FALL EARLY WINTER HOME RANGES, MOVEMENTS, AND DEN USE OF MALE MINK, MUSTELA-VISON, IN EASTERN TENNESSEE

Three male stream-dwelling Mink (Mustela vison), one juvenile and two adults, were radiotracked on 97 occasions during fall and early winter in eastern Tennessee. Home range estimates ranged between 5663 m and 11083 m and average home range was the largest reported for the specie s. Mink made overnight movements of up to 4300 m within their home ran ges, and used between 8 and 24 dens within their home ranges. Bank bur rows, such as abandoned Woodchuck (Marmota monax) and Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) burrows and cavities within exposed tree roots. were rile most often used den type (57% of dens). Male Mink home ranges and mov ements are potentially influenced by feeding requirements, access to f emales, and territoriality, but data on the extent of influence by eac h of these factors is limited at present.