Relationships among mule deer fawn mortality, coyotes, and alternate prey species during summer.

摘要: The extent, timing, and causes of summer mortality mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns were studied in relation to coyote (Canis latrans) population level, alternate prey levels, food habits. Additionally, fawn rates related supplementary information on vegetation production hiding cover. A minimum 90% was the result predation by coyotes. Fawn lowest when microtine rodent populations high. Mortality rate not directly levels coyotes, mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), white-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus townsendii), or Nuttall's cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii). Vegetation winter snow cover may have been factors regulating thereby rates. Coyote can reduce survival nutritionally healthy populations, but cycle phase should be determined managers prior decisions about predator control increase populations. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 48(2):489-499 Mule associated with timbered breaks-badlands habitats north-central Montana declined sharply during early 1970's, apparently as a extensive overwinter 1971-72 followed low (R. Mackie, unpubl. rep., Mont. Dep. Fish Game, Fed. Aid Proj. W-120-R-7, 1976). Recruitment remained into mid-1970's despite favorable habitat conditions. similar decline 1964-65 increased production/survival recovery within 2 years (Fig. 1). Concomitant increases reported elsewhere following 1972 ban use toxicants, especially compound 1080, control. Although quantitative data trends lacking, studies C. Knowles (unpubl. 1976) indicated that coyotes occurring breaks along Miss uri River major factor affecting recruitment. fact fawn: doe ratios further that, if cause recruitment, it important summer-fall periods. This study established 1976 quantify among fawns; specifically, role importance recruitment winter. Intensive conducted annually from June through mid-September 1981 one segment broader ecology relationships I Send reprint requests senior author at Box 5, State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. Wildl. Manage. 48(2):1984 489 content downloaded 157.55.39.124 Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:13:03 UTC All subject http://about.jstor.org/terms 490 MULE DEER, COYOTES, AND ALTERNATE PREY * Hamlin et al.