Straining at Gnats and Swallowing Camels
Special interest groups are using all kinds of excuses to block oil and gas development in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Some of these groups are masquerading an interest in Mule Deer welfare in order to stop development. I can think of several examples ( see picture below) 
where mule deer have done quite well in the presence of development.
When compared to predation, development is minuscule in its effect on taking the lives of mule deer. In virtually every western state predators are killing hundreds of thousands of mule deer annually. Very few people are crying or complaining about that, and even fewer are doing something about it.
It is futile to be worrying about habitat issues, not that habitat is unimportant, while ignoring the effects of predation. It doesn’t need to be difficult to accommodate oil and gas development and wildlife jointly – particularly in areas where a little water could be provided for wildlife or where some cedar trees could be thinned by developers.
I, for one, am puzzled by all the commotion about blocking fuel oil development by people who both consume fuel daily and who use mule deer as an excuse.
The saddest part of all is that various wildlife associations are participating in these tactics along with the ne’r-do-well hugger organizations. We would all be way ahead if they would just kill a few lions and coyotes.
