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Our science update this month is based on maps created by John Clare, UW-PhD Candidate in Forest and Wildlife Ecology. The maps below left show predicted occurrence of bears and bobcats based on Snapshot Wisconsin data, and the maps below right show recent harvest statistics. This analysis allows WDNR to determine where there might be missed opportunities for harvest of these species.
The maps show subtle differences between predicted occurrence and harvest numbers for bears and more obvious differences for bobcats. For
bears, the low harvest in Oneida and Vilas counties compared to predicted occurrence is likely
reflective of less public land hunting opportunities compared with neighboring
counties. For
bobcats, the mismatch is
largely one of history and permit allocation. It is only very recently that
bobcat harvest opened in southern Wisconsin. The lack of harvest in
the central and southwestern part of Wisconsin likely reflects that there is
still little harvest effort here. These maps could help justify management decisions
related to harvest zones, quotas and season structure.
This analysis is another example of how Snapshot Wisconsin data can be utilized for WDNR wildlife management decision support.
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After an extra long winter spring has finally arrived! Hopefully everyone who has not been able to access their cameras due to the weather can get their camera checks done soon.
Please remember this time of year to start trimming vegetation as needed to reduce the number of false triggers. Also, if you are using a cable lock to secure your camera please check that the growth of the tree has not caused the lock to be too tight. At least yearly please loosen the cable lock so the tree isn't damaged. If you need a key for your lock please check the side of the lock mechanism and email DNRSnapshotWisconsin@wisconsin.gov with that number.
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Our question this month is about martens and fishers found on Snapshot Wisconsin cameras and the distribution of these species in Wisconsin, specifically in Racine and Kenosha counties.
Snapshot Wisconsin has not had any confirmed sightings of martens on any of our cameras throughout the state. We have had 28 classifications of martens by trail camera hosts and four Zooniverse "consensus" classifications of martens. Upon review, the animals in these photos were other species, typically fisher, but also red fox, domestic cat, squirrel, raccoon, mink, weasel and porcupine. Guidance on distinguishing martens versus other species can be found in the field guide found under Resources in MySnapshot and on our Zooniverse site (accessible via the tab on the right side of the page). Further details about martens, can be found on the WDNR website.
Fishers have been documented and confirmed frequently on Snapshot Wisconsin cameras but none have been found in southeastern Wisconsin. The farthest south we have documented fishers so far is Marquette County. For more details about fishers on Snapshot cameras please refer to this blog post. For more information on fishers in Wisconsin please visit the WDNR webpage about furbearers.
Not much suitable habitat for either species is available in Kenosha or Racine counties. Martens in particular are restricted to far northern Wisconsin where mature, dense conifer forest is available to them.
Do you have a question for the Snapshot Wisconsin research team? If so, email your question(s) to DNRSnapshotWisconsin@wisconsin.gov with the subject line "Ask the Researchers".
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Season 8 on Zooniverse is nearing completion! Thanks to all of our online volunteers for helping us with another successful season. We will be having a short break before Season 9 but we will have more photos to classify online soon! |
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In case you missed it we have had a few interesting blog posts over the last month:
May SuperSnap: Ballerina deer from last spring in Manitowoc County.
Citizen Science Day: Participate in a celebration of citizen science
April SuperSnap: Sandhill Cranes Dancing!
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We will share one awesome animal photo each month. To enter one of your favorites from a Snapshot Wisconsin camera please send the image as a jpeg attachment with the animal classification, county location and date taken along with the reason why you love the image to DNRSnapshotWisconsin@wisconsin.gov.
This month's image was submitted by a Black River Falls elk monitoring volunteer. The photo was captured on March 18, 2018 in Jackson County. The volunteer loves the image because of how close and clearly the camera captured this beautiful cow elk, and also because this is the first time she has seen an elk on one of the cameras she monitors. Many of the Black River Falls elk volunteers have had this experience but our recently expanded elk monitoring locations in Jackson County will hopefully capture more elk photos.
Other interesting photos from our cameras can be viewed and classified on our Zooniverse page!
Contact Information for Snapshot Wisconsin
Phone: 608-572-6103
Participate on Zooniverse: www.SnapshotWisconsin.org
Find out more details on our webpage:
dnr.wi.gov Keyword "Snapshot Wisconsin
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