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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: Julie 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 [email protected].
From the Director—Seasons of Change
Page 2 DESERT TRACKS Vo lume 11 , I s sue 2
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
Page 3 DESERT TRACKS Vo lume 11 , I s sue 2
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
Page 4
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
Page 4
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.