Proceedings of the Seventh Mountain Lion Workshop

170
MOUNTAIN LION SURVEY TECHNIQUES IN NORTHERN IDAHO: A THREE-FOLD
APPROACH
CRAIG G. WHITE, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1540 Warner Avenue, Lewiston, ID
83501, USA, email: cwhite@idfg.state.id.us
PETER ZAGER, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1540 Warner Avenue, Lewiston, ID
83501, USA, email: pzager@idfg.stat.id.us
LISETTE WAITS, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow,
ID 83843, USA, email: lwaits@uidaho.edu
Abstract: Management of mountain lions (Puma concolor) in Idaho relies largely on harvest
data. This type of data is limited in scope and relays little information to the manager regarding
population trend or density. Intensive radio telemetry studies involving capture and recapture
can provide an estimation of density but are expensive. Currently researchers are exploring
techniques to index or estimate population size by identifying individuals by their DNA. We
outline three different techniques to “capture” and “recapture” mountain lion hair and/or tissue
for DNA analysis: biopsy darts, rub tree stations, and legally harvested lions. Techniques are
being implemented on two study areas in north-central Idaho, the Lochsa/North Fork of the
Clearwater River and the South Fork of the Clearwater River. Efforts by both volunteer
houndsmen and hired houndsmen over 1½ lion harvest seasons have resulted in ≥15 DNA
samples from lion treed and released. Over the same period ≥15 DNA samples have been turned
in from legally harvested lions. In 2002, we placed 51 rub stations and recorded 42 visits over
the 3 sampling periods. Seventeen of the visits resulted in ≥1 hair. Preliminary results indicate
that 1 visit was from a lion, 7 visits were by bear, and 7 visits were possibly a lion or bear, and 2
visits by other species. Improvements to the techniques are ongoing. This study will allow us to
identify individuals in the mountain lion populations within our study areas and thus obtain a
minimum population size. Number of captures each year will serve as an index of population
trend. We will also explore the use of capture-recapture modeling to estimate population sizes.
Our approach attempts to limit resources expended in capturing and marking animals, while still
providing an index and potential population estimate within our study areas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SEVENTH MOUNTAIN LION WORKSHOP