128 | P a g e
Habitat Measurements
Record topographic features using a clinometer for
slope and a compass for aspect. Make sure your
compass has been adjusted for declination between
true and magnetic north (declinations are provide on
USGS topographic maps). Provide elevation at
stations using the most accurate source available.
Record over-story species and a visual estimate of
over-story cover within approximately 30 ft of
station. Likewise, provide understory shrub species
and a visual estimate of shrub cover within
approximately 30 ft of stations. Give a visually
estimated dbh of a typical over-story tree species.
Figure 6. Sprinkle dried catnip over bait on hair-snares
Safety Precautions
Bears are attracted to bait used at these stations and may become defensive by treating the bait as a food
source. Extra precaution should be taken if possible bear encounters exist. Often bait gets on your
hands. Avoid cleaning your hands on your cloths. Excess bait on your hands can be removed by
rubbing them in dry dirt. Avoid getting bait on your pack. Garbage bags are provided to line the inside
of your pack. In addition, 2-gal sealed containers are provided to transport baited hair-snares and pads
in the field. Often bait will accumulate on the outside of the 2-gal containers. Occasionally clean the
outside of these containers to avoid spreading the bait to other items in your pack. Do not transport
other items besides hair-snares, pads and pie-pans in these 2 gal containers.
Checking stations for lynx hair
Check stations for lynx hair after a 2-week period. Take notes on tracks that you find at stations,
condition of the station such as if pie-pan was tangled, or any other observations. Look for hair at a
distance of 1 foot from the pad. Most hair is not noticeable at greater distances. You need to know what
a carpet fiber look like so that you do not misidentify it as hair. If you intend to run stations longer than
the initial 2-week period then re-bait station and check again after another 2-week period using the same
procedures as was used to set up the station except apply only 1 teaspoon of lure per pad instead of 2
teaspoons. When you find hair, put the pad in a plastic bag using surgical gloves and mark bag with the
survey location, date, site and station number, and the name of observer. If you are running the stations
for an additional 2-week period, replace the pad with a new one baited with 2 teaspoons of lure and
catnip. After returning to an inside work area then remove as much hair as possible from the pad into a
sealed plastic vial with desiccant using tweezers and clean surgical latex gloves. Be sure that you do not
touch the hair with your fingers. Oils from your fingers will inhibit genetic analysis. While working
with hair samples, maintain a clean environment such as to avoid cross-contamination of hair samples.
