Official Oregon bowhunting safety course Link to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Hello, bowhunter! Oregon's online bowhunter course has moved. Click here to go to the latest version of the Bowhunter Oregon course—the official bowhunting safety course of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Go to the new Oregon course

The following course material is for reference only. Please go to the new course to complete your Oregon certification.

Chapter 2: Wildlife Conservation
Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain number of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply causing damage to the animals or the habitat. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

Factors that limit wildlife populations include:

  • Starvation
  • Disease and Parasites
  • Accidents
  • Weather
  • Hunting
  • Predators
  • Loss of Habitat
  • Human Development
  • Old Age

If the conditions are balanced, game animals will produce a surplus, which can be harvested on an annual, sustainable basis.

carrying capacity

carrying capacity: The number of animals the habitat can support throughout the year without causing damage to the animals or the habitat

Carrying capacity chart
Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife
< Back to Previous Page Table of Contents Go to Next Page >
 
Official bowhunting safety course for Oregon bowhunters last modified: March 10, 2011
Email with questions or comments about this web site.
Questions? Call Today's Bowhunter at 1-800-830-2268 Copyright © 1998-2011 Today's Bowhunter and Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
Review the Today's Bowhunter privacy policy.