Abstract

The advent of GPS tracking technology has revolutionized the field of wildlife research. The ability to obtain fine-scale location data from collared animals allows for increased understanding of life-history events that have previously been difficult to research. An excellent candidate species for telemetry-based research is mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Mule deer are an important species economically due to their position as a harvested species. Additionally, they play an important role in the ecosystems they occupy; therefore information regarding important life history events would improve conservation and management efforts for this species. Our objectives were to use GPS tracking technology to explore two important life-history events in mule deer, parturition and natal dispersal. We developed and tested movement-based methods for detecting parturition in mule deer (Chapter One) and we used movement patterns to quantify the influence of various factors on dispersal of mule deer (Chapter Two). For Chapter One, we hypothesized that patterns of maternal movement could be used to predict the status and timing of parturition of mule deer. In order to test this hypothesis, we captured, collared, and confirmed parturition for 90 female deer in the state of Utah. We used the known dates of parturition to test the accuracy and precision of six different movement--based methods to identify parturition. We found that methods differed in both accuracy and precision, with the highest performing method displaying 98% accuracy and 93% precision (within seven days). For Chapter Two, we hypothesized that several factors (e.g. inbreeding avoidance, competition for mates, competition for resources, and migratory learning) would influence dispersal of mule deer. In order to evaluate the relative importance of these factors, we captured, collared, and tracked 303 six-month old mule deer fawns over the course of five years. We found evidence that inbreeding avoidance and migratory learning both influenced dispersal behavior of mule deer, while we found no evidence that competition for mates or resources influenced dispersal in this species.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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