PRONGHORN HOME-RANGE RELATIVE TO PERMANENT WATER IN SOUTHERN NEW-MEXICO

Movements of seven pronghorn were monitored in Chihuahuan Desert using radio telemetry to determine closest distance to water, home range si ze and habitat use. Distance to closest water source for all seasons a veraged 2,667 +/- 164 m. Adults ranged farther from water sources duri ng summer than fall, winter or spring. Home range size for all animals averaged 2,259 +/- 656 ha and ranged from 938 to 3,773 ha. Yearlings had larger home ranges than adults, but ranges did not differ between males and females. Pronghorn showed a preference for grass-mesquite-yu cca and grassland communities but mesquite communities were important for fawning.