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Scent Post Survey
The MNDNR has conducted scent post surveys throughout the state for the past 34 years
to monitor population trends of major furbearer-predator species. As part of this effort, surveys
have been conducted at Camp Ripley since 1985. Camp Ripley contains one route, #16, which
consists of five segments (Figure 47). Each segment is 2.7 miles long, with a scent station every
0.3 miles. A scent station consists of a 0.9 meter diameter circle of sifted soil with a fatty-acid
scent tab placed in the middle. Each station is checked the following morning after placement for
tracks. Segment A was checked on September 3, segment B was checked on September 15,
segment D was checked on September 16, and segments C and E were checked on September 17.
Only eight of the ten stations were set on segment B due to military training occurring on the
remaining two stations.
The most common animals to leave tracks through survey plots during 2009 were gray
wolf and either gray (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) or red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Other species that
were documented this year were white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bobcat (Lynx rufus), fisher,
opossum (Didelphis virginiana), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), and common raccoon
(Procyon lotor). During 2009, red fox or either gray or red fox were the most frequent visitors to
scent stations. Opossum tracks were noted for the first time in 2008 and again in 2009; however,
opossum have been observed on Camp Ripley since 2007.
Statewide, route visitation rates (% of routes with detection) were highest for red fox
(Vulpes vulpes) (42%), followed by skunk (Mephitis mephitis) (38%), raccoon (34%), domestic
cat (32%), coyote (Canis latrans) (22%), and dog (18%). Camp Ripley routes are located in the
survey‟s Forest zone and at the boundary with the Transition zone. The coyote index in the
Forest zone remains below the long-term average while raccoon indices in the Forest and
Transition zones have been relatively stable. This data must be considered carefully due to
discrepancies such as weather, timing, and natural animal movements (Erb 2009). For example,
few wolf tracks were observed in survey plots in previous years, which in the absence of other
data could indicate a population decline. However, radio-telemetry of this species allows closer
tracking of population trends, which are currently stable at Camp Ripley.
2009 Conservation Program Report
Page 72