About the project
Background
FWP and the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission use information on big game population sizes to inform management decisions. However, extensive closed canopy forests in northwest Montana have limited FWP’s ability to use aerial surveys to monitor deer and elk. The use of remote cameras for monitoring wildlife has developed rapidly in recent years, and this research project is evaluating camera-based methodologies for estimating abundance of elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black bear. The outcomes of this 5-year research project will guide FWP in whether and how to adopt a camera-based approach for big game monitoring in northwestern hunting districts.
Scope and timeline
The project’s duration is July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2028, with field data collected primarily during the first 3 years, followed by analysis, reports, graduate student theses, and recommendations. Each summer (2024-2026) FWP will sample animal densities in 3 hunting districts using roughly 150 randomly placed trail cameras per district. Camera deployments take place in fall and spring, with images collected during summer months. Up to 30 each of white-tailed deer, mule deer, and elk will be GPS collared to provide concurrent information on animal movement and habitat selection.
This information will help us understand if animal behavior and distribution is compatible with monitoring via remote camera, and will help inform FWP about alternative possibilities for cost-efficient sampling designs.
The research project is being completed as collaboration between FWP research staff, private landowners, federal land management agencies, and faculty and graduate students at the University of Montana.
Project reports
Project personnel
David Messmer - Research Biologist - MFWP
Dustin Brewster - Research Technician - MFWP
Mahdieh Tourani - Professor - University of Montana Wildlife Biology Program
Neil Anderson - Region 1 Wildlife Manager - MFWP
Project funders
Funding was provided by revenues from the sale of Montana hunting and fishing licenses and matching Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration grants to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
