Mule deer are instantly identified by their large, mule-like ears, and black-tipped tails. We encountered this trio walking alongside of the road in the wildlife refuge. They scattered as we passed them, then traveled in a complete circle around us. Trying to compose a coherent image from a car window proved impossible. We pulled off the road, and I was able to find them coherently grouped in this tight circle as they stood amidst the stalks of dead weeds in the forest.