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Moose Overwintering Habitat Use on Monument Ridge, Wyoming (Poster)
No full textIt is important to investigate the effects of management on non-target species which may be detrimentally affected by management for other species. The Bridger-Teton National Forest is conducting thinning and prescribed burning of forest stands on Monument Ridge in western Wyoming to promote aspen regeneration for mule deer and elk fawning and calving habitat and to reduce the risk of wildfire near urban areas. As a significant remaining patch of mixed conifer forest after the 2018 Roosevelt Fire, which burned nearly 65,000 acres, Monument Ridge is thought to be an important location for wintering moose. However, the effects of this management on moose in the area are unknown. Conifer removal may be detrimental to overwintering moose since conifer cover reduces snow depth and decreases energetic costs of movement across a landscape. Increased cover may also create a warmer microclimate in one of the coldest places in the continental United States, and subalpine fir may be an important food source for moose populations which do not winter in riparian willow habitat. We used photos from 24 motion-triggered camera traps to assess moose utilization of thinned and wildfire burned sites relative to untreated areas over the 2021-2022 winter, from October 1 to April 30. We hypothesize that moose occupancy will be positively related to conifer cover and negatively related to burned areas
Non-Lethal Approaches to Monitoring Bees: Photos and Edna (Poster)
No full textWith little knowledge of the ~4500 bees in North America and multiple bumble bee species in decline, we urgently need approaches to better sample pollinators. However, bumble bee and other pollinator identification requires specialized expertise and can be difficult in the field. Taking photographs of bumble bees in the field offers a non-lethal alternative that may be more cost-effective, appropriate for species of concern, or suitable for engaging community scientists. Using photographs of 1418 bees and paired specimens of >565 bumblebees collected between 2018 and 2021, we independently identified bees to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Experts identified 92.4% of bees from photographs and 98.2% of bees from specimens, with matched identifications for 95.1% of paired samples. Based on a second opinion for specimens without matching identifications, data suggested a similar misidentification rate (2.7% for photographs and 2.5% specimens). We suggest approaches to maximize accuracy including photographic and bee handling techniques,collection of a subset of specimens in some cases, and focused identification training for species of concern and species frequently confused in a study area. Sampling flowers for eDNA detection of pollinators offers a promising approach to non-lethal sampling of pollinators and can include approaches that target species of concern or metabarcoding approaches across a broader spectrum of species. We will provide an overview of recent data collection, lab and field experiments, and upcoming research seeking to develop eDNA techniques to inform broader understanding of the distributions and communities of pollinators as well asplant-pollinator networks
Black Bear Harvest Summaries and Harvest Sustainability in Southwest Montana from 2013‐2023
No full textThis report is a summary of black bear hunter harvest in Region 3 of Southwest Montana between 2013 and 2023 using FWP’s mandatory report database data. In the last eleven years, a total of 2,890 bears have been harvested with a mean harvest of 263 bears each year. Hunters harvested more bears on average in spring than fall. Brown‐phase bears were more commonly harvested in spring, whereas black‐phase bears were more commonly harvested in fall. In the combined seasons, hunters harvested a total of 1,151 brown phase, and 1,189 black phase bears. Non‐resident hunters harvested a higher percentage of bears during spring season and a lower percentage of bears in fall. Rifles were the most common weapon type used in harvest of bears at 81.6% of harvest. Archery, and handguns accounted for 16.3% and 1.5% of harvest respectfully. Teeth were collected for aging in 2018 and 2019, and 2021‐2023. I evaluated if bear harvest has met sustainability metrics (female harvest ≤40%, average male age ≥=4, average female age ≥6) in the region since 2013. One hunting district was close to sustainable bear harvest thresholds and will require monitoring. Bear Management Unit 319 (Bridger Mountains) met the criteria for percent female in harvest (42.7%, 95% C.I. = 38.9% ‐ 46.4%), the criteria for female age (average age at harvest is 7.0, 95% C.I. 6‐8) and average male age (4.2, 95% C.I. = 3.7 – 4.7). Confidence Intervals overlap what is considered not sustainable and should be closely monitored
Evaluating Density‐Weighted Connectivity of Black Bears in Glacier National Park with Spatial Capture‐Recapture Models
No full textRecent spatial‐capture recapture (SCR) models provide a framework to formally connect inference about individual movement, connectivity, and population density, but few studies have applied this approach to empirical data to support connectivity planning. We used 924 genetic detections of 598 American black bears (Ursus americanus) from 2004 with SCR ecological distance models to simultaneously estimate density, landscape resistance to movement, and population connectivity in Glacier National Park northwest Montana, USA. The mean density estimate was 16.08 bears/100 km2 (95% CI = 12.52 – 20.6) for females and 9.27 bears/100 km2 (95% CI = 7.70 – 11.14) for males. Density increased with forest cover for both sexes. For male black bears, density decreased at higher grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) densities. Drainages, valley bottoms, and riparian vegetation decreased landscape resistance to movement for male and female bears. For males, forest cover also decreased estimated resistance to movement, but the US2 transportation corridor bisecting the study area strongly increased resistance to movement presenting a barrier to connectivity. Densityweighed connectivity surfaces highlighted areas important for population connectivity that were distinct from areas with high potential connectivity. For black bears in Glacier and surrounding landscapes, consideration of both vegetation and valley topography could inform the placement of underpasses along the transportation corridor in areas characterized by both high population density and potential connectivity. Our study demonstrates that the SCR ecological distance model can provide biologically realistic, spatially explicit predictions to support connectivity planning across large landscapes
The Influence of Social Identity on Montanans’ Attitudes Toward Grizzly Bears
No full textWildlife conservation and management depends on social support, often measured using attitudinal scales on surveys. In MT and elsewhere, human dimensions researchers have observed differences in wildlife‐related attitudes between groups, such as hunters and nonhunters. Less studied is whether social identities associated with these groups might help explain how these attitudes form and why they differ. This presentation reports results from a structural equation model analyzing mail‐back survey data from MT residents (n=1,758) to test how social identities affected the relationship between experiences with grizzly bears and attitudes toward the species. Our final model (r2=0.51) showed the hunter identity magnified negative effects of ‘vicarious’ property damage (hearing of others’ property damage) on attitudes toward grizzly bears (β=‐0.381 ± 0.203 [95% CI], p<0.001) and species acceptance (β=‐ 0.571 ± 0.040, p<0.001). These results demonstrate that in‐group social interactions among hunters are the primary driver of hunters’ attitudes toward grizzlies. Similarly, group dynamics among non‐hunters may simultaneously lead non‐hunters to disregard out‐group members’ negative experiences with these bears. Social identity is a powerful social force in myriad contexts and the patterns we observed here suggest wildlife conservation is no exception. Although polarization between hunters and non‐hunters is currently low and overall attitudes toward grizzly bears in Montana are generally positive, differential experiences between these groups may exacerbate future divisions, particularly if negative encounters with grizzlies become more frequent. We conclude our presentation with suggestions for managers and conservationists hoping to avoid identity‐related polarization with respect to grizzly bears and other wildlife species
A Dead Bone’s Story - The Ecological, Biomechanical and Behavioral Approach to Assess Antler Weapon Design in Montana Elk
No full textSexually selected weapons are morphological adaptations that arose from strong intrasexual selection and are commonly male biased. Sexual weapons are found across multiple phyla taking on various designs for male‐male competition. While the benefits of large weapon sizes are well understood, relatively little is known about variation in weapon shape. The most common explanation for why weapons vary amongst species is changes in fighting styles. If animals experience major changes in habitat or if they change sufficiently in overall body size, then the ways that males encounter each other in a fight may change, resulting in new or different forces applied to the weapons. Extreme animal weapons, like elk antlers, push the boundaries of the possible. The largest males with antlers awkward and expensive help bulls win battles with rival males. The aim of my research is to use several approaches to understand what factors may influence elk antler design and male fighting behavior. I will (1) use field studies to describe intrasexual behaviors pre‐ and during rut to assess how males use these traits in contest and determine which portions of the antler perform as a signal or as tool; (2) 3D modeling and finite element analysis to rigorously model antler performance and relate specific components with a fighting or signaling function, (3) assess how different levels of harvest pressure across the state may influence fighting behavior and antler shapes, and lastly, (4) determine if the parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, influences male fighting behavior and antler development in Montana elk populations
Evaluating Citizen Science Mountain Goat Ground Counts using Gps‐Collared Goats in Southwest Montana
No full textAccurate wildlife population counts ensure sustainable harvest rates. This is particularly important for mountain goats as they are challenging to count and susceptible to over‐harvest. We evaluated a citizen‐science ground counting method to obtain minimum counts and population estimates for mountain goats in the Bridger Mountains, southwest Montana. From 2017 through 2023, the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) partnered to perform 5 ground‐based surveys. Surveys occurred by strategically posting volunteers at the same day and time throughout goat habitat within the mountain range. We hosted mandatory training sessions before each survey, where volunteers were taught how to identify mountain goats by age and sex and how to accurately record required data. After the survey, FWP evaluated sightings using an algorithm considering time, location, and group size/composition to eliminate duplicates. Detection rates were evaluated during two surveys (2022 and 2023) using information gained from 14 GPS‐collared mountain goats. The presence of collared animals during the surveys allowed FWP to evaluate whether observers detected the marked animals and estimate the total population. We then employed mark‐resight population estimates and estimated the percentage of the total population observed. Observers saw 77% of collared goats in 2022 and 83% of collared goats in 2023. Mark‐resight estimates of the total population were 121 in 2022 and 124 in 2023. Results suggest that ground counts can be a replicable and informative means to survey mountain goats
Linking Prey Abundance to Predator Occupancy Under Variable Winter Conditions
No full textLinking predator and prey has been a central concept in ecology since the Lotka‐Volterra population models. The ability to link prey occupancy and abundance to the occupancy patterns of predators has been something that has largely eluded ecologists, but is a needed concept given the vast utility of occupancy models and joint species distribution models. We present some of the first examples of linking single visit surveys intended to estimate prey abundance (snowshoe hare) to that of repeat visit forest carnivore occupancy surveys (camera trap surveys) at different spatial scales via Bayesian hierarchical modeling and species interaction factors. Our results show strong links between snowshoe hare abundance and the occupancy patterns of fisher, coyote and bobcat. Further, we demonstrate an increase in the species present in the predator guild during below average snow conditions, which is becoming more common under climate change forecasts
Greater Sage Grouse Ecology in the Upper Big Hole Valley
No full textWe used greater sage grouse (GSG) movement data generated from GPS‐marked hens 2018 – 2022 to increase our understanding of GSG ecology within the Upper Big Hole Valley (UBHV), define seasonal habitat use and characterize the UBHV population’s genetic contribution to the wider GSG population in SW Montana. We used movement data to define seasons that represent biologically meaningful separations. We calculated the mean net displacement of all individuals from their point of capture over the entire calendar year to determine consolidated changepoints in net displacement, i.e. breaks between periods of relative movement consistency. Changepoints suggested the following seasons specific to the UBHV GSG population: (1) 2/13–4/13 = spring staging & migration; (2) 4/14–7/05 = breeding/nesting/early brood rearing; (3) 7/05–10/29 = late brood rearing & fall staging; (4) 10/29–11/14 = fall migration; (5) 11/14–02/12 = winter. We used these seasonal dates for subsequent analyses of habitat and landownership use. Lastly, we examined the genetics of the GSG population in the UBHV relative to within the study area and across SW Montana. The leks in the UBHV are part of the Southwestern‐North subpopulation identified by Cross et al. (2017) and the greater Central Rockies subpopulation identified by Oyler‐McCance et al. (2022). Per‐locus and overall genetic diversity within the UBHV population indicates genetic diversity has been maintained despite the UBHV’s peripheral location relative to the overall species range and within the UBHV we found finescale genetic structure reflective of lek philopatry
Investigating Raptor Perception of Snowshoe Hare Coat Color, Camouflage, and Mismatch
No full textResearch around climate‐change induced coat color mismatch in seasonally polymorphic species has largely focused on mismatched animals’ capacity to adapt to new conditions and avoid associated fitness loss. While snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) are known to face increased mortality during periods of mismatch, there is little understanding of which of their many predators contribute to this increased predation. Using experiments with falconry‐trained goshawks (Accipiter atricapillus), we investigate raptor perception in relation to camouflage and mismatch using lures and model hares. In addition to testing effects of mismatch on hunting ability, we also investigate these effects in relation to movement and habitat structure. Preliminary results indicate that mismatch influences raptors’ perception of stationary models, but not moving targets. Additional effects of habitat structure are also evident. Knowledge of both predator and prey perception and behavior is necessary to form a complete understanding of shifting trophic interactions under climate change.