OCCURRENCE OF SMALL, NONGAME MAMMALS IN SOUTH DAKOTA'S EASTERN BORDER COUNTIES, 1994-1995

Less is known about small, nongame mammals in South Dakota than other mammal groups. During 1994-95, we collected small, nongame mammals in 3 primary habitat types along eastern South Dakota’s 8 border counties. Small mammals were sampled with snap and Sherman live-traps baited with a mixture of oats, peanut butter, and bacon grease. Of nearly 2,000 specimens collected, approximately 200 were archived in the Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Sixteen species were captured of which 12 were small nongame species. Species richness did not vary among habitat types but capture rates did vary by habitat type and county.