. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. \ I r '?iS'-, t Under good range conditions the normal, healthy doe will usually have two fawns per year. (Fish and Game Photo) Prior to the turn of the century deer were scarce. Unrestricted hunting had reduced the herds to a low level. In the 1880"s, however, conditions had begun to change. Logging operations opened up timber stands and allowed an increase in browse species. Fires dur- ing this early logging period created inte
. California fish and game. Fisheries -- California; Game and game-birds -- California; Fishes -- California; Animal Population Groups; Pêches; Gibier; Poissons. \ I r '?iS'-, t Under good range conditions the normal, healthy doe will usually have two fawns per year. (Fish and Game Photo) Prior to the turn of the century deer were scarce. Unrestricted hunting had reduced the herds to a low level. In the 1880"s, however, conditions had begun to change. Logging operations opened up timber stands and allowed an increase in browse species. Fires dur- ing this early logging period created interspersed openings in forests, permitting brush fields to grow. On the other hand the depletion of grass cover by overgrazing of cattle and other causes and the con- sequent reduction in fire occurrence permitted an in- crease in browse vegetation in juniper, sagebrush, desert shrub and woodland grass areas. Man Aided Man also aided the deer by reducing the number of livestock on national forest, federal and privately owned lands, leaving more reserve forage. In some instances homesteaders helped when they broke up vegetation types by clearing brush and trees and then abandoned their sites. These factors set the stage for return of the deer in large numbers by creating a favorable habitat. Resto- ration of the herds was further aided when the State instituted a "bucks only" shooting law and developed an efficient force of game wardens and predator trap- pers. Today the deer have increased to such abundance that the pendulum has swung the other way; their natural range is not sufficient to support them in a healthy condition. Deaths from starvation, malnutrition and related diseases have been the lot of far too many deer on overstocked ranges. Food Quality Declines Heavy populations over-browse the better forage species. This results in a steady decline in the quality of their food to the point where weaker animals suc- cumb and wasteful losses occur. Usually fawns and
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