Could GPS Collars be a Problem?

Founder · May 12, 2023

I spent the day yesterday with the biologist up in Wyoming. The first thing we did was go look at a deer that had been collared that died.

The collar had already been removed, but upon looking at the deer I noticed that all the hair and skin on the back of the deers neck had been rubbed off by the collar. See the photo and you can see the long wound.

My question was, could something like that become infected and possibly cause a deer in rough shape already because of a difficult winter, to die.?????

What do you all think?

Betterluckythangood · May 12, 2023

Yes, it probably adds stress to any animal and interferes with some movement whether it’s feeding, going through thick cover or hunting in the case of predators. Hopefully it’s a net gain

llamapacker · May 12, 2023

While you can always "what if" any situation, I would say the deer in question doesn't show any sign of infection. Not sure I can see any way the GPS collar helped the deer, but it is pretty clear from the carcass the deer had bigger problems.
Bill

gundog2 · May 12, 2023

It may not be infected, but it would surely add stress to the animal. If that is a common side effect of collaring deer, then I got a problem with it.

elkantlers · May 12, 2023

Certainly, every deer that dies with a collar on is investigated and would have pictures. I would hope that if they all have that type of rubbed area that the monitoring agency would be doing something to make the collar more user friendly. I would assume that the deer in the picture had the rub because it was starving and the spine was sticking up with no meat and fat around it to cushion the bone.
Honestly, If the Wildlife board is going to throw out the valuable information these collars provide, they should just scrap the program and put the money towards lunches and new suits for the WB.

hossblur · May 12, 2023

In 2023 would I be wrong in assuming an ear tag could be used?

My dog wears a collar year round and it doesn't look like that.

@Founder trying to get in on som gps data in Wyoming. Always hustling ?

BrowningRage · May 12, 2023

Wait, you mean you were on a sanctioned scouting trip for the Shed Hunt on Monday.?? ?

Also, I'd say there is some risk of detriment to animals that are collared. I'm guessing they take it into account when developing their research study.

JakeH · May 13, 2023

They have been using collars for decades now, while I am sure there are some "issues" that collared deer experience more than non collared deer I'm sure it's not a detrimental effect. I'm also sure they get used too wearing the collar pretty quickly.

EVILNR · May 13, 2023

Definitely added stress that could be the tipping point in
survival.

mtnrunner260 · May 13, 2023

There was a doe captured 13 times in the Red Desert migration study. They seem to handle that ok.
I wonder if a predator sees a collar or ear tags and sees it as a positive or negative for its selection of that animal.

Founder · May 13, 2023

It would be very interesting to see more collared deer that died this year and see what their necks look like.

Collared deer and their mortality rate are being used this year to form opinions on winterkill, so when I see the damage this collar did, it has me wondering.

If when these deer lose a lot of weigh the collars can begin creating open wounds that at best are going to weaken the deer even more and quite likely become infected and actually cause death, are the collars a useful tool to be using to determine mortality?

JakeH · May 13, 2023

Founder said:
It would be very interesting to see more collared deer that died this year and see what their necks look like.

Collared deer and their mortality rate are being used this year to form opinions on winterkill, so when I see the damage this collar did, it has me wondering.

If when these deer lose a lot of weigh the collars can begin creating open wounds that at best are going to weaken the deer even more and quite likely become infected and actually cause death, are the collars a useful tool to be using to determine mortality?

Did you ask the biologist these questions?

hawkbill · May 13, 2023

They get good information off the collars, but an open wound when weak on the winter range would kill her

Focoelkman · May 13, 2023

Awfully odd question. Seems like a waste of time and money study? How old was this deer? Agree with others that a collar is so 1980s : how about a chip ?
AI can already tell you where they go anyway !

jims · May 14, 2023

When was the collar placed on the deer? If it was a fawn or yearling it likely was a bit tight when older. There probably are a few collar options available that won't create near as much damage. It's hard to say but there could have been something that got stuck between the collar and deer's neck that created the wound. You never know wear on the back of neck with loss of weight could be an option? There are lots of different scenarios.

sneakem · May 14, 2023

I really don't think it has that much bearing on survival. Most animals I've seen collared mainly have their hair under the collar worn. The collar itself acts like insulation in the place of the hair. That almost looks as though maybe the collar got hooked on a fence or something and the deer struggled to pull it free to me....

Several years back while guiding there was a cow elk that had a toilet seat stuck around her neck. We promptly named her $h!Thead. She had that thing around her neck for 5 years, and we would see her every fall. The only thing that did her in was a bullet from a hunter on the late winter range...other than that she was fine, she also survived a tougher than normal winter during that timeframe, can't imagine a collar would be worse than a toilet seat...

Wyo_Roadhunter · May 14, 2023

I'd imagine chasing them with helicopters in the worst part of winter stressing them out is probably worse than the collar itself.

schoolhousegrizz · May 14, 2023

Founder said:
It would be very interesting to see more collared deer that died this year and see what their necks look like.

Collared deer and their mortality rate are being used this year to form opinions on winterkill, so when I see the damage this collar did, it has me wondering.

If when these deer lose a lot of weigh the collars can begin creating open wounds that at best are going to weaken the deer even more and quite likely become infected and actually cause death, are the collars a useful tool to be using to determine mortality?

It seems like this day and age they could just put a chip in the ear or something. Or anywhere just under the hide really.

roadrunner · May 14, 2023

This is why GPS collars should be removed from wolves, it is harmful to their well-being.

mtmuley · May 14, 2023

Why aren't you guys all biologists? mtmuley

eelgrass · May 14, 2023

Could GPS collars be a problem? I doubt it.

But then I didn't think a wedding ring was going to be a problem either.

BrianID · May 14, 2023

I doubt a collar is a problem for most deer but I'm sure it causes a problem for a few.

BigJohnson · May 14, 2023

You spent the day with the biologist. Perhaps you should ask him?

littlebighorn · May 14, 2023

I used to have to wear a neck tie to work. Man I was sure happy when that requirement was eliminated!

NPHunter · May 15, 2023

hossblur said:
In 2023 would I be wrong in assuming an ear tag could be used?

My dog wears a collar year round and it doesn't look like that.

@Founder trying to get in on som gps data in Wyoming. Always hustling ?

Ear tags fall out of cattle and they are slow lazy animals, they do ear tag some deer and elk as well but those are to collect less useful data. I have a hound that constantly has skin issues under her collar, it will wear raw spots on her and her hair comes off. We've dealt with it for years and the vet says she just has sensitive skin and there's not much we can do, we just remove it when it flares up and try to keep it on when shes outside. Anyway, I'm sure all animals are the same, I've glassed up dozens of collared elk and deer and have never noticed any sores on them.

roadrunner · May 15, 2023

mtmuley said:
Why aren't you guys all biologists? mtmuley

Probably the same reason you aren't?

nontypical · May 16, 2023

mtmuley said:
Why aren't you guys all biologists? mtmuley

We're not?

Wyo_Roadhunter · May 16, 2023

mtmuley said:
Why aren't you guys all biologists? mtmuley

Mostly cause the pay sucks ?

roadrunner · May 16, 2023

Wyo_Roadhunter said:
Mostly cause the pay sucks ?

But the retirement benefits are killer, that is for government work because the only need for a biologist is in public service.

Just ask buzzH. Laffin'.