A grazing plan that allows intensive grazing of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine plantations was compatible with summer range use by mule deer. Livestock control by riding, salting, and water development, with emphasis on early plantation grazing and deferred meadow use, resulted in seasonal optimization of forage use by both cattle and mule deer. A carefully designed forest grazing program benefits foresters, ranchers, and deer. Cattle grazing reduces fuels and unwanted herbaceous vegetation on pine plantations, and provides an income to the forest land manager. Ranchers gain access to valuable summer forage. Deer forage quality is improved, while fawning habitat is protected.
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