Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Idaho
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Theory predicts that foraging behavior can be used to assess an animal's perception of habitat quality. We conducted a pilot study to determine if suitable data can be acquired to test this theory. This pilot study uses cellular-enabled remote cameras to confirm the species identity and timing of foraging events. The giving up density (GUD) of food items left behind is predicted to be a function of habitat quality. The Institute of Modeling Collaboration and Innovation at the University of Idaho provided funding to purchase cellular-enabled remote cameras. This work is a pilot study to assess methods and feasibility. If successful, it will only inform future study designs. Those future studies could be used to inform habitat management decisions.