Objectives:

1- To determine the population density of mule deer at El Plomito, Sonora.

2- To compare several methods (track, fecal group and direct counts) during different seasons to determine the most reliable one to monitor the species.

The night counts using artificial light showed the highest variation, as the vegetation at El Plomito is high and dense, thus preventing the light to penetrate farther.

The track and fecal groups counts methods showed very similar results. However, the first one was more effective due to the geographic location of the reserve, as there is only one way of access into it. There was where all transects were made, as in the opposite side the Sierra EL Viejo constitutes a natural barrier for the species.