The problem is, telemetry is simply a whole lot of fun. It surfaces the hunting instinct in researchers. So they mindlessly become believers of that method.

The problem is, if what they are doing is to study behavior(and that's what they are doing) they need to study the methods for studying behavior. Ethology is the science of animal behavior and it has rules of study. The very first and simplest rule is, do not interfere with behavior to study behavior. Which is normally totally dismissed with biologist. Its dismissed because they do not understand the options. Like, what else are we going to do.

As we know, humans are silly things, its all about A or Z. which is seen here. The problem is, A or Z is limiting and useless. If I were to do that study, I would start off by radio tagging a couple of mature males and following them to females, then set up a series of Deer stands and watch the area. That is both A and Z. Then adjust to what works. The problem is again about the researchers. They normally do not know or have experience with the animals, so they have no base to compare too. What ever they record is right, because they have nothing to compare it too. I do like telemetry studies, but I wish they would include a warning like Harley does, "If not done by Harley severe injury or death could occur". They need to add, this is what occurs when a snake is captured removed, having a severe medical procedure done, then immediately released and followed by big ugly predators. In that, they are indeed accurate. They bad they cannot tell what the snake is thinking."can anyone change the radio channel, this one is boring, or ouch, ouch, ouch ouch ouch, as the snake is crawling away. Or, man that is one horny human,(giant antennae sticking out it their heads) lets get our butts out of here.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]