Differential Preference of Wintering Mule Deer for Accessions of Big Sagebrush and for Black Sagebrush

Abstract

Free-roaming mule deer showed significant differential preference for accessions of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) grown in a uniform garden. Mule deer also selectively preferred certain accessions of black sagebrush (A. nova). The role of monoterpenoids (essential or volatile oils) in determining preference among accessions and taxa of Artemisia-the sagebrushes-and the role of sagebrush as a food of starvation is discussed.