Condition, Survival, and Productivity of Mule Deer in Semiarid Grassland-Woodland in East-Central New Mexico

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are an economically important species to wildlife enterprises throughout New Mexico and the western United States, but populations are declining, limiting recreational and revenue potential to private and public wildlife managers. We documented body condition, survival, production of fawns, and trends in population size of a declining mule deer population on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a multiple-use research ranch in east-central New Mexico owned by New Mexico State University. Mule deer females were in poor condition, characterized by accrual of little body fat or lean tissue (muscle mass) reserves. Annual female survival was 0.42, 0.78, and 0.71 during 2006 to 2008 and was related to poor body condition and precipitation. Survival of females was positively related to precipitation from January to June and April to June, seasons that coincide with conception-parturition and late gestation in deer. Survival also was positively related to increasing lean tissue (muscle) reserves. Malnutrition was the most common cause of death for adult females (n = 13 of 22). Fawn survival to weaning was positively related to increasing size of females, but not to any measure of seasonal or annual precipitation. Low survival and low productivity resulted in the CRLRC deer population declining from 539 to 191 during 2005 to 2008. Poor condition of deer was the result of both seasonal drought and a lack of quality forage. While drought will always decrease productivity of mule deer populations, survival may be maintained by managing for more drought-tolerant forage, which limit population declines during droughts

ELK vs. LIVESTOCK: FORAGE UTILIZATION STUDY IN PORTIONS OF THE GILA NATIONAL FOREST.

In areas where elk (Cervus elephus) and livestock, mainly cattle (Bos taurus), occupy the same rangeland the potential for competition exists, which may adversely effect each species. Competition between these herbivores may occur for herbaceous vegetation in areas with high elk numbers and moderate livestock numbers. In portions of the Gila National Forest some ranchers claim that the steady increase in elk numbers has caused them to run livestock numbers below that allocated by the United States Forest Service. This has resulted in numerous management challenges including the management of forage utilization for livestock and wildlife. A research study was designed to obtain documented information on livestock and elk forage utilization in portions of the Gila National Forest. To determine forage utilization we concentrated on five selected riparian areas. Our three main objectives were 1) determine an index of relative elk and livestock use, 2) determine forage utilization by elk, and 3) determine utilization by elk and livestock combined. Current data from the study shows a trend that forage utilization in riparian areas during spring and summer months is heavy regardless of which species is present. During fall and winter months utilization of riparian areas decreases dramatically. However, data has only been collected for one year and is still in progress. During the year this data was collected (1996) the Gila National Forest was experiencing below average precipitation causing drought like conditions and a decrease in upland forage. Due to these conditions, elk and livestock populations concentrated in riparian areas causing an increase in forage utilization

Response of Breeding Birds in the Great Plains to Low Density Urban Sprawl

Low-density development consumes large tracts of the rural landscape surrounding Great Plains cities. Our objective was to determine how low-density sprawl influences the presence of birds. We used logistic regression models developed for two eastern Great Plains study areas for 1966-1990 to determine the probability of occurrence of bird species on the same areas in 1902. The two areas experienced different levels of low-density urban sprawl from 1902-1990. Birds associated with forests and forest edge are expected to decrease in both areas. Some of these are species of high concern. Dickcissel, a grassland bird, is expected to increase in the area of low sprawl, whereas several bird species associated with intense development, such as the house sparrow, are expected to increase in the area with a greater level of urban sprawl. We conclude that changes in land use and human activity associated with urbanization are influencing plains bird communities

Factors influencing survival and productivity of pronghorn in a semiarid grass-woodland in east-central New Mexico

Pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) are an important source of revenue and recreation for property managers throughout New Mexico, but have been declining in number. We documented body condition, survival, production of fawns, and trends in population size of pronghorns on the Corona Range and Livestock Research Center (CRLRC), a working research ranch and wildlife enterprise located in east-central New Mexico, from 2006 through 2011. Accrual of all indices of condition and size of both adult female and adult male pronghorns was positively associated with precipitation during June to July, August to September, and annually. Annual survival rates of females (0.33 to 0.78) and males (0.63 to 0.89) were highly variable on CRLRC. Survival of individuals was not related to any measure of condition or size taken the prior autumn. Survival of adult females was related to reproductive status the previous year; females that had successfully weaned \u3e1 fawn the previous year were 0.11 times less likely to survive. Malnutrition was the most common cause of mortality (nine of 22 females; seven of 15 males), followed by suspected plant toxicities and enterotoxaemia (nine of 22 females) and harvest (six of 15 males). Most adult female mortality (73%) occurred after parturition and prior to weaning when energy demands are greatest on adult females; females that successfully weaned \u3e1 fawn accrued significantly less condition by autumn. Survival of fawns was related to maternal condition, and fawn:adult female ratios were positively correlated with cumulative precipitation during late gestation and parturition. Low survival of adult females and fawns has resulted in the CRLRC pronghorn population declining from a minimum of 136 individuals to 66 from 2005 to 2011. Timing and causes of mortality highlight a strong nutritional limitation faced by lactating females related to the most energetic costs of reproduction being borne prior to the onset of summer monsoonal precipitation. The poor timing of reproduction to precipitation (and, thus, to forage phenology) in the southwestern United States will likely always limit productivity and survival of pronghorn relative to northern populations

Controlling nuisance woodpeckers in New Mexico

Guide describing four common species of woodpeckers in New Mexico, and methods for controlling them

Controlling rock squirrel damage in New Mexico

Introduction; Identification and distribution; Damage prevention and control methods; Habitat modification; Exclusion; Repellents; Toxicants; Fumigants; Trapping; Other control methods; AcknowledgmentsCircular containing general information on rock squirrels in New Mexico, the damage they can cause, and control methods

Controlling skunks in New Mexico

Guide giving general information on skunks in New Mexico and how to control them

Rodent control and protection from Hantavirus

Guide giving general information on hantavirus, rodents as carriers of hantavirus, and methods for controlling rodent populations

Identifying and preserving wildlife tracks

Illustrated circular serving as a guide for identifying wildlife tracks, and containing instructions for preserving tracks

Controlling rock squirrel damage in New Mexico

Introduction; Identification and distribution; Damage prevention and control methods; Habitat modification; Exclusion; Repellents; Toxicants; Fumigants; Trapping; Other control methods; AcknowledgmentsCircular containing general information on rock squirrels in New Mexico, the damage they can cause, and control methods