A literature review was conducted to examine the potential uses and limitations of using trapper harvest data to monitor species distribution and population trend. Harvest, price, and distribution...
Description
A literature review was conducted to examine the potential uses and limitations of using trapper harvest data to monitor species distribution and population trend. Harvest, price, and distribution of harvest for most furbearers in Alberta is presented. In addition, an attempt is made to measure changes in abundance by mapping distribution across time and calculating an abundance index based on harvest and pelt price. To make better use of current and future Alberta furbearer harvest data, the following suggestions are offered: The Alberta trapper harvest data needs to be collected consistently for the entire province; harvest data collection should be based on pelt counts rather than unverified trapper affidavits; an index of abundance for each species based on a thorough analysis of correlations between harvest and various indices of effort, and the findings of others should be developed; data verification routines are required to enhance consistency; and each year all collected...