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Lindbloom, A.J.; Griffin, S.L.
South Dakota Survey Report - Mountain Lion Population Status Update 2017 Biennial Report
2018  Full Book

The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks conducts several surveys and assessments to better understand mountain lion population abundance and trends in the Black Hills. Data from hunting seasons and hunter surveys are evaluated annually, such as harvest, harvest sex and age composition, female proportions in the harvest, and harvest per unit effort. Lion mortality data, including harvest, non-harvest, removals, and total mortality densities are also assessed for any apparent trends. In addition, DNA biopsy-darting surveys are conducted annually prior to each hunting season in order to complete mark/recapture estimates and evaluations of catch per unit effort. Furthermore, all observation reports from the public are recorded into a database and evaluated. This report provides the most recent mountain lion survey data and analyses completed in South Dakota. Caution is warranted when comparing data in South Dakota with trend indicators developed for mountain lion populations in western states with substantially different habitats, predator and prey densities, and data collection methods (e.g., hound hunting vs. no hound hunting). Additionally, it should be noted that not all trend estimates assessed by the SDGFP are in agreement. Given these considerations, however, most survey data and evaluations of mountain lion trend indicators suggest that the mountain lion population in the Black Hills is stable or slightly decreasing.

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