Graduation Date
Summer 1985
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Master of Science
Committee Chair Name
Archie S. Mossman
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dale A. Thornburgh
Third Committee Member Name
William R. Sise
Keywords
x
Abstract
Habitat utilization, individual range and movements, and effects of logging on fisher (Martes pennanti) were studied near Hayfork Bally in Trinity County, California. Fishers were live-trapped, immobilized, fitted with radio telemetry collars, and released. Location data were obtained from trapping, track observations, and from air and ground radio telemetry. Field sampling of habitat at fisher locations and U.S. Forest Service timber type maps were used for analysis of habitat utilization. Five males and three female fishers were captured during the study. Four were juveniles and the other four were adults. Mean home range size for all fishers was 16.6 km. Mean home range size for males was 26.7 km compared to 6. 5 km for females. Adult males had the largest home ranges. Adult female ranges were smaller than male ranges. Overlap of home range was common. There was no relationship between individual home ranges and gross topographical features. Adult males tended to move outside of their ranges during the rut. Open areas were used less frequently by all sex and age classes. Adults were not often found in the relatively early successional timber type grouping described as small conifer/conifer non-commercial. All fishers considered together showed nearly significant (p < 0.1, n = 8) selection for the mixed conifer/hardwood timber types, and adult fishers strongly selected for the mature closed conifer timber type. Adult fishers used the elevational range of 457-1219 m, and juveniles used the 914-1829 m elevational range. Riparian areas may be important habitat for fishers.
Recommended Citation
Mullis, Curt, "Habitat Utilization by Fisher (Martes Pennanti) Near Hayfork Bally, California" (1985). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2635.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2635