They have white tufts of fur on their chests and noses, a springy step, and big pointy ears. Mule deer are plentiful in Colorado -- one of the nation’s largest herds is in northwestern Colorado. But wildlife officials are concerned about them.
In 2012 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimated there were 408,000 mule deer, or muleys, as they're called, statewide. That's well below the goal of 525,000 to 575,000 animals. Numbers are also down in several other western states. That’s why wildlife officials are pulling back on how many deer hunting licenses they’re issuing this year.
