known fate data?

[amusante]

I'll try this question once more.
Through direct observation I monitor radio-collared cow moose every 2-3 days in May to detect calving. Cows with unmarked calves are followed with the same intensity for 2 months to determine disappearance of calves. after 2 months cows with calves are observed randomly only 2-3 times until next April when a final determination is made if calf survived winter. Process starts all over again in May....

My questions are can the calving survival data for first 2 months be considered known fate? And what model would be best to look at calf survival data from 2-11 months of age?

Thanks, any response would be appreciated.

Tony

[gwhite]

Tony:
If the answer to the following question is a definite no, then you can treat the first 2 months of calf survival as known fate. Did you ever find the cow, but not see the calf, and then come back a few days later and find the cow but this time with a calf. In other words, what is the probability of not seeing a calf that had to be present? If this probability is <1, then you don't have known fate data.

The remainder of the year for calves should be treated with the nest survival model, i.e., a "ragged telemetry" design.

Gary