Density-Related Changes in Winter Distribution of Snowshoe Hares in Northcentral Minnesota

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Abstract
Patterns of cover-type use in winter by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) were determined from presence of pellets on plots searching during 1969-84 when hare numbers increased substantially and subsequently declined. During population lows pellets were present more often in vegetation providing low, dense cover, i.e., Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea)-White Spruce (Picea glauca) (BS) and Cedar (eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis) (CD) types. As hare numbers increased the proportion of plots with pellets increased for all cover types, but fewer were found in types with less cover, i.e., Red Pine (Pinus resinosa)-White Pine (P. strobus) (PP) and nonforested (NF).