Black widow spider bites, alone, are more deadly than rattlesnake bites. Can you kill a full-grown grizzly bear with a shotgun? How many licenses can I buy? Neotropical migrant land birds in the Northern Rockies and Great Plains. Roadkill is free of the antibiotics, hormones, and growth stimulants found in factory-farmed meat. First, they are illegal if they are used in a way where a deer can lick or consume it. Adams, R.A.  2003. Like other members of the plover family, this species is often found at the water's edge, but it also lives in pastures and fields far from water. Gr8bawana Veteran member. The number of bucks you can harvest will depend highly on your level of restraint and the age classes you desire to shoot. Many a person has been fooled by the bird's "broken-wing" act, in which it … 1982). However, they can breed all year and sometimes do. one . Why don't more Americans eat deer (venison)? My little freezer won't hold more than 2 either. The most common cause of death being anaphylaxis, which is an allergic reaction that causes the immune system to overreact. This may be a slight exaggeration. Montana. 1302 p. Hutto, R.L. Residents of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County may download and print the Montana Voter Registration Application form. Forage competition with Elk may be significant at times, not so with cattle, usually not with White-Tailed Deer. Hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets all produce a similar type of venom as bees. Mountain mule deer in our area are not like the mule deer you will find in the deserts in other western states, or in the plains in the eastern part of Montana or elsewhere. I was under assumption that it would be like before the new check system, where you can go check your deer in and get back in the woods, but that's not how it reads in the compendium. You are allowed to harvest one antlered deer per year in the regular deer season in Indiana. How many are there?) USDA Forest Service, Northern Region. This average is based on the ability of the client and their preferences. Perhaps this kitten was a late-season birth. That will ensure you hit the deer at critical points, without having to miss or hit the wrong spot. And if regular deer weren’t enough of a problem, residents of Montana need to keep a lookout for zombie deer. Permits are by lottery drawing for resident and nonresident. Deer - Firearms, Youth. If it is a small animal, like a rabbit, that was run over by a car then likely it will be too damaged to salvage. You can always hunt mule deer in your home state if you don't like the price in Montana. Offline. I … Game Management Bureau Chief John Vore of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says “Northwest Montana, our administrative Region 1, is the best place in Montana to hunt whitetail deer, although there are very good populations of whitetails in the rest of the state wherever there is riparian habitat or irrigated fields. The draw weight on your bow for shooting deer can vary slightly. Only one antlered deer may be taken during the entire firearms season (all portions combined). Elk Permit: The elk permit designates where you can hunt your elk. Several areas in Montana, mainly wildlife preserves, are closed until later in the year to allow peace to the wintering elk. Ecology and behavior of Mule Deer on the Rosebud Coal Mine, Montana. Report to U.S. Forest Service Region 1. You are permitted to purchase and use the number of Bonus Antlerless licenses that each … Flailing legs and hooves can hurt you. In mountain foothills, Mule Deer are widely distributed in summer in forest and subalpine. Feed early and late in the day. A hunter may take as many deer as allowed for each zone. There are also a lot of Grizzly bear, but there aren't tags for them yet. At times, it nests on gravel roofs or on lawns. Deer can be seen throughout most of California providing enjoyment for many outdoor enthusiasts. A good rule of thumb about these products is if a deer can only smell it, it is a cover scent and it is legal. Our Montana rifle elk hunts have a success rate of about 75% opportunity with an actual kill rate of 40%. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Permits are by lottery drawing for resident and nonresident. Not really a hard deer to spot but it is a really cool picture and will serve to get the ball rolling. Attain sexual maturity as yearlings. But if you want to hunt trophy elk in hunting district 380 (HD 380) or trophy mule deer in hunting district 270 (HD 270), for example, you need to apply for those hard-to-draw permits … and get the extra permission. From: Buckfvr. The first thing you should do is shoulder your crossbow, then open your eyes. RE: How many deer can you kill per year in your state? Any hunter can kill a trophy whitetail if they have access to the right piece of private property and they are patient. i just bought my hunting permit and it came with 1 tag. And many roadkill species--including elk, deer, boar, and certain game birds--are pretty darn tasty, and sell for quite a bit when farm-raised, packaged and offered in stores. Voter Registration . It’s far more likely for humans to kill bears in Montana, with about 25 bear deaths estimated annually, than vice versa. Our success for rifle deer runs about 85%. Our success for rifle deer runs about 85%. How many antlered deer can I harvest? Nov 26 2021 to Nov 28 2021. Migratory in mountain-foothill habitats (Mackie et al. 161 p. Werner, J.K., B.A. Montana Dept. on good range, does 160 to 180. Mountain Press Publishing, Missoula, Montana. Run with tail down in bounding leaps, keeping all feet together. If you’re hunting from your truck, there are a few additional items that you’ll want to have on hand. States You Can Legally Harvest Roadkill Montana Fish and Game Dept. Sometimes one or two buckshot will not kill the deer, depending upon where the deer is hit. Do not hesitate to call 911. You may kill a total of five deer per year (one of which may be a buck), but you must abide by the bag limit in the area you are hunting (you could kill one deer in a lottery area, two deer … You can download select species by searching or when you're on a Taxa page like Class, Order, and Family. Some might think that selecting humans as the most dangerous animal in Montana is a bit of a cop-out. A buck and a doe? There are around 14 million Americans that go hunting at least once per year, according to US Fish & Wildlife. License Fee: $1,089.50 Preference Points: $50 each Preference Points (PP) can be purchased from July 1 through Sept 30 for up to 2 years prior to applying for a nonresident big game license ONLY if you have not already obtained a nonresident license already for the current year. 2004. Many hunters choose where they hunt mule deer based on the type of terrain and scenery they want to experience. I'm uninformed as to how the tag system works. From ornery grizzly bears to moose, venomous snakes, and even vultures, Montana is a garden of Eden for wild animals of every stripe; we even have the occasional zebra sighting. If you want to take a 180 you can't hold out and then shoot a 160 or 170. Season:Sept. 1, 2018 – Jan. 21, 2019 Weapon:Archery Nonresident License Fees:Annual hunting, $140. Pack sizes correlate to how big the dinner table is, Smith said, and how many wolves can be seated at it. If you are committed to taking a big deer in Eastern Montana expect to eat a lot of tags or use that tag on a small two or three point. At close range, 12 gauge shotgun slug will kill just about any animal that ever walked the Earth. This is no small amount. A buck? From: multishot4. i know in some states you can go buy more after you use the first one. 1998. To know how far you can shoot your arrow, you need to understand that it depends on four major factors. The best decision ever made for deer management if you like to see mature bucks. Redmond. Mature bucks weigh 250 to 275 lbs. My reading of the regs is 1 deer a day, except muzzleloader in zones that allow 2 deer a day. Varies between areas and seasons. If you choose to shoot a lot of yearling bucks (1½ years old), each year the age structure of the herd will be composed of something like 75 percent 1½-year-olds, 15 percent 2½-year-olds, 7 percent 3½-year-olds, 2 to 3 percent 4½-year-olds, and 0 … Zone bag limits apply. Necks of rutting bucks swell. These variations depend on your state regulations, and your physical ability. But there are other places to hunt and I just can't rationalize the excessive cost … Yet bear attacks are uncommon and even downright rare. Forbs most important in summer, shrub browse used year-round, most important in fall, winter, and spring. The Bottom Line The average collision with a deer causes about $3,000 worth of damage. Rifle season started last Saturday and goes through January 1 in the northern zone and Jan 15 in the southern zone. A: Yes, but there are two restrictions. The most I killed in a season was 6. You could find a couple 150 bucks but I wouldn’t go into it with the expectations of shooting deer like that. Weather may stir them up. Moose, Whitetail deer, Mule deer, Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain goat, Pronghorn Antelope, Buffalo, Black Bear, Mountain Lion and canadian grey wolf. If you are not comfortable with this bow draw weight, you may have some difficulty in an accurate kill. An additional deer permit allows a hunter to take up to two additional deer beyond the four deer allowed by the statewide or youth deer permits. Coolers for quarters or processed … Here's some links if you want to download a whole group. They will interfere with your whitetail deer hunting. These tags allow you to hunt the general hunt districts in Montana. On average, over 100 people are killed every year in the United State as a result of car crashes with deer. 164 0. union county. Stillwater River - mule deer aging and skeletal development. All Rights Reserved. An even more eye-popping statistic is that close to 20% of these dog bites are so severe that they require professional medical attention. Healthy adult bucks shed antlers in January and February. According to the Center for Disease Control, there are close to 5 million dog bites each and every year in the United States. Only West Virginia sees more deer on car accidents than Montana. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. ... Mike Paul, with a fine mule deer buck from Montana Truck. 2000. If you have more than one permit, you must use them in another portion. Look for this PDF icon at the top of each page as you search and browse. 1998, Hutto and Young 1999, Maxell 2000, Foresman 2012, Adams 2003, and Werner et al. Copyright Jeff Rice, all rights reserved. Audio file courtesy of the Acoustic Atlas at Montana State University (www.acousticatlas.org), (Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version), (Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts), Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=AMALC02010, Great Plains Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna, Rocky Mountain Dry-Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Rocky Mountain Foothill Limber Pine - Juniper Woodland, Rocky Mountain Foothill Woodland-Steppe Transition, Rocky Mountain Mesic Montane Mixed Conifer Forest, Rocky Mountain Montane Douglas-fir Forest and Woodland, Rocky Mountain Ponderosa Pine Woodland and Savanna, Rocky Mountain Poor Site Lodgepole Pine Forest, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry-Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Mesic Spruce-Fir Forest and Woodland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Woodland and Parkland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane, Foothill, and Valley Grassland, Introduced Upland Vegetation - Annual and Biennial Forbland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Deciduous Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine Deciduous Shrubland, Northern Rocky Mountain Lower Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Lower Montane-Foothill Riparian Woodland and Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Shrubland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Woodland, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Mesic Meadow, Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Upper Montane Grassland, Beaver Institute (research, management, education), Beavers Northwest (conflict resolution, conservation, education), Identification Manual to the Small Mammals of British Columbia, Montana Department of Agriculture Vertebrate Pest Bulletins, Natural Heritage MapViewer (Statewide Database of Animal Observations), Revised Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico, Species Accounts for Mammals of the World, Details on Creation and Suggested Uses and Limitations. ... Where: You can find deer or elk sheds where bucks and bulls hung out when they dropped their antlers, which for deer begins in January and for elk begins in March. Ecological Systems Associated with this Species. When reading the regs for montana. Deer do not "go nocturnal". HuntTested Contributor, Mike Paul, with a fine mule deer buck from Montana Truck. Hendricks, C.R. Our Montana rifle elk hunts have a success rate of about 75% opportunity with an actual kill rate of 40%. Interspecific relationships vary depending on densities and species present. “Earn-A-Buck” Tags: If you register a total of 3 antlerless deer from private land during the same season, you may qualify for a replacement either-sex tag. Landowner PREFERENCE requires 160 acres for deer to get you preference for deer permits in your required area. Deer need larger stomachs for two reasons: (1) Plant matter is not dense in nutrients, so it takes a lot of it to provide a deer with what it needs; (2) Being prey animals, deer need to gather as much food as they can, as quickly as they can, … Find the deer in this brushy picture. That 160 or 170 is likely to be the deer you are looking for in one year. Widespread, common, and conspicuous, the Killdeer calls its name as it flies over farmland and other open country. … ok ive been looking it up for the past few days and i cant find a answer. how many deer can i kill in NY? From: CAS_HNTR. You pack a .22 caliber rim-fire handgun while big game hunting -- and/or use it to take a shot at a deer. Yes, you read that correctly. Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database. My buddy never shot any great bucks, but he did bring home some deer. The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is one of those animals that are on many hunters’ wish list. #1 Can You See the Deer? How many deer can you kill a year in Arkansas? If you stumble upon a spider in your house and wonder what you should do the best way to deal with it, poisonous or not, is to either trap it with a large container or kill it with a flyswatter. One or two chocolate brown, white-spotted fawns are born in June. Changes in Montana mule deer populations and management. Here is a to the audio instead. Deep snow can force them to spend day time looking for food. In TX where we hunt you can harvest 2 Mule deer (1 buck 1 doe) and 5 Whitetail (no more than 3 buck) Top. Deer permit, $120 (two deer) Application Info:Licenses and permits can be purchased over the counter. You can take 12 deer. Lv 6. During a normal season here in the counties I hunt I can harvest 3 with a bow, one must be a doe, and 3 with a rifle, again one must be doe. The 2020 numbers are estimates based on the number of deer reported as being registered (not necessarily killed) in each county and may not represent complete data from all registration stations. Becaus… Has history of population fluctuations in state. In Pennsylvania you can only kill ONE Buck. You can tell by a quick look whether or not roadkill can be salvaged. 0 0? You can include a rule in your hunting lease agreement that the hunter who leases your land needs to shoot 2 or 3 does before taking a buck to help you meet your property’s deer … Williams, P.C. Whether you’re a lifelong resident of the Big Sky state or merely passing through, this list of the top 7 most dangerous Montana animals is for you: The biggest surprise for most readers isn’t that bears are on such a list, but that they’re ranked so low. Bambi is one of the most dangerous animals in all of Montana. Larry's hunter … Food habits vary between years. The antler restrictions have helped, but the pressure keeps most harvest bucks just wider than 13 inches. Oct 30 2021 to Oct 31 2021; Nov 26 2021 to Nov 28 2021; Limits: Only one deer (of either sex) may be taken during the early youth portion. In the case of bee stings, victims’ bodies will often have a severe reaction to the poison released by the bee’s stinger. Shed hunting can also provide another small source of income as they are sellable as they are used for both medical and decorative purposes. A buck and a doe? Sleuthing about before I arrived, Andrea had discovered a cached adult deer at the base of the tree, all covered with grass and snow. Each county limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the entire firearms season. At close range, 12 gauge shotgun slug will kill just about any animal that ever walked the Earth. Ohio - 1 . Expert antler collectors comb known wintering areas, such as south- or southwest-facing low … You are permitted to buy one Firearms License, two Archery or Crossbow licenses, one Muzzleloader license, and 10 Deer Reduction Zone licenses. Amphibians and reptiles of Montana. But for the victims of dog bites and attacks, their injuries are anything but cute. Good winter range critical. Mammals of Montana. Missoula, MT. possible to kill more does with tags Dec 8, 2008 #2 . Each and every year, just under 100 deaths are reported from bee, hornet, or wasp stings. Maximum bag for bucks statewide is 3 (i think) regardless of season. Our hunts are conducted on the … 143 p. Gabb, J. E. 1952. Humans, by a wide margin, are definitely the most dangerous animal in all of Montana, so be sure to take the proper precautions when mingling with other people. Ph.D. Dissertation. How proper your technique is Two antlered and 10 does. Publication No. How many deer can a hunter take in NY State? Montana was home to 253,000 paid hunting-license holders in 2018, according to the F&WS. The important thing to remember with this option is that you can still call the shots. The next time you meet a friendly dog on the street remember that a third of all dog bites become infected. Young. Cows tend to view dogs to be no different than a weird sort of wolf, i.e. The most I've killed in one hunt is three, I learned the hard way, not to do that again. You can buy deer tags, elk, black bear, cougar and wolf over the counter. The state law allowing people to salvage deer, elk, antelope and moose killed on roadsides took effect in October. 1 decade ago. In prairie, uses breaks, badlands and brushy draws. Mule deer population ecology, habitat relationships, and relations to livestock grazing management and elk in the Missouri River Breaks, Montana Nichols Coulee RCA. and to … But the numbers speak for themselves. Login or register to post comments; Tue, 2012-02-07 23:22 #2. While the image of killer bears continues to dominate Hollywood movies, the truth is actually the exact opposite. Hart, M.M., W.A. Grass minor item in diet. Humans are a bigger threat to bears. 1999. 22-Oct-10. Deer and turkey kills must be telechecked by 10 p.m. the day they’re killed. 289 p. Dobkin, D. S.  1992. Attacking cows aren’t simply a problem for farmers to worry about either. R1-93-34. In order to take more than four deer statewide, an additional deer permit must be purchased. A deer, for example, is large enough to feed a pack of four to six wolves. If your state requires a minimum draw weight of 40 pounds, then you need to be able to comfortably use that weight minimum. The unofficial deer kill for New Hampshire’s 2020 season is listed below with comparisons to final kill totals for the previous 8 years. 1 decade ago. Anyone who walks or jogs in the countryside or near a dairy farm should be wary of killer cows, especially if a dog is accompanying you. If you have enough acrerage as a non resident landowner, you can get preference over non landowners. If you choose to hunt early in Kentucky, you will not be alone. Using this scope is very easy, irrespective of your hunting experience. Montana. Grasslands interspersed with brushy coulees or breaks; riparian habitat along prairie rivers; open to dense montane and subalpine coniferous forests, aspen groves. Common symptoms may include: If you’ve been bitten or stung by a flying insect and fear you may be suffering anaphylaxis, you should seek out medical attention immediately. The first surprising entry on this list is that of our friendly partners in farming and travel: cows and horses. WishIWasHunting. A dead moose will serve a pack of 15 wolves or more, Smith said. Second edition. Deer and turkey kills must be telechecked by 10 p.m. the day they’re killed. ... kill ur trump. Not to be confused with the license above. The General - Deer Combo is a deer tag only and the General - Big Game Combo is a deer and elk tag. The license allows you to kill an elk the permit tells you where you are … If you want to keep the hogs off your corn you will need a feeder pen made of hog panels. 22-Oct-10. 1982). We definitely have trophy class bulls in Montana! Do your research, as there are many smaller WMAs scattered across the area. Coolers for quarters or processed game. Domestic dogs may be furry and adorable pets. Limits: Only one deer (of either sex) may be taken during the early youth portion. #2 Most Dangerous Animal: Deer. 22-Oct-10. I’ve hunted Kentucky several times and recommend the Peabody and Land Between the Lakes Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). I've applied to hunt deer in Montana this season, mostly because I committed to do so with a friend. You have a higher chance of being killed by a wild animal in Montana than any other state. Granted, bears certainly are ferocious, especially the grizzly variety. how many deer can i kill in NY? There are … Additional opportunities may be granted to take an additional antlered deer in special circumstances, such as hunting in a Deer Reduction Zone, a military/refuge hunt, or in a State Park hunt. Montana likes to hunt the living shit out of their deer so finding a mature buck can be tough but it’s doable. Despite their seemingly docile nature, stampeding cows can be a real threat. Wa. Can a shotgun slug kill a grizzly bear? Well, let us forget about ethical and target and talk about HOW FAR! Sure. California's deer herds are a valuable resource to both hunters and non-hunters alike. Bitterbush, mountain mahogany, chokecherry, serviceberry, grasses and forbs. You may think twice before petting humanity’s alleged best friend. around here we can only kill one unless you draw an extra tag or buy an out of state tag. 3. 4. The word combination confuses people. While not technically an animal, these flying insects certainly wreak havoc upon both the Montana and the US population. i just bought my hunting permit and it came with 1 tag. Mountain mule deer eat different browse that result in large antler base mass, as well as deep chocolate coloration of the antlers. you will notice that it lists what you can hunt with a deer "A" license (think general deer license, included in the NR Combo licenses) and some (most) areas have some deer "B" licenses available for antlerless deer. ... How many deer can a hunter take in NY State? Bag Limits. More gregarious and migratory (mostly elevational movements) than White-tailed Deer. A buck? This is the tag that lets you harvest an elk in the state of Montana. Private landowners may kill up to 100 wolves a year they believe are threatening livestock, dogs or people under a new state law that doesn’t count toward Montana’s wolf-hunting season. Deer are nocturnal. Can you take more than 2 by going to different regions, eg: 1 buck (Catskills), 1 buck (Adirondacks), 1 buck (West Point)? 2 bucks and 2 does on your license. Tail short and round with black tip. 262 p. Commonly Associated with these Ecological Systems, Occasionally Associated with these Ecological Systems, Web Search Engines for Articles on "Mule Deer", Additional Sources of Information Related to "Mammals". Many … Montana atlas of terrestrial vertebrates. a predator, and they will not hesitate to charge full force to protect themselves. A dead elk will provide a setting for nine to 10 wolves — typical for pack sizes in Yellowstone. bett_lou, Dec 8, 2008. bett_lou, Dec 8, 2008. Can you take more than 2 by going to different regions, eg: 1 buck (Catskills), 1 buck … 10. If you’re nervous around spiders, though, you may consider finding someone with a bit more confidence to take care of the pesky arachnid. Each and every year, Montana sees the following harrowing statistics: The fact of the matter is that you are far more likely be injured by the actions of a fellow human than an angry bear or a ferocious wolf. For example, you buy or draw your license and you’re now able to hunt deer and elk in many places across Montana. P-R Quarterly … Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. If a deer can lick and ingest it, it is considered bait and it is illegal. Bobcats usually breed mid-February through mid-April in Montana, with kittens born 50-60 days later. and J.S. Available 2020 Surplus Licenses Download the list (PDF) Transfer of game animal or wolf Download the form (PDF) Hunting surveys help improve next season's hunting opportunities Online Hunter Surveys > Bats of the Rocky Mountain West; natural history, ecology, and conservation. Popular. Non-Resident Youth Elk & Deer Combo (Ages 12-18) ... 500 Nonresident Elk Combination licenses and 500 Nonresident Deer Combination licenses will be issued to … I guarantee you’ll have … Missoula, MT: Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana. 429 pp. Maxell, P. Hendricks, and D. Flath. Using personal observations and reviewing literature that summarize the breeding, overwintering, or migratory habitat requirements of each species (Dobkin 1992, Hart et al. I would be totally comfortable with a limit of one buck and two does per hunter, statewide (not counting draw hunts) My average over my 16 years of deer hunting is right around 1.25 deer per year. Dates. The hobo spider, otherwise known as the aggressive house spider, is a quick devil found in basements or on the ground and it has no qualms with attacking you if it feels it is in danger. Deer cause so many accidents in Montana that it’s estimated that 1 out of every 57 Montanans have been involved in a car accident with a deer. Reproduction occurs in late November; dominant bucks breed more than one doe. Antlers fork and fork again; typical adult buck has four tines on each side (or five if brow tines are present); forward-tipping brow tines are shorter than those of White-tailed Deer or may be absent. Landowner PREFERENCE requires 160 acres for deer to get you preference for deer permits in your required area. Montana Mulies. In fact, there are barely 3 bear attacks each year in all of North America, much less Montana. Both deer and elk have been dropping antlers already this year and many have are completely done. View in other NatureServe Network Field Guides, It seems your browser doesn't support HTML5 audio. Bambi is one of the most dangerous animals in all of Montana. Further, 152,000 hunters … You see them at all times of the day for several reasons. Yes, you read that correctly. The other venomous Montana spider, however, isn’t as friendly. ... You can expect an average of 80% success rate on buck mule deer. The deer is the deadliest animal in America. RMc Member. (Can you find the deer? America's Premier Personal Injury & Accident Law Firm, The Top 7 Most Dangerous Animals in Montana, Common Airbag Safety Issues You Should Know, Filing COVID-19 Injury Claims: A How-To Guide, Top 5 Worst Dog Attacks in Montana History, Skin discoloration, typically white or red, Extreme swelling of the face, mouth, and throat. Reactions: Winchester, kidoggy and Gr8bawana. 22-Oct-10. Mountain mule deer eat different browse that result in large antler base mass, as well as deep chocolate coloration of the antlers. 2004); Evaluating structural characteristics and distribution of each ecological system relative to the species' range and habitat requirements; Examining the observation records for each species in the state-wide point observation database associated with each ecological system; Calculating the percentage of observations associated with each ecological system relative to the percent of Montana covered by each ecological system to get a measure of "observations versus availability of habitat".