Abstract Context. Capture–recapture sampling is one of the most commonly used methods for monitoring population demographics and is needed in a wide variety of studies where repeat sampling of individuals is desired. Although studies employing capture–recapture methods often assume unbiased sampling, it is well established that inherent capture biases can occur with these methods, including those related to baits. Reducing sources of sampling bias and augmenting recapture reliability is necessary for capture-dependent studies. However, few studies have examined the efficacy of baits on individuals with variable capture experience. Aims. To investigate the use of an attractant-augmented bait in enhancing capture–recapture probabilities for snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Methods. To examine the efficacy of different attractant-augmented bait types, a variety of baits were created, with bait preference tested on a captive hare. Because a strawberry jam-based bait was preferentially consumed (in comparison with other tested baits), the effectiveness of this attractant in enhancing capture–recapture rates was subsequently examined in wild hares, using paired live-trapping field trials (n = 6 trials). Results. Live-trapping trials showed that although overall hare capture rates were not affected by the use of a jam-based bait, recaptures were 33.1% higher in capture-naïve individuals exposed to our attractant. This was not the case for hares with prior capture experience; such hares had an equal likelihood of being recaptured regardless of the bait type used. Conclusions. The tested attractant improved recapture rates of capture-naïve hares. Implications. Studies relying on high recapture rates should use methods that maximise recapture rates wherever possible, including the use of baits that may augment recaptures in capture-naïve animals.

中文翻译：

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请再来一次：诱人的诱饵可提高从未捕获过的雪鞋野兔的重新捕获率

摘要上下文。捕获-再捕获抽样是监测人口统计数据最常用的方法之一，在需要对个体进行重复抽样的各种研究中都需要用到它。尽管采用捕获-再捕获方法的研究通常假设无偏抽样，但众所周知，这些方法可能会出现固有的捕获偏差，包括与诱饵相关的那些。减少抽样偏差的来源和增加重新捕获的可靠性对于捕获相关的研究是必要的。然而，很少有研究检查诱饵对具有可变捕获经验的个体的功效。目标。研究使用诱饵增强诱饵来提高雪鞋野兔 (Lepus americanus) 的捕获-重新捕获概率。方法。为了检查不同引诱剂增强诱饵类型的功效，我们制作了各种诱饵，并在圈养野兔上测试了诱饵偏好。由于优先食用草莓果酱诱饵（与其他测试诱饵相比），随后使用成对的活诱捕田间试验（n = 6 试验）在野兔中检查了这种引诱剂在提高捕获-再捕获率方面的有效性. 结果。现场诱捕试验表明，虽然总体野兔捕获率不受使用果酱诱饵的影响，但暴露于我们引诱剂的未捕获个体的再捕获率高出 33.1%。对于先前有捕猎经验的野兔来说，情况并非如此。无论使用何种诱饵类型，这些野兔被重新捕获的可能性都相同。结论。测试的引诱剂提高了未捕获野兔的再捕获率。影响。依赖于高再捕获率的研究应使用尽可能提高再捕获率的方法，包括使用可能增加未捕获动物的再捕获率的诱饵。