Because of significant declines in mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations across New Mexico, USA, we investigated survival of fawns in north-central New Mexico, USA. We captured 19 fawns, 34 fawns, and 47 fawns in 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively, and used fawn morphological measurements, habitat characteristics, and adult female (hereafter ''female'') condition to model preweaning fawn survival. Survival was 0.0, 0.12, 0.52 for 2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively, and was related to birth mass (v 1 2 ¼ 9.5,summer precipitation (v 1 2 ¼ 37.5, P , 0.001), and winter precipitation (v 1 2 ¼ 32.0, P , 0.001). Total ingesta-free body fat of females (b ¼ 3.01, SE ¼ 0.75; odds ratio ¼ 20.19, 95% CI ¼ 4.64-87.91) and birth mass of fawns (b ¼ 1.188, SE ¼ 0.428; odds ratio ¼ 3.38, 95% CI ¼ 1.42-7.59) were the best predictors of survival of individual fawns, although few of the logistic models differed in model selection criteria. Fawn survival in north-central New Mexico was driven by an interaction of total and seasonal precipitation and its effect on plant production, consequential effects on female nutrition, and ultimately, fawn birth attributes. Habitat conditions were so poor throughout north-central New Mexico during 2002 and 2003 (and likely during other drought yr) that, based upon birth attributes, few fawns could have survived regardless of proximate causes of mortality. In 2004, precipitation enhanced security cover, maternal body condition, birth attributes and, thus, survival of fawns. However, more habitat enhancements are needed to improve the nutritional quality of mule deer habitats in north-central New Mexico and further enhance maternal and fawn condition to recover mule deer populations in this region. ( JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 71(3):884-894; 2007)

Predation by jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor) is often a source of conflict with cattle ranching in northeastern Sonora, Mexico. Because jaguars are endangered in Mexico, such conflicts have biological, social, and economic consequences. We documented the extent of predation by jaguars and pumas on cattle in 1999-2004 in northeastern Sonora, where the northernmost breeding population of jaguars exists in North America. Jaguars and pumas killed only calves , 12 mo old, and calves constituted 58% of prey biomass consumed by jaguars and 9% by pumas. Annual cause-specific mortality rates of confirmed jaguar predation (# 0.018), confirmed and suspected jaguar predation (# 0.018), and all confirmed and suspected large felid predation (# 0.018) were low and cattle calf survival was high (0.89-0.98 annually). If calves reported as missing but for which no evidence of mortality could be found were classed as large felid predation, annual cause-specific rates increased to 0.006-0.038. Collectively, confirmed jaguar and puma predation accounted for , 14% (57/408) of total cattle losses, with jaguars responsible for 14% of all calf losses; this could increase to a maximum of 36% (146/408) if missing calves were included in the totals. While jaguar and puma predation may have an impact on some small cattle operations, it is generally minor compared to losses from other causes in northeastern Sonora. Moreover, 91% of all confirmed calf kills were associated with three individual jaguars in our study. Targeting problem cats rather than broad-scale predator control may therefore be a viable alternative to address chronic predation problems. Because most (83%) instances of jaguar predation occurred during the dry season along thick riparian habitats, modified cattle husbandry operations, such as establishment of permanent water sources in uplands and away from dense vegetative cover, could ameliorate many cases of predation by jaguars on cattle. Resumen La predación por jaguares y pumas es a menudo fuente de conflicto con ganaderos en el Noreste de Sonora, México. Debido a que los jaguares están en peligro de extinción en México tales conflictos tienen repercusiones biológicas, sociales y económicas. Documentamos el grado de depredación en ganado por jaguares y pumas de 1999 al 2004 en el noroeste de Sonora, donde existe la población reproductiva de jaguares localizada más al norte en la región de Norte Ame´rica. Los jaguares y pumas matan becerros de menos de 12 meses de edad, y los becerros constituyen el 57% de la biomasa de las presas consumidas por jaguares y 9% por pumas. La mortalidad anual por causas especificas debida a la depredación confirmada (# 0.018), por los jaguares y la asumida (# 0.018), y así como toda la confirmada y asumida de los felinos (# 0.018), fue baja y la sobrevivencia de los becerros fue alta (0.89-0.98 anualmente). Si los becerros se reportaban como perdidos pero no se encontró evidencia de la mortalidad se clasificaron como depredación anual de de los felinos, así, la tasa de la ca...

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Wildlife managers commonly collect sex and age ratios to manage ungulate populations. This information typically is used to assess trends in population goals (e.g., bull elk [Cervus elaphus] escapement). Many managers may be unaware or underestimate the amount of information that can be derived from these commonly collected ratios. Herein, I review types of information applicable to population management that can be derived from composition ratios. This information includes mortality or survival rates, maximum sustainable mortality levels, and adult sex ratios. Further, I demonstrate the interaction of ratios with each other. Herd composition and age ratios can provide significant relevant data for population management, but care must be used in their interpretation.

From December 2001 to December 2004 we monitored 30–44 adult female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) annually to assess the factors affecting survival and cause‐specific mortality. We found adult female survival of 0.63 (SE = 0.08), 0.90 (SE = 0.05), and 0.91 (SE = 0.04), 2002–2004, respectively. Starvation was the most common cause of mortality, accounting for 11/23 mortalities. Mean ingesta‐free body fat (IFBF) levels of adult females in December were low (6–9%), despite few (0–13%) lactating adult females, indicative of extremely nutritionally deficient summer—autumn ranges throughout the study site. A priori levels of IFBF and rump body condition scores (rBCS) were higher in deer that survived the following year regardless of cause of mortality. Logistical analysis indicated that models containing individual body fat, rBCS, mean population body fat, winter precipitation, precipitation during mid‐ to late gestation, and total annual precipitation were related (x2 ≥ 9.1; P ≤ 0.003) to deer survival, with individual IFBF (β =‐0.47 [SE = 0.21]; odds ratio = 0.63 [0.42‐0.94]) and population mean IFBF (β = ‐1.94 [SE = 0.68]; odds ratio = 0.14 [0.04‐0.54]) the best predictors; with either variable, probability of dying decreased as fat levels increased. Fawn production was low (2–29 fawns/100 ad F) and, combined with adult survival, resulted in estimated population rates of increase of ‐35%, ‐5%, and +6% for 2002–2004, respectively. Deer survival and population performance were limited in north‐central New Mexico, USA, due to poor condition of deer, likely a result of limited food resulting from both drought and long‐term changes in plant communities. Precipitation during mid‐ to late gestation was also important for adult female survival in north‐central New Mexico.

: We compared historic (1985–1992) and contemporary (2003–2006) black bear (Ursus americanus) den locations in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), Colorado, USA, for habitat and physiographic attributes of den sites and used maximum entropy modeling to determine which factors were most influential in predicting den‐site locations. We observed variability in the relationship between den locations and distance to trails and elevation over time. Locations of historic den sites were most associated with slope, elevation, and covertype, whereas contemporary sites were associated with slope, distance to roads, aspect, and canopy height. Although relationships to covariates differed between historic and contemporary periods, preferred den‐site characteristics consistently included steep slopes and factors associated with greater snow depth. Distribution of den locations shifted toward areas closer to human developments, indicating little negative influence of this factor on den‐site selection by black bears in RMNP.

Six members of the malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus group of ruminant rhadinoviruses have been identified to date. Four of these viruses are clearly associated with clinical disease: alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) carried by wildebeest (Connochaetes spp.); ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2), ubiquitous in domestic sheep; caprine herpesvirus 2 (CpHV-2), endemic in domestic goats; and the virus of unknown origin found causing classic MCF in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; MCFV-WTD). Using serology and polymerase chain reaction with (degenerate primers targeting a portion of the herpesviral DNA polymerase gene, evidence of three previously unrecognized rhadinoviruses in the MCF virus group was found in muskox (Ovibos moschatus), Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana), and gemsbok (South African oryx, Oryx gazella), respectively. Base on sequence alignment, the viral sequence in the muskox is most closely related to MCFV-WTD (81.5% sequence identity) and that in the Nubian ibex is closest to CpHV-2 (89.3% identity). The viral sequence in the gemsbok is most closely related to AlHV-1 (85.1% identity). No evidence of disease association with these viruses has been found.

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