Southern BC Mule Deer Project
http://bcwf.net/index.php/southern-bc-mule-deer-project
As some of you are aware by now, the BCWF has spearheaded a mule deer collaring project that is taking place in the BC interior over the next three years.
The BCWF has been lobbying hard to increase funding for wildlife and it appears things are headed in the right direction. Without funding this project would have never got off the ground.
Partnering with HCTF, UBCO, University of Idaho, ONA and several sportsmen's groups, the project is under way with a total of 64 mule deer does now sporting new GPS collars. The collaring is now suspended temporarily to avoid any possible harm to unborn fetuses from the tranquilizer drugs.
For this study, the BCWF has purchased a mobile ultrasound unit so pregnancy rates could be determined...which is critical to the study. Not only can it give immediate feedback on fetuses, it can also measure fat on the animal to help determine overall health.
Collaring has taken place in the Boundary (8-14, 8-15), Okanagan(8-08, 8-11) and Elephant Hill Fire (3-29,3-30). Deer were collared both in and outside of wildfire areas.
Of the 64 collared deer (63 does and one yearling female), the pregnancy rate is 100% (minus the yearling) with 80% of does packing twins. So from the 63 does, 113 fawns will hit the ground in the coming weeks. Definitely shows that sperm supply is not an issue.
There are an additional 27-30 collared mule deer does in the West Kootenays but they didn't have an ultrasound so no pregnancy rate are available for those. Not sure if they can get that from blood samples or not?
The collaring of fawns will continue in the fall and does again next spring.
Several HBC'ers have volunteered to assist in this exciting project (feel free to add some pictures to this thread). I was lucky enough to get in on one collar this spring.
https://i.imgur.com/uq00bNI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vsbz4Sd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/LiF5Uyf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CuwtUKQ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/juhh1k8.jpg
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Exellent report..well done guys, gals..children...GREAT idea to get children involved..was the gentleman..Kirby?
Thanks
Steven
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
srupp
Exellent report..well done guys, gals..children...GREAT idea to get children involved..was the gentleman..Kirby?
Thanks
Steven
The family granted us permission to access crown land behind their property so we called them up once we got a deer down. Was a great addition to the experience to get some new wildlife stewards involved! The whole family loved the experience.
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
That's awesome. Where can one find out more specifically about volunteer opportunities for this?
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Some great work and volunteering going on there..... Cudos to you all.
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Great work all of you! Definitely shows that sperm supply isn't an issue is right...
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
I learned one very important item about sperm supply while chatting with our bio.
BC doesn't include a sightability factor when conducting flight counts for buck to doe ratios....whereas most other areas do.
Experts from Idaho (which have a pile of mule deer experience) reviewed our data and knew right away that our buck seasons weren't causing any issues. They have some areas in Idaho where they manage to 10:100 including the sightability factor.
SSS
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stone Sheep Steve
I learned one very important item about sperm supply while chatting without bio.
BC doesn't include a sightability factor when conducting flight counts for buck to doe ratios....whereas most other areas do.
Experts from Idaho (which have a pile of mule deer experience) reviewed our data and knew right away that our buck seasons weren't causing any issues. They have some areas in Idaho where they manage to 10:100 including the sightability factor.
SSS
Did they have anything else to offer when reviewing our data? Great stuff by all involved to try to make a difference.
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
We were lucky enough to get out for an afternoon/evening "hunt" on the 22nd. Unfortunately, we didn't get one on the ground for collaring that night (sudden warm weather change kept them hidden), but it was an educational and fun experience!
I've been busy begging dollars to go to the project, and so far so good. Local clubs have really stepped up!
We're still gathering names of people who want to be involved with veg plots, trail cam monitoring, etc. Contact your local club if you're interested in helping out.
Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
Great stuff. It reminded me I had to renew my BCWF membership! Done