Twenty-Four-Hour Activity Budgets of Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus, in the Aspen Parkland of Eastcentral Alberta

We documented seven 24-h activity budgets of two adult Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) does without fawns in the Aspen Parkland of Alberta when the vegetation was green (June, July), maturing (September) and cured (October). They spent about 40% (mean = 42.3%) of each day foraging, somewhat more when vegetation was green (40-47%) and maturing (45%), and less time in October, when the vegetation was cured (38-39%). The percentage of time Mule Deer were bedded each day generally equaled or slightly exceeded (33-53%) that of foraging. Walking was a prevalent activity (3-24%), especially in autumn and little time was invested in other activities such as social interactions and grooming (1-4%). There were generally more feeding bouts (10-16/day) than bedding bouts (4-10/day) per day, and feeding bouts were shorter (37-68 minutes) than bedding bouts (69-133 minutes). Mule Deer displayed polycyclic feeding cycles with slight increases in feeding activity near dawn and dusk

PROVINCIAL POPULATION AND HARVEST ESTIMATES OF MOOSE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Provincial population and harvest estimates of moose in British Columbia, Canada were assessed over a 28-year period from 1987 to 2014. The population generally remained stable, whereas the licensed hunter harvest declined gradually by about half despite constant hunter effort. The annual population estimate ranged from a low of 157,000 moose in 1994 to a high of 190,000 in 2011, with an overall mean of 172,000 ± 9900 (SD). In 2014, the relative status of hunted populations within 7 wildlife administrative units was 1 increasing, 3 stable, and 3 in decline. The mean annual licensed harvest was 10,038 ± 2137 (SD) moose, and the mean harvest rate was 6 ± 1.3% (SD). In December 2013, British Columbia initiated a 5-year (2013–2018) research project to identify factors contributing to the decline of the moose population and licensed harvest

Winter Habitat Use by Wolves, Canis lupus, in Relation to Forest Harvesting in West-central Alberta

Forested landscapes in west-central Alberta are facing increased pressures from forest harvesting and other land-use activities, which may alter the movements and distribution of Wolves and ungulates. Information on habitat use by Wolves in logged forests is scarce, potentially limiting effective land-use planning in the boreal forest. Nine Wolves, from four Wolf packs, were fitted with GPS radiocollars in the Rocky Mountain foothills, near Grande Cache, Alberta (2000-2001). We found Wolves did not use the landscape randomly, but rather exhibited a significant preference for non-forested natural habitats (shrubs, water), relative to their availability. Within forest habitats, Wolves used cutblocks proportionately more than unharvested forest and non-forested anthropogenic habitats (pipelines, clearings); however, selection of forest cutblocks was not statistically significant. We found no evidence that Wolves preferred or avoided forest cutblock edges. Wolf pack territories contained various levels of timber harvesting, but most areas were still in the early stages of harvest. Nevertheless, these areas have been allocated for large-scale harvesting. Understanding the potential responses of Wolves to rapidly changing landscape mosaics poses a significant challenge to researchers and managers, but such information is important to informing future land-management and conservation strategies for boreal forest Wolf-prey systems

Travel Rates of Wolves, Canis lupus, in Relation to Ungulate Kill Sites in Westcentral Alberta

Recent advancements in Global Positioning Systems (GPS) radiocollar technology permit analysis of fine-scale animal movements. We used concurrent aerial and GPS monitoring to determine winter travel rates of Wolves (Canis lupus) in relation to ungulate kill sites in managed forest landscapes in westcentral Alberta. Wolves preyed predominately on Moose (Alces alces) and travelled 4.2 times less when near ungulate kill sites than when away from them. As Wolves are thought to be an important factor in Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declines, information is needed to assess predation risk to Caribou from Wolves under a variety of landscape conditions. If Wolves have restricted movements near Moose kill sites, this may lead to decreased encounter rates with Caribou in systems where Moose are abundant. Deer (Odocoileus spp.) are probably an important component of this Wolf-prey system but little is currently known about this relationship. Projecting long-term implications of ongoing development activities requires a more detailed understanding of the responses of all species to landscape change

Pack Size of Wolves, Canis lupus, on Caribou, Rangifer tarandus, Winter Ranges in Westcentral Alberta

We studied pack size of Wolves (Canis lupus) on Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) winter ranges in westcentral Alberta. These Caribou winter ranges are experiencing increasing pressure from resource extraction industries (forestry, energy sector) and concerns have been raised regarding increased Wolf predation pressure on Caribou in conjunction with landscape change. Thirty-one Wolves, from eight Wolf packs, were fitted with radiocollars on two Caribou winter ranges in the Rocky Mountain foothills, near Grande Cache, Alberta (2000-2001). There was a mean of 8.2 Wolves/pack and between 30 and 39 Wolves on each of the RedRock/Prairie Creek and Little Smoky Caribou ranges. The average pack size of Wolves in this region does not appear to have increased over that recorded historically, but the range (5-18) in the number of Wolves per pack varied considerably over our study area. Wolves preyed predominately on Moose (Alces alces), averaging one Moose kill every three to five days. There was some indication that pack size was related to prey size, with the smallest pack preying on Deer (Odocoileus spp.). It was clear that Caribou could not be the primary prey for Wolves, due to their low numbers, and relative to the pack size and Wolf kills we observed

Genetic relationships of three Yukon caribou herds determined by DNA typing

In this paper we examine genetic relationships of caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Aishihik, Chisana, and Wolf Lake herds in the Yukon using DNA fingerprinting. The assignment test used in this analysis showed that the caribou herds were distinct. This finding is consistent with movement data from radio-collared caribou which demonstrates home range fidelity. We found a high level of heterozygosity and a genetic basis for population boundaries. DNA fingerprinting may provide an effective means to compare ecological and genetic relationships

In Pursuit of Prehistoric Caribou on Thandlät, Southern Yukon

In 1997, the first author noted a large concentration of caribou (Rangifer sp.) fecal pellets and a caribou antler on a permanent snow patch in the Kusawa Lake area of southern Yukon. Caribou are completely absent from this area today. Coring of the snow patch revealed continuous deposits of fecal pellets to depths of at least 160 cm. The proximal portion of a wooden dart or arrow shaft fragment recovered on the edge of the snow patch represents one of the few organic examples of mid-Holocene hunting technology ever found in Canada. An age of 2450 BP ± 50 years was obtained for the fecal material from approximately 1.6 m below the surface of the snow patch, and the dart was dated at 4360 BP ± 50 years. These dates indicate that aboriginal Yukon hunters have been harvesting caribou at this location for at least 4000 years. The Thandlät site offers a rare opportunity to explore a number of questions regarding the prehistoric ecology of large caribou populations, the implications of climate change for caribou populations, and human use of high-elevation hunting sites.En 1997, le premier auteur a découvert une concentration élevée de boulettes fécales (Rangifer sp.) et des bois de caribou sur une congère dans la région du lac Kusawa, dans le sud du Yukon. Il n'y a plus de caribous dans cette région. Le carottage de la congère a révélé des dépôts de boulettes jusqu'à une profondeur de 160 cm. Un fragment de dard ou de la flèche en bois trouvé sur le bord de la congère représente une des rares découvertes au Canada relatives à ce type d'arme. Il a été déterminé que les matières fécales prélevées dans la congère, à environ 1,6 m de profondeur, sont âgées de 2450 BP ± 50 ans, et que le dard aurait 4360 BP ± 50 ans. Ces dates montrent que les Autochtones du Yukon chassaient déjà le caribou à cet endroit il y a 4000 ans. Le site Thandlät est un des rares endroits où l'on peut observer divers aspects préhistoriques des grandes populations de caribou, des effets des changements climatiques sur les populations de caribous et des activités de chasse à grande altitude

MOOSE POPULATION DYNAMICS DURING 20 YEARS OF DECLINING HARVEST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Licenced harvest of moose (Alces alces) in British Columbia, Canada declined by approximately half over the 20-year period from 1996–2015. To better understand changes in moose populations coinciding with this period of declining harvest, we modelled population dynamics within 31 Game Management Zones (GMZs). We used aerial survey data (180 density and 159 composition surveys) combined with licensed harvest to develop 4 competing statistical models to assess population dynamics based on constant parameters and temporal trends in calf:cow ratios at 6 months, juvenile survival from 6–18 months, or cow survival. The models indicated that moose populations declined (λ < 1) in 7 GMZs (23%) from 1996–2005 and in 22 GMZs (71%) from 2006–2015. Over the 20-year period, the best model was fit with declining trends in calf:cow ratios in 8 GMZs, declining juvenile survival in 6 GMZs, and declining cow survival in 8 GMZs. Population growth rate was slightly reduced in those GMZs where licenced antlerless (cow and calf) hunting occurred but was not considered the primary factor causing population decline. Total licenced bull harvest influenced bull:cow ratios that were significantly lower in 2006–2015 (mean = 37:100) than 1995–2005 (mean = 48:100); significant predictive relationships existed between harvest rates and bull:cow ratios. Provincial moose numbers and harvest were highly correlated (r = 0.81) suggesting that declining harvest was a reaction to declining population trends. We found that the provincial moose population increased 6% from 1996–2005, subsequently declined 32% from 2006–2015, and declined 29% overall during the 20-year study period

Rumen Papillae Morphology of Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus, and White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, from East-central Alberta

Using hunter-harvested deer in the fall of 2003, we compared ruminal papillae density, length, width, surface enlargement factor (SEF) and reticular cell diameter between sympatric Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and White-tailed Deer (O. virginianus), and between age-gender classes within each species. There was no difference in papillae morphology or reticular cell diameter between Mule Deer and White-tailed does or bucks or between any age-gender comparisons within species. Female Mule Deer fawns had larger reticular cell diameters than White-tailed Deer fawns, and male Mule Deer fawns had higher papillae density and larger reticular cell diameters than male White-tailed Deer fawns. Papillae widths of male White-tailed Deer fawns were greater than those of male Mule Deer fawns. Comparisons of papillae morphology between Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer sampled during late fall suggests adults of these species may respond similarly to forage quality, but species differences may be evident in fawns

The temporal niche and seasonal differences in predation risk to translocated and resident caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou)

Mountain caribou are an endangered ecotype of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou Gmelin, 1788) that continue to decline ultimately due to habitat loss and proximately due to predation. A particularly imperilled population of mountain caribou was experimentally augmented with 19 northern caribou, a geographically distinct ecotype, from northern BC. We examined seasonal variation in risk of predation by cougars (Puma concolor L., 1771) to the translocated caribou with comparison to resident caribou. We applied a cluster analysis framework on space-use patterns of GPS radio-collared animals to determine biologically relevant seasons. Then we examined the spatiotemporal similarity in habitat use between caribou groups and cougars across these seasons. This analysis included a control group of caribou from the donor herd that were not translocated. Five resident caribou seasons, two donor caribou seasons, and two cougar seasons were identified. Resident caribou remained at high elevations year-round and primarily selected habitats not used by cougars. In contrast, translocated caribou tended to occupy low-elevation habitats extensively used by cougars, resulting in predation of eight translocated caribou, six of which were by cougars. We concluded that the translocated caribou did not adopt the predator avoidance strategies of resident caribou, rendering them more vulnerable to cougars. We make recommendations for future herd augmentations.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author