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 carlos.gonzalez-gonzalez@sulross.edu.

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.