73 



Age class of game species . The proportion of adults, subadults, and young taken by hunters 

 varied between species. For all mammals combined, adults were taken more frequently than subadults 

 or young (55% adults, 43% subadults, and 2% young; Table 3-2). The greatest difference by species 

 was with the pocket gopher (87% adult and 13% subadult), but the percentage of adults versus 

 subadults and young also were high for brocket deer (Mazama americana [Cervidae]; 75% adult and 

 25% subadult) and white-tailed deer (67% adult, 25% subadult, and 8% young). 



Adult birds also were taken more frequently than subadults or young overall and for each of 

 the four taxa (83% adults, 17% subadults, and 0% young (Table 3-2). Few subadult or young birds 

 were taken. 



Reproductive condition . Reproductively active females were harvested by hunters. Among 

 mammals, none of the pocket gophers (n = 33 females; see Table 3-2 for numbers of females) or 

 white-tailed deer that were harvested were determined to be gravid. Pregnant white-lipped peccaries 

 (100% with embryos or fetuses), agoutis (27%), pacas (20%), brocket deer (17%), collared peccaries 

 (15%), and coatis (2%) were noted (Figure 3-1). About 32% of the white-tailed deer and 20% of the 

 pacas taken were lactating. 



Among birds, none of the great curassows or ocellated turkeys that were harvested were 

 determined to be gravid. Thicket tinamous (25%; see Table 3-2 for numbers of females) and plain 

 chachalacas (5%) with eggs were noted (Figure 3-1). None of the birds taken had a brood patch. The 

 reproductive condition of many birds and mammals was impossible to determine due to damage that 

 resulted from stomach shots by hunters. 



Distribution of take by month . The take of game animals by month varied during the study. 

 For both mammals (x^ = 157.54, d.f. = 16, P < 0.005) and birds (x^ = 28.56, d.f. = 6, P < 

 0.005), there were significant differences among months. 



Game species generally were taken throughout the year, but the majority of individuals of a 

 taxon tended to be taken by hunters during shorter periods of three-five months each (Figures 3-2 & 3- 

 3). It is important to note the length and timing of these periods were different for each species. The 



