DESERT TRACKS A publ ication of the Border lands Research Inst i tute at Sul Ross State Univers i ty

Fa l l 2018 | Volume 11 , I s sue 2

Desert Bighorn Restoration: Guiding Management Through Science Carlos Gonzalez (BRI), Louis A. Harveson (BRI), Roel R. Lopez (TAMU), and Froylan Hernandez (TPWD)

O ne successful approach for restoring declining popula-tions of large mammals such as the desert bighorn has

been their translocation into former habitats. Translocation strategies have proven successful in Texas; however, translocating large ungulates can be expensive, time-consuming and logistically and politically challenging. Additionally, without a delineation of where current suitable habitat ranges occur and the environmental characteristics, translocations have a low chance of success regardless of the number of translocated animals. Therefore, understand-ing use of habitat and distribution of the species across a landscape level is vital for conservation efforts.

As part of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department restoration efforts, 247 desert bighorns were captured and translocated into different mountain ranges in the Trans-Pecos from 2010 to 2015, of which approximately 60 percent were fitted with GPS collars. Using the data derived from these collars, we created a distribution model for the Trans-Pecos to help understand the interaction between environmental charac-teristics and habitat distribution.

Currently, this is the largest desert bighorn distribution model ever created in Texas and the first to determine relations between habitat components. Results from GPS collar data showed percent slope, elevation, terrain ruggedness, and canopy cover to be important factors for desert bighorn habitat selection. Our analysis has also allowed us to delineate historical habitat ranges and identify

mountain ranges that could support viable populations of desert bighorn. Additionally, the outcomes of this model will allow us to weigh potential future release sites objectively.

With these results, stakeholders involved in reintroductions now have innovative information to guide management decisions. Current research is focused on documenting how spatial distribution of the mountain ranges may affect movements and home ranges, and on identifying corridors between Texas and Mexico from documented desert bighorn that cross international borders.

Editor: Jul ie Rumbelow

Conserving the natural resources of the Chihuahuan Desert Borderlands through research, education, & outreach

BRI and TPWD researchers affix a GPS tracking collar on a bighorn sheep at Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Tracking these animals allows us to better understand bighorn habitat prefer-ences in the Trans-Pecos. To learn more about the study’s results, contact Carlos Gonzalez at carlos.gonzalez-gonzalez@sulross.edu.

From the Director—Seasons of Change

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Elliott G. Hayne, Chair San Antonio, TX J.P. Bryan Houston, TX Toby Darden Fort Worth, TX Charles Davidson San Antonio, TX Will S. Harte Fort Davis, TX Dan Allen Hughes, Jr. San Antonio, TX Parker Johnson Houston, TX James King Fort Davis, TX Bobby McKnight Fort Davis, TX Dana Nunley Sabinal, TX John B. Poindexter Houston, TX Ruthie Bowman Russell San Antonio, TX Allen W. Smith Austin, TX Kelly R. Thompson Fort Worth, TX Justin B. Yarborough Austin, TX

Borderlands Research Institute

Advisory Board

F or many of us, fall marks one of the most significant seasons of change. Our

weather is cooler, our days are shorter, and we spend more time outdoors. In the academic setting of a university, fall also marks new beginnings, and freshmen arrive on campus seeking knowledge, direction, and purpose.

Within BRI, we are also experiencing changes. As you’ll read below, we have significant changes in leadership within our Research, College, and Department levels—all positive changes for our growing Institute. We have also welcomed the return

of Carlos “Lalo” Gonzalez to our team. Lalo has already had a positive impact guiding our Big Game Program.

Lastly, please don’t forget to mark your calendar for November 6th at Sul Ross State University, as BRI and the Texas Agricultural Land Trust will host a landowner workshop, “Challenges and Opportunities for Working Lands Conservation in the Greater Big Bend Region.” Registration information can be found on the following page.

—Louis A. Harveson

Changes in Dean, Chair Positions at College of ANRS

T hree recent promotions have put the College of Agricultural and Natural Resource Scienc-es (ANRS) in the spotlight at Sul Ross State University.

Dr. Robert Kinucan, formerly the Dean of ANRS, has moved to his new position as Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research. Dr. Bonnie Warnock, formerly Chair of the Natu-ral Resource Management department (NRM), is now Dean of ANRS. Dr. Ryan Luna has been promoted to Chair of NRM.

Kinucan believes the new roles for Warnock and Luna reinforce the University’s commitment to distinguished range and animal science studies.

“I am thrilled with the promotions of Dr. Luna and Dr. Warnock,” said Kinucan. “They both have a great deal of leadership experience, creativity, skill, intelligence, and motivation. I don’t think the University could have found better candidates anywhere to lead our agricul-ture and natural resource programs to the next level of achievement.”

Dr. Robert Kinucan

Professor of Natural Resource Management, Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research

Dr. Ryan Luna

Kelly R. Thompson Professor of Quail Research, Chair of the Department of NRM

Dr. Bonnie Warnock

Clint Josey Endowed Chair for Sustainable Ranch Management, Dean of the College of ANRS

T he Borderlands Research Institute has received a $75,000 donation from Park Cities Quail to support

scaled quail research. The funding is supporting two graduate students who will compile and analyze scaled quail parasite loads from across the Trans-Pecos.

Scaled quail are one of the most ecologically and economi-cally important species to the Chihuahuan Desert. Unfortu-nately, their geographic range and population trends are declining. BRI is focusing significant research attention on the species.

“We need more and better science to determine the cause of the decline of scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos,” said Dr. Ryan Luna, who is the Kelly R. Thompson Professor of Quail Research with BRI at Sul Ross State University. “We appreci-ate Park Cities Quail’s continued support for research projects that will help us learn more about this beloved bird.”

T he Borderlands Research Institute has hired Carlos “Lalo” Gonzalez as its new Big Game Specialist. He earned a range and wildlife manage-

ment degree from Texas A&M-Kingsville and a Master of Science degree from Sul Ross State University. He worked as a wildlife research technician for the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and a field coordinator for the Desert Quail Program at BRI. He will earn his doctorate from Texas A&M in December 2018. His dissertation is focused on bighorn sheep restoration. Gonzalez will be the point person for the pronghorn restoration effort in the Trans-Pecos conducted in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with research projects related to bighorn sheep and mule deer.

Park Cities Quail Donation Benefits BRI Scaled Quail Research

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New Big Game Specialist Takes the Reins at BRI

Dr. Ryan Luna of BRI accepts a check from Park Cities Quail’s Jay Stine (left) and Clay Huffstutter (right).

Join us in Alpine for this free event!

Challenges & Opportunities for Working Lands Conservation

in the Greater Big Bend Region Tuesday, November 6, 2018

9:30am–2:30pm

Morgan University Center @ Sul Ross State University

Lunch provided courtesy of Texas Agricultural Land Trust

REGISTER HERE:

http://www.txaglandtrust.org/saving-family-lands-seminar-alpine/

Houston Safari Club Foundation Awards BRI Students

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DESERT TRACKS Vo lume 11 , I s sue 2

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Alpine, Texas Permit No. 2

Texas State University System

Board of Regents

Ms. Rossanna Salazar, Chair Austin, TX Mr. William F. Scott, Vice Chair Nederland, TX Mr. Charlie Amato San Antonio, TX Mr. Garry Crain The Hills, TX Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards San Antonio, TX Dr. Jaime R. Garza San Antonio, TX Mr. David Montagne Beaumont, TX Mr. Vernon Reaser III Houston, TX Mr. Alan Tinsley Madisonville, TX Ms. Leanna Mouton, Student San Marcos, TX Dr. Brian McCall, Chancellor Austin, TX

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Connect with us:

P.O. Box C-21 Alpine, TX 79832 432.837.8225 bri.sulross.edu

Address Service Requested 272003-120473-40-RES

T he Houston Safari Club Foundation has awarded $39,000 in scholarships to seven Border-lands Research Institute students. “These scholarships are among the most prestigious and

highest paying wildlife scholarships in the country,” said Dr. Louis Harveson, who is the Dan Al-len Hughes, Jr., BRI Endowed Director and professor of Wildlife Management at Sul Ross State University. “We are thrilled for our students and deeply appreciate Houston Safari Club’s invest-ment in the future of wildlife management and conservation.”

HSCF scholarship recipients (left to right) Matt Hewitt, Kaitlyn Williams, Carolina Medina, Jacob Lampman, Howell Pugh, Maribel Glass, and Taylor Daily.