Sampling strategies for radio-tracking coyotes
Wildlife Society Bulletin
By: G. J. Smith, J.R. Cary, and O.J. Rongstad
Links
- Document: Report (html)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Ten coyotes radio-tracked for 24 h periods were most active at night and moved little during daylight hours. Home-range size determined from radio-locations of 3 adult coyotes increased with the number of locations until an asymptote was reached at about 35-40 independent day locations or 3 6 nights of hourly radio-locations. Activity of the coyote did not affect the asymptotic nature of the home-range calculations, but home-range sizes determined from more than 3 nights of hourly locations were considerably larger than home-range sizes determined from daylight locations. Coyote home-range sizes were calculated from daylight locations, full-night tracking periods, and half-night tracking periods. Full- and half-lnight sampling strategies involved obtaining hourly radio-locations during 12 and 6 h periods, respectively. The half-night sampling strategy was the best compromise for our needs, as it adequately indexed the home-range size, reduced time and energy spent, and standardized the area calculation without requiring the researcher to become completely nocturnal. Sight tracking also provided information about coyote activity and sociability.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Sampling strategies for radio-tracking coyotes |
| Series title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 1981 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 88-93 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| First page | 88 |
| Last page | 93 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |