compared to summ er (8.3% +/- 4.1), winter (6.6% +/- 3.5), and autumn (8.6% +/- 3.5). Therma l cover is likely important as a contribution to thermoregulation, escape c over, protection of fawns, and fawn survival.