Factors Affecting Trap Responses of the Gray Squirrel

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Abstract
Trap responses of the gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) to 14 time-dependent and 50 physical variables were evaluated utilizing standardized trap lines in 2 swamp watersheds during the summers and winters of 1972 and 1973. Squirrel trap response varied significantly in relation to local conditions and depended on sex, age, capture status, habitat, season and area. Climatological factors significantly related to squirrel capture success included wind velocity, precipitation and cloudiness. Stream depth and time of checking traps were also important. Significant trap site factors included density and diameter at breast height (dbh) of various hardwood tree species and distances to nearest field and main stram. High intrinsic variability characterized trap response in this study, although lack of fit was not significant for most regression models. Indications were: adjustments for environmental variation are required to obtain accurate mark-recapture population statistics, especially when different habitats or areas are compared; more accurate population estimates may be obtained if individual sex-age segments are considered separately; and data from heterogeneous habitats should be segregated to minimize population estimation variability.

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