Winter Elk Distribution and the Risk Of Brucellosis Transmission from Elk to Livestock in the Northern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Predicting spatio-temporal variations in elk (Cervus elaphus) distributions is necessary to forecast the risk of brucellosis transmission from elk to livestock within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Using Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected from 49 telemetry-collared female elk during 2005-2006, we developed predictive resource selection function models for the brucellosis transmission risk period. To determine applicability of predictive models across the larger GYE landscape, we validated predictive models internally, as well as externally at two additional elk ranges within the GYE using 63 telemetry-collared cow elk during 2002-2009. Finally, we integrated extrapolated resource selection function maps and domestic livestock distributions to forecast elk to domestic livestock brucellosis transmission risk. We found elk distributions varied spatially and temporally during the risk period and predictive accuracy was highest in the study area where the model was developed. Predictive accuracy of extrapolated resource selection function maps was lower in other study areas indicating that risk models developed in one portion of the GYE are not as accurate in other portions of the GYE. Relative to the other areas included in this study, the Madison Valley and northern Paradise Valley areas were predicted to have the highest risk of elk to livestock transmission risk. Predictions regarding spatio-temporal variations in transmission risk may be used to prioritize management actions aimed at reducing the potential for brucellosis transmission risk, for example hazing to reduce elk-livestock commingling or producer management of livestock distribution

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and its maternal and fetal outcomes

We hereby report the results of a prospective cohort study where we compared the association of various demographic factors and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), determined the prevalence of GDM and its maternal and fetal outcomes

The Effects of Special Mule Deer Buck Regulations on Mule Deer Populations and Harvest

We evaluated the effects of 3 restrictive season types on mule deer population and harvest characteristics in 41 Montana hunting districts (HDs). Using a mixed-effects, before-after-control-impact modeling framework, we analyzed 6 harvest and hunter use response variables, and 4 population response variables. Buck : doe ratios increased by 0.42 bucks:100 does and 0.33 bucks :100 does per year, following changes to a shortened season and limited permits, respectively. We found no significant change in buck : doe ratios in unlimited permit HDs. All restrictive season types resulted in declines in hunter numbers and days. HDs with no restrictions, with limited permits and with unlimited permits also showed a downward annual trend in hunter numbers. In shortened season HDs, a significant loss in hunter numbers was followed by a slow return of hunters back to those HDs. Limited permit HDs had a statistically greater proportion of bucks with ?4 points on at least one antler, a lower number of bucks harvested annually, and a smaller total number of ?4 point bucks harvested than in HDs with no buck restrictions. For those same 3 response variables, unlimited and shortened season HDs were not different than HDs without restrictions. In all three restricted regulation HDs there was an annual increase in the observed spring fawn : adult ratios even though the general trend was for a decreasing fawn : adult ratio of 0.83 fawns:100 adults per year in HDs with no restrictions

What Hunters Prefer and Value about Mule Deer Hunting in Montana

During Montana’s biennial process for establishing hunting seasons, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) listens to issues, advocacies, opinions and values brought forward by diverse mule deer hunters. In recent years, vocal constituency groups have advocated for season structures that provide more opportunity to harvest mature mule deer bucks, reflective of the recent direction of mule deer management in much of the west. In an effort to better quantify the views and preferences of the Montana hunting public in general, FWP conducted surveys of both resident and nonresident mule deer hunters. Results from the survey confirm that mule deer hunting is very important to Montana's hunters, consistent with the fact that deer hunting is by far the most popular hunting activity in Montana. Approximately two-thirds of the survey respondents prefer less restrictive mule deer hunting regulations compared to more restrictive regulations that increase the probability of harvesting mature bucks by limiting opportunity. Surprisingly, trophy hunting was the least important reason expressed by survey respondents for hunting mule deer in Montana. Many respondents did express concerns about a variety of access related issues. Despite these concerns, respondents reported being generally satisfied with overall mule deer hunting opportunities in Montana, and nearly half of the respondents rated opportunities to hunt large mule deer bucks in the state as being better than average. FWP intends to use results from this survey in the consideration of future management of this important game species that is so highly prized by Montana hunters

Synthesizing Moose Management, Monitoring, Past Research, And Future Research Needs In Montana

Perceived declines in Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) in many areas across Montana in recent years have elicited concern from biologists, managers, and members of the public. Interest in moose research in Montana has correspondingly been mounting, however little new research has occurred. For this reason we attempted to synthesize existing knowledge and management programs for moose in Montana to provide collective awareness of the issues and research needs for moose. We used structured interviews of wildlife biologists and managers that work with moose to document current moose management in Montana. Most biologists reported that moose were stable or decreasing in their areas of responsibility. Predation was the most common concern for factors limiting moose, followed by habitat succession, hunter harvest, disease and parasites, Native American harvest, and habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation. In addition to information from post-season surveys of moose permit holders, biologists assessed moose populations using information from a variety of sources including landowner reports, hunter reports collected at check stations, unadjusted trend counts, bull: cow ratios, recruitment ratios, sightability-corrected population estimates and habitat condition. Nearly all respondents felt that available information was inadequate in various ways for making moose management decisions. Clearly identified research needs include calibration of currently employed moose population indices to actual trends in moose populations, development of a survey program that will provide better and more moose survey data at the appropriate scale for management decisions, and research into how predation, habitat, disease, parasites, and climate affect moose survival and recruitment rates

The Effects of Changes in Elk Archery Regulations on Elk Hunter Effort and Harvest, 2004-2010

We evaluated the effects of changes in elk archery hunting seasons in eastern Montana on hunter numbers, days, and densities and elk harvest. We compared 2 time periods (2004-2007 and 2008-2010) and grouped hunting districts (HDs) into 1 of 4 season types. The 4 season types were limited permits in the Missouri Breaks (7 HDs), limited permits in non-breaks HDs (22 HDs), adjacent HDs were in close proximity to the limited permit HDs that we hypothesized might receive additional hunters displaced from the two more restrictive archery permit areas (22 HDs), and our pseudo-control season type included the rest of the HDs in the state (110 HDs). It appeared, from a statewide perspective, that changing the archery regulations to limited permits in 27 HDs didn’t cause a statistically significant hunter shift to the 22 HDs identified as areas hunters would likely select if restrictions forced them to choose a new area. The only significant changes in hunter numbers and days were decreases in nonresident hunter numbers and days in the Missouri River Breaks HDs. Although the decrease in non-resident use may have had an economic impact in the local area; statewide, there was no change in non-resident use. Pseudo-control HDs showed decreases or no change in harvest response variables. Therefore, the significant harvest increases and/or lack of significant harvest declines in the limited permit areas might be interpreted as a relative success since most of these hunting districts are above population objectives for elk

A Method to Establish Trend Areas that Predict Pronghorn Populations to Guide Management Actions

Trend area flights offer substantial cost and time-savings over total population counts, but trend area data need to be calibrated to total count data before they can be used with confidence in wildlife management decisions. To develop trend areas for pronghorn (Antelopcapra americana) in FWP Administrative Region 5, group location data from total surveys, for the period 1984-2009, were combined with classification information by hunting district (HD) into a GIS. Number of total counts conducted per HD varied from a low of six to a high of 13 and involved classification of between 364 and 8088 antelope. Grids, 5 mi x 5 mi to 12 mi x 12 mi (increasing by 1-mi2 intervals) in size were overlain on the pronghorn locations as potential trend areas. Number of yearling, adult and total bucks, does, fawns and total number by year, were calculated for each grid and cross-referenced with HD census data. The predictive ability of each candidate trend area was estimated and internally validated. We selected grids with the highest internally validated predictive ability to be used as trend areas for each HD in Region 5. Correlation coefficients between trend count data and total count data varied from a low of 0.88 to a high of 0.98. Newly established trend areas varied in size from 64.3 mi2 to 216.6 mi2. The time-savings and reduction in survey costs will allow biologists to fly surveys in each HD annually without sacrificing the ability to predict pronghorn populations accurately

Application of Structured Decision Making to Elk Archery Regulation Decisions in Montana

Prior to 2008, 22 hunting districts (HDs) in Montana had limited-draw, either-sex rifle permits, while the archery season was open for either-sex hunting to anyone possessing a general elk license. In addition, an unlimited number of hunters could obtain an either-sex archery elk permit in the 7 Missouri River Breaks HDs, where rifle hunting of bull elk is also limited. In 2008 the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Commission implemented limited-draw archery regulations in these districts. These regulations have been very controversial since they were implemented. Certain public sectors have argued fervently for changes to these limited regulations in every MFWP season-setting process since 2008, and legislation that would reverse these regulations was introduced and defeated in the last two legislative sessions. In response to the contentious debate on this topic, in 2011 MFWP staff and the Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit facilitated a 10-citizen working group composed of landowners, public sporting interests and commercial/fee hunting perspectives. Using a Structured Decision Making (SDM) process, the working group developed a problem statement, fundamental objectives and assessed the performance of multiple archery season options relative to the fundamental objectives to arrive at an elk archery season proposal. In December of 2011 the MFWP Commission used these results as a basis for tentative season proposals that they distributed for wider public input and comment. Here we present the results of the SDM process and the working group proposal, as well as subsequent MFWP Commission action relative to the proposal