Wyoming Game and Fish Works to Revive Critical Mule Deer Habitat Through Mountain Mahogany Restoration

As Wyoming’s mule deer emerge from another demanding winter and begin the seasonal shift into spring, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is focusing attention on one of the most important, and often overlooked, pieces of the state’s wildlife puzzle: mountain mahogany.

This rugged, drought-resistant shrub has long been a cornerstone of Wyoming’s big game habitat, especially for mule deer that depend on its protein-rich browse to survive the toughest winter months. But while mountain mahogany can live for more than a century, age can become a problem.

According to Wyoming Game and Fish Casper Region terrestrial habitat biologist Willow Bish, older stands of mountain mahogany gradually lose much of their nutritional value.

“Mountain mahogany is drought-tolerant, hardy, and long-lived, with typical lifespans exceeding 100 years,” Bish said. “The challenge is that as these plants get older, they become woody and tough. They lose their nutritional ‘punch,’ making them less palatable and harder for animals like mule deer to utilize effectively.”

To address this decline, Game and Fish is using proactive habitat management techniques to essentially reset these aging shrubs. Through carefully planned mechanical treatments, old branches are cut back to mimic the rejuvenating effects of wildfire — a natural process that historically helped refresh Wyoming’s landscapes.

The payoff can be dramatic.

Within just one year of treatment, mountain mahogany responds by producing fresh, tender shoots that can offer up to ten times more forage for wintering mule deer compared to untreated shrubs. That means healthier food supplies during one of the most critical survival periods for Wyoming’s iconic deer herds.

Bish says the early results have been highly encouraging.

“We are seeing fantastic results from these projects,” she said. “Even in the face of drought or localized caterpillar damage, these treated shrubs thrive. By giving nature a helping hand, we are ensuring that the habitat can support healthy, robust mule deer populations for years to come.”

The restoration work reflects a broader truth about wildlife management in Wyoming: healthy animals depend first on healthy habitat. While hunting seasons and herd numbers often draw public attention, habitat quality is the long-term foundation that determines whether mule deer populations can thrive.

For residents of the Bighorn Basin and across Wyoming, these efforts highlight the behind-the-scenes conservation work that directly impacts the future of mule deer on the landscape. As drought, habitat fragmentation, and changing environmental pressures continue, strategic restoration projects like mountain mahogany rejuvenation may play an increasingly important role in preserving Wyoming’s big game heritage.

Wyoming Game and Fish has also released an educational video showing the treatment process in action, giving the public a firsthand look at how habitat specialists are working to improve winter range across the state.

For Wyoming’s mule deer, spring is not just a season of renewal, it is also a reminder that smart habitat stewardship today helps sustain healthy herds for generations to come.