Ecol ogy of the Black Hills 214:1–5:1 in this area (Turner 1974). Furthermore, white- tailed deer are migratory, with
regions displaying unique migratory patterns; northern white- tails migrate about
16 km north- south (their high- elevational summer range is south of their low-
elevational winter range [the northern fringe of the Black Hills]), central white- tails
migrate 48 km northwest- southeast (their summer range is located within and along
the Wyoming border), and southern white- tails migrate north- south (their summer
range is north of their low- elevational winter range) (Griffin et al. 1994, 1999; Griffin,
Jenks, and DePerno 2004; fig. 2.5). Because white- tails are the most common prey
available to mountain lions in the Black Hills, we originally hypothesized that the
diverse migrational patterns of white- tails could influence the movements and patterns
of occupancy of this large predator.
Elk and bighorn sheep (fig. 2.6), historical inhabitants of the region, have been re-
introduced, along with mountain goats. Elk mainly occupy the northern, west central,
and southern regions of the Black Hills, while bighorn sheep herds occur in the Rapid
City, Spring Creek, Custer State Park, and Elk Mountain areas (Parr 2015). Moun-
tain goats occur around Black Elk Peak and Mount Rushmore. Pronghorn (Antilocapra
americana) are limited to the Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park area
but have been sighted in other areas of the Black Hills.
The predator guild of the Black Hills also includes both coyote and bobcat (Lyn x
rufus). Historically, the region was occupied by gray wolf (Canis lupus) and grizzly
figure 2.6. Bighorn sheep have been reintroduced to the Black Hills. Photo by Brynn Parr.