PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
2012–Present: Assistant Unit Leader and Adjunct Professor of Wildlife Ecology, U.S.
Geological Survey, Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
 Surveillance and monitoring of river otter in Pennsylvania
 Spatial analysis of large mammals to assess harvest vulnerability in relation to
anthropogenic factors
 Developing an adaptive management approach for potential surveillance and spread
of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania
2010−2011: Post-doctoral Researcher – National Wildlife Research Center, Supervisor: Kurt C.
VerCauteren
 Prepare a risk assessment model for transmission of bovine tuberculosis between
cattle and free-ranging wildlife using bayesian hierarchical analysis
 Use of stable isotopes to understand movement and nutrition of elk and deer in
response to climate change in the US
 Assessing prevalence of Elaeophora schneideri in Wyoming moose populations in
relation to spatial ecology of Tabanid vectors
 Identifying movement and space use of migratory and resident species using
movement models and resource selection function analyses
2008−2009: Post-doctoral Researcher – Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit,
Supervisors: Dana Winkelman (USGS), Mike Miller (CO Division of Wildlife)
 Modeling soil and environmental factors influencing persistence and transmission of
prions of chronic wasting disease in mule deer throughout Colorado.
2007−2008: Post-doctoral Researcher – National Wildlife Research Center, Supervisor: Kurt C.
VerCauteren
 Multi-state collaboration on database of white-tailed deer home-range size,
movements, and habitat use to assess potential for transmission of chronic wasting
disease in the Midwest region.
2006−2007: Research Associate - Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University
 Assessment of mountain biking disturbance and its immediate effects on the
endangered Golden-cheeked warbler on Fort Hood, Texas. Supervisor: Craig A.
Davis
 Determine potential trophic-level differences in aquatic ecosystems using stable
isotopes focusing on zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) influence on native
mussel species. Supervisor: Joseph R. Bidwell
2001−2006: Research Assistant - – Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University
 Ph.D. Dissertation Project: Analysis of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to
assess diet and nutrition of free-ranging elk occupying native C4 grasslands and C3
agricultural landscapes. Advisor: David M. Leslie, Jr.
2000−2001: Wildlife Researcher - Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection,
Supervisor: Howard J. Kilpatrick
 Assessing the status and distribution of the New England cottontail in Connecticut to
address endangered species petition.
PUBLICATIONS
2013 Walter, W.D., J.W. Fischer, C.W. Anderson, D.R. Marks, T. DeLiberto, S. RobbeAusterman, K.C. VerCauteren. Surveillance and movements of Virginia opossum
(Didelphis virginiana) relative to cattle farms infected with bovine tuberculosis.
Epidemiology and Infection 141(7):1498–1505.
Fischer, J.W., W.D. Walter, M.A. Avery. Brownian bridge movement models to
characterize home ranges of avian species. The Condor 115(2):298–305.
Walter, W.D., J.W. Fischer, T.J. Zimmerman, S.E. Hygnstrom, J.A. Jenks, K.C.
VerCauteren. Topographic home range of large mammals: is planimetric home range
still a viable method? Prairie Naturalist 45(1):21–27.
Berentsen, A.R., M.R. Dunbar, C.E. Fitzpatrick, W.D. Walter. Spatial ecology of urban
raccoons in Northeastern Ohio: implications for oral rabies vaccination. Prairie Naturalist
45(1):39–45.
2012 Walter, W.D., C.W. Anderson, and K.C. VerCauteren. Evaluation of remote delivery of
passive infrared transponder (PIT) technology to mark large mammals. Plos ONE 7(9):
e44838.
Walter, W.D., C. W. Anderson, R. Smith, M. Vanderklok, J. Averill, and K.C.
VerCauteren. On-farm mitigation of transmission of tuberculosis from white-tailed deer
to cattle: literature review and recommendations. Veterinary Medicine International
Article ID 616318.
Walter, W.D., J.W. Fischer, M.A. Avery J.S. Humphrey, T.S. Daughtery, M.P. Milleson,
and E.A. Tillman. Using three-dimensional flight patterns at airfields to identify hotspots
for avian-aircraft collisions. Applied Geography 35:53–59.
Henningsen, J.C., A.L. Williams, C.M. Tate, S.A. Kilpatrick, and W.D. Walter.
Distribution and prevalence of Elaeophora schneideri in moose in Wyoming. Alces 48:
35–44.
2011 VerCauteren, K.C., C.W. Anderson, T.R. Van Deelen, D. Drake, W.D. Walter, S.M.
Vantassel, and S.E. Hygnstrom. Regulated commercial harvest to manage overabundant
white-tailed deer: an idea to consider? Wildlife Society Bulletin 35(3):185–194.
Avery, M.L., J.S. Humphrey, T.S. Daughtery, J.W. Fischer, M.P. Milleson, E.A. Tillman,
W.E. Bruce, and W. D. Walter. Vulture flight behavior and implications to aircraft
safety. Journal of Wildlife Management 75(7): 1581–1587.
Walter, W.D., D.M. Baasch, S.E. Hygnstrom, B.D. Trindle, A.J. Tyre, J.J. Millspaugh,
C.J. Frost, J.R. Boner, and K.C. VerCauteren. Space use of sympatric deer in a riparian
ecosystem in an area chronic wasting disease is endemic. Wildlife Biology 17(2):191–209.
Walter, W.D., J. Beringer, L.P. Hansen, J.W. Fischer, J.J. Millspaugh, and K.C.
VerCauteren. Factors affecting space use overlap by white-tailed deer in an urban
landscape. International Journal of Geographical Information Science 25(3):379–392.
Walter, W.D., D.P. Walsh, M.L. Farnsworth, D.L. Winkelman, and M. W. Miller. Soil
clay content underlies prion infection odds. Nature Communications 2:200.
2010 Walter, W.D., M.J. Lavelle, J.W. Fischer, T..J. Johnson, S.E. Hygnstrom, and K.C.
VerCauteren. Management of damage by elk (Cervus elaphus) in North America: a
review. Wildlife Research 37(8):630–646.
Walter, W.D., D.M. Leslie, Jr., E.C. Hellgren, and D.M. Engle. Identification of
subpopulations of North American elk (Cervus elaphus L.) using multiple lines of
evidence: compositional analysis, microhistology, and fecal stable isotopes. Ecological
Research 25(4):789−800.
Davis, C.A., D.M. Leslie, Jr., Walter, W.D., and A.E. Graber. Mountain biking trail use
affects reproductive success of nesting golden-cheecked warblers. Wilson Journal of
Ornithology 122(3): 465−474.
2009 Walter, W.D., T J. Zimmerman, D. M. Leslie, Jr., and J. A. Jenks. Dietary response of
sympatric deer to fire using stable isotope analysis in liver tissue. Wildlife Biology in
Practice 5(2):128−135.
Walter, W.D., K.C. VerCauteren, H. Campa, III, W.R. Clark, J.W. Fischer, S.E.
Hygnstrom, N.E. Mathews, C.K. Nielsen, E.M. Schauber, T.R. Van Deelen, and S.R.
Winterstein. Regional assessment on influence of landscape configuration and
connectivity on range size of white-tailed deer. Landscape Ecology. 24(10): 1405−1420.
Spraker, T. R., K. C. VerCauteren, T. L. Gidlewski, R. D. Munger, W. D. Walter, A.
Balachandran, and K. I. O’Rourke. Impact of age and sex of Rocky Mountain elk
(Cervus elaphus nelsoni) on follicle counts from rectal mucosal biopsies for preclinical
detection of chronic wasting disease. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation.
21(6): 868−870.
Walter, W.D., and D.M. Leslie, Jr. Stable isotope ratio analysis to differentiate temporal
diets of a free-ranging herbivore. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry. 23(14):
2190−2194.
Walter, W.D., K.C. VerCauteren, J.M. Gilsdorf, and S.E. Hygnstrom. Crop, native
vegetation, and biofuels: response of white-tailed deer to changing management
priorities. Journal of Wildlife Management 73(3):339−344.
2008 Gildorf, J.M., K.C. Vercauteren, S.E. Hygnstrom, W.D. Walter, J.R. Boner, and G.M.
Clements. An integrated vehicle-mounted telemetry system for VHF telemetry
applications. Journal of Wildlife Management 72(5):1241−1246.
2006 Walter, W.D., D.M. Leslie, Jr., and J.A. Jenks. Response of Rocky Mountain elk
(Cervus elaphus) to wind-power development in southwestern Oklahoma. American
Midland Naturalist 156:363–375.
2005 Walter, W.D., D.M. Leslie, Jr., J.H. Herner-Thogmartin, K.G. Smith, and M.E.
Cartwright. Efficacy of immobilizing free-ranging elk with Telazol® and xylazine
hydrochloride using transmitter-equipped darts. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41: 395–
400.
Walter, W.D., R.L. Bryant, and D.M. Leslie, Jr. Unusual documentation of elk
behaviors using automated cameras. Proceeding of the Oklahoma Academy of Science
85: 81–83.
2003 Walter, W.D., H.J. Kilpatrick, and M.A. Gregonis. Does immunocontraception improve
condition of free-ranging female white-tailed deer? Journal of Wildlife Management
67:762–766.
2002 Walter, W.D., and D.M. Leslie, Jr. Harvest strategies and numbers of elk (Cervus
elaphus) in Oklahoma, 19872002. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science
82:89–94.
Walter, W.D., P.J. Pekins, A.T. Rutberg, and H.J. Kilpatrick. Evaluation of
immunocontraception in suburban white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:
186192.
Walter, W.D., P.J. Pekins, A.T. Rutberg, and H.J. Kilpatrick. Evaluation of
immunocontraceptive adjuvants, titers, and fecal pregnancy indicators in free-ranging
white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:908914.
1999 Kilpatrick, H.J., and W.D. Walter. A controlled archery deer hunt in a residential
community: cost, effectiveness, and deer recovery rates. Wildlife Society Bulletin
27:115–123.
1997 Kilpatrick, H.J., and W.D. Walter. Urban deer management: a community vote. Wildlife
Society Bulletin 25:388–390.
BOOK CHAPTERS
2011 Walter, W.D., J.W. Fischer, S. Baruch-Mordo, and K.C. VerCauteren. What is the
proper method to delineate home range of an animal using today’s advanced GPS
telemetry systems: the initial step. In: Modern telemetry, Intech, Open Access Publisher.
http://www.intechopen.com/source/pdfs/21099.pdf
2009 Ward, A.I., K.C. VerCauteren, W.D. Walter, E. Gilot-Fromont, S. Rossi, G. EdwardsJones, M. Lambert, M.R. Hutchings, and R.J. Delahay. Options for the control of disease
3: targeting the environment. Pages 147−168 in R.J. Delahay, M.R. Hutchings, and G.C.
Smith (eds) Management of disease in wild mammals. Springer.
http://springerlink.com/content/n326r7/?p=1dd6dfc97a3141f99ed68572e947ac46&pi=0
TECHNICAL AND NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS (12)
2011 Walter, W.D., C. W. Anderson, and K.C. VerCauteren. Recommendations for on-farm
wildlife mitigation practices to prevent transmission of bovine tuberculosis between
livestock and white-tailed deer. Final Report, Michigan Department of AgricultureAnimal Industry Division.
2010 Walter, W.D., C. W. Anderson, M.J. Lavelle, J. W. Fischer, S.E. Hygnstrom, and K.C.
VerCauteren. Assessment of methods for redistributing elk to benefit vegetation in
Rocky Mountain National Park. Final report, Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park,
CO.
Avery, M.L., J.S. Humphrey, E.A. Tillman, M.P. Milleson, J.W. Fischer, T.S. Daughtery,
W.E. Bruce, and W. David Walter. Vulture Movements and Activity at Marine Corps
Air Station, Beaufort, SC. Final Report, Southern Division, Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, Beaufort, SC.
2007 Walter, W.D. Urban Wildlife Management. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:680.
(Book review).
2006 Walter, W.D., and D.M. Leslie, Jr. Population characteristics and movements of elk
(Cervus elaphus) outside the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Final Report, Federal
Aid Project W-148-R Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, Oklahoma City.
203 pp.
Walter, W.D. Soay sheep: dynamics and selection in an island population. Journal of
Mammalogy 87:181–182. (Book review)
2002–2006
Walter, W.D., and D.M. Leslie, Jr. Population characteristics and movements of
elk (Cervus elaphus) outside the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Performance
Report, Federal Aid Project W-148-R, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation,
Oklahoma City. 16pp.
2004 Walter, W.D. Sandhill whitetails: providing new perspective for deer management.
Journal of Mammalogy 85:173–174. (Book review)
2001 Walter, W.D. A tale of two rabbits: New England or Eastern? Connecticut Wildlife
21:89.
1997 Kilpatrick, H.J., M.A. Gregonis, W.A. Stober, K.K. Lima, and W.D. Walter.1997.
Connecticut deer program summary, 1996. Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection, Wildlife Division. Hartford, CT. 24pp.
1996 Kilpatrick, H.J., M.A. Gregonis, K.K. Lima, K.A. Eccleston, and W.D. Walter.
Connecticut deer program 5-year summary, 1991-1995. Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection, Wildlife Division. Hartford, CT. 24pp.
Kilpatrick, H.J., M.A. Gregonis, W.D. Walter, K.K. Lima, and K.A. Eccleston. Wild
turkey program annual report, 1995. Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection, Wildlife Division. Hartford, CT. 27pp.
ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS (citations available upon request)
National Conference (17)
Regional Conference (24)
GRANTS AND AWARDS
2012 Walter, W.D. Surveillance and monitoring of river otter populations in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Game Commission $222,662.
Walter, W.D., W. Cottrell, D.R. Diefenbach. Developing an adaptive management
approach for potential surveillance and spread of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed
deer in Pennsylvania. US Geological Survey $50,999.
2011 P. Dorsey, M. Hammond, H. Johnson, C. Bishop, C.W. Anderson, W.D. Walter, and
K.C. VerCauteren. Evaluating solutions to reduce elk and mule deer damage on
agricultural resources. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $39,150
P. Dorsey, M. Hammond, H. Johnson, C. Bishop, C.W. Anderson, W.D. Walter, and
K.C. VerCauteren. Evaluating solutions to reduce elk and mule deer damage on
agricultural resources. Mule Deer Foundation $25,830
P. Dorsey, M. Hammond, H. Johnson, C. Bishop, C.W. Anderson, W.D. Walter, and
K.C. VerCauteren. Evaluating solutions to reduce elk and mule deer damage on
agricultural resources. Habitat Partnership Program $68,395.
2010 VerCauteren, K.C. and W.D. Walter. Methods to detect movements and record
visitation of opossums to farms infected with bovine tuberculosis in Michigan.
USDA/APHIS/WS $65,000.
W.D. Walter, K.C. VerCauteren, and T. Gidlewski. Employment of stable isotope
technology to traceback captive cervids to their facility of origin. Veterinary Services
$30,955
VerCauteren, K.C. and W.D. Walter. Assessing risk and prioritizing mitigation strategies
to reduce transmission of bovine tuberculosis from wildlife to livestock. Michigan
Department of Agriculture $24,940
2008 VerCauteren, K.C., T. Gidlewski, and W.D. Walter. Employment of stable isotope
technology to traceback captive cervids to their facility of origin. Veterinary Services
$27,955
2006 Murray-Gray Unit Service Award, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research
Unit, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Graduate Student Award, Oklahoma State University Student Chapter of the Wildlife
Society, Stillwater, OK - $250
2005 Outstanding Ph.D. Student, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University,
Stillwater, OK - $500
2004 Robert L. Lochmiller II Endowed Scholarship in Wildlife Ecology, Oklahoma State
University, Stillwater, OK - $750
2003 Student Travel Grant, 10th Annual Conference of the Wildlife Society, Burlington, VT $500
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ACTIVITIES
2006
2004–2005
2004−Present
2002−Present
2001
2001−Present
2001−2006
2000
1995−Present
Certification: Wildlife Biologist®, The Wildlife Society
Session moderator: Habitat relationships of mammals, 13th Annual Conference of the
Wildlife Society, Anchorage, Alaska.
President: Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Oklahoma State University
Member: Ecological Society of America
Member: Wildlife Disease Association
Certification: Associate Wildlife Biologist®, 2001-The Wildlife Society
Member: American Society of Mammalogists
Member: Oklahoma State University Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Certification: Chemical Immobilization of Wildlife, Safe-Capture International
Member: The Wildlife Society