The Montana deer and Elk hunting population: The importance of cohort group, license price, and population demographics on hunter retention, recruitment, and population change

Schorr, Robert A.; Lukacs, Paul M.; Gude, Justin A.

doi:10.1002/jwmg.732

Cited by 30 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Elk are important big game animals that are generally managed to maximize hunter opportunity (Manfredo et al 2004); although, in some areas, concern over agricultural depredation is a key consideration for managers (Van Tassell et al 1999). Additionally, elk are managed for their social importance (McCorquodale 1997), economic value (Fried et al 1995, Schorr et al 2014, and diverse ecological effects (Kauffman et al 2010, Mech 2012. Over the past several decades there has been a broad-scale decline in elk recruitment across the western United States (Lukacs et al 2018).…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of wolf pack size and winter conditions on elk mortality

et al. 2019

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Elk (Cervus canadensis) are high‐profile game animals for many states in the western United States, yet over the past several decades some populations have experienced a persistent and broad‐scale decline in recruitment. Over this same period, gray wolves (Canis lupus) have become an integral component of many western landscapes and agencies are increasingly challenged to maximize hunting opportunities of ungulates via predator management while simultaneously ensuring wolf conservation. To better understand the implications of predator management on elk populations, we monitored survival of 1,244 adult female elk and 806 6‐month‐old calves from 29 populations distributed throughout Idaho, USA, from 2004 to 2016. We developed predictive models of mortality that related mortality risk to wolf pack size, winter conditions, and individual‐level characteristics. Annual mortality rates (excluding harvest) for adult females and calves were 0.09 and 0.40, respectively. Calf mortality was predicted best with a model that included additive effects of chest girth at time of capture, mean size of surrounding wolf packs, and snow depth. Adult female mortality was predicted best with a model that included female age, mean size of surrounding wolf packs, and snow depth. Based on a sensitivity analysis, chest girth had the largest effect on risk of mortality for calves followed by pack size and snow depth. Other than the effect of senescence in the oldest (>15 yr) individuals, pack size and snow depth had the largest effect on risk of mortality for adult females. We estimated cause‐specific mortality and predation was the dominant cause of known‐fate mortalities for adult females (35% mountain lion [Puma concolor] and 32% wolf) and calves (45% mountain lion and 28% wolf), whereas malnutrition accounted for 9% and 10% of adult female and calf mortalities, respectively. Wolves preferentially selected smaller calves and older adult females, whereas mountain lions showed little preference for calf size or age class of adult females. Our study indicates managers can increase elk survival by reducing wolf pack sizes on surrounding winter ranges, especially in areas where, or during years when, snow is deep. Additionally, managers interested in improving over‐winter calf survival can implement actions to increase the size of calves entering winter by increasing the nutritional quality of summer and early fall forage resources. Although our study was prompted by management questions related to wolves, mountain lions killed more elk than wolves and differences in selection of individual elk indicate mountain lions may have comparably more of an effect on elk population dynamics. Although we were unable to relate changes in mountain lion populations to elk survival in our study, future research should seek a better understanding of multi‐predator systems, including how management of one predator affect others and ultimately how these interactions affect elk survival. © 2019 The Wildlife Society

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confidence: 99%

Effects of wolf pack size and winter conditions on elk mortality

et al. 2019

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“…In 2014 there were ~144,638 mule and white-tailed deer hunting licenses and ~107,633 elk hunting licenses issued in Montana (http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/harvestReports.html). Deer and elk hunting provides over $50 million to Montana conservation efforts annually, which accounts for over 60% of Montana conservation agency revenue (Gude et al 2012; Schorr et al 2014). Approximately 16% of the white-tailed deer range, 20% of the mule deer range, and 27% of the elk range overlapped regions of potential anthrax risk.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting Disease Risk, Identifying Stakeholders, and Informing Control Strategies: A Case Study of Anthrax in Montana

Morris

Blackburn

2016

EcoHealth

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Infectious diseases that affect wildlife and livestock are challenging to manage, and can lead to large scale die offs, economic losses, and threats to human health. The management of infectious diseases in wildlife and livestock is made easier with knowledge of disease risk across space and identifying stakeholders associated with high risk landscapes. This study focuses on anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, risk to wildlife and livestock in Montana. There is a history of anthrax in Montana, but the spatial extent of disease risk and subsequent wildlife species at risk are not known. Our objective was to predict the potential geographic distribution of anthrax risk across Montana, identify wildlife species at risk and their distributions, and define stakeholders. We used an ecological niche model to predict the potential distribution of anthrax risk. We overlaid susceptible wildlife species distributions and land ownership delineations on our risk map. We found that there was an extensive region across Montana predicted as potential anthrax risk. These potentially risky landscapes overlapped the ranges of all 6 ungulate species considered in the analysis and livestock grazing allotments, and this overlap was on public and private land for all species. Our findings suggest that there is the potential for a multi species anthrax outbreak on multiple landscapes across Montana. Our potential anthrax risk map can be used to prioritize landscapes for surveillance and for implementing livestock vaccination programs.

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“…, Schorr et al. ); increasing incentives for participation (e.g. providing a variety of experiences for different types of hunters, Schroeder et al.…”

Section: Assessing the Utility Of Huntingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…through social and familial networks, Ryan & Shaw , Schorr et al. ). In some cases, the effort of existing hunters might be increased by providing infrastructure or services such as camping facilities or huts (Davys et al.…”

Section: Assessing the Utility Of Huntingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Can recreational hunting contribute to pest mammal control on public land in Australia?

Bengsen

Sparkes

2016

Mammal Review

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1.Natural resource management agencies in many countries take advantage of recreational hunting to manage the impacts or abundance of mammal populations that damage biodiversity or environmental, economic, or social values. In Australia, public lands are increasingly being made available for recreational hunters to pursue introduced mammals that can cause substantial damage to important resources. There is fervent debate over the role that recreational hunting might play in controlling introduced mammals in Australia, and scant evidence to build management strategies upon. 2. In this review, we combine information from Australia and elsewhere in a systematic examination of the potential for recreational hunting to contribute to the control of introduced mammals on public lands in Australia. We examine the traits of introduced mammal species and populations, geographical settings, hunters, and management agencies to propose situations where hunting might be most useful, and suggest how current practice could be improved. 3. We find there is insufficient evidence to support or disprove arguments that contemporary recreational hunting programs are effective at controlling introduced mammal populations on public lands. Moreover, current hunting management programs offer little potential for clarifying the situation or optimizing the value of recreational hunting as a pest animal control tool. 4. To resolve this problem, we outline a framework of competing models and diagnostic criteria for assessing the effects of recreational hunting on introduced mammal populations. We contend that hunting will continue to be an underutilized and over-politicized resource until management strategy is informed by transparent monitoring based on rational strategic objectives that provide mutual benefits to hunters and public resource managers.

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The Montana deer and Elk hunting population: The importance of cohort group, license price, and population demographics on hunter retention, recruitment, and population change

Cited by 30 publications

References 32 publications

Effects of wolf pack size and winter conditions on elk mortality

Effects of wolf pack size and winter conditions on elk mortality

Predicting Disease Risk, Identifying Stakeholders, and Informing Control Strategies: A Case Study of Anthrax in Montana

Can recreational hunting contribute to pest mammal control on public land in Australia?

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