Re: Southern BC Mule Deer Project
"Now if they could only collar a few of the preds like wolf and cougar in the area, and see how big the correlation is.
They're putting out camera traps to help determine who's around. Otherwise (as far as I understand it) you get to the site of a non-moving collar as fast as possible. I've heard bios describe wolf kills as "spectacular" (I think we know why) while cougar kills are, well, not as spectacular and tend to be hidden for prolonged feeding. Don't know what bear kills look like.
"It needs to be minimum 20 year ongoing study...."
Part of the strength of this study is that it will contribute data to an ongoing database from Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado (I hope I got those right and didn't leave any out). I think the Idaho study has been going on so long that it rivals the best medical longitudinal studies.
Translation? You and the bios are on the same page as far as time frame. SSS is also correct: funding needs to continue. Promoting this study by getting regular Joes involved, and getting the bios talking to people about it will help. Clubs helping to fund it will also help.
Rob Chipman
"The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders" - Ed Abbey
"Grown men do not need leaders" - also Ed Abbey