User manual

Page 14 of 17
Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project Last revised May 2012
Wildlife Sign Documentation Protocol
If you observe tracks, scat or other signs (dens, claw marks, diggings, etc...) of wildlife that are Species Priority Level 1 (and
secondarily Level 2) on your way to the camera or at the camera site, use these procedures for documentation and/or trailing if
you choose to and have time.
NOTE: TRAILING SHOULD BE DONE ONLY IF YOU ARE WELL-TRAINED IN OFF-
TRAIL NAVIGATION AND WON’T GET LOST ON THE WAY BACK TO YOUR CAMERA
CHECK/THE TRAIL
CAUTION SHOULD BE USED IN BOTH TRAILING AND DOCUMENTING SIGNS SUCH
AS BEAR DENS, FRESH SCAT ETC... If you feel unsafe, please skip this!
Procedure for Tracks: How to Document (this will be difficult unless there is snow, mud or sand)
1. Stop your companion(s) and bring tracks to their attention. Stop walking to prevent destroying tracks.
2. Record data carefully by filling out the track information detailed here thoroughly on the
Target Species Data Sheet. *Make sure to record the GPS coordinates.
3. For Level 1 species, or ambiguous tracks that may be a Level 1 animal, document tracks with
measurements, sketches, and photographs.
4. Determine whether the animal is a trailing priority species (See list, Levels 1 and 2 below). If so, clearly
mark trailable tracks if you plan to trail them on your return leg.
5. Mark the tracks as ‘done’ so a later team will know they have been recorded by your team. Draw an
obvious circle around one or more tracks and leave a large footprint next to them with your boot or
snowshoes, or hang some flagging.
Procedure for Trailing: How to Document
Note: Trailing may be much more difficult or not possible during spring/summer months when there is no snow, but if you are
able to trail an animal, this is the protocol to use.
Trailing can be done for Level 1 and 2 species as you see them, before or after the camera check.
Level 1 species should be trailed wherever possible. In the case of the top 4 species (wolverine, fisher,
lynx, wolf), these can be trailed as you see them, as they are critical rare species.
Level 2 species should be trailed in the absence of Level 1 species, after completing your camera check
and where time is available.
Level 3 species are not to be trailed until all other work is complete, as they are of low priority for this
study.
1. When you identify a Level 1 or Level 2 species (on the way to your camera), mark its trail for easy
identification on your return leg with flagging if needed, and note the trail in your field notes on a list
of trailing possibilities. Record the GPS coordinates on your data sheet.
2. When your team completes the camera check, you should review trailing possibilities from the outward
leg and decide which are of highest priority. Level 1 or 2 species are highest priority. Level 3 are great
if you have time.
3. On the return leg, follow the selected trails towards the highway (if you are on an I-90 camera or a camera
placed close to a highway). Record all discernable behaviors on your Trailing Record Data Sheet,