Browsing on chamise (Adenostoma fasciculatum) by mule deer (Odocoiles hemionus) and cattle was examined on a 4 ha prescribed burn in southern California, 1982-1985. Little difference in chamise growth was observed between the area browsed by cattle and deer versus the area browsed by deer only (0.25 ha exclosure). During the first two years post-burn there were significantly more deer pellets inside than outside the cattle exclosure. Deer and cattle apparently did not compete for post-burn forage, but cattle presence may have affected deer distribution. Deer displacement disappeared during the third year post-burn, following the removal of cattle. Wildlife managers interested in maximizing benefits to deer of prescribed burns in chaparral may wish to restrict cattle access to burns during the first one to two years of regrowth.
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