| Contents
Printable
Format (.pdf)
Executive
Summary
Background
Features
of Unit Tested
Setting
for the Test
Results
Data
Summary
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
&
Further
Information |
Conclusions
As had been hoped, the collars
proved manageable, durable, and informative. No compromise of the data
occurred. A 94 percent position fix rate was surprising, given the mountainous
terrain and widespread conifer forest within the allotment. Position fixes
at 2-hour or even 4-hour frequencies seem sufficient for general allotment
management objectives; however, the memory capacity of the collar could
have held data equivalent to sampling every 20 minutes over the same period.
Also, rather than being just an emergency utility in case a sheep was lost,
the VHF beacon proved to be very helpful for routinely locating the sheep.
The greatest challenge was understanding and facilitating the downloaded
data into analysis and display tools.
For land managers, extended
review and analysis of such data may provide a greater understanding of
grazing use levels as they relate to achieving resource objectives. The
information also provides the ability to respond to monitoring obligations.
For the permittee, the information may provide the means for evaluating
and improving herding routes and practices to enhance profits.
|
