Effect of Autumn and Spring Hunting on Ptarmigan Population Trends
Mcgowan JD. 1975. Effect of Autumn and Spring Hunting on Ptarmigan Population Trends. The Journal of Wildlife Management. 39(3):491-495
Experiments designed to determine the effect of autumn and spring hunting on rock ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) population trends were conducted in the Tanana Hills, interior Alaska, from 1967 to 1972. Approximately 40 percent of the autumn population of a 10.4 km^2 area was removed by shooting in 3 consecutive years (1967-69). During May of 1971 and 1972, 40 percent of the breeding population of a 7.5 km^2 area was similarly removed. Comparisons of annual breeding densities on the experimental and control areas suggested that neither autumn nor spring removals at the 40 percent level depressed rock ptarmigan breeding stocks the following year. There was some evidence that autumn removals may have contributed to higher breeding densities the subsequent spring. In most cases, males shot in the spring were not replaced until the following year.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Mcgowan, Jerry
- Units
- YUCH
- Keywords
- Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve