Mule Deer On the Move
MuleyMadness
1/8/13 2:16pm
Think it will work? I have my doubts, but am glad they are trying it and hope for the best
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=23659150&nid=148&title=study-sends-utahs-mule-deer-up-in-the-air&s_cid=queue-18
8,683
An update:
So far, 3 collared does have died, 2 transplanted and 1 resident. In the short time before the sites were investigated, the carcasses had been ravaged by scavengers to the point it was hard to determine the cause of death. But one of the transplanted deer was a doe that we had trouble with on the table because she hyperventilated and heated up (106*) to the point we had to scramble to get enough snow to try to cool her down. I guess the trauma was too much for her. The others seem to be doing well, especially since we had that cold spell, but it's still too early to tell. I don't know how much they scattered, if at all, but I'll try to give you updates about every other week.
Lee Tracy, So. Region Chair
United Wildlife Cooperative
Lab results from the chronic wasting disease (CWD) tests came back from Colorado State University. CWD was not detected in any of the translocated deer.
Our Tuesday flight was canceled due to snow and we are waiting to reschedule.
We had one translocated deer mortality this week. This deer was found 1.2 miles northeast of its release site (4th release). Cause of death appeared to be predation as there was blood on the fur near the throat and one hindquarter had been fed on. The Utah Vetrinary Diagnostics lab in Nephi confirmed these suspicions as they identified puncture wounds on the throat and noted that all the organs appeared healthy. Although tracking conditions were not ideal (hard, crusty snow), we did observe what appeared to be small felid tracks (perhaps from a bobcat).
We've listened for radio signals 3 times since the last update and identified the general location for 48 of 49 resident deer and 47 of 48 (remaining) translocated deer. We have noticed a little more movement within the last week, but deer are still near release areas. From a small hill one mile south of the second and third release sites, we can hear more than 50 resident and translocated deer each time we listen for them. From this point most of the deer are spread north, northeast, and east. There are also a bunch of deer between the 1st and 4th release sites.
We are still missing one translocated deer (likely moved) and one resident deer (suspect radio failure). Both these deer were also missing last week and despite listening for each of these deer far to the south and north, we have been unable to hear them. They will be the focus of our efforts on the next flight.
We've now carefully (without disturbing them) observed 8 different translocated deer. Each has been associated with groups of resident deer. In the coming weeks, we will focus our efforts on carefully observing the remaining translocated deer (very time consuming) to determine the percentage that are integrated into groups of resident deer.
In summary, translocated deer have remained near release areas and appear to be integrating into the resident population. We've had four total mortalities (1 of 50 resident deer, 3 of 51 translocated deer). One of the translocated deer died of obvious capture myopathy (temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of capture) within a day of release. We are missing one translocated deer (likely moved) and one resident deer (suspect radio failure). Forty eight resident deer and 47 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week.
Please forward to any that are interested.
David Smedley
Edited by Lee; All the release sites were east of Holden.
#1; GPS 39* 06.631' N 112* 13.606' W - 6800 N St/3600 E St
#2; GPS 39* 04.743' N 112* 15.574' W - Maple Hollow Rd/2400 E St
#3; Same as above
#4; GPS 39* 05.344' N 112* 13.343' W - Wide Canyon Rd
So far, so good, but it's still early.
Lee Tracy
UWC Southern Region Chair
All,
Mule deer translocation update for February 2nd-February 8th
● We had a flight on Friday and located the the missing translocated deer and the missing resident deer. The missing translocated deer has moved approximately 4.5 miles northeast of it's release site (second release site). The missing resident deer (we suspect a weak collar) was near the same location we recorded on the last flight. This is approximately .3 miles north of a main road, but we have been unable to hear her from the ground. We will attempt to walk into this area next week and get a location on the ground.
● We had one translocated deer mortality this week. This deer died between Wednesday February 6th and Friday February 8th. Mountain lion tracks suggest cougar predation.
● We've listened for radio signals 3 times since the last update and identified the general location for 49 of 49 resident deer and 47 of 47 translocated deer. The farthest south we have recorded deer is approximately 4 miles south of the 2nd and 3rd release sites. The farthest north we have recorded de er is approximately 1.5 miles north of the 1st release site.&n! bsp; Most translocated can still be heard from release sites.
● We have continued to carefully (without disturbing them) observe translocated deer. We have now observed 14 different translocated deer. All but one of them has been associated with groups of resident deer. The deer that was observed alone had a noticeable limp, though it is unknown if the injury is related to the capture or occurred following release.
● We obtained a UHF receiver this week which will allow us to download data from the gps collars beginning next week.
● In summary, translocated deer have remained near release areas and appear to be integrating into the resident population. We've had five total mortalities (1 of 50 resident deer, 4 of 51 translocated deer). At least one of the translocated deer died of capture myopathy. Forty nine resident deer and 47 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week.
David Smedley
Additional lab results associated with translocated deer came back showing general agreement between the ultrasound assessment of pregnancy and a hormone test using blood. Because the initial capture (early January) was early term (conception in November or December associated with the rut(s), there was potential to miss pregnancies with the ultrasound. In summary, hormone tests suggest all but 5 of the 51 translocated deer were pregnant when captured. All but one of these was supected as open based on ultrasound. Thanks, Leslie! (Note from Lee; I understood they were all pregnant and have said so on this forum and others. I apologize for the error.)
We were unable to hear 1 resident deer with a suspect collar (weak signal) from the ground this week. We hiked into the area near the location we marked on the flight last week, but were unable to detect the signal. We also listened from different locations surrounding the area where she was located on the flight without success. As we move forward, we may only have sporadic contact with this deer on flights.
We had one translocated deer mortality this week. The deer died between Mon Feb 11th and Wed Feb 13th. Mountain lion tracks and caching of the carcass suggest cougar predation. This deer was found approximately .50 (1/2) miles east of the deer killed last week by a cougar and we suspect the same animal is responsible for both events. Both these deer were in dense junipers at higher levels than the majority of resident and other translocated deer which may have put them at increased risk of predation.
We've listened for radio signals 3 times since the last update and identified the general location of 48 of 49 resident deer (missing the resident deer with a weak signal) and 46 of 46 translocated deer.
We have continued to carefully (without disturbing them) observe translocated deer. We have now observed 15 different translocated deer. All but one of them has been associated with groups of resident deer. Although time intensive, we will continue these efforts over the next several weeks.
This week, we downloaded data from 5 GPS collars (3 translocated deer and 2 resident deer). These 5 GPS collars appear to be working well. Thanks to Kent for helping with remote downloads and initial programming of GPS collars. The attached .kmz file (Note from Lee; Not received in email) shows translocated deer are using the same general areas as resident deer, but their movements and habitat are more widespread and dispersed. Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue remote downloads (need to be within a few hundred meters between 6 am and noon) on remaining GPS collars (total GPS collars currently out = 18)
In summary, we've had six total mortalities (1 of 50 resident deer, 5 of 51 translocated deer). At least one of the translocated deer died of capture myopathy (106* temperature). forty eight resident deer (missing one with weak radio signal) and 46 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week.
We urge caution when interpreting these results as they are only preliminary.
Thanks to all for continued interest and support.
Please forward to any that are interested.
David Smedley (BYU)
However some of the deer pictured above look pretty skinny/hungry and the next 2 months will determine there success or failure inmho.