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ID: Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Type: Article
Subjects: Animal movement
Hydrocarbon development
Movement ecology
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and natural gas
Resource selection function
Wildlife
Item
view first image of Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Movement reveals scale dependence in habitat selection of a large ungulate
Type:Article
Subject:Animal movement
Hydrocarbon development
Movement ecology
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Oil and natural gas
Resource selection function
Wildlife
Description:Ecological processes operate across temporal and spatial scales. Anthropogenic disturbances impact these processes, but examinations of scale dependence in impacts are infrequent. Such examinations can provide important insight to wildlife–human interactions and guide management efforts to reduce impacts. We assessed spatiotemporal scale dependence in habitat selection of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Piceance Basin of Colorado, USA, an area of ongoing natural gas development. We employed a newly developed animal movement method to assess habitat selection across scales defined using animal-centric spatiotemporal definitions ranging from the local (defined from five hour movements) to the broad (defined from weekly movements). We extended our analysis to examine variation in scale dependence between night and day and assess functional responses in habitat selection patterns relative to the density of anthropogenic features. Mule deer displayed scale invariance in the direction of their response to energy development features, avoiding well pads and the areas closest to roads at all scales, though with increasing strength of avoidance at coarser scales. Deer displayed scale-dependent responses to most other habitat features, including land cover type and habitat edges. Selection differed between night and day at the finest scales, but homogenized as scale increased. Deer displayed functional responses to development, with deer inhabiting the least developed ranges more strongly avoiding development relative to those with more development in their ranges. Energy development was a primary driver of habitat selection patterns in mule deer, structuring their behaviors across all scales examined. Stronger avoidance at coarser scales suggests that deer behaviorally mediated their interaction with development, but only to a degree. At higher development densities than seen in this area, such mediation may not be possible and thus maintenance of sufficient habitat with lower development densities will be a critical best management practice as development expands globally. [show more]
ID: Mule Deer
Mule Deer
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Mule Deer
Mule Deer
Description:

CPW website species profile: Mule Deer

Mule deer​ populations in Colorado have shown dramatic fluctuations since the 1960s. Beginning in the 1990s, some western Colorado mule deer herds demonstrated the most recent decline. As such, CPW focused research efforts on developing management techniques to increase the health and survival of mule deer, an economically and ecologically important game animal. 

Mule Deer Research Projects:

 [show more]
ID: Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Type: Fact Sheet
Subjects: Mule deer
Northwest Colorado
Wildlife management
Oil and gas development
Fact sheet
Item
view first image of Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Mule Deer in Northwest Colorado Fact Sheet (2014)
Type:Fact Sheet
Subject:Mule deer
Northwest Colorado
Wildlife management
Oil and gas development
Fact sheet
Description:Colorado Parks and Wildlife is concerned with the habitat needs and management of mule deer in the Piceance Basin, a 7,100 square mile area in northwest Colorado where natural gas resources are being developed extensively.
ID: Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Nathaniel Rayl, Wildlife Research Scientist
Description:

Wildlife Researcher, Ungulates/Carnivores

Current or Recent Research Projects

Areas of Interest and Expertise

My research focuses on large mammal ecology and management, with an emphasis on spatial ecology, population dynamics, and predator-prey interactions.

Streaming Videos

Emblems of the West

Select Publications

Educ​ation

  • Ph.D., Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology – University of Massachusetts, 2017
  • M.S., Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology – University of Massachusetts, 2012
  • B.A., Philosophy – Haverford College, 2000

Current or Recent Positions

  • Wildlife Researcher – Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2018-Present
  • Ecologist – U.S. Geological Survey, 2016-2018

​Contact Information711 Independent AveGrand Junction, CO 81505

Email: nathaniel.rayl@state.co.usPhone: 970-255-6121 [show more]
ID: Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet<br />
Native Cutthroat Trout Fact Sheet
ID: NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
Type:
Subjects:
Item
view first image of NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
NEW Draw Recap Reports and Hunting Statistics
Description:http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics.aspxIn an effort to assist Colorado's big game hunters applying for the draw, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides the following draw and hunting season information. These reports show how many licenses were available in all big game management units throughout Colorado, how many hunters applied for those limited licenses, how many of those hunters were successful drawing and how many preference points it took to be successful. [show more]
ID: Nuisance wildlife laws in Colorado
Nuisance wildlife laws in Colorado
Type: Text
Subjects: Nuisance species
Wildlife management
Item
view first image of Nuisance wildlife laws in Colorado
Nuisance wildlife laws in Colorado
Type:Text
Subject:Nuisance species
Wildlife management
Description:Following are summaries of Colorado’s most common regulations and statutes pertaining to nuisance wildlife questions. The laws and regulations in this handout are paraphrased for easier understanding and are intended only as a guide. Colorado’s wildlife statutes and regulations can be viewed in their entirety at Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) offices or online at http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Regulations.aspx. Please keep in mind that these laws note what is restricted by state statutes and permitted by CPW regulations; however, local laws and ordinances may be more specific about what is allowed at a certain location. It is your responsibility to determine whether it is legal to use a particular method of take in your city or county. CPW does not require nor request the removal of wildlife deemed a nuisance; the determination that a species has become a nuisance and should be removed is the prerogative of the landowner. There are many non-lethal methods for discouraging the presence of wildlife. For information about co-existing with wildlife, please contact your local CPW office or visit our website at cpw.state.co.us. [show more]
ID: Official Colorado watercraft inspection and decontamination procedures: trainer’s workbook: certification curriculum for authorized agents
Official Colorado watercraft inspection and decontamination procedures: trainer’s workbook: certification curriculum for authorized agents
Type: Text
Subjects: Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Boating
Inspection
Item
view first image of Official Colorado watercraft inspection and decontamination procedures: trainer’s workbook: certification curriculum for authorized agents
Official Colorado watercraft inspection and decontamination procedures: trainer’s workbook: certification curriculum for authorized agents
Type:Text
Subject:Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Boating
Inspection
Description:The purpose of this workbook is to provide consistent guidance to State of Colorado Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Trainers who are responsible for certification of individuals as Authorized Agents for the purpose of ANS Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination. It is of the highest importance that Authorized Locations (a.k.a. Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Stations or WIDS) within Colorado are implemented and operated in a consistent fashion. The foundation of the WIDS network begins at certification training. Regardless of jurisdiction, Colorado Authorized Locations, Agents, and Operations should appear seamless to the boater because they are implemented with consistent messaging, education, inspection and decontamination procedures as taught in this course. [show more]
ID: Official state watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) protocols and procedures
Official state watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) protocols and procedures
Type: Text
Subjects: Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Aquatic invasive species
AIS
Boating
Inspection
Item
view first image of Official state watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) protocols and procedures
Official state watercraft inspection and decontamination (WID) protocols and procedures
Type:Text
Subject:Aquatic nuisance species
ANS
Aquatic invasive species
AIS
Boating
Inspection
Description:Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) or aquatic invasive species (AIS) are also called non-native species, exotic species, non-indigenous species, noxious weeds, or pests. ANS can be plants or animals. Invasive aquatic plants are introduced plants that live either partially or completely submerged in the water and out-compete native species for light, space and nutrients creating a dense monoculture. Invasive aquatic animals also outcompete native species and require a watery habitat, but do not necessarily have to live entirely in water. [show more]
ID: On-animal acoustic monitoring provides insight to ungulate foraging behavior
On-animal acoustic monitoring provides insight to ungulate foraging behavior
Type: Article
Subjects: Acoustic monitoring
Bayesian hierarchical model
Colorado
Foraging behavior
Herbivore foraging
Mule deer
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Spatial ecology
Item
view first image of On-animal acoustic monitoring provides insight to ungulate foraging behavior
On-animal acoustic monitoring provides insight to ungulate foraging behavior
Type:Article
Subject:Acoustic monitoring
Bayesian hierarchical model
Colorado
Foraging behavior
Herbivore foraging
Mule deer
<em>Odocoileus hemionus</em>
Spatial ecology
Description:Foraging behavior underpins many ecological processes; however, robust assessments of this behavior for free-ranging animals are rare due to limitations to direct observations. We leveraged acoustic monitoring and GPS tracking to assess the factors influencing foraging behavior of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). We deployed custom-built acoustic collars with GPS radiocollars on mule deer to measure location-specific foraging. We quantified individual bites and steps taken by deer, and quantified two metrics of foraging behavior: the number of bites taken per step and the number of bites taken per unit time, which relate to foraging intensity and efficiency. We fit statistical models to these metrics to examine the individual, environmental, and anthropogenic factors influencing foraging. Deer in poorer body condition took more bites per step and per minute and foraged for longer irrespective of landscape properties. Other patterns varied seasonally with major changes in deer condition. In December, when deer were in better condition, they took fewer bites per step and more bites per minute. Deer also foraged more intensely and efficiently in areas of greater forage availability and greater movement costs. During March, when deer were in poorer condition, foraging was not influenced by landscape features. Anthropogenic factors weakly structured foraging behavior in December with no relationship in March. Most research on animal foraging is interpreted under the framework of optimal foraging theory. Departures from predictions developed under this framework provide insight to unrecognized factors influencing the evolution of foraging. Our results only conformed to our predictions when deer were in better condition and ecological conditions were declining, suggesting foraging strategies were state-dependent. These results advance our understanding of foraging patterns in wild animals and hig [show more]