| Understanding resource selection is essential for implementing management strategies that positively influence the population dynamics of a species. Throughout the year, wildlife populations select resources that benefit specific life history traits. Therefore, it is essential that biologists understand how species select resources throughout the year and how much selection changes across these time periods. While seasonal habitat use is well documented in desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni), there is limited information about the relationship of selection and neonate age as well as how selection changes within commonly delineated seasons. To increase understanding of sheep resource selection throughout the year, we captured and collared 30 adult female sheep on Lone Mountain, Nevada, and translocated 15 of those to the Garfield Hills range. In addition to receiving collars, all individuals were given vaginal implant transmitters to provide parturition timing information. Following captures, we monitored parturition events, adult resource selection, and neonate survival. We used a machine learning technique (random forest) to identify habitat selection throughout the year, including the selection of resources associated with the presence of a neonate and as age of offspring progressed. Our results indicated that adults shifted resource selection on a monthly basis. |