SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — An ambitious research project is under way
to shed light on the mysterious movements of white-tailed deer
through the thick cover of northeastern Washington. The study
area in Stevens, Pend Oreille and northern Spokane counties
covers the state's most productive region for whitetails and the
hunters who pursue them during fall big-game seasons. About 35
bucks, does and fawns gave researchers an intimate glimpse of
their daily movements, migrations and, in a few cases, their
deaths during the first year of research that started in January
2012. Another 35 already have been captured, fitted with
transmitters and released during the winter trapping season
going into the second year of the study. About $400,000 in
federal grants, state wildlife funds and volunteer services will
be devoted to the project over 3 1/2 years, said Woody Myers,
Washington Fish and Wildlife Department big-game research
biologist. Up to 100 deer will be adorned with $170 radio ear-
tags or with $2,200 GPS collars tha