Comparing Global Positioning System and Very High Frequency Telemetry Home Ranges of White‐Tailed Deer

Abstract

Use of Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on free‐ranging ungulates overcomes many limitations of conventional very high frequency (VHF) telemetry and offers a practical means of studying space use and home range estimation. To better understand winter home ranges of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), we evaluated GPS collar performance, and we compared GPS‐ and VHF‐derived diurnal home ranges (for the same animals) and GPS‐derived home range estimates for diurnal and nocturnal locations. Overall, the mean fix success rate of our GPS collars was 85% (range = 14–99%). Kernel density estimates of home range (using the 95% probability contour) derived from GPS and VHF locations were generally similar, as were GPS‐derived diurnal and nocturnal home ranges. Overlap indices between GPS and VHF utilization distributions (UDs) ranged from 0.49 to 0.78 for the volume of intersection (VI) index and from 0.67 to 0.94 for Bhattacharyya's affinity (BA); overlap indices for GPS‐diurnal and nocturnal UDs ranged from 0.29 to 0.81 for VI and from 0.56 to 0.94 for BA. Despite similarities of home ranges estimated from GPS versus VHF locations and GPS‐diurnal versus nocturnal locations, our data also indicate that differences may have important implications for studies focused on deer use of space, habitat, and resources at a finer scale.

First known satellite collaring of a viverrid species: preliminary performance and implications of GPS tracking Malay civets (Viverra tangalunga)

“…For those species large enough to bear a tag, battery life can be an issue, such that longterm behavioural patterns are unable to be determined. The balance between data resolution and study longevity must be considered when planning studies (Kochanny et al 2002;Land et al 2006;Tomkiewicz et al 2010).…”

“…This development meant the collection of larger, more consistent, fine-scaled and accurate datasets (Rodgers 2001;Kochanny et al 2002). Satellite tracking minimizes logistical effort and eliminates the influence of observer presence on recorded behavioural patterns, generating datasets otherwise unobtainable by VHF tracking and more relevant to conservation actions (Hebblewhite and Haydon 2010).…”

Critical Considerations for an Urban Deer Collaring Program

“…Current approximate value of a VHF collar equipped with a drop off mechanism is $400 CDN, in comparison to an average GPS collar (depending on collar capabilities) with drop off has a current approximate value of $2500 CDN [22]. However, various constraints associated with VHF technology limit accuracy and number of locations that can be collected within a given time frame [12]. VHF radio-tracking technology remains a labor-intensive and time-consuming technique [13,10].…”

“…Use of GPS collars on free-ranging ungulates overcomes many of the limitations experienced with conventional VHF collars [14,12]. GPS collars offer numerous benefits, including more precise locational data, frequent animal relocations, and reductions in temporal biases (daylight, weather) [15].…”

Área de uso e seleção de habitats por veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira; Fisher, 1814) no Pantanal de Nhecolândia-MS

“…A telemetria convencional é a mais comum dentre as três nos estudos ecológicos e tem sido largamente utilizada a partir da década de 60 com uma notável influencia no direcionamento de pesquisas da vida selvagem e ajudado a acessar questões relacionadas à ecologia animal (KOCHANNY et al, 2009). …”