A recent study by researchers at New Mexico State University has shed light on how vegetation thinning affects the mule deer population in the state. The study, published in the journal "Ecology and Evolution", found that vegetation thinning can have both positive and negative effects on mule deer, depending on the specific conditions of the habitat.

The researchers studied two areas in New Mexico, one that had been thinned and one that had not. They found that in the thinned area, mule deer had higher survival rates and produced more fawns. This is likely because thinning can increase the availability of food and cover for mule deer, making it easier for them to survive and reproduce.

However, the researchers also found that in the thinned area, mule deer had smaller body sizes. This is likely because thinning can reduce the amount of thermal cover available to mule deer, making them more vulnerable to heat stress.

Overall, the study suggests that vegetation thinning can have both positive and negative effects on mule deer, and that the specific effects will depend on the specific conditions of the habitat. The researchers recommend that land managers consider the potential effects of vegetation thinning on mule deer before implementing this practice.

Here are some specific examples of how vegetation thinning can affect mule deer:

* Positive effects:

* Increased availability of food and cover

* Higher survival rates

* Increased fawn production

* Negative effects:

* Reduced availability of thermal cover

* Smaller body sizes

* Increased vulnerability to heat stress

The researchers also found that the effects of vegetation thinning were different for male and female mule deer. For example, male mule deer in the thinned area had higher survival rates than male mule deer in the unthinned area, but female mule deer in the thinned area had lower survival rates than female mule deer in the unthinned area.

The researchers suggest that this difference may be due to the fact that male mule deer are more likely to use open areas for foraging, while female mule deer are more likely to use dense vegetation for cover. Therefore, thinning may be more beneficial for male mule deer than for female mule deer.

Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the effects of vegetation thinning on mule deer in New Mexico. Land managers can use this information to make informed decisions about whether or not to thin vegetation in areas where mule deer are present.