Essentially the same problem has existed for mule deer as for elk, with
the exception that deer, which do not congregate so readily into herds,
browse principally on low shrubs or bush plants rather than on grass.
They do not strip bark from aspen trees. This habit permits both elk and
deer to range fairly compatibly within the Park area. Nevertheless, the
deer population was also considered to be excessively large for the
amount of winter food available. Therefore, a smaller proportion of
their number was also "removed" in the winter of 1944-1945, resulting in
a present population of a little under 1,000 deer. For reasons unknown,
however, the deer population has recently and gradually been declining
within the Park. There is a possibility that the large number of coyotes
now in the vicinity has assisted in keeping the deer herds from
increasing.