We are a research group focused on providing a scientific basis for management and conservation of ungulates. Often through individual-based research and intensive field studies, we connect individual animals to their environment to learn what influences their behavior, growth, reproduction, and survival in the face of a changing world. Our aim and our motto are to “advance science and management one data point at a time.” Learning about these species in a way that can shape on-the-ground decisions is contingent upon long-term, empirical data, which are hard to come by.
Through comprehensive field studies, scientific output, and active engagement with scientists, stakeholders, and the general public, the overarching goal of our group is to provide meaningful contributions to the field of wildlife ecology while effectively informing management decisions.
Leader:

Kevin Monteith
Hometown: Bristol, SD
Degrees: Kevin earned a BSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and an MSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University. He earned his PhD in Biological Sciences from Idaho State University.
Projects: All of them…
Graduate students:

Becky Barbier
Hometown: Centennial, WY
Degrees: Becky is pursuing an MSc in Environment and Natural Resources with the Shop. Before this, she earned a BSc in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, with a minor in Ecological Restoration, from Colorado State University.
Project: Moose Habitat Project (page forthcoming!)

Jack Gavin
Hometown: Wenatchee, WA
Degrees: Jack is pursuing an MSc in Zoology and Physiology with the Shop. Before this, he earned a BSc in Environmental Science and GIS from Western Washington University.
Projects: Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Nutrition and Disease Project

Ty Hults
Hometown: Knob Noster, Missouri
Degrees: Ty is pursuing an MSc in Zoology and Physiology with the Shop. Before this, he earned a BSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management from the University of Wyoming.
Projects: Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Nutrition and Disease Project

Macy Jacobson
Hometown: Lander, WY
Degrees: Macy is pursuing an MSc in Environment and Natural Resources with the Shop. Before this, she earned an AS in Wildlife Biology from Casper College and a BSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, with a concurrent major in Environment and Natural Resources, from the University of Wyoming.
Projects: Beaver-Ungulate Interaction Project (page forthcoming!)

Rebekah Rafferty
Hometown: Solvang, California
Degrees: Rebekah is pursuing a PhD in Zoology and Physiology with the Shop. Before this, she earned BAs in both Environmental Studies and Modern Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an MA in Social Science, Environment, and Community from Humboldt State University.
Projects: Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

Seth Rankins
Hometown: Cusseta, Alabama
Degrees: Seth is pursuing a PhD in Zoology and Physiology with the Shop. Before this, he earned a BSc in Wildlife Ecology and Management from Auburn University and an MSc in Rangeland and Wildlife Management from Texas A&M University – Kingsville.
Projects: Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Project

Yasaman Shakeri
Hometown: San Jose, California
Degrees: Yasaman is pursuing a PhD in Zoology and Physiology with the Shop. Before this, she earned a BA in Environmental Studies from University of California Santa Cruz and an MSc in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Oregon State University.
Projects: Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Project
Staff:

Rebecca Levine
Hometown: Providence, RI
Degrees: Before starting as a research scientist, Rebecca earned a BA in Biology from Swarthmore College and an MSc in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming.
Projects: Meeteetse Moose Project

Ben Regan
Hometown: Reno, NV
Degrees: Before starting as a research scientist, Ben earned a BSc in Fisheries and Wildlife Management from Montana State University.
Projects: All of them!

Brittany Wagler
Hometown: Cody, WY
Degrees: Before starting as a research scientist, Brittany earned a BSc in Zoology and Physiology and an MSc in Zoology and Physiology, both from the University of Wyoming.
Projects: Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Nutrition and Disease Project
Link to CV

Taylor Wagstaff
Hometown: Hulett, WY
Degrees: Before starting as a research scientist and lab coordinator, Taylor earned an AS in Science from Eastern Wyoming College and a BSc in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, with minors in Honors and Creative Writing, from the University of Wyoming.
Projects: All of them!
Alumni:

Heather Abernathy
Postdoctoral researcher on Deer-Elk Ecology Research Project

Ellen Aikens
PhD student on Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

Mitch Brunet
Master’s student, followed by research scientist, on Deer-Elk Ecology Research Project

Kristin Denryter
Postdoctoral researcher on Sierra Nevada Desert Bighorn Sheep Project

Sam Dwinnell
Master’s student, followed by research scientist, on Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

Matt Hayes
Research scientist on Deer-Elk Ecology Research Project

Kristin Denryter
Master’s student on Deer-Elk Ecology Research Project

Rhiannon Jakopak
Master’s student on Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, followed by research scientist on Casper Mule Deer Project

Jaron Kolek
Master’s student on Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep Project

Bryan Lamont
Master’s student on Sierra Madre Elk Project

Tayler LaSharr
Master’s student on Harvest Records Project, then PhD student and research scientist on Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project

Alex May
Master’s student on Snowy Range Moose Project

Emily Reed
Undergraduate student on Ungulate Compendium project

Rachel Smiley
PhD student on Wyoming Bighorn Sheep Nutrition and Disease Project

Lee Tafelmeyer
Master’s student on Pronghorn Harvest Project
Shop Friends:

Hayduke
Person: Rebekah Rafferty

Koda
Person: Brittany Wagler

Kohda
Person: Yasaman Shakeri

Remi
Person: Taylor Wagstaff