Using Cameras for Wildlife Research, Management, and Education in Jefferson

County Open Space Parks

Tim Sandsmark, AdministratorLookout Mountain Nature Center, Jefferson County Open SpaceSpecial thanks to Bryan Posthumus, Natural Resource Specialist, Jeffco Open Space

Benefits of Camera SurveysBenefits of Camera Surveys

►Medium to large mammalsMedium to large mammals►Rare or secretive speciesRare or secretive species►24 hour surveillance24 hour surveillance►Survey areas with difficult access.Survey areas with difficult access.►Low cost- 1 digital camera~1 week Low cost- 1 digital camera~1 week

seasonal payseasonal pay

Appropriate UsesAppropriate Uses

►Monitors Activity►Limits to Population Studies►Game Trails►Movement Corridors►Seasonal, Spatial, Temporal Use►Bait Sites

Be a Stinker! Get Respect!

Other Bait Site Visitors

1. Monitor wildlife use 1. Monitor wildlife use pre/post openingpre/post opening2. Monitor species movement 2. Monitor species movement (temporal, seasonal, spatial)(temporal, seasonal, spatial)

3. Monitor human use at opening3. Monitor human use at opening

Fencing Impacts to WildlifeFencing Impacts to WildlifeLookout Mtn. Monitoring ObjectivesLookout Mtn. Monitoring Objectives

Lookout- General SummaryLookout- General Summary

110 acres110 acres 1112 unique records1112 unique records 4 cameras4 cameras 1477 actual trap nights1477 actual trap nights

LKT average CR 75%LKT average CR 75% Capture Rate= Unique Capture Rate= Unique

Records/Actual Trap Records/Actual Trap NightsNights

Potential ErrorPotential Error

►Winter IssuesWinter Issues►Camera Shutter Camera Shutter

SpeedSpeed►SpeciesSpecies

►Capture rates are Capture rates are likely much lower likely much lower than actual use.than actual use.

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Bear Coyote Deer Elk Fox Person

2007 CR

2008 CR

Objective 1. Monitor wildlife use pre/post openingObjective 1. Monitor wildlife use pre/post opening

Cam 1140% CR

Objective 2. Monitor species movement (spatial)Objective 2. Monitor species movement (spatial)

Cam 220% CR

Cam 379% CR

Cam 448% CR

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Objective 2. Monitor species movement (seasonal)Objective 2. Monitor species movement (seasonal)

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Objective 2. Monitor species movement (temporal)Objective 2. Monitor species movement (temporal)

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LKT

OtherLocations

Compare LKT hours of

activity with other survey

locations.

Based on LKT species only.

Noon

Midnight

Cam 1 Social Use

Humans 26 9% CRDogs 0

Wildlife 411 140% CR

Objective 3. Monitor human use at openingObjective 3. Monitor human use at opening

Cam 4 Social Use

Humans 5 1% CRDogs 10 3% CR

Wildlife 192 48% CR

Monitoring wildlife and recreational Monitoring wildlife and recreational activity on newly acquired landactivity on newly acquired land

Hildebrand RanchWildlife Movement- Funnels

292%21.98%

27.59%

8.19%

1.29%

36.21%

1.29%

46.12%

76.72%

54.74%

2.16%

20.26%

2008 Capture Rate (232 TN)

51Skunk

155%692Total

64Red

19Raccoon

3Lion

84Gray

3Fox

30%107Elk

94%178Deer

13%127Coyote

5Bobcat

17%47Bear

2006 Capture Rate (64 TN)

2008 Activity

Species

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Seasonal Use - ElkSeasonal Use - Elk

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All Mammals

Movement During Park HoursMovement During Park Hours

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Dawn Day Dusk Night Park Hours

Visitor Use Impacts?Visitor Use Impacts?

33.514,090South Valley Combined

14.39.75,9884,086South Valley South Lot

19.313.58,0875,657South Valley North Lot

23.2614.79,7686,175Deer Creek Park

Maximum Visitors/Hour

Mean Visitors/Hour

Maximum Monthly Visitation

Mean Monthly VisitationLocation

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LKT Deer/ElkHRP Deer/ElkOther Deer/Elk

Deer and Elk Hours of

Movement

Backcountry vs.

Human Use Areas

Noon

Midnight

Trail Planners

Trail Buster

Elk Meadow ParkElk Meadow Park

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Elk Elk MeadowMeadow

3 Cameras-Movement,Beds, and Water Source

397 Unique Records650 Trap Nights61% Capture Rate

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Elk Elk MeadowMeadow

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Bear Coyote Deer Elk Gray Person Red Skunk

Elk MeadowElk Meadow

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Elk MeadowElk Meadow

Elk MeadowElk Meadow

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Elk MeadowElk Meadow

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yRed

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Total

DawnDayDuskNight

Concluding Comments►Humans enjoy wildlife

Birdwatchers Respect and Appreciation

►Humans impact wildlife Riparian and wetlands, corridors,

funnels Development, fencing, roads, trails Recreation- heavy numbers of people

►Wildlife react to humans Avoidance, attraction, habituation Conflicts Escape cover Large animals need big spaces

Just some other neat photos

……and just for funand just for fun

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