Energy development and hunter success for mule deer and pronghorn in Wyoming

Abstract

ABSTRACTInfrastructure associated with energy development influences hunter access and introduces disturbance activities to landscapes that can influence habitat selection and behavior of ungulates. Consequently, habitat loss and hunter access concerns must be addressed by wildlife managers as they consider management of populations of western big game species including mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana). We evaluated whether increased energy development, as quantified through change in well pad density, has affected hunter success of mule deer and pronghorn. Ungulates tend to avoid energy development; therefore, we also evaluated whether hunting statistics can be used to identify potential effects of energy development on mule deer and pronghorn. We included data from 22 of 39 mule deer and 34 of 46 pronghorn Herd Units across Wyoming, USA, from 1980 to 2012. On average, well pad densities across mule deer Herd Units increased from 0.01 km2 in 1980 to 0.06 km2 in 2012, and well pads in pronghorn Herd Units increased from 0.01 km2 to 0.12 km2 during the same period. Our results indicated that hunter success for mule deer in Wyoming was positively associated with hunter effort, whereas pronghorn hunter success was negatively associated with hunter effort. Hunter success for both species was unaffected by well pad density. We identified a change in mule deer and pronghorn harvest success associated with hunter numbers and effort; however, harvest statistics were not informative in identifying impacts from energy development on mule deer or pronghorn populations. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.