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Prevent contamination of genetic samples by using a clean pair of Nitrile gloves for each sample. At any
given camera station, you will not know whether the hair or scat samples you find are from a single
species or a single individual. Do not place samples in plastic bags or other plastic containers. Plastic
traps moisture which will ruin the samples; thus, the genetics lab will not be able to extract DNA from
the samples. Completely label all samples with the date, GPS coordinates, name of camera station, where
the sample was found, and collector (refer to data sheet on the left for additional details). When you
return from the field, check samples to make sure they are labeled properly and contact Conservation
Northwest for instructions for delivering the material to our project partners for analysis.
Photographs of potential tracks and signs
During scouting, installation and removal of remote camera traps document any tracks and signs that
appear to have been left by grizzly bears. Follow the guidelines laid out in the Remote Camera Trap
Installation and Servicing Protocol for this. Appendix 2 of this document provides basic guidelines for
track identification and others signs to look for in the field.
Relocation of camera trap
Each camera team will be assigned two locations to monitor over the course of the summer. After
deconstructing the first traps, the team will travel to a second location and redeploy their camera traps in
the second target location, following all the same guidelines for the initial installation of the season.
Acknowledgements
Thanks very much to Bill Gaines, Robert Long for discussing the details of their project and helping
adapt our methods to support this work and to Aja Woodrow for helping us refine our adapted field
methods and outfitting us with scent lures. The description of genetic sample collections was adapted
from field methods text written for the North Cascades Wolverine Project.
References
Kendall, K.C., and K.S. McKelvey. 2008. Hair collection. Pages 141–182 in Long, R. A., P. MacKay, W. J.
Zielinski, and J. C. Ray, editors. Noninvasive survey methods for carnivores. Island Press, Washington, D.C.
Long, R.A., J.S. Begley, P. MacKay, W.L. Gaines, and A.J. Shirk. 2013. The Cascades Carnivore
Connectivity Project: A landscape genetic assessment of connectivity for carnivores in Washington's
North Cascades Ecosystem. Final report for the Seattle City Light Wildlife Research Program, Seattle,
