. The Canadian field-naturalist. 262 The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol. 103. Figure 1. Map of study area location in Jasper National Park, Alberta. between 1100 and 1400 h, and I would depart on the last day of the visit in early afternoon. Thus, a three-day visit accounted for two full observation days. During each visit, I used the same camp site and hiked over the same ground. Sightings of Coyotes, foxes and other animals were recorded in note books. Tracks of Red Foxes, positively identified by narrow heel pad and other characteristics (Murie 1954, Dekker 1985c), were counted conservativel
. The Canadian field-naturalist. 262 The Canadian Field-Naturalist Vol. 103. Figure 1. Map of study area location in Jasper National Park, Alberta. between 1100 and 1400 h, and I would depart on the last day of the visit in early afternoon. Thus, a three-day visit accounted for two full observation days. During each visit, I used the same camp site and hiked over the same ground. Sightings of Coyotes, foxes and other animals were recorded in note books. Tracks of Red Foxes, positively identified by narrow heel pad and other characteristics (Murie 1954, Dekker 1985c), were counted conservatively, assuming that several sets of similarly-sized tracks at one location were made by the same fox. Results Of 55 Coyotes sighted, 45 were single and 10 were in pairs. All Coyotes appeared well-furred and there was no evidence of disease. Numbers of Coyotes per day increased from in 1980 to in 1983 and in 1984, and decreased again to a low of in 1988 (Table 1). Red foxes were seen on 24 occasions. All except four of the fox sightings were on or near the slopes. By contrast, 82% of Coyote sightings were on valley bottoms (Table 2). The recorded sightings show a significant difference (P < Chi- square) in location between foxes and Coyotes. Fox tracks were found whenever snow conditions were suitable along the mountainsides at Devona and adjacent slopes between Snaring and Miette cabin. From 1980 to 1987, 106 fox tracks were counted on the hillsides or near their base, and nine tracks led away from the slopes on to the valley bottom for more than km. No count of Coyote tracks was kept, but they appeared to be ubiquitous on the flats and Table 1. Sightings of Coyotes and Red Foxes at Devona, Jasper National Park, Alberta, 1 October-31 March 1980-1989. Year Observation Coyotes Foxes days sighted sighted 1980 8 1 1 1981 12 2 0 1982 18 6 2 1983 18 11 0 1984 11 10 0 1985 17 10 2 1986 25 4 1 1987 22 3 2 1988 29 2 13 1989 26 6 3 Totals 186 55 24 occasiona
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