Because of their popularity and wide distribution, mule and black-tailed deer (collectively referred to as mule deer) are one of the most economically and socially important animals in western North America. A survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2001 of outdoor activities reports that over 4 million people hunted in the 18 western states. In 2001 alone, those hunters were afield for almost 50 million days and spent over $7 billion. Although this includes hunters that pursued other species, mule deer have traditionally been one of the most important game animal in the West.
