Wildlife biologist Jim Heffelfinger has combed the scientific literature, 
researched the historical archives, rousted researchers out of 
retirement, and badgered other southwestern deer biologists for 
information to create the most comprehensive, accessible, and up-
to-date reference yet on mule deer and white-tailed deer (including 
Coues whitetails) in the North American Southwest.

    In this book, anyone interested in deer will be treated to 
authoritative but nontechnical discussions of deer evolution, natural 
history, human use, physical characteristics, antler growth, 
movement, home ranges, density, diets, water requirements, mortality 
rates, rutting behavior, hybridization, and management. Special 
attention is given to the questions that continually arise regarding 
deer:

•	Can deer see color?
•	What do they eat?
•	Can they hear deer-repelling car whistles?
•	How large is an average home range?
•	When is the rut?
•	What causes deformed antlers?
•	Are "antlered does" really does?
•	Do predators affect deer populations?
•	Do mule deer and white-tailed deer interbreed?

Deer of the Southwest will be the definitive popular guide to these 
highly valued and critically important animals in this region.

_________________________________________________________

JIM HEFFELFINGER is regional game specialist with the Arizona 
Game and Fish Department and adjunct professor at the University 
of Arizona. He lives in Tucson.



What people are saying about this book

"Very few books on the subject of deer in any particular region lend 
themselves to being complete. Jim Heffelfinger's book breaks the 
mold. It is by far the most comprehensive book on mule deer and 
white-tailed deer in the southwestern part of the United States, 
including Plains portions of Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, I've 
ever read. Everything you ever wanted to know about these two 
deer species can be found in its pages . . . All of this under one cover 
and written in a style easy enough for the layperson to understand, 
but scientific enough for the professional biologist . . . Deer of the 
Southwest is a pleasure to read and should be a part of every deer 
enthusiast's library."—Great Plains Research, Vol. 17, No. 2, 2007

"A recent cable television story on deer hunting featured stock video 
footage of white-tailed deer and prong-horned antelope. Trouble was, 
the news reader acted like all the creatures being shown were deer. 
Too bad whoever edited that newscast hadn't had a chance to peruse 
Jim Heffelfinger's Deer of the Southwest."—Austin American-
Statesman, January 2007

"The distribution maps are simply the best available . . . Deer of the 
Southwest may not be the last word on this ever-fascinating subject, 
but it is certainly the most up to date."—Arizona Wildlife Views,
Sep/Oct 2006

" . . . the ultimate source for understanding the history, management, 
and issues facing this resource."—Barry Hale, Deer Program 
Manager, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish

"Jim Heffelfinger is fast becoming the authority on mule deer in 
the United States. His seminars on deer are rountinely packed. If 
you are a deer hunter you NEED this book."—Todd Rathner, 
National Rifle Association Board of Directors; Chairman, NRA 
Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee

"It's the right time for a book on deer of the Southwest. Jim 
Heffelfinger has crammed a tremendous amount of information into 
this book. The text is not in scientific style as this may be a 
deterrent to many readers, but he cites source information so that 
anyone interested can review the original articles and draw their own 
conclusions. I found the book outstanding because of the width of 
coverage and the readability."—Wendell Swank, former director of 
the Arizona Game and Fish Department

". . . one of the most significant contributions to the field of deer 
biology and management in years. Presented in a clear and concise 
style, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource not only for the 
professional biologist, but the layman as well."—Clay Brewer, Mule 
Deer Program Coordinator, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

"This is a book by a field biologist with talent for clear explanation, 
who knows deer phenomena inside and out, from bone fossils and 
DNA to the fossils of hunter politics."—Dr. Clay McCulloch, Arizona 
Deer Research Program Authority 

" . . . should be considered as a valuable first-hand tool by wildlife 
managers, professors, government agents, hunters, and every person 
interested in deer conservation and management on both sides of the 
border."—Carlos Hugo Alcalá-Galván, Wildlife Biologist for Instituto 
Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas, y Pecuarias 
(INIFAP)