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Site Setup
I will be commencing fieldwork in November, 2014, to set up hair snare traps and wildlife camera
sampling stations. Hair traps will be prepared before going into the field using small carpet pads fitted
with nails and soaked with two teaspoons of scent lure. The lure is composed of a 1:1:6 ratio of propylene
glycol, glycerin, and beaver castorium. Six drops of catnip oil per ounce of lure was also mixed into the
lure. The lure will be applied to trap pads, as well as additional carpet pads to be set up in-line with
hanging aluminum pie plates that are used as a visual attractant. Plates (8 inches in diameter) will be
hung at each station so that its center is 3 feet from the ground with wire loop below carpet pad. Pie pans
will be positioned so that their movement remains unobstructed. Hair traps will be nailed on to large
trees that have good canopy cover and few low branches and shrubs to obstruct access. Obstructive brush
and branches will be removed as necessary. Hair snares will be positioned 18 inches off the ground and
will be moved up accordingly to accommodate rising snow pack. Bushnell Trophy Cam
TM
HD model
#119467 cameras will be installed at each site for infrared wildlife detection photography. I will position
cameras under cover for protection from weather, install desiccates into the battery compartment to help
reduce internal humidity, and set it up so that the field of view encompasses scent lure and hair snare.
Data Collection
At each initial setup I will record slope, slope position, and aspect of the station. UTM coordinates and
elevation for each station will be recorded with Garmin Oregon 600 GPS unit. I will determine stand
species composition, estimates for canopy cover and snow intercept within a 10-meter radius, and
available concealment cover distance of each station.
Each plot will be checked monthly from November through March. I will retrieve and replace camera SD
cards, ensure cameras are functioning, and replace batteries if required. Hair samples from each site will
be collected from carpet pads and stored in separate small envelopes labeled with date, time, sample
station, and my name. I will ensure full functionality at each station (i.e., troubleshoot camera issues as
required, repair hair trap and pie plate if necessary) and re-apply bait (at 1 teaspoon per carpet pad).
