Specifications include, but are not limited to: The primary aim of this research is to explore the abiotic and biotic factors affecting antler and horn characteristics in Nevada's native ungulates, specifically elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep. This study intends to enhance the Nevada Department of Wildlife's (NDOW) understanding of horn and antler growth trends to improve ungulate management. 1. Objectives: • Analyze spatial and temporal trends in antler and horn measurements for Nevada ungulates. • Assess general trends in quality metrics such as main beam length, horn length, mass, and base circumference. • Correlate trends in horn and antler growth with habitat variables like Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), shrub, tree and grass cover and other environmental factors. • Evaluate the impact of feral horse overpopulation on habitat quality and ungulate secondary sexual characteristics. • Use statistical models to assess relationships between horn/antler measurements and various abiotic covariates (e.g., # tags issued previous years, changes in season dates, etc.) • Conduct temporal and spatial statistical analyses to identify significant trends and correlations over a long period, using Nevada Record Book data from 1941 to the present for mule deer and 1970’s to current for other species such antelope, elk, and bighorn sheep
