Field assistants needed for pronghorn behavior study

We are looking for highly motivated assistants to help with an on-going study of the National Bison Range, Montana, pronghorn population. The current study focuses on inbreeding avoidance and inbreeding depression, sexual selection, and the adaptive value and mechanism of sex ratio bias in this small, geographically-closed population.

We need 2-3 assistants to help capture pronghorn fawns mid-May to mid-June 2008, with one assistant remaining through mid-August to help with the sex ratio bias study. We also will need 3 assistants to observe the rut in September.

A typical day during spring fawning consists of hiking to a vantage point to observe a female nurse her fawns and locate their hiding place. This information is used so we can then hike in, capture and tag the fawns. Observations are made using spotting scopes and binoculars, which we will provide. We all carry hand-held radios for communication. We conduct two rounds of observations/captures a day, starting in the early morning and continuing in the afternoon (each session can last 4-5 hours).

From mid-June through mid-Aug. an assistant will be observing female dominance interactions, collecting fecal samples for a hormone analysis, and censusing the population. In the summer, we work in the early morning and evening, and take most weekends off.

During the September rut, assistants hike to a vantage point to observe a harem. This involves sitting still, out of site, for up to 5 hours at a time. We conduct two rounds of observations a day: early morning and afternoon (with each session lasting 4-5 hours).

This is a unique opportunity for those looking to gain field-experience in animal behavior. This is also a great chance to become involved in a long-term project (going on 27 years!). Plus, the scenery in the Mission Valley is spectacular, and wildlife is abundant. You will see deer, bison, elk, and eagles daily. Black bear, cougars, and rattlesnakes are also present on the refuge - there is a chance you may see one or all of these!

For fawning, we will need assistants from around May15th-June15th, though we are somewhat flexible with actual arrival/departure dates. We hope that one fawning assistant will remain until mid-August to help with summer work. For the rut, we will need assistants from Sept. 4-30 – again, dates are somewhat flexible. One requirement is that you are not color blind, as it is necessary to be able to identify individual pronghorn based on their color-coded ear tags. Other than that, we ask that you are willing and able to work long, hard days without much time off. Some of the hiking can be strenuous, so please only apply if you are willing and able to hike (no whiners!). Housing (provided) is in a nearby bunkhouse, or you may opt to bring a tent.

Feel free to contact us if you are interested, or if you have any other questions. To apply, please send us a resume (email attachment is fine), and have 2 references of your choice send reference letters. Please send e-mails to sdunn@vandals.uidaho.edu and erinclancey@vandals.uidaho.edu .

We plan to finish hiring by early April, but positions may be filled sooner. Please send your application as soon as possible.

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