Radiotelemetric assessment of grid-trapping techniques in a study of the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus L.).

Abstract

Grid trapping has been used to determine small mammal home ranges for almost 50 years. In the absence of a more precise standard against which to calibrate, at least nine trap data interpretation methods have been developed, each yielding different values. Home ranges generated from these methods were compared to those calculated using much more accurate radio telemetry to determine the former's relative precisions. The standard circle and Koeppl's 70% ellipse generated home ranges closest to those determined with radiotelemetry. Assumptions concerning the accuracy of peripheral successful traps in defining boundaries of home ranges were tested, as were those concerning spatial utilization near unsuccessful traps within the home range.