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VOLUNTEER CARNIVORE TRACK SURVEYS - Part of an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Wisconsin Wolves

VOLUNTEER CARNIVORE TRACK SURVEYS - Part of an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Wisconsin Wolves. by Jane E. Wiedenhoeft. WISCONSIN WOLF HISTORY. Primary Wolf Monitoring Techniques. Live-trapping / radio monitoring Winter snow track surveys by DNR Summer howl surveys

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VOLUNTEER CARNIVORE TRACK SURVEYS - Part of an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Wisconsin Wolves

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  1. VOLUNTEER CARNIVORE TRACK SURVEYS- Part of an Integrated Approach to Monitoring Wisconsin Wolves by Jane E. Wiedenhoeft

  2. WISCONSIN WOLF HISTORY

  3. PrimaryWolf Monitoring Techniques • Live-trapping / radio monitoring • Winter snow track surveys by DNR • Summer howl surveys • Snow track surveys by volunteers

  4. AdditionalWolf Monitoring Techniques • Necropsy of dead wolves • Depredation trapping by USDA - Wildlife Services • Public observation reports

  5. Monitoring to Determine: • Distribution • Minimum population count • Mortality / Survival • Reproduction • Health • Den & Rendezvous sites • Dispersal

  6. Winter Snow Track Surveys by DNR & Volunteers 7,713 miles were tracked by DNR & volunteer trackers during winter 2004-2005

  7. Volunteer Carnivore Tracking Program Training Requirements: • Wolf ecology (added 2001) • Track training • Track test (added 1999) Expectations: • Survey block assignment • Conduct 3 surveys • Follow DNR guidelines • Send results in on time

  8. Survey Blocks Tracked by DNR & Volunteers 2004-2005

  9. Winter Track Surveys in Wisconsin by WDNR & Volunteers

  10. Wolf Detection RatesDNR vs. Volunteer TrackersWith Varying Experience

  11. Live-trapping / Radio monitoring Wolves are trapped & fitted with radiocollars; blood samples are taken for health monitoring measurements are taken physical condition of wolf is noted Pilots locate radiocollared wolves about once a week; packs counts can sometimes be made from the air

  12. Radio Monitored Packs

  13. Public Observation Reports (use with caution)

  14. Minimum Statewide Wolf Counts & Counts Off Indian Reservations in Wisconsin 1980-2005 1985-2002 Average rate of population increase was 20% 2002-2005 Average rate of population increase was 9% Delisting Level Threatened Status Endangered Status

  15. % of Wolf Count from Monitoring Sources By Reliability 1. Pilots 2. DNR 3. Volunteers 4. Reports Reports Pilots Volunteers DNR By Cost 1. Volunteers 2. Reports 3. DNR 4. Pilots Reports Pilots DNR Volunteers

  16. Average Pack SizeAverage Pack Territory Size

  17. Wisconsin Wolf Distribution 1980 1985

  18. Wisconsin Wolf Distribution 1990 1995

  19. Wisconsin Wolf Distribution 2000 2005

  20. 2003-2004 Minnesota Type Wolf Estimate 875 wolves Estimate with most accurate data 991 wolves Estimate including public reports

  21. 2003-2004 Minnesota Type Wolf Estimate Location of known wolf packs compared to modeled townships 798 wolves Estimate based on known pack distribution Actual high count was 410 wolves Adjusting for undercount of lone wolves 466 wolves

  22. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Major Funding: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service State Wildlife Grants Program Timber Wolf Alliance Defenders of Wildlife Other Contributions: WDNR Pilots WDNR Wildlife Managers National Wildlife Health Lab State Wildlife Health Lab USDA - Wildlife Services Volunteer Trackers

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