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Smith, J.B.; Wilckens, D.T.; Broecher, J.; Jenks, J.A.
Estimating cougar (_Puma concolor_) consumption rates and prey composition in the Black Hills, South Dakota
2014  Conference Proceeding

Following declines in the 19th and 20th centuries, recent range expansions of cougars (_Puma concolor_) into the upper Midwest are challenging effective management of these new predator-prey systems. These regions provide a unique opportunity to assess the role of this apex predator on prey population dynamics and ecosystem processes in areas where anthropogenic influences are significantly different (e.g., higher road densities, higher human populations) from previous studies. Our objectives were to: 1) determine prey composition of cougar diets, 2) quantify ungulate kill rates, 3) assess the influence of season and demographic status on predation rates, and 4) determine the influence of scavenging on overall cougar consumption rates in the Black Hills, South Dakota. From 2009-2012, we captured 42 cougars (29 females; 11 males) and used global positioning system (GPS) telemetry to locate 1,506 feeding events. Deer (_Odocoileus_ spp.) comprised the majority of cougar diets (83%), and in cases where we could identify species, white-tailed deer (_Odocoileus virginianus_) dominated (63%). Overall ungulate kill rate averaged 0.79 ungulates/week, but was highly variable (range = 0.13-1.75 ungulates/week) among individuals. We found kill rates were significantly higher (P<0.001) in summer (xî = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.81.1.03) than in winter (xî = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.51.0.74); however, we found no differences by demographic status (e.g., sex, age, or presence of cubs) within the same season (summer: P = 0.581; winter: P = 0.607). Scavenging accounted for 17.3% (n = 260) of all prey items found in terms of relative frequency with higher rates observed in winter (xî = 0.21 events/week) than in summer (xî = 0.08 events/week). Our results highlight how adaptable and opportunistic cougars are at foraging for prey and provide information to direct future cougar and ungulate management in the Black Hills ecoregion.

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