Managing Cougars in North America: Revisions Underway

In 2011, the Jack H. Berryman Institute, in cooperation with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Cougar Working Group, published “Managing Cougars of North America” (available through www.berrymaninstitute.org or Amazon.com). Over 5,000 copies of the book were distributed. Because the science regarding management of cougars has dramatically grown over the last decade, the partners are again collaborating on a revision of the 2011 book. Currently, the chapters are undergoing a peer-review process through Human–Wildlife Interactions. Jonathan A. Jenks, South Dakota State University, is serving as the editor-in-chief for the peer-review process and will be the editor for the revised book. We anticipate the new book will be released by the Berryman Institute Press in late 2020

Antipredatory Defense of Neonatal Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) by Yearling Male Pronghorn in Southwestern South Dakota

Antipredatory defense of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) neonates (≤1 month old) by adult females (\u3e18 months old) is well documented throughout the geographic range of this species. However, reports of male pronghorn defending neonates against predators are limited to a single study in northwestern Wyoming where occurrences were documented of adult males assisting female pronghorn in defending neonates against coyotes (Canis latrans). To our knowledge, defense of neonatal pronghorn by yearling males (12–18 months old) has not been reported previously for this species. We report occurrences of antipredatory defense of neonatal pronghorn by yearling males in southwestern South Dakot

Corn Hybrids: Deer Taste the Difference

As daylight begins to illuminate the countryside, a cold wind rustles through the leaves of the weedy rows of corn that you barely had time to get in the ground this past spring. The corn plants are stunted, the few small ears of corn that did grow are not even enticing to passing blackbirds, and that stud buck captured on your trail-camera months earlier is nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, a couple hundred yards across the fence to the south, you hear the unmistakable sound of deer running through corn. Your heart rate involuntarily increases. As the sun continues to rise on that mid-October morning, the better view of the neighboring cornfield only becomes increasingly disheartening: Numerous whitetails are feeding back and forth across some of the rows already stripped by the combine a couple days prior. The corn plants there are twice as tall as those in your food plot that was intended for the deer, and the ears are comparatively huge with kernels exposed from the peeled-back husks. Just as the sun rises, a doe and her fawn exit the timber to the north and wander down a heavily used trail across your property. The trail leads directly into your corn plot, but the deer do not stop to feed. They continue southward across the road to join the other deer. Then, sure enough, that stud of a buck that you had dreamed about all summer appears in the neighboring cornfield, moves about to assess the receptiveness of each doe, then wanders deeper into the cornfield until he is out of sight

Survival of White-Tailed Deer Fawns in the Grasslands of the Northern Great Plains

Environmental factors, such as forest characteristics, have been linked to fawn survival in eastern and southern white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) populations. In the Great Plains, less is known about how intrinsic and habitat factors influence fawn survival. During 2007-2009, we captured and radiocollared 81 fawns in north-central South Dakota and recorded 23 mortalities, of which 18 died before 1 September. Predation accounted for 52.2% of mortality; remaining mortality included human (hunting, vehicle, and farm accident; 26.1%) and hypothermia (21.7%). Coyotes (Canis latrans) accounted for 83.3% of predation on fawns. We used known-fate analysis in Program MARK to estimate summer (15 May-31 Aug) survival rates and investigated the influence of intrinsic and habitat variables on survival. We developed 2 a priori model sets, including intrinsic variables and a test of annual variation in survival (model set 1) and habitat variables (model set 2). Model set 1 indicated that summer survival varied among years (2007-2009); annual survival rates were 0.94 (SE = 0.06, n = 22), 0.78 (SE = 0.09, n = 27), and 0.54 (SE = 0.10, n = 32), respectively. Model set 2 indicated that survival was further influenced by patch density of cover habitats (Conservation Reserve Program [CRP]-grasslands, forested cover, and wetlands). Mean CRPgrassland and wetland patch density (no. patches/100 ha) were greater (P \u3c 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (xcRPPD = 1.81, SE = 0.10, n = 63; XWe,PD = 1.75, SE = 0.14, n = 63, respectively) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (xcRPPD = 0.16, SE = 0.04, n = 18; XWe,PD = 1.28, SE = 0.10, n = 18, respectively). Mean forested cover patch density was less (P \u3c 0.001) in home-range areas of surviving fawns (fycpn = 0.77, SE = 0.10, n = 63) than in home-range areas of fawns that died (XF CPD = 1.49, SE = 0.21, n = 18). Our results indicate that management activities should focus on CRP-grassland and wetland habitats in order to maintain or improve fawn survival in the northern Great Plains, rather than forested cover composed primarily of tree plantings and shelterbelts

Quantifying Signpost Usage by Captive Male White-Tailed Deer

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use rubbing of signpost structures to communicate during the breeding season. Rubbing of signpost structures allows deer to communicate via visual and chemical cues, which allows them to establish dominance hierarchies and maintain hierarchal status throughout the breeding season (Moore and Marchinton 1974, Miller et al. 1981, Hewitt 2011). Once a living tree is rubbed, the exposed light-colored sapwood creates a stark contrast in wooded areas, increasing visibility and further enticing deer to investigate the structure (Oehler et al. 1995). Anatomically, the tubular apocrine sudoriferous glands of white-tailed deer are located at the antler base on the forehead (Atkeson and Marchinton 1982), which creates a challenge when depositing gland secretions to either vertical or horizontal signposts. When at the rub, chemical communication ensues via olfactory senses because of the unique gland secretions deposited from the tubular apocrine sudoriferous glands (Atkeson and Marchinton 1982). Signpost communication via secretions allows males and females to gather reproductive information, leading to potential breeding opportunities (Sawyer et al. 1989, Miller et al. 1991). Signpost communication is important during the breeding season because male breeding success is limited by breeding attempts, and using signpost structures increases the potential for a male to find a mate (Moore and Marchinton 1974)

Bed-Site Selection by Neonatal White-tailed Deer in Central North Dakota

Understanding bed-site selection and vegetation characteristics provides valuable information for population management (Verme 1977, Huegel et al. 1985a, Nelson and Woolf 1987). Predation and other natural-caused mortalities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) neonates are most likely to occur within the first 60 days of life; a time period when selected habitat characteristics are vital to survival (Verme 1977, Huegel et al. 1985a, Nelson and Woolf 1987, Grovenburg et al. 2010). Prior to the study of Grovenburg et al. (2010), limited research had been completed on bed-site selection of neonatal white-tailed deer in the grasslands of the Northern Great Plains. In north-central South Dakota, increase in vertical height of vegetation was the most important habitat characteristic at bed sites, which likely pertained directly to protection from predation and thermal insulation (Grovenburg et al. 2010, 2012a). Our objective was to describe the physical and vegetative characteristics of bed sites selected by neonatal white-tailed deer in the grassland dominated landscape of central North Dakota. We hypothesized that neonatal whitetailed deer would select bed sites characterized by relatively high understory vegetation to moderate ambient temperatures resulting in favorable microclimates for maintaining thermal neutrality while providing concealment from predator

NOTES: BED-SITE SELECTION BY NEONATAL WHITE-TAILED DEER IN CENTRAL NORTH DAKOTA

Understanding bed-site selection and vegetation characteristics provides valuable information for population management (Verme 1977, Huegel et al. 1985a, Nelson and Woolf 1987). Predation and other natural-caused mortalities of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) neonates are most likely to occur within the first 60 days of life; a time period when selected habitat characteristics are vital to survival (Verme 1977, Hue- gel et al. 1985a, Nelson and Woolf 1987, Grovenburg et al. 2010). Prior to the study of Grovenburg et al. (2010), limited research had been completed on the bed-site selection of neonatal white-tailed deer in the grasslands of the Northern Great Plains. In north-central South Dakota, increase in vertical height of vegetation was the most important habitat characteristic at bed sites, which likely pertained directly to protection from predation and thermal insulation (Grovenburg et al. 2010, 2012a). Our objective was to describe the physical and vegetative characteristics of bed sites selected by neonatal white-tailed deer in the grassland dominated landscape of central North Dakota. We hypothesized that neonatal white-tailed deer would select bed sites characterized by relatively high understory vegetation to moderate ambient temperatures resulting in favorable microclimates for maintaining thermal neutrality while providing concealment from predators. We studied neonatal white-tailed deer in Burleigh County in central North Dakota, which comprised an area of 2,652 km2. The study area was located within the Northwestern Glaciated Plains level III Ecoregion (Bryce et al. 1998) and was characterized by significant surface irregularity and high concentration of wetlands (United States Department of Agriculture 2011). Long-term (30-year) mean summer temperatures ranged from 13.1° C to 27.5° C and mean (30- year) annual precipitation was 44.9 cm (North Dakota State Climate Office 2012). Nearly all land within the region was used for agricultural purposes. Grasslands and croplands dominated the landscape at 66.2% and 21.0%, respectively. Additionally, wetlands and water comprised 7.4%, developed land 5.2%, and other land uses \u3c1% of the landscape (United States Department of Agriculture 2011). Furthermore, Burleigh County had 4,884 ha in Wildlife Management Areas, 6,844 ha in National Wildlife Refuges, and 4,546 ha in Waterfowl Production Areas (C. Penner, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, personal communication)

The Maternal Effect: Carrying the Consequences of Nutrition Across Generations

Let’s indulge ourselves in a deer-management fantasy for a moment. I’m sure it won’t be your first time! Imagine you are blessed to own and manage your own block of deer country for several years (for many fortunate readers, this is reality, not fantasy). Although the ground you purchase holds plenty of deer, the overgrown forests and grassy meadows might not be providing the nutrition necessary for these deer to achieve their genetic potential. In addition, the 6-foot high browse line resulting from extreme overabundance of deer is a likely indication of why only scrawny looking bucks are typically harvested in the area. However, you know what it takes to have healthy deer herd and grow bigger bucks, and you can see the potential your property holds. Like any responsible steward of the land, you do your homework and go the extra mile to increase the diversity of the habitat and offer more forage and browse. You establish proper food plots with forage high in digestibility and protein. You harvest numerous does each year to reduce deer numbers to a sustainable level, and conservatively harvest bucks to balance the sex ratio and develop an age structure that includes bucks of many ages. During this time, you also foster a small data-collection program framed around the close monitoring of the harvest each year, and in particular the size and age of the bucks being harvested. After a few years of intensive management, hard work, and patience, the property appears to be in better shape; a browse line is no longer evident, deer numbers are in check, bucks and does that are harvested exhibit greater fat levels, and the buck harvest is comprised mainly of mature bucks over 4½ years of age

Incidental Captures of Plains Spotted Skunks in Central South Dakota

The plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) had a historically broad distribution in the central United States, extending from the Mississippi River west to the Rocky Mountains. This subspecies of the eastern spotted skunk (S. putorius) has experienced population declines in recent decades possibly due to habitat loss and reduction of prey through conversion of grasslands and forests to croplands, as well as reductions in abandoned buildings, fence rows, creek bottoms, and wood piles throughout the region (Crabb 1948, Kaplan and Mead 1991, Gompper and Hackett 2005, Sasse 2017). Woody debris provides access to prey, and a dense understory and overhead cover provide camouflage and protection from avian predators (Lesmeister et al. 2013, Eng et al. 2018). Overharvest, disease, pesticide use, and expanding or increasing predator populations might also have contributed to population declines (Gompper and Hackett 2005, Gompper 2017). Because the plains spotted skunk is currently under consideration for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2012), it is important to communicate new information on abundance, distribution and ecology of the subspecies. Furthermore, limited data exist on incidental captures of plains spotted skunks by researchers and state agencies (Diggins et al. 2015, Sasse 2018). Data collected through live-capture and non-invasive techniques are needed to improve the effectiveness of management and the understanding of this subspecies (Hackett et al. 2007)