Craters of the Moon National Monument And Preserve Deer Survey and Observations 2007
Munts M. 2007. Craters of the Moon National Monument And Preserve Deer Survey and Observations 2007. Craters of the Moon NM, Arco Idaho
Mule deer surveys were performed during the spring and fall of 2007. These included unstructured spring surveys as well as the systematic fall surveys in the north end of the monument. Systematic road surveys were continued on the loop road in addition to the usual informal count during May and June. The number of does continued to decline from the previous three year period. Numbers were about a quarter of the 15 year average. Yearlings were also down with numbers about a third of the 15 year average. Over-winter survival of fawns was not calculated and reported due a very small and statistically skewed sample size. The fall survey recorded numbers that were half or less the of 15 year average for all age classes. The fawn to adult female ratio increased slightly to reach a 3 year high. This may indicates a slight increase in birth rates or an increase in early fawn survival. The total population estimate also showed a siniliar increase but was still less than half of the 15 year average. This was likely influenced by drought conditions continuing through most of the last five years. When the data was averaged into three year intervals the deer population shows a general pattern of decline since the mid 1980s and reaching its lowest point in the current period. The numbers of all age/sex classes have continued a decline started in 2000. The moose population in Little Cottonwood continues to remain stable with one pair of adults and one or two calves in a season. In addition to the Little Cottonwood/Leech Creek Population a yearling was seen near Lava Lake indicating that animals are dispersing from either Fish Creek or Barn Creek and moving through the Preserve. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has been augmenting elk herds in the vicinity of Bear Trap cave in the BLM portion of the monument. This herd has continued to expand with numerous sightings in the Preserve.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- Munts, Michael
- Date of Issue
- 2007-10
- Units
- CRMO
- Keywords
- Deer, Elk, Moose, Mule Deer, Survey, White-Tailed Deer, Wildlife