This workshop is designed to introduce users to the Distance Sampling method for estimating the abundance of animal populations. Through a series of lectures, in-the-field data collection, and computer instruction, users will learn the fundamentals of the method and its applications. Emphasis is on estimating abundance of white-tailed deer along transects, though other applications and extensions of the method will be discussed.

Who Should Attend: Resource managers in state, county and federal land units who have an interest and need to collect high quality data on the abundance of white-tailed deer. There is no other workshop of its kind east of the Mississippi River!

Instructor: Dr. H. Brian Underwood, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, has over seven years experience with designing, collecting, analyzing and interpreting distance data for deer herd abundance estimation. He has overseen the conduct of hundreds of surveys for deer on areas as large as 18,000 acres to as small as 500 acres. He and his students have adapted the method for night spotlighting  of deer, and applied it throughout the country. Users include the National Park Service, Long Island State Parks Commission and the Cleveland-Metro Parks Commission.

Dates: October 21-24, 2002

Location: SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY. A map and directions will be sent with acknowledgment of registration.

Questions?Contact ESF Continuing Education at (315) 470-6891, ce@esf.edu.