Improve mule deer habitat in the murderer s creek wildlife management unitby revegetating habitat impacted by the 2024 rail ridge fire.recent research and evidence from population information…

The State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) received a $300,000 formula grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. The grant funds habitat restoration and revegetation efforts in the Murderer's Creek Wildlife Management Unit to address mule deer habitat degradation caused by the 2024 Rail Ridge Fire, which impacted approximately 170,000 acres of critical migration and winter habitat.

The primary products and services delivered through this award include targeted aerial reseeding and plantings to re-establish preferred mule deer forage species and prevent colonization by non-native invasive annual grasses in the fire-affected area. By restoring quality habitat conditions and improving the sage-steppe forage base, the project will sustain and enhance mule deer populations and hunting opportunities in the region, consistent with the Wildlife Restoration program's core mission of conserving wild mammals and their habitats while supporting recreational hunting activities.

Improve mule deer habitat in the murderer s creek wildlife management unitby revegetating habitat impacted by the 2024 rail ridge fire.recent research and evidence from population information indicates the habitat quantity and quality availableto mule deer in oregon has declined. The oregon department of fish and wildlife has identified strategies toimprove existing habitat conditions and increase population performance, including a focus on habitatimprovement within sage-steppe habitat with a degraded forage base. In fall 2024, 170,000 acres of mule deer habitat within the murderer s creek wildlife management unit wasimpacted by the rail ridge fire. The burned area included important migration and winter habitat. Post-firereestablishment of shrubs is expected to be limited because of the lack of mature plants existing pre-fire andthe area is at high likelihood of colonization by non-native invasive annual grass which provide poor forage forwildlife. This project will use targeted aerial reseeding and plantings to RE-establish preferred mule deer forage speciesand outcompete non-native invasive grass species. The murderer s creek wildlife management unit providesimportant migration and seasonal habitat for mule deer as well as valuable opportunities for big game huntersand other wildlife related recreational activities. Providing quality habitat will help sustain and enhance huntingopportunities offered in the region.