Idaho wolverine—winter recreation research project: investigating the interactions between wolverines and winter recreation

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Winter recreation is increasing in habitats used by wolverines during winter and reproductive denning and kit rearing seasons. The potential effects of winter recreation on wolverine reproduction, behavior, habitat use, and populations are unknown, and current management of winter recreation for wolverine persistence has little scientific foundation. Current management is based primarily on anecdotal and conflicting accounts of wolverine response to human-related disturbance. Given the uncertain status of wolverine within the United States and elsewhere, there is concern regarding the effects of winter recreation on wolverine, particularly in areas favored by female wolverine for reproductive denning. This ongoing research aims to increase our understanding of wolverine responses to winter recreation, particularly relative to habitat use and denning behavior and den site selection. The project was initiated in 2009 with winter aerial surveys over 3 National Forests (NF) in central Idaho to identify and map the presence of wolverine as well as motorized and nonmotorized winter recreation. These surveys identified areas of extensive recreation use within potential wolverine denning habitat and found that wolverine are present in some of these areas of overlap. The field-based research effort began in the winter of 2010, focusing in areas where overlap between wolverines and winter recreation was documented. The over-arching project goal is to increase our understanding of the spatial and temporal interaction between winter recreation and wolverine habitat use, movements, and denning. The specific objectives of the research include the following: 1) determine wolverine winter and denning habitat selection; 2) understand the spatial and temporal patterns of recreation use, including the distribution and intensity of use; 3) assess the spatial overlap between winter recreation and wolverine potential habitats and habitat use at multiple spatial scales; 4) assess the spatial and temporal patterns of wolverine movements and activities relative to the distribution and relative intensity of recreation; and 5) document denning behaviors and locations, particularly in relation to recreation patterns. Objectives 1 and 2 provide the basic analyses that allow the researchers/authors to address and investigate the primary objectives 3–5. The study is located in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho. Within this area, study areas were selected for implementing the research based on wolverine presence and level of recreation use (Figure 1), and efforts were focused within the Payette, Sawtooth, and Boise NFs. The first study area was north and east of McCall, Idaho, and identified as an area particularly popular for snowmobile recreation within areas of known wolverine presence. Additional study areas were established on the Boise NF east of Cascade and on the Sawtooth NF in the Sawtooth, Smoky, Boulder, and White Cloud Mountains. Each study area has been studied for 1–3 years, with work continuing in most study areas through at least winter 2013. The authors will be conducting reconnaissance data collection in other regions to identify additional study areas with high levels of winter recreation overlapping areas of known wolverine presence, including on the Caribou-Targhee NF in eastern Idaho. This report describes methods to date, including for wolverine and recreation monitoring, as well as results from 3 winter field seasons for recreation findings and wolverine use. A fourth winter field season begins in January 2013.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology: Mammals

SWAP (2/19/2016) citation:
Heinemeyer K, Squires J. 2012. Idaho wolverine—winter recreation research project: investigating the interactions between wolverines and winter recreation. 2011–2012 Progress Report. Salt Lake City (UT): Round River Conservation Studies. 21 p. [revised Technical Report; accessed 2015 Jun 01]. http://www.roundriver.org/wp-content/uploads/pubs/wolverine/reports/Fina....

[Additional info: Heinemeyer is with Round River Conservation Studies, Salt Lake City, UT; Squires is with USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, MT. Research and report supported by: Payette, Boise, and Sawtooth NFs; Idaho Department of Fish and Game; University of Montana; Idaho State Snowmobile Association; Southwest Idaho Resource Advisory Committee; Southeast Idaho Resource Advisory Committee; Valley County, ID; US Fish and Wildlife Service; The Wolverine Foundation; The Wolverine Network; The Sawtooth Society; Central Idaho Recreation Coalition; Brundage Mountain Resort]