Andrew was born on the dust coast, known as Lubbock, Texas. Growing up with a family always outdoors, he found his true love of nature while camping every year in Minnesota and all throughout Texas. Raised a Red Raider, Andrew followed his passion in wildlife biology and received his bachelor’s degree in NRM from Texas Tech University. As an undergrad, he assisted and researched coyote population dynamics in the Mojave Desert. Following graduation, Andrew remained in Texas working with endangered bird species off the gulf coast and in the panhandle with a variety of big game species. He is excited and grateful to further his passion as a student and researcher at the Borderlands Research Institute.

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia) were introduced to Texas in the 1950s from northern Africa, competing with the native species of the region. In the Trans-Pecos, this competition is magnified due to the desert eco-region containing a limited number of resources. Focusing on the aoudad relationship with native mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in the Chinati and Quitman Mountain ranges, this study will provide insight into the interactions and potential niche overlap between the two species. Aoudad management is a growing cause for concern in the area, including hunting economics, ecological issues, and rate of population growth. This study will investigate the differences in movement behavior and competition when aoudad removal is introduced on the Chinati Mountains. Measuring the differences in behavior caused from the singular landscape of fear event and changes in habitat selection will allow us to better understand the dynamic between aoudad and the native mule deer population.