Research

  • Movement, Abundance, and Demography of Mule Deer at the Geographic Range Extent in Oklahoma
    • The eastern edge of the mule deer geographic extent is in the Great Plains. Mule deer have never been studied in Oklahoma and thus are managed the same as white-tailed deer including no deer species-specific hunting permits.
    • In partnership with Oklahoma State University, this project aims to provide information on mule deer movement, adult survival, fawn survival, nutrition metrics, population growth rates, and assessing survey techniques.
    • This research will inform Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation on proper measures and expectations to better manage mule deer and aid in understanding how mule deer perform at the edge of their geographic range.
    • Further, the North Texas Research Program will leverage current and past mule deer research in Texas to develop a regional understanding of conservation issues for the species.
  • Cervid Movement Ecology Influences on Chronic Wasting Disease Spread in the Texas Panhandle and Trans-Pecos Regions
    • The Texas Panhandle has free-ranging mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk. Positive CWD cases have been detected in all 3 species. Additionally, CWD has been detected in free-ranging mule deer in the Trans-Pecos. We are developing recommendations for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to help combat this disease that can be detrimental to our native ungulate populations.
    • We are evaluating how juvenile dispersal may contribute to disease spread.
    • We are GPS-collaring all 3 cervid species in the Panhandle and mule deer in the Trans-Pecos and developing spatial epidemiological models using these data to better predict future CWD spread and where intensive samples might be focused.
    • We are also leveraging previous deer research in the region, along with data from this study, to better understand competitive dynamics between the 3 cervid species coexisting in the Texas Panhandle.
  • Pronghorn Movement and Demography Among Anthropogenic, Predation, and Climatic Limitations in Western Oklahoma
    • Pronghorn in western Oklahoma have been declining rapidly over the past decade. This region represents a portion of the eastern edge of the species’ distribution.
    • In partnership with Oklahoma State University, we are evaluating landscape limitations to movement, adult survival, and fawn survival to aid Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in determining proper management activities in the future.
    • We are also evaluating other aspects of pronghorn ecology and management, such as group dynamics, behavior relative to habitat attributes, nutritional indices, and the ability to use drones as a monitoring tool.
    • Further, the North Texas Research Program will leverage current and past pronghorn research in Texas to develop a regional understanding of conservation issues for the species.
  • Influences of Cropland on Mule Deer Movement, Demography, and Nutritional Indices in the Texas Panhandle
    • Mule deer are seemingly doing well in the Texas Panhandle; however, the region consists of ever-changing amounts of row-crop farming amid the threat of a rapidly depleting Ogallala Aquifer.
    • Since 2015, we have been evaluating movement and population metrics of nearly 150 GPS-collared mule deer in these cropland habitats to better understand how row-crop farming plays a role in population dynamics.
    • Results will aid the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and landowners on how to properly manage mule deer and what to expect in the future as this dynamic landscape continues to change.
  • White-tailed Deer Interactions with Nonnative Ungulates and Historic Brush Management in the Texas Hill Country
    • Large mammals are an important resource for landowners in the Hill Country. In addition to white-tailed deer, the Hill Country has large populations of nonnative species, especially feral pigs, axis deer, elk, and aoudad, as well as domesticated species including goats, sheep, and cattle.
    • The main goal of this project is to understand and manage the interactions of native and nonnative species with each other and the environment. This begins with accurate population density estimates and an understanding of wildlife habitat use and interactions using modern advances in remote camera technology and analytical techniques.
    • This broad scale survey will allow for the linking large mammal community responses to environmental conditions and land use legacies detailed by a concurrent Juniper Management Project. Based on results from this study, we can provide landowners with information they can use to manage white-tailed deer and nonnatives on their property.
  • Impacts of Pinyon-Juniper Fuel Reduction Treatments on Mammals in Grass Valley, Utah
    • Within Utah, fuel reduction treatments are used to decrease fuel loads and mitigate the risk of severe wildfires on Bureau of Land Management lands, protecting valuable wildlife habitat and adjacent towns and communities.
    • Fuel reduction treatments have been used in Grass Valley, UT which provides important habitats for species of interest, including the threatened Utah Prairie dog and pygmy rabbit, and game species, such as elk and mule deer.
    • We are evaluating the impacts of these treatments by assessing mammal community diversity and dynamics among treatment patches with modern remote camera technology and analytical techniques.