Use of Live-Trapping with the Assessment Line Method for Density Estimation

Density was estimated for the old-field mouse ( Peromyscus polionotus ) and the cotton rat ( Sigmodon hispidus ). Two types of trapping configurations, grid and parallel census lines, each with assessment lines, were used for density determinations. Live-trapping was followed by removal trapping on the same study sites. Population densities were calculated for each configuration from both sets of trapping data (live and removal). The results for both methods are compared and recommendations are given. Live-trapping using assessment lines appears to yield better estimates of density than removal trapping.