White Jack Research Articles

Relationships among Mule Deer Fawn Mortality, Coyotes, and Alternate Prey Species during Summer

The extent, timing, and causes of summer mortality of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns were studied in relation to coyote (Canis latrans) population level, alternate prey population levels, and coyote food habits. Additionally, fawn mortality rates were related to supplementary information on vegetation production and fawn hiding cover. A minimum of 90% of summer mortality of fawns was the result of predation by coyotes. Fawn mortality was lowest when microtine rodent populations were high. Mortality rate of fawns was not directly related to population levels of coyotes, deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), white-tailed jack rabbits (Lepus townsendii), or Nuttall's cottontails (Sylvilagus nuttallii). Vegetation production and winter snow cover may have been factors regulating microtine populations and thereby fawn mortality rates. Coyote predation can reduce fawn survival in nutritionally healthy deer populations, but alternate prey population levels and cycle phase should be determined by managers prior to decisions about predator control to increase deer populations. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 48(2):489-499 Mule deer populations associated with timbered breaks-badlands habitats in north-central Montana declined sharply during the early 1970's, apparently as a result of extensive overwinter mortality in 1971-72 followed by low fawn production or survival (R. J. Mackie, unpubl. rep., Mont. Dep. Fish and Game, Fed. Aid Proj. W-120-R-7, 1976). Recruitment remained low into the mid-1970's despite apparently favorable habitat conditions. A similar population decline associated with overwinter mortality during 1964-65 was followed by increased fawn production/survival and population recovery within 2 years (Fig. 1). Concomitant with the decline in deer populations, increases in coyote populations were reported in north-central Montana and elsewhere following the 1972 ban on the use of toxicants, especially compound 1080, in predator control. Although quantitative data on coyote population trends in north-central Montana were lacking, studies by C. J. Knowles (unpubl. rep., Mont. Dep. Fish and Game, Fed. Aid Proj. W-120-R-7, 1976) indicated that predation by coyotes on mule deer was occurring in breaks habitat along the Miss uri River and may have been a major factor affecting fawn recruitment. The fact that fawn: doe ratios were low in early winter further indicated that, if predation was the cause of low recruitment, it was especially important during the summer-fall periods. This study was established during the summer of 1976 to quantify the extent, timing, and causes of summer mortality among mule deer fawns; specifically, the role and importance of coyote predation in fawn recruitment to early winter. Intensive studies were conducted annually from early June through mid-September from 1976 through 1981 as one segment of broader studies on the population ecology and habitat relationships of mule deer I Send reprint requests to senior author at Box 5, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717. J. Wildl. Manage. 48(2):1984 489 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.124 on Fri, 13 Jan 2017 18:13:03 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 490 MULE DEER, COYOTES, AND ALTERNATE PREY * Hamlin et al.

Browse Preferences of Jackrabbits and Cottontails for Species Used in Shelterbelt Plantings

Abstract Preference ratings were computed for genera and families of trees and shrubs commonly planted in shelter-belts and windbreaks and subjected to winter browsing by white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendii) and eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus). These animals used evergreens less than deciduous species. In general, they preferred the Rosaceae, Ulmaceae, Oleaceae, and Caprifoliaceae families. Guides for selecting planting stock should include a measure of a species' susceptibility to browsing, at least in localities where rabbits or hares are numerous.

Unusual Encounter Between a White-Tailed Jack Rabbit and a Hawk

Unusual Encounter Between a White-Tailed Jack Rabbit and a Hawk

Nocturnal Aggregations of White-Tailed Jack-Rabbits at Rimbey, Alberta

Nocturnal Aggregations of White-Tailed Jack-Rabbits at Rimbey, Alberta

A Concentration of White-Tailed Jack Rabbits

A Concentration of White-Tailed Jack Rabbits

On the Holocene History of Some Northern Great Basin Lagomorphs

Analysis of vertebrate faunas from archaeological sites in south-central Oregon's Fort Rock Basin supports the hypothesis that the common early Holocene jackrabbit in the northern Great Basin was Lepus townsendii , and that L. californicus did not become abundant in this area until middle Holocene times. The current range expansion of L. californicus at the expense of L. townsendii in the northern Great Basin and adjacent Plateau may, in part, represent the continuation of a process that began several thousand years ago. These faunas also document the presence of pikas ( Ochotona princeps ) in the Fort Rock Basin prior to, but not after, 7,000 years B.P. Pikas are absent from the area today; their disappearance here may have been due to the eruption of Mt. Mazama at, or just before, an episode of climatic change. These data support the argument that the distribution of boreal mammals on mountainous islands within the Great Basin can be accounted for by initial colonization followed by extinctions of geographically intermediate populations.

WINTER WHEAT SEEDLING PREFERENCE BY GRAZING RODENTS

Preferential grazing by rodents on an experimental line of hard red winter wheat, WT80 (Triticum aestivum L.) was observed in a variety × fertilizer field experiment that also included the cvs. Winalta, Sundance, and Kharkov 22MC. Plots that received NP fertilizers were more intensively grazed than others. The rodents were tentatively identified as white-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus townsendi campanius Hollister).

Spring Population Responses of Cottontails and Jackrabbits to Cattle Grazing Shortgrass Prairie

Highlight: Spring population densities of black-tailed jackrabbits, white-tailed jackrabbits, and desert cottontail rabbits were estimated on pastures under four different grazing treatments by cattle on the shortgrass prairie of northeastern Colorado. Black-tailed jackrabbits were most abundant on pastures with light-summer and moderate-summer grazing treatments. White-tailed jackrabbits showed no strict preference for any grazing treatments but preferred all upland pastures. Desert cottontail rabbits were most abundant in pastures under moderate-summer and moderate-winter grazing treatment. The ratio of abundance between the three species of leporids is, in part, a function of the different levels of grazing intensity. A ny future long-term changes in vegetational management in the area could be expected to affect populational ratios.

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in Missouri

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in Missouri

Reproductive Biology of the White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in North Dakota

Reproductive Biology of the White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in North Dakota

Observations on the Occurrence of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the Alpine Zone

Observations on the Occurrence of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in the Alpine Zone

High Altitude Winter Records for White-Tailed Jackrabbits

Journal Article High Altitude Winter Records for White-Tailed Jackrabbits Get access J. Vincent Hoeman J. Vincent Hoeman Route 3, Box 109, Fort Collins, Colorado Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 45, Issue 3, 15 September 1964, Page 495, https://doi.org/10.2307/jmammal/45.3.495 Published: 15 September 1964 Article history Received: 16 April 1963 Published: 15 September 1964

Range Changes of Mammals in the Great Lakes Region

Range changes of mammals in the Great Lakes region (Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and those parts of Ontario, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York bordering on the Great Lakes) are described, based on a review of the literature and recent data obtained by the author. Although the Great Lakes and their interconnecting rivers are a marked geographical barrier to the spread of mammals, many changes have taken place in the distribution and abundance of mammals since the last glacial period. These changes are influenced by human activities, climatic changes, and changes in biotic communities. Among these factors, the first one has been most influential. The elk (Cervus canadensis), the bison (Bison bison) and the wolverine (Gulo luscus) have become extinct since the arrival of white man. The cougar (Felis concolor) probably also disappeared, but may have reinvaded the region. Range restrictions have been recorded for the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus), Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), bobcat (Lynx rufus), gray wolf (Canis lupus), black bear (Ursus americanus), marten (Martes americana), fisher (Martes pennanti), and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). The latter three species are reinvading formerly occupied ranges during recent years. Range extensions include the majority of species which have exhibited range changes. A distinct northward spread has been recorded for the moose (Alces americana), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), and fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). An eastward spread has been observed for the thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Citellus tridecemlineatus), Franklin ground squirrel (Citellus franklinii) and white-tailed jack rabbit (Lepus townsendii). The smoky shrew (Sorex fumeus) and the yellow-nosed vole (Microtus chrotorrhinus) have apparently displayed a westward spread.

Winter Coats of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in Southwestern Colorado

Winter Coats of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in Southwestern Colorado

Weight and Length of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in Blue Earth County, Minnesota

Weight and Length of White-Tailed Jackrabbits in Blue Earth County, Minnesota

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in Manitoba

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit in Manitoba

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit Eats Dandelion Stalks

The White-Tailed Jack Rabbit Eats Dandelion Stalks

The White-tailed Jack Rabbit, Lepus Townsendii Campanius, Introduced into Wisconsin

The White-tailed Jack Rabbit, Lepus Townsendii Campanius, Introduced into Wisconsin

Lepus townsendii — Bach., Townsend's Rocky Mountain Hare [Pl. III, male and female

Lepus townsendii — Bach., Townsend's Rocky Mountain Hare [Pl. III, male and female