Pronghorn Movement and Enhancement (Fence Trials)

Having evolved on the wide-open prairies of North America, pronghorn did not develop an instinct to jump vertical obstacles. The proliferation of fencing that followed cattle ranching since the 1880s now poses a serious barrier to pronghorn movement. Pronghorn may cross under fence lines in some locations, but it slows down their movement, making them susceptible to predators and in some cases strips hair off their back, causing lacerations and making them vulnerable to infection and frostbite. Between 2018 to the present, we evaluated fence modifications proposed for ungulates to make crossing over a fence easier to assess the modifications’ potential impact on pronghorn and deer fence-crossing behaviours. We have processed all images from the cameras up until February 2020. In addition, between 2016–2018 we determined that sage-grouse reflectors and white polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe on the top wire do not act as visual barriers and therefore do not impact the movement across fences by pronghorn, mule deer, or white-tailed deer. Our results from this study will be published in the journal, Wildlife Society Bulletin. As results become available, we will disseminate our conclusions to stakeholders, wildlife managers, and conservation groups.

Partnerships

Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Fish & Game Association, Bushnell, Cabelas Canada, Canadian Forces Base Suffield, Montana Department of Transportation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Wildlife Federation, Safari Club International – Northern Alberta Chapter (Hunting Heritage Fund), TD Friends of the Environment, The Nature Conservancy, University of Montana, World Wildlife Fund

Annual Summaries

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