Impacts of coyote removal on space use by greater sage-grouse

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are in decline across western North America. Identification of management strategies to enhance populations, such as predator management, may be needed to reduce further declines, but unintentional effects associated with increased human activity should also be considered. We evaluated the effect of 3 levels of predator management effort on greater sage-grouse space use. Home range size, movement rate, seasonal movement timing, and inter-seasonal distances traveled were examined as behavioral responses relative to levels of coyote removal in Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. We observed larger home range sizes during brood-rearing but overall smaller annual core (25% density kernel) sizes with higher levels of predator management. We observed higher movement rates, farther inter-seasonal distances traveled, and higher proportions of sage-grouse making inter-seasonal movements with increased predator removal effort. Our findings suggest activities like predator management may influence behavioral and spatial aspects of sage-grouse ecology. Management actions must consider the direct and indirect effects actions taken to improve a population’s growth will have on behavior, habitat use, and ultimately, long-term persistence.