Desert mule deer use of a corridor and surrounding habitats

I examined the efficacy of a mitigation project in Avra Valley, Arizona that was established to provide wildlife access across the barrier created by the Central Arizona Project aqueduct. I monitored movements of 17 radiocollared desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) to determine if deer were using the corridor for access across the aqueduct and the 26 km wide valley. I also examined deer use of vegetation associations and proximity to landscape features. Four deer crossed the canal but stayed within 500 m of the crossing site. One deer traversed the valley via the corridor. Overall, 22.4% of deer locations were in the corridor land system. Female mule deer generally used the mesquite (Prosopis velutina)-burroweed (Isocoma tenuisecta) vegetation association more than it was available and the palo verde (Cercidium spp.)-mixed cacti association less than it was available. Female deer were generally closer to the CAP, housing developments, roads, and permanent water than random points