Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife researchers ask hunters who legally harvest a radio-collared or ear-tagged black-tailed deer in the south Cascade mountains to return the collar or tag to ODFW. Radio collars can be re-used and researchers verify that the ear tag is from their project.

The deer have been radio collared and/or ear tagged as part of ongoing research to collect data on age, survival, mortality causes and reproduction rates of black-tailed deer in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. About 100 deer are currently radio collared, and many more have ear tags.

Throughout the study, biologists have discovered vital migration routes for deer populations in certain areas, along with summer and winter habitats. Knowing critical use areas becomes an important tool when dealing with issues such as hunter harvest and population management.

If a hunter has the correct tag for the sex and age of the deer killed, it is legal to take a collared or tagged black-tailed deer. The collars and ear tags can be returned to any ODFW office.