Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society - Wildlife Conservation in a Changing World
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Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Annual Conference 2023
Wildlife Conservation in a Changing World
University of Wyoming Conference Center, Laramie, WY
March 28-30, 2023
Thank you to our generous 2023 sponsors!
Welcome!
The theme of the 2023 annual meeting of the Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society is
“Wildlife Conservation in a Changing World.” The world is changing in myriad ways. The
climate is warming and becoming more variable, at an alarming pace. Habitats continue to
be lost and altered by various human activities around the globe. Our charge as wildlife bi-
ologists and managers has never been more critical. Understanding wildlife responses to
human-induced environmental change is necessary to know when and how land managers
and policymakers must intervene. Our annual conference provides the opportunity for di-
verse wildlife professionals around our beautiful state and region to gather, disseminate in-
formation, network, and learn from one another.
This year’s conference will feature over 100 presentations by students and professionals,
focused on the most diverse suite of species ever at a WY-TWS meeting. Our keynote
speaker is Dr. Jedediah Brodie, John J. Craighead Endowed Chair of Conservation at the
University of Montana, whose career has focused on biodiversity science and resilience to
global change. TWS leaders at all levels (national, regional, WY, and UW chapters) will share
ideas of all flavors, and provide insights on leadership opportunities within TWS. The ever-
exciting quiz bowl will be held in the aptly-named Wildcatter Lounge high above the UW
football stadium, preceded by the first inaugural Animal Sounds Contest which promises to
be a “hoot.” Other highlights will include interactive round tables focused on climate
change communication and policy , and the student-professional mentoring luncheon. Fi-
nally, we are excited to honor this year’s slate of outstanding awardees during the closing
banquet.
The world’s changes are not only environmental, but also cultural. The importance of diver-
sity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and society are finally beginning to be recog-
nized and highlight the challenges that some facets of the population have faced—and con-
tinue to face—just to be seen, heard, and treated on an equal basis. The Wyoming Chapter
of The Wildlife Society is committed to fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive
environment for ALL those who care about and work to conserve Wyoming’s wildlife.
Again, welcome, and we hope you have a wonderful conference experience!
Anna Chalfoun | WY-TWS President
Photo: risingthermals via Flickr
1
Program Contents
I. Agenda Overview — pages 3 to 5
II. About the Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society — page 6
III. Code of Conduct — page 7
IV. Workshop and Field Trip Descriptions — pages 8 to 9
V. Plenary Speaker — page 10
VI. Detailed Agenda — pages 11 to 19
VII. Poster Presentations — pages 20 to 22
VIII. Award Winners — page 23
IX. Oral Presentation Abstracts — pages 24 to 57
X. Poster Abstracts — pages 58 to 73
COVID-19 policy:
WY-TWS is committed to offering an in-person conference amenable to the health, safety
and comfort of all participants. Masking will not be required this year, but N-95 masks will
be provided for those who would feel more comfortable being masked. Ultimately, the deci-
sion to attend an in-person, indoor gathering is your personal decision and depends upon
your comfort and acceptable level of risk.
Please do NOT attend the conference if you are experiencing any active cold or flu-like
symptoms. We will provide a full refund for anyone that falls ill and cannot attend.
Photo: Mark Gocke
2
II. Agenda Overview
Photo: Mark Gocke
TUESDAY, MARCH 28
7:00 – 8:00 Welcome table open
8:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Program R: A Basic Introduction
Salon A, University of Wyoming Conference Center
8:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Snow Field Measurements for Wildlife Research
Salon F UWCC (morning), field component (afternoon)
8:00 – 12:00 Wyoming bat working group meeting (members only)
Salon G, UWCC
1:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Applied Principles of Science Communication
Salon F, UWCC
1:00 – 5:00 Golden eagle working group meeting (members only)
Salon G, UWCC
4:00 – 7:00 Welcome table open
4:00 – 5:45 Poster session set-up
Salons D/E, UWCC
6:00 – 9:00 Poster session and evening social
Salons D/E, UWCC
3WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29
5:15 – 7:45 Field trip: Sage-grouse lek (meet in UWCC lobby at 5:10)
7:00 – 8:00 Welcome table open
8:00 – 8:15 Welcome and opening remarks
Salons A/B/C
8:15 – 9:15 Plenary: Dr. Jedediah Brodie, University of Montana Conservation
Biologist
Salons A/B/C
9:15 – 9:30 Coffee break
9:30 – 11:45 Session I: Habitat selection and life history
Salons A/B/C
11:45 – 1:00 TWS Leadership and Membership lunch
Salons D/E
1:00 – 2:30 Session II: Anthropogenic change
Salons A/B/C
2:30 – 2:45 Coffee break
2:45 – 4:15 Session III: Anthropogenic change and disease
Salons A/B/C
4:30 – 5:30 Roundtable: Effectively Communicating About a Changing Climate
Salons A/B/C
6:00 – 9:00 Evening social, animal sounds contest, quiz bowl
Wildcatter Lounge @ UW War Memorial Stadium
4THURSDAY, MARCH 30
7:00 – 8:00 Coffee hour with TWS CEO Ed Arnett and President-Elect Bob Lanka
Hallway of UWCC
8:00 – 8:05 Welcoming remarks and announcements
Salons A/B/C
8:05 – 9:25 Session IV: Migration and nutrition
Salons A/B/C
9:25 – 9:45 Coffee break
9:45 – 11:45 Session V: Human Dimensions Session VI: Wildlife Conservation
and Sampling Methods / and Management Stories
Lightning Talks Salons F/G
Salons A/B/C
11:45 – 1:00 Student-Mentor Luncheon
Salons D/E
1:00 – 2:30 Session VII: Habitat Relationships Session VIII: Genetics and
Salons A/B/C Computer Modeling
Salons F/G
2:30 – 2:45 Coffee break
2:45 – 4:00 Session IX: Fitness and Session X: Behavior and Habitat
Populations Salons F/G
Salons A/B/C
4:15 – 5:15 Roundtable: Shaping policy priorities for WY-TWS
Salons A/B/C
6:00 – 7:00 Happy hour social and silent auction
Salons D/E
7:00 – 9:30 Closing banquet and awards
Salons D/E
5II. Wyoming Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Our Mission
To inspire, empower, and enable wildlife professionals to sustain wildlife populations and
habitats through science-based management and conservation.
Objectives
1. Provide an organization of wildlife management professionals from which statements
affecting wildlife can be made exclusive of agency limitations.
2. Provide for the exchange of ideas and information between wildlife workers without
agency consideration.
3. To strengthen The Wildlife Society, its objectives and goals.
4. To promote and provide for interdisciplinary communication and training to keep
abreast of modern needs and technological developments.
5. To promote awareness of and continued improvement in wildlife management.
2023 Executive Board
Anna Chalfoun | President
Riley Bernard | President-Elect
Aly Courtemanch | Past President
Courtney Larson | Secretary
Megan Smith | Treasurer
Jerod Merkle | Board Member-at-Large
Destin Harrell | Board Member-at-Large
Don DeLong | Board Member-at-Large
Heather O’Brien | Board Member-at-Large
2023 Leadership & Committee Chairs
Dan Thompson | Science Committee Chair
Rhiannon Jakopak | Legislative Affairs Committee Chair
Ashleigh Rhea | Communications Committee Chair
Riley Bernard | Awards and Nominations Committee Chair
Riley Bernard | Culture and Community Committee Chair
Renee Lile | Student Chapter Liaison
Rhiannon Jakopak | Conservation Affairs Network Liaison
Embere Hall | Central Mountains and Plains Section Liaison
6III. Code of Conduct
The WY-TWS conference provides opportunities for education, exchange of ideas, mentoring, networking
with fellow wildlifers, and engagement with colleagues. In this light and with the goal of ensuring that our
conference is welcoming and inclusive for all, we expect attendees to abide by the following code of
conduct:
Expected behavior
• All participants should be treated with respect and consideration, valuing the diversity of views and
opinions that may be different than those you hold.
• Communicate with respect for others; critique ideas rather than individuals.
• Avoid personal attacks directed towards conference participants.
• Professionalism should be exercised at all times.
Unacceptable behavior*
• Harassment, threats, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind or in any form, in-person or on social
media platforms.
• Physical, verbal, or non-verbal abuse.
• Inappropriate comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race,
religion, or national origin.
• Conduct of a stalking or threatening nature.
• Disruption of talks, presentations, or other activities organized by WY-TWS.
• Unlawful conduct or activity of any kind.
* Includes behavior at any conference event or associated activity, and directed toward any conference
attendee, speaker, exhibitor, or conference center or catering employee.
Reporting of Inappropriate Behavior
• If you are the subject of or witness conduct in violation of these guidelines please notify a board
member.
• WY-TWS will use reasonable efforts to respond and attempt to resolve the matter in a timely manner
respectful of the parties and necessary to ensure the continued integrity and quality of the conference.
• Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public
safety in the convention center or hotel is advised to locate a house phone and ask for security or dial
911.
WY-TWS reserves the right, in its sole and reasonable discretion, to have individuals acting in an
unprofessional manner or contrary to these guidelines removed from the conference or any meeting or
event taking place at the conference and the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting. We
appreciate your attention to these guidelines and wish you a productive and meaningful conference!
7Photo: Brian Zinke
IV. Workshop & Field Trip Descriptions
PROGRAM R: A BASIC INTRODUCTION
Tuesday March 28, 8:00 am — 5:00 pm
Salon A, University of Wyoming Conference Center
Instructors: Jason Carlisle and Eric Newkirk
Program R is a free software for statistical computing and graphics (http://www.r-project.org/), and is
an increasingly useful tool in the wildlife scientist’s toolbox. The goal of this workshop is to help partic-
ipants gain the basic skills needed to begin using Program R and introduce resources for continued
learning. R is notorious for having a steep learning curve, so we offer this full-day workshop as a hands
-on and guided introduction. Each participant must provide their own computer (with software-
installation privileges), and instructions will be sent to participants in advance to download the free
software used in the workshop. Example datasets and materials will be distributed at the work-
shop. Multiple instructors will be on hand to assist with troubleshooting any issues that arise. De-
signed for pre-beginners (those who may have never seen Program R) and beginners (those who may
have dabbled lightly in R and would like to learn more).
8SNOW FIELD MEASUREMENTS FOR WILDLIFE RESEARCH
Tuesday March 28, 8:00 am — 5:00 pm
Salon F, University of Wyoming Conference Center (morning), field portion (afternoon)
Instructors: Adele Reinking, Katherine Gura, Kelly Elder, and Dylan Elder
The main goal of this workshop is to provide biologists the tools to better understand and quantify the
role of snow in their systems of interest. The workshop will include information about snow properties
(depth, strength, hardness, stratigraphy, wind and rain crusts), basic snow mechanical properties, com-
mon measurement techniques and the tools used to make such measurements, and guidance on winter
field equipment, clothing, and safety. Topics also will include sampling design and decision-making for
different types of wildlife science questions, and hands-on experience using these tools outdoors in the
snow. Finally, the workshop will include a brief discussion of how to combine field measurements with
modeling tools and other snow datasets to better understand snow distributions and properties as they
evolve across space and time.
APPLIED PRINCIPLES OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Tuesday March 28, 1:00 pm — 5:00 pm
Salon F, University of Wyoming Conference Center
Instructor: Bethann Garramon Merkle
Highly interactive workshop addressing the principles of effective science communication, with a focus
on (1) Common dilemmas in science communication, (2) Why facts (alone) don’t work, (3) Evidence-
based tools for developing effective messages, and (4) Seeing science – foundations in effective visuals
for science communication.
FIELD TRIP: SAGE-GROUSE LEK
Wednesday March 29, 5:15 — 7:45 am
Meet in University of Wyoming Conference Center lobby at 5:10am
Leader: Don Jones
Start your morning right with a before-breakfast visit to a sage-grouse lek! Join Don Jones, volunteer
eBird reviewer and graduate student at the University of Wyoming, for an early morning field trip to
view one of Wyoming’s most iconic wildlife species. We will drive to a lek site on private property north
of Laramie, where male sage-grouse gather each spring to perform their fantastic courtship display.
We’ll spend about 45 minutes watching the grouse strut. Participants should be prepared to walk ~1/2
mile down a dirt two-track to get to the viewing point. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring plenty of
warm clothing. Transportation will be provided and we will have several spotting scopes to share, but
please bring your own scope and binoculars if you have them.
Photo: Embere Hall
Photo: Embere Hall
9V. Plenary Speaker
Photo: Clivid via Flickr
Wyoming TWS is excited to welcome our plenary speaker for the 2023 conference:
Dr. Jedediah Brodie, John Craighead Chair of Conservation, University of Montana
“An international perspective on how habitat change and hunting
affect wildlife conservation”
Habitat loss and unsustainable exploitation are two of the primary threats to wildlife, but alleviating
their impacts requires different strategies in different parts of the world. Here I describe how hunting
affects species and ecosystems in the tropics and how emerging techniques can help ensure harvest
sustainability. I also address challenges to recent global efforts to increase protected area coverage and
landscape connectivity, and discuss how these strategies, if used well, can both mitigate habitat loss and
enhance climate resilience.
Jedediah Brodie is a conservation ecologist who studies mammals,
plants, and their interactions. He specializes in getting dirty,
sweaty, and parasite-ridden through field work across the tropics
and in Alaska. For the last 25 years he has worked extensively in the
rainforests of Southeast Asia. Jedediah was a Fulbright Research
Scholar, a David Smith Conservation Fellow, and is an elected
councilor for the Association for Tropical Biology and
Conservation. His work focuses on landscape connectivity for large
mammals, bushmeat hunting, and climate change resilience.
Jedediah works closely with governments, NGOs, local
communities, and many other partners to plan, designate, and
support wildlife corridors and conservation areas in Borneo and
mainland Asia.
10VII. Detailed Agenda
Photo: Tom Koerner, USFWS
Abstracts for talks and posters are available in the online program. The presenting author is in bold and
student presenters are marked with an asterisk (*).
TUESDAY, MARCH 28
7:00 – 8:00 Welcome table open (name badges can be picked up at any time)
8:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Program R: A basic introduction
Salon A, University of Wyoming Conference Center (UWCC)
8:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Snow field measurements for wildlife research
Salon F UWCC (morning), field component (afternoon)
8:00 – 12:00 Bat working group meeting (members only)
Salon G, UWCC
1:00 – 5:00 Workshop: Applied principles of science communication
Salon F, UWCC
1:00 – 5:00 Golden eagle working group meeting (members only)
Salon G, UWCC
4:00 – 5:45 Poster session set-up
Salons D/E, UWCC
4:00 – 7:00 Welcome table open (name badges can be picked up at any time)
6:00 – 9:00 Poster session and evening social
Heavy appetizers provided; cash bar; Salons D/E, UWCC
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29
5:15 – 7:45 Field trip: Sage-grouse lek
Meet in UWCC lobby at 5:10 am
7:00 – 8:00 Welcome table open (name badges can be picked up at any time)
8:00 – 8:15 Welcome and opening remarks: Anna Chalfoun, WY-TWS President
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
118:15 – 9:15 Plenary: Dr. Jedediah Brodie, John Craighead Chair of Conservation, University of MT
“An international perspective on how habitat change and hunting affect wildlife
conservation”
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
9:15 – 9:30 Coffee break (coffee, tea, coffee cake provided)
SESSION I: HABITAT SELECTION AND LIFE HISTORY
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Zach Wallace
9:30 – 9:45 USING NOVEL SNOW DATA TO UNDERSTAND WILDLIFE MOVEMENT RESPONSES TO
LIMITING WINTER CONDITIONS
Katherine Gura*, Glen E. Liston, Adele Reinking, Bryan Bedrosian, Kelly Elder, and Anna
Chalfoun
9:45 – 10:00 IS BEING SALTY WEARING YOU DOWN? SHIFTING PARADIGMS ON THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF
RARE AND ENDEMIC ANIMALS
Audrey Lindsteadt* and Lusha Tronstad
10:00 – 10:15 SPATIOTEMPORAL RESPONSES OF BLACK BEAR BEHAVIOR TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
Emily C. Davis*, Dan Bjornlie, Ryan Kindermann, Daniel Thompson, and Joe Holbrook
10:15 – 10:30 BRIDGE USE BY BATS IN WYOMING
Logan Detweiler* and Riley F. Bernard
10:30 – 10:45 MULTI-SCALE HABITAT SELECTION OF AN ISOLATED WOOD FROG (L. SYLVATICUS)
POPULATION IN THE SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Katrina Cook*, Lusha M. Tronstad, and Anna D. Chalfoun
10:45 – 11:00 BEHAVIORAL THERMOREGULATION DIFFERS BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE MOOSE
Rebecca L. Levine*, Tana L. Verzuh, Paul D. Mathewson, Warren P. Porter, Bart Kroger,
Corey Class, and Kevin L. Monteith
11:00 – 11:15 RELATING GUT MICROBIOME COMPOSITION AND LIFE HISTORY METRICS IN PRONGHORN
IN THE RED DESERT, WYOMING
Courtney E. Buchanan*, Stephanie J. Galla, Mario Muscarella, Jennifer S. Forbey, Adele
K. Reinking, and Jeffrey L. Beck
11:15 – 11:30 UNDERSTANDING SHARP-TAILED GROUSE SUBSPECIES STATUS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL
WYOMING
Jonathan D. Lautenbach*, Andrew J. Gregory, Aaron C. Pratt, and Jeffrey L. Beck
11:30 – 11:45 INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SPATIAL BEHAVIOR DRIVE PARTITIONING OF YELLOWSTONE
UNGULATES
Molly R. Caldwell*, Chris Geremia, Daniel Stahler, Daniel MacNulty, Douglas Smith, and
Jerod A. Merkle
1211:45 – 1:00 WY-TWS Leadership and Membership lunch, with updates from TWS CEO Ed Arnett and
President-Elect Bob Lanka, Central Mountains and Plains Region, WY-TWS board and
committees, and UW student chapter
Previous sign-up required. Food and beverages provided; Salons D/E, UWCC
SESSION II: ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGE
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Emily Reed
1:00 – 1:15 IMPACTS OF DISPERSED CAMPSITES ON SPECIES ACTIVITY AND OCCURRENCE PATTERNS
Courtney Garrity*, Abigail Sisneros-Kidd, and Joe Holbrook
1:15 – 1:30 HOW DOES FLUCTUATING HUMAN ACTIVITY INFLUENCE THE DIET OF THE ROCKY
MOUNTAIN RED FOX? AN EVALUATION IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
Emily Burkholder*, John Stephenson, Sarah Hegg, David Gustine, Tim Robinson,
Joseph Holbrook
1:30 – 1:45 WITH GREAT POWDER COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY: ASSESSING THE RESPONSE OF
SIERRA NEVADA BIGHORN SHEEP TO BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Jaron T. Kolek*, Thomas R. Stephenson, Kevin L. Monteith
1:45 – 2:00 DOES EXPERIENCE MODULATE USE OF RISKY LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS? ROAD-USE IN
RELATION TO AGE BY WINTERING GOLDEN EAGLES IN WYOMING
Josh Layfield*, Bryan Bedrosian, Anna Chalfoun, Robert Domenech, Steve Lewis, Brian
Smith, and Jerod Merkle
2:00 – 2:15 CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MONSOON: IMPLICATIONS FOR WESTERN
PASSERINES
Paul J. Dougherty* and Matthew D. Carling
2:15 – 2:30 NOWHERE TO RUN: CLIMATE INFLUENCES DENSITY OF AN ALPINE INDICATOR SPECIES
Jeff A. Wagner*, Paul Schuette, David A. Christianson, Katie Christie
2:30 – 2:45 Coffee break (coffee, tea, snacks provided)
SESSION III: ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGE AND DISEASE
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Bryan Bedrosian
2:45 – 3:00 CARRYOVER EFFECTS AND MORTALITY DURING THE POST-FLEDGING PERIOD OF
SAGEBRUSH SONGBIRDS
Emily Shertzer*, Anna Chalfoun
3:00 – 3:15 LONG-TERM POPULATION DYNAMICS OF LEAST CHIPMUNKS (TAMIAS MINIMUS) IN THE
FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Eric Quallen*, Merav Ben-David
133:15 – 3:30 DECLINES OF ONCE COMMON MYOTIS SPECIES IN THE BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
Renee Lile*, Riley F. Bernard, Ian Abernethy, Jesse Alston
3:30 – 3:45 ESTIMATING DISEASE RISK BY INTEGRATING ANIMAL MOVEMENT INTO MATHEMATICAL
MODELS
Alexis S. Beagle*, Tabitha A. Graves, William M. Janousek, Paul C. Cross, Eric K. Cole,
Sarah R. Dewey, Clayton E. Cressler
3:45 – 4:00 ENERGETIC COSTS OF INFECTION IN BIGHORN SHEEP
Rachel A. Smiley*, Brittany L. Wagler, William H. Edwards, Jessica Jennings-Gaines,
Katie Luukkonen, Kara Robbins, Marguerite Johnson, Alyson B. Courtemanch, Doug
McWhirter, Patrick Hnilicka, Jennifer L. Malmberg, Blake Lowrey, and Kevin L. Monteith
4:00 – 4:15 PATTERNS AND DETERMINANTS OF ECTOPARASITE INFECTIONS IN THE NESTS OF
SAGEBRUSH SONGBIRDS
Don Jones* and Anna Chalfoun
4:30 – 5:30 Roundtable discussion: Effectively Communicating About a Changing Climate
Courtney Larson, The Nature Conservancy (moderator); Embere Hall, Wyoming Game
and Fish Department; Leah Burgess, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Jedediah Brodie,
University of Montana; and Mike Koshmrl, WyoFile (panelists)
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
6:00 – 9:00 Evening social, animal sounds contest, and quiz bowl
Heavy appetizers provided; cash bar
Wildcatter Lounge @ UW War Memorial Stadium
THURSDAY, MARCH 30
7:00 – 8:00 Coffee hour with TWS CEO Ed Arnett and President-Elect Bob Lanka
Hallway of UWCC
8:00 – 8:05 Welcoming remarks and announcements
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
SESSION IV: MIGRATION AND NUTRITION
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Heather Abernathy
8:05 – 8:20 HOW DO SEMI NOMADIC ANIMALS NAVIGATE DURING MIGRATION
Cody Wallace*, Jerod A. Merkle, L. Embere Hall, Justin Binfet, Teal Cufaude, Lee Knox,
Martin Hicks, Heather O’Brien, Rob Shipe, Jeffrey L. Beck, and Matthew J. Kauffman
8:20 – 8:35 FULL ANNUAL CYCLE ECOLOGY: EVALUATING SEASONAL MOVEMENTS OF MULE DEER,
ELK AND MOOSE LIVING A COMMON ENVIRONMENT
Carolyn A. Kyle*, Ellen O. Aikens, Tim Thomas, Sam Stephens, Eric Maichak, Lindsay A.
Martinez, Abel Guevara and Matthew J. Kauffman
148:35 – 8:50 YOU CAN’T OUTRUN THE PAST: AGE AND MATERNAL EFFECTS INFLUENCE HORN SIZE IN
PRONGHORN
Lee E. Tafelmeyer*, Tayler N. LaSharr, Justin Binfet, Molly Bredehoft, Philip Damm, Greg
S. Hiatt, Heather O’Brien, Will Schultz, Kevin L. Monteith
8:50 – 9:05 NUTRITIONAL CARRYOVER REGULATES THE POPULATION DISTRIBUTION OF A LONG-
LIVED MAMMAL FOLLOWING ECOLOGICAL DISTURBANCE
Rebekah T. Rafferty*, Tayler N. LaSharr*, Rhiannon P. Jakopak, Samantha P. H.
Dwinnell, Chris Baird, Doug Brimeyer, Troy Fieseler, Gary L. Fralick, James Hobbs, Adam
Hymas, Neil Hymas, Rusty C. Kaiser, Doug McWhirter, Jill Randall, Nick Roberts, Brandon
Scurlock, Jeff Short, Mark Thonhoff, Mark Zornes, and Kevin L. Monteith
9:05 – 9:20 DENSITY, HABITAT, AND MOVEMENT INFLUENCE FAT ACCRUAL AND SURVIVAL OF MULE
DEER
Tayler N. LaSharr*, Rhiannon P. Jakopak, Samantha P. H. Dwinnell, Bård-Jørgen
Bårdsen, Timothy J. Robinson, Chris Baird, Doug Brimeyer, Troy Fieseler, Gary L. Fralick,
James Hobbs, Adam Hymas, Neil Hymas, Rusty C. Kaiser, Doug McWhirter, Jill Randall,
Nick Roberts, Brandon Scurlock, Jeff Short, Mark Thonhoff, Mark Zornes, and Kevin L.
Monteith
9:20 – 9:25 CONSENSUS DECISION-MAKING IN GROUPS OF MIGRATORY MULE DEER
Anne E. Scholle*, Jerod A. Merkle
9:25 – 9:45 Coffee break (coffee, tea, coffee cake provided)
CONCURRENT SESSION V: HUMAN DIMENSIONS AND SAMPLING / LIGHTNING TALKS
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Rhiannon Jakopak
9:45 – 10:00 WOLVES, DOGS, AND HUMAN DIMENSIONS IN A UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE,
MONGOLIA
Kellyn Chandler*, Jeff Dolphin, Kayla Wenzler, Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto, John
Koprowski
10:00 – 10:15 INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF AFRICAN ELEPHANTS ON A DECLINING KEYSTONE
BUSHVELD SAVANNA TREE SPECIES
Chris Banotai*, Chris Farren, John Koprowski
10:15 – 10:30 RAPTOR SURVEY TECHNIQUES IN OPEN HABITATS AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF
METHODOLOGICAL CHOICES
Jordan N. H. Reynolds*, Nathan A. Joakim, Chris P. Kirol, and Brad C. Fedy
10:30 – 10:35 RIVER OTTER DISTRIBUTION AND CONNECTIVITY IN WYOMING
Will B. McDonald*, Merav Ben-David
10:35 – 10:40 IMPACTING ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION THROUGH ACTION BASED EDUCATION
Lindsey R. Mitchell*
1510:40 – 10:45 POTENTIAL REDUCTION OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TRANSMISSION VIA LIVESTOCK
SALT AND MINERAL FEEDERS
Bevin McCormick*, Paul Cross, Jennifer Malmberg, Justin Binfet, Eric Maichak,
Cheyenne Stewart, Kevin Monteith, Rhiannon Jakopak, Brandon Werner, Brant
Schumaker
10:45 – 10:50 VALIDATION OF TONSIL TISSUE FOR CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE TESTING BY ELISA IN
MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS)
Marguerite Johnson, Katie Luukkonen, Kara Robbins, Jessica Jennings-Gaines, Laurel
Hossler, Keaton Weber, Justin Clapp, Jacqueline Kurz, Jennifer Malmberg, Hank Edwards
10:50 – 10:55 INVENTORYING FENCE IN SAGE GROUSE CORE HABITAT
John K. Kissock, Megan A. Smith, Renee Seidler
10:55 – 11:00 WHAT’S THE BUZZ: UNDERSTANDING POLLINATOR DECLINES IN WYOMING
Lusha Tronstad, Amy-Marie Storey, Zoë Short, Christine Bell and Bryan Tronstad
11:00 – 11:05 COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL DNA FOR POPULATION MONITORING
Melanie Murphy, Brett Addis, Wendy Estes-Zumpf, Mason Lee
CONCURRENT SESSION VI: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT STORIES
Salons F/G, UWCC
Moderator: Aly Courtemanch
9:45 – 10:00 AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS AND TRENDS OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET POPULATIONS IN
WYOMING
Andrew C. Gygli
10:00 – 10:15 HOW WIDESPREAD, MULTI LEVEL COOPERATION BROUGHT WNS VACCINATION TRIALS
TO WYOMING’S BATS
Laura Beard
10:15 – 10:30 LARAMIE SALAMANDER MIGRATION INITIATIVE
Mason Lee
10:30 – 10:45 WHY SURF WHEN YOU CAN FLY? EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF AERIAL CAPTURE
OPERATIONS FOR GRIZZLY BEARS (Ursus arctos) IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE
ECOSYSTEM
Daniel D. Bjornlie, Daniel J. Thompson, and Justin G. Clapp
10:45 – 11:00 WYOMING - GAME FARMS - WHAT HAPPENED THEN - DOES IT MATTER TODAY
Robert P. Lanka, Rich Guenzel, Peter Dratch, Darrel Rowledge
11:00 – 11:15 EXPLORING THE SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC LANDS DECISION-MAKING IN
COLORADO
Sarah K. Carter, Alison C. Foster, Andrew T. Canchola, and Travis S. Haby
1611:15 – 11:30 BOTTOMS UP: HOW STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT REVERSED OUR APPROACH TO
SPATIAL CONSERVATION PRORITIZATION IN THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN
Bryan C. Tarbox, Jessica E. Shyvers, Nick Van Lanen, Adrian P. Monroe, Katharine G.
Dahm, Patrick J. Anderson, and Cameron L. Aldridge
11:30 – 11:45 FROM SCIENTIST TO MARKETER: ADVOCATING FOR DATA IS NOT “ADVOCACY”
Bryan Bedrosian
11:45 – 1:00 Student-Mentor Luncheon
Previous sign-up required. Food and beverages provided; Salons D/E, UWCC
CONCURRENT SESSION VII: HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Tayler LaSharr
1:00 – 1:15 TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT AND UNGULATES ON
WESTERN RANGELANDS
Hall Sawyer, Nicole Korfanta, Matthew Kauffman, Benjamin Robb, Andrew Telander,
and Todd Mattson
1:15 – 1:30 NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ON SAGEBRUSH BIRDS EXCEED AN
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT TRIGGER
Quresh S. Latif, Nicholas J. Van Lanen, Eric J. Chabot, David C. Pavlacky, Jr.
1:30 – 1:45 DOES HABITAT RECLAMATION FOLLOWING ENERGY DEVELOPMENT BENEFIT SONGBIRD
NEST SURVIVAL?
Christopher P. Kirol, and Bradley C. Fedy
1:45 – 2:00 ENUMERATING THE ELUSIVE: HABITAT SUITABILITY AND POTENTIAL POPULATION SIZE
OF BOBCATS IN WYOMING
Austin B. Smith, Merav Ben-David, Bobby J. Riotto, Kelsey E. Paolini, Embere Hall, Drew
E. Bennett, and Joseph D. Holbrook
2:00 – 2:15 MOUNTAIN LION DENSITY ACROSS ECOREGIONS UNDER UNIQUE MANAGEMENT
Justin Dellinger, Brett Furnas, John Benson
2:15 – 2:30 TOWARDS A MECHANISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF MIGRATORY RESOURCE TRACKING
Michel P. Laforge, Anna C. Ortega, Luke R. Wilde, Matthew J. Kauffman, Jerod A. Merkle
CONCURRENT SESSION VIII: GENETICS AND COMPUTER MODELING
SALONS F/G, UWCC
Moderator: Bob Lanka
1:00 – 1:15 THE GENETIC HISTORY OF BIGHORN SHEEP LINEAGES IN WESTERN NORTH AMERICA:
HISTORICAL BASELINES INFORM FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF RESTORED HERDS
Joshua P. Jahner, Thomas L. Parchman, Marjorie D. Matocq, and Clinton W. Epps
171:15 – 1:30 THE TIES THAT BIND THE SAGEBRUSH BIOME: INTEGRATING GENETIC CONNECTIVITY
INTO RANGE-WIDE CONSERVATION OF GREATER SAGE-GROUSE
Todd B. Cross, Jason D. Tack, David E. Naugle, Michael K. Schwartz, Kevin E. Doherty,
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Ronald D. Pritchert, Bradley C. Fedy
1:30 – 1:45 POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE AND EFFECTIVE MIGRATION ACROSS THE RANGE OF
GREATER SAGE-GROUSE
Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Todd B. Cross, Jeffrey R. Row, Michael K. Schwartz, David E.
Naugle, Jennifer A. Fike, Kristopher Winiarski, and Bradley C. Fedy
1:45 – 2:00 ESTIMATING SPATIOTEMPORAL TRENDS OF SAGE-GROUSE POPULATION ABUNDANCE
ACROSS THE RANGE: SIX DECADES OF DECLINES
Cameron Aldridge, Peter Coates, Brian Prochazka, Michael O'Donnell, David Edmunds,
Adrian Monroe, Mark Ricca, Steven Hanser, Lief Wiechman, Michael Chenaille
2:00 – 2:15 GREATER SAGE-GROUSE GENETIC WARNING SYSTEM: USING GENETIC DATA IN WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION PRIORITIZATION
Shawna Zimmerman, Cam Aldridge, Michael O’Donnell, David Edmunds, Peter Coates,
Brian Prochazka, Jennifer Fike, Todd Cross, Brad Fedy, and Sara Oyler-McCance
2:15 – 2:30 GPSEQCLUS: AN R PACKAGE FOR SEQUENTIAL CLUSTERING OF ANIMAL LOCATION DATA
FOR MODEL BUILDING, MODEL APPLICATION, AND FIELD SITE INVESTIGATIONS
Justin G. Clapp, Joseph D. Holbrook, Daniel J. Thompson
2:30 – 2:45 Coffee break (coffee, tea, snacks provided)
CONCURRENT SESSION IX: FITNESS AND POPULATIONS
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
Moderator: Embere Hall
2:45 – 3:00 TRUE DENSITY ESTIMATES OF LARGE HERBIVORES WITH HIGH PRECISION VIA SATELLITE
IMAGERY
David Christianson, John Winnie
3:00 – 3:15 FAT CHANCE FOR DEER: EXAMINING FITNESS TRADEOFFS FOR A LONG-LIVED MAMMAL IN
RESPONSE TO RESOURCE ABUNDANCE, COMPETING RISKS, AND INTERSPECIFIC
INTERACTIONS
Heather Abernathy, Katey Huggler, Mitchell Brunet, Justin Clapp, Daniel Thompson,
Patrick Burke, Mark Zornes, Patrick Lionberger, Miguel Valdez, and Kevin Monteith
3:15 – 3:30 ONE IN THE HAND WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH? REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT OF MALE DEER
AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR SURVIVAL
Kevin L. Monteith, Tayler N. LaSharr, Rebekah Rafferty, and Rhiannon P. Jakopak
3:30 – 3:45 IMPLICATIONS OF FORAGE QUALITY FOR POPULATION RECOVERY OF BIGHORN SHEEP
FOLLOWING A PNEUMONIA EPIZOOTIC
Brittany L. Wagler, Rachel A. Smiley, Alyson B. Courtemanch, Daryl Lutz, Doug
McWhirter, Doug Brimeyer, Patrick Hnilicka, Timothy J. Robinson, Kevin L. Monteith
183:45 – 4:00 MULE DEER CAN, BUT DON’T ALWAYS, LEARN MIGRATION FROM MOM
Rhiannon Jakopak, Tayler LaSharr, Hall Sawyer, Samantha Dwinnell, Jill Randall, Gary
Fralick, Brandon Scurlock, Mark Thonhoff, Rusty Kaiser, Kevin Monteith
CONCURRENT SESSION X: BEHAVIOR AND HABITAT
Salons F/G, UWCC
Moderator: Daly Edmunds
2:45 – 3:00 ACOUSTIC SURVEY OF BATS ALONG A 1,000 MILE RIVER CORRIDOR, GREEN & COLORADO
RIVERS, USA
Riley F. Bernard and Thomas A. Minckley
3:00 – 3:15 PREDATOR-PREY BEHAVIORAL RACE: DECOMPOSING ENCOUNTERS AND ATTACKS IN A
CANID – UNGULATE SYSTEM
Mitchell J. Brunet, Katey S. Huggler, Joseph D. Holbrook, Patrick W. Burke, Mark Zornes,
Patrick Lionberger, Kevin L. Monteith
3:15 – 3:30 SELECTION, PHENOLOGY, AND INTER-ANNUAL USE OF MATERNITY ROOSTS BY
NORTHERN LONG-EARED BATS IN THE BLACK HILLS
Ellen Whittle, Ian Abernethy, Anna Chalfoun
3:30 – 3:45 INFERRING DISEASE STATUS FROM MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR: GPS DATA ALONE
ACCURATELY PREDICT INFECTION WITH CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN MULE DEER;
Gabriel Barrile, Paul Cross, Cheyenne Stewart, Jennifer Malmberg, Rhiannon Jakopak,
Justin Binfet, Brandon Werner, Kevin Monteith, William Edwards, and Jerod Merkle
3:45 – 4:00 COMPARISON OF TWO METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL GREAT GRAY OWLS
(STRIX NEBULOSA) USING TERRITORIAL CALLS
Julie Polasik, Bryan Bedrosian, and Katherine Gura
4:15 – 5:15 Roundtable discussion: Shaping policy priorities for WY-TWS
Rhiannon Jakopak, University of Wyoming (moderator); Legislative Affairs Committee
Salons A/B/C, UWCC
6:00 – 7:00 Happy hour and social. Silent auction open, games, raffle tickets on sale
Cash bar; Salons D/E, UWCC
7:00 – 9:30 Closing banquet and awards
- WY-TWS awards and recognitions; student poster and oral presentation awards
- Silent auction and raffle
- Live auction of Aldo Leopold 100% anniversary commemorative print
Dinner and cash bar; Salons D/E, UWCC
19VII. Posters
Photo: Tom Koerner, USFWS
Abstracts for talks and posters are available in the online program. The presenting author is in bold and
student presenters are marked with an asterisk (*).
1. EVALUATING THE SOCIAL LEARNING HYPOTHESIS IN MULE DEER (ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS)
Albert Mason Jr.*, Matthew Kauffman
2. DO BEAVER DAM ANALOGS (BDAs) REPRODUCE THE BIODIVERSITY AND WATER FILTRATION ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES PROVIDED BY BEAVERS?
Alyssa Baldwin*, Courtney Larson, Melanie Murphy
3. PARASITES OF WYOMING'S NATIVE BEES: A SMOKING GUN?
Amy-Marie Storey*, Lusha Tronstad, A.M. Dougherty, L.T.A. van Diepen
4. USING GAME CAMERAS TO ASSESS BAT USE OF ANTHROPOGENIC STRUCTURE
Andrew Smolen*, Logan Detweiler, and Riley F. Bernard
5. DOES POLLINATOR VISITATION DIFFER BETWEEN OPERATING AND PROPOSED WIND FARMS?
Brenna Martin*, Michelle Weschler, Amy-Marie Storey, and Lusha Tronstad
6. EVALUATION OF EXPANDABLE GPS COLLARS ON PRONGHORN (ANTILOCAPRA AMERICANA) FAWNS
UTILIZING BEHAVIOR AND CORTISOL RESPONSE
Brie Hashem, Mariah Gaston, Cody Wallace, Embere Hall, Matthew Kauffman, Samantha Allen, Peach
Van Wick
7. PRELIMINARY DATA ON GPS-GSM TRACKED TRUMPETER SWANS: MIGRATIONS AND ESTIMATED
SURVIVAL OVER TWO YEARS
Emerald Gustowt, Bill Long
8. FITNESS OUTCOMES OF HABITAT SELECTION STRATEGIES IN LANDSCAPES RESHAPED BY HUMANS
Erik R. Schoenborn* and Anna D. Chalfoun
9. INVESTIGATING PREY SELECTION AND BEHAVIORS OF BREEDING FERRUGINOUS HAWKS IN WYOMING
Georgia Coleman, Sarah Ramirez, Bryan Bedrosian, Julie Polasik, Liba Pejchar, Emma Riley, and Dale
Woolwine
2010. POTENTIAL NUTRIENT RESPONSES TO LAKE TROUT (SALVELINUS NAMAYCUSH) SUPPRESSION
METHODS IN YELLOWSTONE LAKE
Isabella Sadler*, Lusha Tronstad, Annika Walters, and Todd Koel
11. HOW UNGULATES LEARN TO MIGRATE: A CASE STUDY WITH YELLOWSTONE BISON
Jane Fugate*, Chris Geremia, Matthew Kauffman
12. WHO IS ROOSTING WHERE? IDENTIFYING BAT SPECIES & THE INSECTS THEY CONSUME USING GUANO
COLLECTED FROM BRIDGE ROOSTS
Joel Sorensen*, Logan Detweiler, Riley F. Bernard
13. BOBCAT HABITAT SELECTION IN A PRAIRIE DOMINATED LANDSCAPE
Johnathon Stutzman*, Joe Holbrook, William McShea, and Hila Shamon
14. PREFERRED FORAGE MACROPHYTE ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY IN WETLANDS WITHIN THE BIG SANDY
TRUMPETER SWAN RANGE EXPANSION AREA, WYOMING
Joy Handley, Bill Long, Emerald Gustowt, Paige E. Copenhaver-Parry
15. DAM GOOD HOMES: THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF BEAVER ACTIVITY ON AMPHIBIAN OCCUPANCY RATES
Kathryn E. C. Davis*, Melanie A. Murphy
16. ANTHROPOGENIC EFFECTS OF THE MAMMALIAN COMMUNITY IN BOGD KHAN MOUNTAIN, MONGOLIA
Kayla Wenzler*, Kellyn Chandler, Maria Vittoria Mazzamuto, Jeff Dolphin, John Koprowski
17. HOME ON THE RANGE: SEASONAL VARIATION IN SWIFT FOX (VULPES VELOX) HOME RANGE SIZE IN
PRAIRIE AND SHRUBLAND ENVIRONMENTS
Kelsie Buxbaum*, Austin Smith, Leah Yandow, Heather O’Brien, Chris Keefe, and Joseph Holbrook
18. FENCE CROSSING BEHAVIOR: AN EVALUATION OF UNGULATE LEARNING
Krista L. Hagan* and Matthew J. Kauffman
19. PROPORTIONS OF SOUTH AFRICAN MAMMAL SPECIES DETECTED BY HABITAT TYPE
Lindsay E. Buckhout, Lindsey R. Mitchell*, Chris Banotai, John Koprowski
20. A UAV AND COMPUTER VISION APPROACH TO MEASURE BAT OCCUPANCY, ABUNDANCE, AND SPECIES
COMPOSITION
M. Riley Knoedler, Larisa J. Bishop-Boros, Michael B. Gerringer, Kimberly K. Bay, Leigh Ann H.
Starcevich, Thomas J. Prebyl, and Andrew Telander
21. INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF BOBCATS (LYNX RUFUS) AND THEIR IMPACTS ON CHRONIC WASTING
DISEASE ECOLOGY
Madison Davis*, Peach Van Wick, Samantha Allen, Brie Hashem, Elizabeth Case, Jennifer Malmberg
22. INDEPENDENT AND INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF HABITAT AND DISEASE ON A DECLINING AMPHIBIAN
Margot Breiner*, Annika W. Walters, Wendy A. Estes-Zumpf, and Anna D. Chalfoun
23. EVIDENCE FOR INSECT INTERACTIONS WITH WIND ENERGY FACILITIES AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL
IMPLICATIONS
Michelle Weschler* and Lusha Tronstad
24. MESOCARNIVORE ENCROACHMENT INTO THE SAGEBRUSH STEPPE
Nathan A. Joakim*, Jordan N.H. Reynolds, Brad C. Fedy
2125. DEFINING AND MAPPING SIMPLIFIED ECOLOGICAL STATES WITH REMOTELY-SENSED DATA TO SUPPORT
RANGELAND MANAGEMENT
Nathan Kleist, Anna Knight, Travis Nauman, Christopher Domschke, Hunter Seim, Aimee Huff, Mike
Duniway, and Sarah Carter
26. AN ECOLOGICAL TELLING OF BATS IN GUERNSEY, WY: HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES AND FUTURE
OUTCOMES
Nicholas Kovacs*, Amanda Thimmayya, Laura Beard, & Riley F. Bernard
27. BAT ECTOPARASITES OF WYOMING AND WESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA
Noah Yazawa*, Nicholas Kovacs, Renee Lile, and Riley F. Bernard
28. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GREATER SAGE-GROUSE LAND USE PLANNING AND MONITORING – OH
NO, NOT AGAIN!
Pat Deibert, and Vicki Herren
29. COMPARING UNGULATE AGING METHODS TO INFORM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Ryen P. Nielsen*, Mason Jacobson, Sarah Doyle, Kayla Wenzler, Taylor Wagstaff, L. Embere Hall, Jason
Carlisle, Molly Bredehoft, Kevin Monteith, and Rhiannon Jakopak
30. EVALUATING CALIFORNIA FLOATER AND WESTERN PEARLSHELL DISTRIBUTION AND REPRODUCTION IN
THE BEAR RIVER WATERSHED
Samantha Poratti*, Lusha Tronstad, Stephen Siddon, Kevin Gelwicks, Pete Cavalli, John Walrath
31. THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGE IN HARVESTED ELK IN WYOMING
Steven Antonio*, Ryan Loghry, Adam Novak, Olivia Poore, Taylor Wagstaff, L. Embere Hall, Jason
Carlisle, Molly Bredehoft, Kevin Monteith, and Rhiannon Jakopak
32. COULD VIRUS EXPOSURE AFFECT LAMB RECRUITMENT IN WYOMING BIGHORN SHEEP HERDS?
Tesia T. Lin*, Brittany L. Wagler, Rachel A. Smiley, Kerry S. Sondgeroth, Kevin L. Monteith
33. THE DECOY HYPOTHESIS IN JUVENILE PLESTIODON MULTIVIRGATUS
Toby Covill*, William Rosenthal, Catherine E. Wagner, Sean M. Harrington
34. USING ANTE-MORTEM REAL-TIME-QUAKING-INDUCED-CONVERSION TO BETTER UNDERSTAND CWD
PREVALENCE IN THE WIND RIVER BASIN
Tucker Russell*, Brian Dugovich, Emma Tomaszewski, Daryl Lutz, Zach Gregory, Jon Desonier,
Samantha Allen, William Edwards, Patrick Hnilicka, Arthur Lawson, Glen Sargeant, Paul Cross, Jerod
Merkle, and Jennifer Malmberg
35. THE PRESENCE OF MONARCHS AND PARASITES IN EASTERN WYOMING
Zoë E. Short*, Lusha M. Tronstad
22VIII. Award Winners
Photo: BLM Wyoming via Flickr
Distinguished Service Award: Recognizes an individual’s lifetime contribution to The Wildlife Society, the
Wyoming Chapter, and the Central Mountain and Plains Section. Their leadership and actions have
furthered the mission of the Society. This award is presented as warranted to recognize outstanding wildlife
professionals who make lasting contributions to the leadership of the Chapter, Section, or Parent Society.
2022 Awardee: Daly Edmunds, Audubon Rockies
Roger Wilson Lifetime Achievement Award: Recognizes an outstanding wildlife professional that has
tirelessly dedicated themselves throughout their career to promoting wildlife values; conservation;
education; diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI); and advancing the science of wildlife management. This
award was re-named after our first chapter president on the chapter’s 40th anniversary in 2014.
2022 Awardee: Andrea Orabona, Wyoming Game and Fish Department (retired)
Professional of the Year: Recognizes a wildlife professional who best exemplifies the values consistent with
The Wildlife Society code of ethics and makes outstanding contributions to the wildlife profession in
Wyoming in the given year. Contributions include excellence in research; management; diversity, equity &
inclusion (DEI); public relations, and/or policy.
2022 Awardee: Bryan Bedrosian, Teton Raptor Center
Citizen of the Year: Recognizes an individual who does not have a 'wildlife' job but whose efforts directly
benefit wildlife and/or associated habitats. Previous recipients range from science teachers to Governors.
2022 Awardee: Chris Bonter, wildlife pilot
2022 Graduate Student Scholarship Winners
Jeff Dolphin
Joshua Layfield
Kayla Ruth
Eric Schoenborn
23IX. Oral Presentation Abstracts
Listed in order of presentation (grouped by session), with presenting author in bold
* denotes student
Wednesday Presentations
Photo: Tom Koerner, USFWS
SESSION I: HABITAT SELECTION AND LIFE HISTORY
9:30 AM – 11:45 AM
USING NOVEL SNOW DATA TO UNDERSTAND WILDLIFE MOVEMENT RESPONSES TO LIMITING WINTER CONDITIONS
Katherine Gura* (1,3), Glen E. Liston (2), Adele Reinking (2), Bryan Bedrosian (3), Kelly Elder (4), Anna Chalfoun (5,1)
(1) Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
(3) Teton Raptor Center, Wilson, WY
(4) US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO
(5) US Geological Survey
Movement is a key mechanism by which animals respond adaptively to environmental change. However, the contexts
under which different movement strategies are employed are poorly understood. We evaluated whether limiting
winter conditions influence proximate habitat choices and/or broader dispersal movements by Great Gray Owls. We
hypothesized that conditions that restrict owls’ access to subnivean prey prompt movement responses. We used
SnowModel, a spatiotemporally distributed snow evolution modeling system, to estimate snow depths and crusts
within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). We evaluated habitat selection and dispersal responses to snow
depth and crust using Step-Selection Functions and Cox proportional hazards analysis. Owls proximately avoided
deeper snow and more severe and persistent wind crusts. Probability of dispersal increased with more severe and
persistent ice crusts (caused by rain-on-snow and thaw-freeze events). In the GYE, wind crusts are locally spatially
heterogeneous, whereas ice crusts can affect broader areas. Owls, therefore, appear to be behaviorally plastic,
adopting different strategies depending on the spatial scale and duration of limiting conditions. Our findings have
implications for understanding species’ vulnerability to environmental change. Even relatively plastic animals,
24however, may have limited capacity to offset effects of climate change because it is occurring at unprecedented rates
and scales.
IS BEING SALTY WEARING YOU DOWN? SHIFTING PARADIGMS ON THE DISTRIBUTIONS OF RARE AND ENDEMIC
ANIMALS
Audrey Lindsteadt* (1), Lusha Tronstad (2)
(1) Zoology and Physiology Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Wyoming Natural Diversity Database
Rare animals are difficult to study, but understanding habitat selection behavior and comparative physiology is
essential for managing populations. We challenge the idea that rare species living in extreme habitats are
physiologically adapted to these environments and love it there. Hygrotus diversipes is a rare aquatic beetle in central
Wyoming and is being petitioned for listing under the ESA. This beetle occupies intermittent streams and experiences
many harsh environmental pressures like drought, flooding, and high conductivity. We hypothesize H. diversipes is
physiologically stressed in these extreme environments but are forced to select for them due to biotic interactions.
We did intensive used and available habitat surveying for three summers. Preliminary results suggest a negative
relationship between beetle presence and fish presence. We also compared the conductivities we find this beetle
using with the conductivity levels that have the best survival rates in a controlled laboratory setting. So far, our results
from the laboratory suggest survival rates decrease at conductivity levels above 15,000μS/cm despite this being
nearly the average conductivity measured in the field. The predicted warmer and drier climate may test the upper
conductivity limit of H. diversipes and could be devastating for this rare and endemic species.
SPATIOTEMPORAL RESPONSES OF BLACK BEAR BEHAVIOR TO RESOURCE AVAILABILITY
Emily C. Davis* (1,3), Dan Bjornlie (2), Ryan Kindermann (2), Daniel Thompson (2), Joseph Holbrook (1,3)
(1) University of Wyoming, Zoology and Physiology Department, Laramie, WY, USA
(2) Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Lander, WY, USA
(3) University of Wyoming Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
Population level trends in resource selection are reported to describe patterns between animal behavior and habitat.
Demographic factors and resource availability affect trends exhibited in resource selection analyses. Population
averages, however, decrease resolution and induce misinterpretation of animal-habitat relationships by generalizing
spatiotemporal behavior across individuals. Bears in North America exhibit life-history tactics requiring sustained
high-quality nutrition and display vast variation in behavior and movement strategies. We used data from 38 collared
black bears (Ursus americanus) to evaluate how resource selection is influenced by spatiotemporal variation in
resource availability across four mountain ranges in Wyoming. We applied individual RSF models and used weighted
averages of selection coefficients to account for variation among individuals and response to resource availability
across two orders of selection. Bears modified spatiotemporal behavior to exploit quality resources following
seasonal shifts in resource availability. As available plant forage decreased bears modulated selection. We also
observed substantial variation in resource selection among individuals at both study area and home range scales.
Understanding how resource selection varies across individuals and resource availability advances our knowledge of
functional responses in habitat selection and increases the resolution of habitat selection inferences, ultimately
providing better strategies for carnivore population management.
BRIDGE USE BY BATS IN WYOMING
Logan W. Detweiler* (1) and Riley F. Bernard (1,2)
25(1) Zoology and Physiology Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) University of Wyoming - Casper, Casper, WY
Roosts inhabited by bats provide shelter from inclement weather, predators and allow for adaptive behaviors that
increase an individual’s fitness and survival outcomes. It is widely accepted that bats use non-traditional roosts such
as bridges throughout North America; however, little is known about the use of these structures throughout Wyoming.
In order to determine if bats use bridges in Wyoming, I surveyed 512 WYDOT bridges across 19 counties during
summers 2021 and 2022 for the presence of roosting bats. A total of 376 bridges were used by bats (7 day roosts, 5
maternity roosts, and 364 night roosts). One individual was captured and identified [little brown bat; Myotis lucifugus]
at a roost used both as a day and night roost. We used Binomial Generalized Additive Mixed Models to examine the
bridge and landscape characteristics most influential in predicting bat presence at bridges. Roost height and
temperature were significant predictors of use by bats. However, there were no landscape category that was
determined to predict selection by bats. To our knowledge, bats are successfully reproducing at these sites, however,
future research should focus on if bridges to act as ecological traps for imperiled species.
MULTI-SCALE HABITAT SELECTION OF AN ISOLATED WOOD FROG (L. SYLVATICUS) POPULATION IN THE SNOWY
MOUNTAINS
Katrina A. Cook* (1), Lusha M. Tronstad (2), and Anna D. Chalfoun (3)
(1) Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Department of Zoology and Physiology, Laramie, WY
(3) Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, United States Geological Survey, Department of Zoology
and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Isolated populations may be particularly susceptible to threats such as habitat degradation and disease. Amphibians
have experienced population declines and extirpations worldwide from habitat change and an often deadly fungal
pathogen (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; hereafter ‘chytrid’). Moreover, the extent to which amphibians can
selectively lessen the negative effects of disease via microhabitat choices remains unknown. Wood frogs (Lithobates
sylvaticus) in Wyoming exist as isolated populations. We identified the habitat characteristics preferred by adult frogs
across multiple temporal and spatial scales, and in relation to chytrid status. In summer and fall, frogs preferred to be
closer to waterbodies and selected aspen, willow, and wet grass macrohabitats. Additionally, frogs selected water
macrohabitats during the summer and forest macrohabitats during the fall. Frogs preferred summer microhabitats
with denser, taller vegetation, higher soil moisture, and closer in proximity to water and refugia. Microhabitat
preferences did not vary in relation to chytrid status, suggesting that wood frogs, unlike boreal toads in western WY,
do not behaviorally modulate chytrid infection. Our results suggest interspecific variation in wild amphibian
responses to chytrid exposure, and clarify the key habitat types and microhabitat characteristics necessary for the
successful management of an isolated population of a Wyoming amphibian species of concern.
BEHAVIORAL THERMOREGULATION DIFFERS BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE MOOSE
Rebecca L. Levine* (1), Tana L. Verzuh (2), Paul D. Mathewson (3), Warren P. Porter (4), Bart Kroger (5), Corey Class (6),
Kevin L. Monteith (7)
(1) Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(3) Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
(4) Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
(5) Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Cody, WI
26(6) Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Cody, WI
(7) Haub School of the Environment and Natural Resources, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit,
Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Animals use behavior to smooth exposure to environmental extremes. Intrinsic traits that increase sensitivity to
extremes therefore intensify behavioral responses. In endotherms, sex and reproduction affect the generation and
dissipation of heat, thereby shaping heat load. We tested how sex and reproductive status affect behavior in a heat-
sensitive herbivore (Alces alces). During the warm season, moose select bed sites that reduce heat gain and increase
heat loss. Selection of beds was therefore an apt metric to compare behavior among individuals. All moose selected
bed sites with cooler microclimates, greater ground moisture, and denser vegetation relative to what was available.
Despite increased heat load associated with lactation, we detected no differences in selection between reproductive
and non-reproductive females. Sex altered selection in the tradeoff between convective cooling (wind) and radiative
shelter (canopy cover). Females selected areas of high cover and low wind. Relative to females, males selected bed
sites with low cover and high wind. Despite the behavioral differences we detected, our biophysical models revealed
minimal difference in predicted risk of overheating between male and female moose. These seemingly incongruous
results uncover potential differences in the capacity of the sexes to use wind as a mechanism to mitigate heat stress.
RELATING GUT MICROBIOME COMPOSITION AND LIFE HISTORY METRICS IN PRONGHORN IN THE RED DESERT,
WYOMING
Courtney E. Buchanan* (1), Stephanie J. Galla (2), Mario Muscarella (3), Jennifer S. Forbey (2), Adele K. Reinking (1,4) ,
Jeffrey L. Beck (1)
(1) Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID
(3) Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK
(4) Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Within-host microbial communities are an important component of individual health and are gaining attention as a
useful biomarker for understanding wildlife populations. Moreover, microbial composition may impact animals’
capacity to adapt towards changing environments in a time of growing habitat fragmentation and climate change. To
our knowledge, the bacterial composition of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) gut microbiome has yet to be
described. We used 16S amplicon sequencing to characterize the microbiome of pronghorn and investigate links
between the microbiome and pronghorn biological metrics. We collected fecal pellets during November and February
2013 and 2014 in four study areas in the Red Desert of Wyoming. We found subtle but significant differences in beta
diversity relative to study area, capture time, and body condition. In addition, we found a difference in microbiome
between populations separated by Interstate 80, indicating the gut microbiome may be a sensitive biomarker of
spatial ecology. However, the core pronghorn microbiome—including bacteria in the phyla Firmicutes and
Bacteroidota—remained relatively stable across study populations. These findings provide a baseline for the
pronghorn gut microbiome, can be used to identify factors affecting pronghorn health, and may provide targets for
monitoring and management activities.
UNDERSTANDING SHARP-TAILED GROUSE SUBSPECIES STATUS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WYOMING
Jonathan D. Lautenbach* (1), Andrew J. Gregory (2), Aaron C. Pratt (3), and Jeffrey L. Beck (4)
(1) Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and Program in Ecology and Evolution, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071
(2) Department of Biological Science, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas 76201
(3) George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74005
27There are currently six extant subspecies of sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus; hereafter STGR),
including Columbian (T. p. columbianus) and plains (T. p. jamesii), both found in Wyoming. Columbian STGR are
found in Teton County, Wyoming; a second population in southcentral Wyoming was historically thought to be
Columbian STGR, however, molecular evidence suggests otherwise. The objective of our study was to determine if
southcentral Wyoming STGR are Columbian, plains, or possibly a different subspecies. We collected morphological
measurements and genetic samples from southcentral Wyoming, known plains STGR from eastern Wyoming, and
known Columbian STGR from eastern Idaho. Using morphological data in a morphospace analysis, we used
Mahalanobis distance and principal component analysis and found that southcentral Wyoming STGR were more
similar to Columbian STGR than to plains STGR, though overall there were limited differences. Using program
Structure on microsatellite genotypes, we found that there was evidence for two groups: 1) a primarily Columbian and
plains STGR cluster and 2) a primarily southcentral Wyoming STGR cluster. Our results suggest that southcentral
Wyoming STGR are similar morphologically to Columbian and plains STGR, however, genotypically there is evidence
to suggest that southcentral Wyoming STGR do not clearly cluster with either Columbian or plains STGR.
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES IN SPATIAL BEHAVIOR DRIVE PARTITIONING OF YELLOWSTONE UNGULATES
Molly R. Caldwell* (1), Chris Geremia (2), Daniel Stahler (2), Daniel MacNulty (3), Douglas Smith (2), and Jerod A.
Merkle (1)
(1) Zoology and Physiology Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth, WY
(3) Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT
Resource partitioning facilitates coexistence of similar species. Partitioning is often measured by species overlap in
diet; however, individual differences in behavior within species can also drive partitioning. Despite the importance of
individual movement behavior in determining resource and space use, how individual movements influence species
partitioning is not well known. Yellowstone National Park (YNP) harbors the greatest diversity of large herbivores
outside of Africa, with seven coexisting species. However, it is unclear how YNP ungulates share space and resources.
Using GPS collar data from 5 YNP ungulates from 2016-2021, we quantified individual similarity (overlap) within and
across species using daily movement distances, temporal activity, and habitat use. We compared individual and
species overlap of these metrics. Most individuals and species had lower overlap in habitat use compared to
movement distance and temporal activity. Generally, conspecifics had higher overlap compared to heterospecifics;
however, due to individual variation within species, these differences were weak. Collectively, our results suggest that
individual behaviors drive partitioning patterns more than species’ traits. These results clarify our understanding of
ungulate coexistence. Understanding how ungulates share space and resources can help inform managers how
changes to species population densities or habitat may impact species in different ways.
SESSION II: ANTHROPOGENIC CHANGE
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
IMPACTS OF DISPERSED CAMPSITES ON SPECIES ACTIVITY AND OCCURRENCE PATTERNS
Courtney Garrity* (1), Abigail Sisneros-Kidd (2), Joe Holbrook (1)
(1) Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of
Wyoming, Laramie, WY
(2) Human Resource Protections, Utah State University, Logan, UT
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