Wildlife research publications

Wildlife research publications

Each of the research summaries listed in the topics below may contain interim results of wildlife research projects. Some of the data and interpretations may change as a result of additional findings or future, more comprehensive analysis of the data. Contact the author(s) of each study to obtain permission to use data from these summaries.

You can view the summaries individually by clicking on a year at the top and a topic below or or download the document that compiles all research summaries for each year.

2022
2019
Furbearers (bears, wolves, fisher, marten)

Behavioral Responses of American Black Bears to Reduced Natural Foods: Home Range Size and Seasonal Migrations
Spencer J. Rettler, David L. Garshelis, Andrew N. Tri, John Fieberg, Mark A. Ditmer and James Forester

Ecology and Population Dynamics of Black Bears in Minnesota
David L. Garshelis, Andrew Tri, Spencer J. Rettler, and Brian J. Dirks

Minnesotans’ Attitudes Toward Wolves and Wolf Management
Susan A. Schroeder, Adam C. Landon, Leslie McInenly, and Daniel Stark

Habitats (wetlands, grasslands)

Evaluating Grassland Wildlife Exposure To Soybean Aphid Insecticides On Public Lands In Minnesota
Katelin Goebel and Nicole M. Davros

Restoring Wetland Invertebrates to Revive Wildlife Habitat: 2019 Research Summary
Megan J. Fitzpatrick, Breanna Keith, Jake Carleen, and Carl Isaacson

Human dimensions (social science)

Minnesotans’ Attitudes Toward Wolves and Wolf Management
Susan A. Schroeder, Adam C. Landon, Leslie McInenly, and Daniel Stark

Ungulates (deer, moose, elk)

Assessing Neonicotinoids Exposure in Free-Ranging White-Tailed Deer in Minnesota
Patrick Hagen, Michelle Carstensen, Eric Michel, and Janetta Kelly

Assessing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Equipped with Thermal Infrared to Locate and Capture White-Tailed Deer Fawns
Tyler R. Obermoller, Andrew S. Norton, Eric S. Michel, and Brian S. Haroldson

Evaluation of GPS-Sized Expandable Radiocollars Designed for White-Tailed Deer Fawns
Zachary G. Wesner, Andrew S. Norton, David A. Osborn, Tyler R. Obermoller, and Gino J. D’Angelo

Informing Winter Habitat Management Prescriptions and Population Vital Rate Estimates for White-Tailed Deer in Northern Minnesota, Winters 2017−2018 to 2019−2020
Glenn D. DelGiudice and Bradley D. Smith

Investigation of Movement Dynamics of Wild Deer in Southeastern Minnesota to Understand Potential Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
Chris Jennelle, Joanne Crawford, and Michelle Carstensen

Roadside Distance-Sampling Surveys of White-Tailed Deer in Southern Minnesota (2018-2019)
John Giudice, Brian Haroldson, Tyler Obermoller, and Eric Michel

Surveillance and Management of Chronic Wasting Disease in Minnesota in Fall 2019 and Winter 2020
Kelsie LaSharr, Michelle Carstensen, Margaret Dexter, Patrick Hagen, and Erik Hildebrand

Winter Survival and Cause-Specific Mortality of White-Tailed Deer in Northern Minnesota: Winter 2020 Update
Bradley D. Smith and Glenn D. DelGiudice

Abstracts

Cerebral Hydatid Hyst (Echinococcus Granulosus) in a Moose (Alces Alces)
Arno Wünschmann, Anibal G. Armién, and Michelle Carstensen

Microbial Associations and Spatial Proximity Predict North American Moose (Alces Alces) Gastrointestinal Community Composition
Nicholas Fountain-Jones, Nicholas Clark, Amy Kinsley, Michelle Carstensen, James Forester, Tim Johnson, Elizabeth Miller, Seth Moore, Tiffany Wolf, and Meggan Craft

Myocardial Cysticercosis (Presumptive Cysticercus Tarandi/Taenia Ovis Krabbei) in a Moose (Alces Alces)
Arno Wünschmann, Anibal G. Armién, and Michelle Carstensen

Re-Evaluating the Threshold Density Hypothesis for Moose, Deer and Parelaphostrongylus Tenuis
Amanda M. McGraw, Ron. N. Moen, Louis Cornicelli, Michelle Carstensen, Véronique St-Louis

Using Movement Ecology to Investigate Meningeal Worm Risk in Moose
Mark A. Ditmer, Amanda M. McGraw, Louis Cornicelli, James D. Forester, Peter J. Mahoney, Ron A. Moen, Seth P. Stapleton, Véronique St-Louis, Kimberly L. VanderWaal, and Michelle Carstensen

Upland game (grouse, pheasants, woodcock)

Nesting And Brood-Rearing Habitat Selection And Survival Rates Of Ring-Necked Pheasants In Prairie Reconstructions In Southwest Minnesota
Nicole M. Davros, Lindsey N. Messinger, and Timothy P. Lyons

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Response to Fall Prescribed Fire and Mowing
Charlotte Roy, Lindsey Shartell, and John Giudice

Spruce Grouse Responses to Timber Harvest in Minnesota
Charlotte Roy and Julia Ponder

West Nile Virus Exposure and Infection Rates in Hunter-Harvested Ruffed Grouse in Minnesota
Charlotte Roy, Michelle Carstensen, Kelsie LaSharr, Carolin Humpal, and Ted Dick

Waterfowl (ducks, geese)

Developing Methodologies For Predicting The Locations Of Wood Duck Breeding Habitat Components In Minnesota
James B. Berdeen, Edmund Zlonis, Jennifer Corcoran1, Ram Deo, and Mark D. Nelson

Fall Movements Of Mallards Marked In Minnesota
Bruce E. Davis

Restoring Wetland Invertebrates to Revive Wildlife Habitat: 2019 Research Summary
Megan J. Fitzpatrick, Breanna Keith, Jake Carleen, and Carl Isaacson

Waterfowl Banding Projects Summary
Ciara R. McCarty, Bruce E. Davis, and Brian J. Hiller

Waterfowl Production in the Chippewa National Forest: A Historical Perspective
Edmund Zlonis, Tanya Roerick, Steve Mortensen, Dave Rave, Todd Tisler

Publications

All research summaries

2018
Furbearers (bears, wolves, fisher, marten)

Behavioral Responses Of American Black Bears To Reduced Natural Foods: Migration Patterns And Diet
Spencer J. Rettler, David L. Garshelis, Andrew Tri, and James Forester

Ecology And Population Dynamics Of Black Bears In Minnesota
David L. Garshelis, Andrew Tri, Spencer J. Rettler, and Brian J. Dirks

Evaluating American Marten Habitat Quality Using Airborne Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) Data
Michael Joyce, Dissertation Abstracts

Habitats (wetlands, grasslands)

Evaluating Grassland Wildlife Exposure To Soybean Aphid Insecticides On Public Lands In Minnesota
Katelin Goebel and Nicole M. Davros

Human dimensions (social science)

Survey Of Southeast Minnesota Deer Hunters
Susan A. Schroeder; Adam C. Landon; Louis Cornicelli; Leslie McInenly; Todd Froberg

The 2016 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season In Minnesota
Susan A. Schroeder

The 2017 Waterfowl Hunting Season In Minnesota: A Study Of Hunters’ Opinions And Activities
Susan A. Schroeder and Steven D. Cordts

Ungulates (deer, moose, elk)

2018 Roadside Distance-Sampling Surveys Of White-Tailed Deer In Southern Minnesota
John H. Giudice, Brian S. Haroldson, Tyler R. Obermoller, and Andrew S. Norton

Establishing The Feasibility Of Making Fine-Scale Measurements Of Habitat Use By White-Tailed Deer In Northern Minnesota, Winters 2017–2018 And 2018–2019
Bradley D. Smith, Glenn D. DelGiudice, and William J. Severud

Evaluation Of GPS-Sized Expandable Radiocollars Designed For White-Tailed Deer Fawns
Zachary G. Wesner, Gino J. D’Angelo, Andrew S. Norton, David A. Osborn, and Tyler R. Obermoller

Investigation Of Movement Dynamics Of Wild Deer In Southeastern Minnesota To Understand Potential Spread Of Chronic Wasting Disease
Chris Jennelle, Kelsie LaSharr, Michelle Carstensen, Lou Cornicelli, Margaret Dexter, Todd Froberg, Patrick Hagen, Erik Hildebrand, Tyler Obermoller, and Ryan Tebo

Surveillance And Management Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Minnesota
Kelsie LaSharr, Erik Hildebrand, Michelle Carstensen, Margaret Dexter, Patrick Hagen, Chris Jennelle, and Lou Cornicelli

Survey Of Southeast Minnesota Deer Hunters
Susan A. Schroeder; Adam C. Landon; Louis Cornicelli; Leslie McInenly; Todd Froberg

Winter Nutritional Restriction And Decline Of Moose In Northeastern Minnesota, Winters 2013–2019
Glenn D. DelGiudice, William J. Severud, Tyler R. Obermoller, and Bradley D. Smith

Winter Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of White-Tailed Deer In Northern Minnesota: An Update
Glenn D. DelGiudice, Bradley D. Smith, and William J. Severud

Abstracts

Assessing Expandable Global Positioning System Collars For Moose Neonates
Tyler R. Obermoller, Glenn D. DelGiudice, William J. Severud

Association Of Moose Parturition And Post-Parturition Habitat With Calf Survival
William J. Severud, Glenn D. DelGiudice, Tyler R. Obermoller

Cerebral Hydatid Cyst (Echinococcus Granulosus) In A Moose (Alces Alces)
Arno Wünschmann, Anibal G. Armién, and Michelle Carstensen

Chronic Wasting Disease Detection And Mortality Sources In A Semi-Protected Deer Population
Krysten L. Schuler, Jonathon A. Jenks, Robert W. Klaver, Christopher S. Jennelle, R. Terry Bower

Comparing Survey And Multiple Recruitment-Mortality Models To Assess Growth Rates And Population Projections
William J. Severud, Glenn D. DelGiudice, Joseph K. Bump

Expanding GIS Analyses To Monitor And Assess North American Moose Distribution And Density
William F. Jensen, Jason R. Smith, Michelle Carstensen, Colin E. Penner, Brian M. Hosek, and James J. Maskey, Jr.

Gaining A Deeper Understanding Of Capture-Induced Abandonment Of Moose Neonates
Glenn D. DelGiudice, William J. Severud, Tyler R. Obermoller, Véronique St‐Louis

Maternal Behavior Indicates Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of Moose Calves
Tyler R. Obermoller, Glenn D. DelGiudice, William J. Severud

Microbial Associations And Spatial Proximity Predict North American Moose (Alces Alces) Gastrointestinal Community Composition
Nicholas Fountain-Jones, Nicholas Clark, Amy Kinsley, Michelle Carstensen, James Forester, Tim Johnson, Elizabeth Miller, Seth Moore, Tiffany Wolf, and Meggan Craft

Myocardial Cysticercosis (Presumptive Cysticercus Tarandi/Taenia Ovis Krabbei) In A Moose (Alces Alces)
Arno Wünschmann, Anibal G. Armién, and Michelle Carstensen

Survival And Cause-Specific Mortality Of Moose Calves In Northeastern Minnesota
William J. Severud, Tyler R. Obermoller, Glenn D. DelGiudice, John R. Fieberg

Using Movement Ecology To Investigate Meningeal Worm Risk In Moose
Mark A. Ditmer, Amanda M. McGraw, Louis Cornicelli, James D. Forester, Peter J. Mahoney6, Ron A. Moen, Seth P. Stapleton, Véronique St-Louis, Kimberly L. VanderWaal, and Michelle Carstensen

Upland game (grouse, pheasants, woodcock)

Nesting And Brood-Rearing Habitat Selection And Survival Rates Of Ring-Necked Pheasants In Prairie Reconstructions In Southwest Minnesota
Nicole M. Davros and Lindsey N. Messinger

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Response To Fall Prescribed Fire And Mowing
Charlotte Roy, Lindsey Shartell, and John Giudice

The 2016 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season In Minnesota
Susan A. Schroeder

Use Of Managed Forest Wildlife Openings By American Woodcock
Lindsey Shartell

West Nile Virus Exposure And Infection Rates In Minnesota Ruffed Grouse
Charlotte Roy, Michelle Carstensen, Kelsie LaSharr, Carolin Humpal, and Ted Dick

Waterfowl (ducks, geese)

Developing Methodologies For Predicting The Locations Of Wood Duck Breeding Habitat Components In Minnesota
James B. Berdeen, Edmund Zlonis, Jennifer Corcoran1, Ram Deo, and Mark D. Nelson

Fall Movements Of Mallards Marked In Minnesota
Bruce E. Davis

Forest Inventory Attributes Predict The Presence Of Cavities Suitable For Nesting By Wood Ducks
Edmund J. Zlonis and James B. Berdeen

The 2017 Waterfowl Hunting Season In Minnesota: A Study Of Hunters’ Opinions And Activities
Susan A. Schroeder and Steven D. Cordts

Limited Detection Of Antibodies To Clade 2.3.4.4 A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 Lineage Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza Virus In North American Waterfowl
David E. Stallknecht, Clara Kienzle-Dean, Nick Davis-Fields, Christopher S. Jennelle, Andrew S. Bowman, Jacqueline M. Nolting, Walter M. Boyce, James M. Crum, Jefferson J. S. Santos, Justin D. Brown, Diann J. Prosser, Susan E. W. De La Cruz, Joshua T. Ackerman, Michael L. Casazza1, Scott Krauss, Daniel R. Perez, Andrew M. Ramey, Rebecca L. Poulson

Publications

All research summaries

2017
Furbearers (bears, wolves, fisher, marten)

Ecology and Population Dynamics of Black Bears in Minnesota
David L. Garshelis, Andrew Tri, Spencer J. Rettler, and Brian J. Dirks

Evaluation of Design and Analysis of a Camera-Based Multi-Species Occupancy Survey of Carnivores in Minnesota
Fabiola Iannarilli, John Erb, Todd Arnold, and John Fieberg

Reduced Natural Foods Alter Bottom-Up Pressures on American Black Bears
Spencer J. Rettler, David L. Garshelis, Andrew Tri, Véronique St-Louis, and James Forester

Using LIDAR Data to Quantify Forest Structural Habitat Variables Important to Fishers and Martens
Michael Joyce, John Erb, Barry Sampson, and Ron Moen

Habitats (wetlands, grasslands)

Evaluating Insecticide Exposure Risk for Grassland Wildlife on Public Lands
Katelin Goebel and Nicole M. Davros

Neonicotinoids on the Landscape: Evaluating Avian Exposure to Treated Seeds in Agricultural Landscapes
Charlotte Roy, Da Chen, Julia Ponder, Mark Jankowski, and Pam Coy

Human dimensions (social science)

The 2016 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season in Minnesota
Susan A. Schroeder

The 2017 Waterfowl Hunting Season in Minnesota: A Study of Hunters’ Opinions and Activities
Susan A. Schroeder and Steven D. Cordts

Ungulates (deer, moose, elk)

Behavioral Responses of Female Elk to Hunting in Northwestern Minnesota
Ryan G. Tebo, Gino J. D’Angelo, and Louis Cornicelli

Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance in Minnesota’s Wild Deer Herd
Erik Hildebrand, Michelle Carstensen, Chris Jennelle, Margaret Dexter, Lou Cornicelli, Patrick Hagen, and Kelsie LaSharr

Establishing the Feasibility of Making Fine-Scale Measurements of Habitat Use by White-Tailed Deer in Northern Minnesota, Winter 2017–2018
Bradley D. Smith, Glenn D. DelGiudice, and William J. Severud

Winter Survival and Cause-specific Mortality of White-tailed Deer in Northern Minnesota: Updating with GPS Collars
Glenn D. DelGiudice, Bradley D. Smith, and William J. Severud

Investigation of Movement Dynamics of Wild Deer in Southeastern Minnesota to Understand Potential Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease
Chris Jennelle, Andrew Norton, Ryan Tebo, Michelle Carstensen, Erik Hildebrand, Lou Cornicelli, Kelsie LaSharr, Tyler Obermoller, Patrick Hagen, and Margaret Dexter

Winter Nutritional Restriction and Decline of Moose in Northeastern Minnesota, Winters 2013–2018
Glenn D. DelGiudice, William J. Severud, Tyler R. Obermoller, and Bradley D. Smith

Causes of Non-Hunting Mortality of Adult Moose in Minnesota, 2013–2017
Michelle Carstensen, Erik C. Hildebrand, Dawn Plattner, Margaret Dexter, Arno Wünschmann, and Anibal Armien

Abstract: Emergence of the Arterial Worm Elaeophora Schneideri in Moose (Alces Alces) and Tabanid Fly Vectors in Northeastern Minnesota, USA
Caroline M. Grunenwald, Erika Butler, Arno Wünschmann, Anibal G. Armien, Michelle Carstensen, Erik Hildebrand, Roger D. Moon, Mabre D. Brand, Richard W. Gerhold

Abstract: Applying a Bayesian Weighted Surveillance Approach to Detect Chronic Wasting Disease in White-Tailed Deer
Christopher S. Jennelle, Daniel P. Walsh, Erik E. Osnas, Michael D. Samuel, Robert Rolley, Julia Langenberg, Jenny Powers, Ryan J. Monello, E. David Demarest, Rolf Gubler, Dennis M. Heisey

Abstract: Calibration of a Rumen Bolus to Measure Continuous Internal Body Temperature in Moose
Andrew Herberg, Veronique St.-Louis, Michelle Carstensen, James Forester, John Fieberg, Dan Thompson, and John Crouse

Abstract: Chronic Wasting Disease Detection and Mortality Sources in a Semi-Protected Deer Population
Krysten Schuler, Jonathan Jenks, Robert Klaver, Christopher S. Jennelle, Terry Bowyer

Abstract: A Technique for Deployment of Rumen Bolus Transmitters in Free-Ranging Moose (Alces Alces)
Larissa Minicucci, Michelle Carstensen, John Crouse, Jon M. Arnemo, Aliva Evans

Abstract: Expanding GIS Analyses to Monitor and Assess North American Moose Distribution and Density
William F. Jensen, Jason R. Smith, Michelle Carstensen, Colin E. Penner, Brian M. Hosek, and James J. Maskey, Jr.

Upland game (grouse, pheasants, woodcock)

Sharp-Tailed Grouse Response to Fall Prescribed Fire and Mowing
Charlotte Roy and Lindsey Shartell

Survival, Nest Success and Habitat Selection of Sharp-tailed Grouse in East-Central Minnesota – Final Project Report
Lindsey M. Shartell

The 2016 Ruffed Grouse Hunting Season in Minnesota
Susan A. Schroeder

Use of Managed Forest Wildlife Openings by American Woodcock
Lindsey Shartell

Assessing the Contribution of Harvest Mortality to Overall Mortality Rates of Gray and Fox Squirrels on Public Lands in Minnesota
Ryan G. Tebo and Andrew S. Norton

Nesting and Brood-Rearing Habitat Selection and Survival Rates of Ring-Necked Pheasants in Prairie Reconstructions in Southwest Minnesota
Nicole M. Davros and Lindsey N. Messinger

Abstract: The Relationship Between Grasslands, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Enrollments and Greater Prairie Chicken (Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus) Populations in Minnesota
Kalysta Adkin, Charlotte Roy, and Robert Wright

Waterfowl (ducks, geese)

The 2017 Waterfowl Hunting Season in Minnesota: a Study of Hunters’ Opinions and Activities
Susan A. Schroeder and Steven D. Cordts

Developing Methodologies for Predicting the Locations of Wood Duck Breeding Habitat Components in Minnesota
James B. Berdeen, Edmund Zlonis, Jennifer Corcoran, Ram Deo, and Mark D. Nelson

Fall Movements of Mallards Marked in Minnesota
Bruce E. Davis

Surveillance for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Minnesota’s Wild Birds in 2017-18
Chris Jennelle, Tim White, Kelsie LaSharr, Patrick Hagen, Erik Hildebrand, Tom Cooper, and Michelle Carstensen

Abstract: Avian Iinfluenza Pprevalence and Viral Shedding Routes in Minnesota Ring-Billed Gulls (Larus Delawarensis)
Todd Froberg, Francesca Cuthbert, Chris Jennelle, Carol Cardona, Marie Culhane

Publications

All research summaries

2016
Farmland wildlife
Forest wildlife
Human dimensions
Publications
Wetland wildlife
Wildlife health

All research summaries

Previous years

Reports & surveys

View reports and surveys by clicking a topic below.

Status of wildlife populations
Small game hunter harvest survey

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