Sul Ross State University

Characteristics of Mountain Lion Home Ranges
on Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas

by Gilbert Guzman and Louis A. Harveson

Twenty-one mountain lions (Puma concolor) were captured on Big Bend Ranch State Park, 22 January 1993 through 28 March 1996, using leghold snares and trained hounds. Captured mountain lions were examined, aged, and a series of morphological measurements were recorded.

Sixteen mountain lions were fitted with radio transmitters operating on specific frequencies. Radio-collared mountain lions were monitored from the ground and fixed-wing aircraft.

A total of 711 locations was recorded for 10 male and 5 female mountain lions. Home ranges were delineated for 6 male and 5 female mountain lions.

Average annual ranges (100% minimum convex polygon) for adult male mountain lions (348.6 km²) were larger (P < 0.05) than for adult female mountain lions (205.9 km²). Average percent overlap (100% minimum convex polygon) for of annual female-female, male-male and female-male mountain lion ranges were 26.1, 22.9 and 28.9, respectively.

Annual shifts were apparent (P < 0.05) for female mountain lions and for the cumulative male mountain lion ranges. Mountain lion density (No./100 km²) ranged from 0.26-0.59.

Mountain lion mortalities were attributed to predator control practices on private land (n = 15), hunting (n = 1), and other causes (n = 3) on the study area. The mountain lion population level on BBRSP was limited by high mortality rates of female and male mountain lions.

Funding provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department