Twenty mule deer near Flagstaff have been outfitted with collars to study their movement.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department captured and collared the deer last month around the San Francisco Peaks. Biologists are using data from the collars to learn more about the daily and seasonal movement of the deer.
Traffic engineers and wildlife officials say the information will help guide planning for future road projects to avoid collisions between vehicles and the animals, and to protect the deer's habitat.
The collars transmit data every three hours. They are designed to fall off after three years.
Mule deer are among the most numerous and widespread big game animals in Arizona. The study is being funded by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
