L. David Mech "Dave"

Wolf Tech Positions

Four field technicians needed to live-trap, drug, and radio-collar wolves in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota from May through August by vehicles along forest roads, and from September through November by canoe and camping in wilderness areas. Also radio-tracking deer during summer. We are also willing to consider techs who can only work from May through August or from September through November. However, all else being equal, applicants who can work May - November will be given priority.

On-the-job training. Excellent chance to gain experience and competency in these basic wildlife research techniques.

The project will be directly supervised by Dr. Michael E. Nelson.

Qualifications:

  1. At least 4 years of courses in wildlife, biology, ecology or zoology
  2. Good references
  3. Willingness and ability to work long hours in semi-wilderness conditions, but good living conditions
  4. Hunting, fur-trapping, hiking, backpacking, and/or camping experience
  5. Must be a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number, in order to receive reimbursement for food (see below). If willing to forego payment for food, I can accept foreign volunteers or others without Social Security numbers.

Compensation:

Free housing, including cooking facilities; excellent working conditions; excellent experience with live-trapping, radio-tagging, and radio tracking wolves and deer, and examining wolf-killed deer during winter; $15.00/day food stipend.

To Apply:

Download application form (Word .doc)

Please return application to: L. David Mech, U.S. Geological Survey, The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108 or e-mail to mechx002@umn.edu

For Further Information:

Contact David Mech, U. S. Geological survey, Rm 100E, The Raptor Center, University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108. Phone 651-649-5231, Fax 651-649-5233, mechx002@umn.edu

For Research Details:

See Wildlife Monographs No. 77 and 80; J. Wildl. Mgmt. 50:691-698, 59:565-570, and 54:297-299; Can. J. Zool. 69:2946-2955 and 72:1557-1565.

Besides my own research in Minnesota, the High Arctic, and Yellowstone, I know of only the following ongoing research projects on wolves in North America.

  • Canada - Dr. Paul Paquet, ppaquet@sk.sympatico.ca
  • Yellowstone - Dr. Doug Smith, Yellowstone Center for Resources, P. O. Box 168, YNP, WY 82190, Deb_Guernsey@nps.gov
  • Isle Royale - Dr. Rolf Peterson, Biological Sciences Dept., Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, ropeters@mtu.edu
  • Montana - Dr. Dan Pletscher, School of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, pletsch@forestry.umt.edu
  • North Carolina - Ms. Kathy Whidbee , U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Red Wolf Recovery Program, 708 North Highway 64, P.O Box 1969, Manteo, NC 27954, Kathy_Whidbee@fws.gov
  • Wisconsin - Dr. Jack Stewart, Professor & Director, Wolf Research Team, Northland College, Ashland, WI 54806
  • Captive Wolf Studies:
    • Dr. Erich Klinghammer, North American Wildlife Park Foundation, Battle Ground, IN 47920, ekltiki@dcwi.com
    • Dr. Fred Harrington, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3M 2J6, fred.harrington@msvu.ca

Most of these individuals already have enough employees and graduate students, but it might be advisable to write them, telling them that if no positions are available, they do not need to reply.