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Home Range Characteristics of Sympatric Moose and White-tailed Deer in Northern Minnesota: Author: Cobb, McCrea andrew; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Moose (Alces alces) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population numbers in northern Minnesota have fluctuated recently, possibly due to habitat changes, interspecific competition, and meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis). Little is known currently about the relative distribution and home range characteristics of sympatric moose and white-tailed deer in this area. Surveys were conducted during the winters of 1989 and 1991 to determine the relative distributions of moose and whitetailed deer pellet groups in Voyageurs National Park (VNP). Moose and white-tailed deer home ran...; Download File | View full details

Applying Risk Allocation Theory in a Large Mammal Predator-Prey System: Author: Gude, Justin Albert; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Understanding the behaviorally-mediated indirect effects of predators in ecosystems requires knowledge of predator-prey behavioral interactions, and the risk allocation hypothesis can be used to make predictions about such interactions. In predator-ungulate-plant systems, empirical research quantifying how predators affect ungulate group sizes and distribution, in the context of other influential variables, is particularly needed. We determined non-predation variables that affect elk (Cervus elaphus) group sizes and distribution on a winter range in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), usi...; Download File | View full details

An Assessment of Culverts of Fish Passage Barriers in a Montana Drainage using a Multi-Tiered Approach: Author: Burford Jr., Duncan Drake; Date: 2005-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Restriction or blockage of Fish movement due to culverts may have important consequences to Fish populations. Problems include the direct loss of critical upstream habitats, and the loss of connectivity with neighboring populations; however, culvert barriers may also serve to protect native species from nonnative species encroachment. Culverts can impede Fish movement due to high water velocities, inadequate water depths, and excessive outfall heights among other factors. Most previous studies have focused on Fish passage at only a few culverts and thus the extent to which culverts impede Fish...; Download File | View full details

Assessment of Reproductive Isolation Between Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout in the Yellowstone River, Montana: Author: De Rito, Jr., James Nicholas; Date: 2004-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: The genomic extinction of Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorynchus clarki bouvieri) has occurred throughout many parts of its historic range because of displacement and introgression with introduced rainbow trout (O. mykiss). However, fluvial cutthroat trout still retain their genetic integrity while co-existing with rainbow trout in the Yellowstone River drainage, Montana. I assessed whether spatial or temporal reproductive isolation, or both, occurs between these taxa. Time and place of spawning was determined by radio-telemetry of a total of 164 trout (98 cutthroat, 37 rainbow, and 29 cutth...; Download File | View full details

Changes in Native and Nonnative Fish Assemblages and Habitat Following Wildfire in the Bitterroot River Basin, Montana: Author: Sestrich, Clint Michael; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Wildfire frequency and severity have increased over the past decade but few studies have assessed the effects of large, intense fires on native salmonids in the Intermountain West. I utilized a unique data set with 1-11 years of pre-fire population data in 24 small streams in the Bitterroot River basin in western Montana to determine if habitat changes caused by a large (1,108 km²) wildfire and associated debris flows favored nonnative brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis over native westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii and bull trout S. confluentus. I used before-af...; Download File | View full details

Competition Potential between Sauger and Walleye in Non-Native Sympatry: Historical Trends and Resource Overlap in the Middle Missouri River, Montana: Author: Bellgraph, Brian Joseph; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Sauger Sander canadensis populations throughout Montana and North America have exhibited declines over the past few decades. Sauger population abundance declined in the middle Missouri and Yellowstone rivers of Montana in the mid-1980s following a period of drought. Higher flows resulted in a rebound of the lower Yellowstone River population; however, the middle Missouri River population has remained at low abundance. Various factors may contribute to the reduced population abundance of sauger in the middle Missouri River, including interspecific competition with walleye Sander vitreus. Histor...; Download File | View full details

Distribution and Population Characteristics of Lake Trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park: Implications for Suppression: Author: Dux, andrew Martin; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus have declined since the establishment of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park (GNP). In an attempt to prevent further decline of this population, GNP is considering implementing a lake trout suppression program. I used ultrasonic telemetry to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of lake trout and gill nets to evaluate population characteristics and diet. Model simulations were used to predict lake trout responses to varying levels of suppression. I relocated 36 lake trout (508-859 mm total length) 1,137 tim...; Download File | View full details

Effects of Cattle Grazing on Upland Nesting Duck Production in the Aspen Parkland: Author: Warren, Jeffrey Michael; Date: 2004-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: The beef industry is growing rapidly throughout the Aspen Parkland of Canada, leading to higher stocking rates on pastures and use of previously idled areas. Conversely, increased demand for pastureland has led to conversion of cropland that may have benefited upland nesting ducks by increasing the amount of perennial cover. We undertook the current study to evaluate the relationships of nest-site selection and nesting success of upland-nesting ducks to cattle grazing in the Aspen Parkland. Nearly 4,000 ha of upland cover were searched during the study. Vegetation physiognomy was quantified at...; Download File | View full details

Effects of Temperature on Survival and Growth of Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Rainbow Trout: Implications for Conservation and Restoration: Author: Bear, Elizabeth Ann; Date: 2005-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi have declined throughout their native range in the Northern Rockies and were considered for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. Water temperature is widely regarded as playing a key role in determining their persistence, but specific lethal levels and thermal optima for this cutthroat trout subspecies had not been precisely defined. This laboratory study used the acclimated chronic exposure method to determine tolerances and thermal optima of westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, a potential nonnativ...; Download File | View full details

An Empirical Assessment of Factors Precluding Recovery of Sauger in the Lower Yellowstone River: Movement, Habitat Use, Exploitation, and Entrainment: Author: Jaeger, Matthew Edward; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Sauger (Sander canadensis) were designated as a critically imperiled Species of Special Concern in Montana because of declines in distribution and abundance. Migratory barriers, habitat loss, entrainment in irrigation canals, and overexploitation, especially at times when sauger were aggregated, were suggested to explain the failure of Yellowstone River sauger to return to historical abundances. I characterized seasonal movement patterns, habitat use, and aggregation of sauger and estimated movement, exploitation, and Intake Canal entrainment rates to test these hypotheses. Seasonal movement, ...; Download File | View full details

Entrainment Losses of Westslope Cutthroat Trout into Screened and Unscreened Irrigation Canals on Skalkaho Creek, Montana: Author: Gale, Steven Burton; Date: 2005-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Irrigation canals are known to entrain anadromous and potamodromous salmonids of all life stages during their annual migrations. Fish screens may reduce or eliminate entrainment, but few studies exist on their benefits and these have evaluated effects on anadromous populations only. Prior to my study, none existed on the benefits of Fish screens for non-anadromous salmonids. Large numbers of post-spawn adult and downstream migrant juvenile westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) are potentially entrained into the seven irrigation canals on Skalkaho Creek, a tributary of the Bit...; Download File | View full details

Factors Affecting Nest Survival of Three Species of Migrant Songbirds in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Author: Carle, Robin Jean; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: In the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), spatial patterns of habitat types and human land uses create an overlap between high-intensity human disturbance and productive habitat types at low elevations. This overlap suggests concern for species such as Neotropical Migrant songbirds, whose populations may depend on the productivity of individuals breeding in low-elevation habitats. We examined patterns of nest survival of three songbird species within the GYE to determine the relative importance of covariates of interest at nest-, patch-, and landscape-level spatial scales to nest survival. W...; Download File | View full details

Habitat Use, Diet, and Growth of Hatchery-Reared Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon and Indigenous Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir: Author: Gerrity, Paul Christopher; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Natural recruitment of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus has not been observed in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana, for at least 20 years. To augment the population, 732 hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon (HRJPS) were released as yearlings in 1998. Evaluation of these HRJPS was necessary to determine their performance in a natural lotic environment. Habitat variables were measured at 666 locations obtained from 29 HRJPS (mean length = 511 mm, 90% confidence interval + 17 mm; mean weight = 434 + 37 g) and 21 indigenous shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchu...; Download File | View full details

Effects of water temperature and angling on mortality of salmonids in Montana streams: Author: Boyd, James W.; Date: 2008-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: In Montana, angling closures are used to protect salmonids from the deleterious impacts of angling at elevated water temperatures (23°C). Catch-and-release angling (CR) studies have reported high levels (30-40%) of salmonid mortality at water temperatures >20°C, but few studies assess CR mortality of salmonids at water temperatures observed in Montana streams during mid-summer (23°C). The primary objective of this study was to measure CR mortality of rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whiteFish in three water temperature treatments; when daily maximum ...; Download File | View full details

Interactions Among Hybrid Striped Bass, White Bass, and Walleye in Harlan County Reservoir: Author: Olson, Nathan William; Date: 2004-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Walleye Sander vitreus, white bass Morone chrysops, and hybrid striped bass M. chrysops x M. saxatilis are common top-level predators in Midwestern reservoirs. However, the ecology and interactions among these species are not well understood. Therefore, I compared the food habits, diet breadth, diet overlap, isotopic composition, vertical distribution, and vertical overlap of these species in Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska, during the months of June through September 2002 and 2003. In addition, prey selection of hybrid striped bass for walleye and golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas was e...; Download File | View full details

Mass Estimation of Weddell Seals through Photogrammetry: Author: Ireland, Darren Scott; Date: 2004-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Food resources of pelagic marine predators have traditionally been difficult to monitor and annual monitoring of food-resource availability is not currently feasible for the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes wedellii) population in Erebus Bay, Antarctica. Body mass measurements of parturient females, or their weaned pups, on an annual basis may be used as an indicator of food availability during the previous year and also provide a link between population vital rates and environmental fluctuation. Traditional methods of acquiring mass measurements, including physical restraint and/or chemical immobi...; Download File | View full details

Population Demography of the Yellowstone National Park Bison Herds: Author: Fuller, Julie Ann; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: The bison population of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) represents an outstanding conservation success story, as their numbers have increased from just 46 in 1902 to >4,000 today. Bison are keystone herbivores in YNP, and are central to several Management controversies due to their infection with brucellosis. I integrated 100 years of historical count data with 7 years of recent vital rate data, and parameterized a matrix model using these vital rates to validate population growth estimates and to project future Management scenarios involving disease control through vaccination and/or culli...; Download File | View full details

Winter Habitat Use and Diet of Snowshoe Hares in the Gardiner, Montana Area: Author: Zimmer, Jeremy Paul; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Habitat preference and diet selection of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) are poorly understood. This study was initiated to provide base line data on snowshoe hares for the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Darroch-Eagle Creek Timber Sale and was continued subsequent to this analysis to further investigate snowshoe hare ecology. Hare habitat use and diet were monitored in the Bear Creek Drainage near Gardiner, Montana during the winters of 1999-2003, primarily by the means of snow tracking. Of the 8 most common cover types in my study area, I fou...; Download File | View full details

Assessment of Tributary Potential for Wild Rainbow Trout Recruitment in Hebgen Reservoir, Montana: Author: Watschke, Darin Allen; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Trout Fisheries in Montana reservoirs are almost entirely maintained by stocking hatchery Fish. An exception is Hebgen Reservoir, where wild rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were established in 1979. Continued, unexpectedly low gill net catch rates of rainbow trout led to the objective of this study, which was to assess tributary production of wild rainbow trout and identify potential limiting factors. A combination of redd surveys, adult, young-of-the-year (YOY; age-0), and juvenile (age- 1 and age-2) trapping, and measurements of water temperature and spawning and rearing habitat was used t...; Download File | View full details

Common Loon Nesting Ecology in Northwest Montana: Author: Paugh, Justin Isaac; Date: 2006-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Common Loons (Gavia immer) are found across the northern continental United States and in Canada and Alaska. The common loon is long lived, with delayed breeding maturity and low fecundity. Surveys indicate Montana's Common Loon population remains stable, but lakeshore development and watercraft recreation are increasing. While the effects of these changes are unclear, research investigating reproductive success over a gradient of habitat conditions, at multiple spatial scales is lacking. The objectives of this research were to investigate vital rates and the relationships between daily nest s...; Download File | View full details

Breeding Ecology, Survival Rates, and Causes of Mortality of Hunted and Nonhunted Greater Sage-Grouse in Central Montana: Author: Sika, Jenny Lyn; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Declines in productivity have been implicated in population declines for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in several areas, but there is considerable variation in reproductive effort, reproductive success and female survival, both temporally and spatially, and more data are needed. Despite declining populations, sage grouse are still legally harvested in most of their current range, including Montana, and uncertainty about how harvest impacts sage grouse vital rates remains. The reproductive activity, survival rates, and causes of mortality of hunted and nonhunted sage grouse fe...; Download File | View full details

Evaluation of Montana's Block Management Program: Author: Johnson, Kelvin Ray; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: The Block Management Program, initiated in 1985, was implemented to encourage private landowners to provide free public hunting access. Currently, the program has over 1,200 landowners enrolling 8.8 million acres, and provides over 400,000 hunter days of free public hunting. Surveys were sent to 423 landowners (303 returned) and 1,636 hunters (976 returned) to evaluate current perceptions of block Management area (BMA) users. Observations, expectations, and satisfaction levels were determined by calculating frequencies and means using SAS 8.2, and then comparisons between permission method str...; Download File | View full details

Elk (Cervus elaphus) Vigilance Levels in Response to Predation Risk from Wolves (Canis lupus): Author: Liley, Stewart Grayson; Date: 2007-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Many studies have shown that levels of antipredator vigilance are sensitive to variation in prey attributes, such as age, sex and group size. It is also well established that vigilance is sensitive to environmental effects, such as the presence of cover. In contrast, little is known about the sensitivity of vigilance to variation in factors associated with the predator itself, such as proximity, the size of the threatening group, and cues about motivation to hunt. Finally, little is known about the relative importance of these three classes of variables (predator, prey, and environment), or ab...; Download File | View full details

Influence of Reach and Watershed Characteristics on Fish Distributions in Small Streams of Eastern Montana.: Author: Wuellner, Melissa Renee; Date: 2007-08-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: The prairie biome is arguably the most endangered ecoregion in North America, and the chance of extinction for many Fishes is greater than in other ecoregions. Fisheries scientists and managers must understand the ecology of Fishes at multiple spatial scales for effective conservation. Statistical models designed to explain distributions of Fishes using environmental characteristics measured at multiple scales have provided this critical information. The objectives of this study were to: i) identify the reach- (i.e., physicochemical and biotic) and watershed-scale characteristics that affect t...; Download File | View full details

Where Does a Deer Cross a Road? Road and Land-Cover Characteristics Affecting Deer Crossing and Mortality Across the US 93 Corridor on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Montana: Author: Camel, Whisper Rae; Date: 2007-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Reducing deer vehicle collisions (DVCs) on highways is an issue facing highway planners and Wildlife managers. In western Montana, federal, state and tribal governments intend to reduce DVCs along a 51-mile stretch of US Highway 93 (US 93) on the Flathead Indian Reservation using on site reconstruction and highway engineering. This project was part of pre-construction Wildlife monitoring that forms the baseline for evaluating effectiveness of mitigation measures associated with the US 93 reconstruction project. Road and landcover variables were recorded at randomly sampled locations along US 9...; Download File | View full details

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