Winter recreationists are being asked to carry small GPS units so that researchers can track their movements. This will be compared with movements captured by nearby GPS collared wolverines. The purpose of the study is to help clarify the effects winter recreationists have on wolverine habitat. The Forest Service and Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, MT are conducting the research. Partners are: Idaho State Snowmobile Association, Idaho Fish & Game, Payette, Boise & Sawtooth NF, University of Montana, and Round River Conservation Studies, the Central Idaho Recreation Coalition.
From the pamphlet being handed out with these GPS units: "Wolverines may be sensitive to human presence and direct disturbance, which may result in den abandonment or displacement from important habitat. However, how a wolverine population responds to human presense is not well understood."
"The research is intended to help us understand how we can maintain both winter recreation and wolverines. We chose to conduct our research in McCall area in order to learn from this co-existence."
Learn more at:
http://www.forestcarnivores.org
Not sure how I feel about it....
OH, forgot to mention they are giving raffle tickets to participants. Prize is a backcountry snow package (pack, shovel, probe and beacon). Also, return you data recorder to the following and recieve a discount or freebie from the following businesses in McCall:
Hinson Power Sports - 10% off purchase
McCall Brewing Co - Free pint of beer
Gravity Sports - Free Goody
Carl's Cycle Sales - 10% off purchase
Salmon River Brewery - Free pint of beer
I did not participate in this study but a friend was given the opportunity to - I'm not so sure that I want too although I understand and respect the need to understand our impact on these animals, all animals for that matter, I'm just not so convinced that we are disturbing these animals but am afraid to give the wrong group any tid bit of info that will shut us out of even more land to recreate on.
What do wolverine tracks look like on snow? All I ever see are rabbit tracks and in areas that really dont even see sledders very often which would give animals more opportunity to travel over snow undisturbed.