Migration behavior of pronghorn in southeastern Idaho

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3808359· OSTI ID:6668400

Hoskinson, R L; Tester, J R

Fifty-four pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) were radio-collared out of 232 captured on 3 winter ranges in southeastern Idaho. Radioed pronghorn were followed for up to 21 months each, from December 1975 through August 1977. Winter home ranges showed a difference (P < 0.005) in size among valleys the 1st winter and were different in size and location within valleys between years. Snow covered the ground 1 week earlier and lasted 3 weeks longer in 1975 to 1976 than in 1976 to 1977. Spring migration began more than 1 month earlier in 1977 than 1976, and appeared related to loss of snow cover on the winter ranges in both years. Distances that pronghorn migrated in spring 1976 were different among valleys (P < 0.05) but directions were, in general, upward to areas near the heads of the valleys. Summer home ranges of all radioed pronghorn averaged 2033 +- 322 (SE) ha. Yearlings wandered during summer and their home ranges were 2 to 5 times as large as ranges of adults. Fall migration in 1976 began after 1 October and was not prompted by snowfall. Percent moisture in vegetation is suggested as a stimulus for onset of fall migration, and snowfall is suggested as a factor influencing distance migrated and location of winter.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV01332
• OSTI ID: 6668400
• Journal Information: J. Wildl. Manage.; (United States), Vol. 44:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANTELOPES
MIGRATION
BEHAVIOR
CLIMATES
HOME RANGE
IDAHO
RADIO EQUIPMENT
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SEASONS
STORMS
WEATHER
ANIMALS
DISASTERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MAMMALS
NORTH AMERICA
PACIFIC NORTHWEST REGION
RADIATIONS
RUMINANTS
USA
VERTEBRATES
550100* - Behavioral Biology