Using Pellet Groups To Assess Response Of Elk and Deer to Roads and Energy Development

Abstract

Development and extraction of resources such as oil and gas has directly and indirectly reduced available habitat to wildlife through changes in behavior and resource use. To assess how elk (Cervus elaphus) and deer (Odocoileus spp.) were spatially distributed relative to roads and coal-bed natural gas well pads, we collected pellet group data during 2 summers in south-central Colorado. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the relative probability of use of elk and deer in relation to roads and well pads. We found relative probability of use was positively associated with distance from roads, indicating greater use of areas farther away from roads. Relative probability of use was negatively associated with distance to well pads, potentially as a result of plant phenology and reseeding in disturbed areas around well pads. Other factors such as elevation, slope and vegetative security cover also influenced elk and deer spatial distributions. Based on these data, it appears resource use may be driven by forage and security cover more than disturbance features. Pellet group surveys appear to be an appropriate technique for evaluating resource use of populations across large spatial extents when logistical and financial constraints limit the use of more advanced technology such as very high frequency and global positioning system collars

Does human predation risk affect harvest susceptibility of white-tailed deer during hunting season?

“…This change requires information on the effects of humans on wildlife behavior to make more informed scientific‐based management decisions. Wildlife can alter their behaviors in the presence of humans by changing their movements and shifting resource selection (Proffitt et al ; Dzialak et al ; Webb et al , ; Ciuti et al ; Cleveland et al ). These changes can have important management consequences for wildlife biologists and land managers in dynamic landscapes where humans and deer coexist (Decker and Chase , Conover , Messmer ).…”

“…Adult woodland caribou ( Rangifer tarandus caribou ) avoided areas with increased levels of natural predation by shifting habitat use (McLoughlin et al ). White‐tailed deer likely follow a similar pattern during the hunting season by modifying their behavior to avoid encounters with recreational hunters through changes in movement (Abrams , Sih and McCarthy ) or use of selected landscape features (e.g., vegetation cover, elevation, slope, and roads; Kilgo et al , Ripple and Beschta , Sawyer et al , Dzialak et al , Webb et al ). Some deer may be observed more often when using certain vegetation communities or landscape features (Sage et al ), whereas some deer may avoid detection through changes in movement behavior (Root et al ).…”

Mortality of mule deer fawns in a natural gas development area

“…Although we did not see an overall influence of development on predation of fawns, predation of fawns was negatively correlated with the distance from a female's core area to a producing well pad on winter or summer range as predicted. Deer can temporarily alter their behavior to use habitat closer to producing well pads during the night (Northrup et al ), which is speculated to provide foraging benefits (Webb et al , Lendrum et al ). Deer foraging in openings closer to producing well pads and associated pipelines could positively influence maternal nutrition and condition and subsequently the birth mass and growth rate of fawns (Lomas and Bender , Monteith et al , Shallow et al ).…”

“…However, the mechanism linking development to fawn mortality is unknown. Some studies suggest deer generally use habitat farther from roads (Rost and Bailey 1979, Webb et al 2011b, Lendrum et al 2012) and well pads (Sawyer et al 2006(Sawyer et al , 2009Northrup et al 2015). However, others suggest deer use habitat closer to well pads and during spring migration because disturbed topsoil near well pads possibly provides enhanced foraging opportunities during the early growing season (Webb et al 2011b, Lendrum et al 2012.…”

“…Some studies suggest deer generally use habitat farther from roads (Rost and Bailey 1979, Webb et al 2011b, Lendrum et al 2012) and well pads (Sawyer et al 2006(Sawyer et al , 2009Northrup et al 2015). However, others suggest deer use habitat closer to well pads and during spring migration because disturbed topsoil near well pads possibly provides enhanced foraging opportunities during the early growing season (Webb et al 2011b, Lendrum et al 2012. Increased human presence associated with development might provide a refuge from predators (Berger 2007, Dussault et al 2012, although deer might perceive areas close to development as risky because of the relatively high levels of noise and human activity (Frid andDill 2002, Lynch et al 2014).…”