Lab Members

Principal Investigator

Dr. Jake Haus

Jake received his Bachelor’s in Biology from Bemidji State University and both his Master’s and Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Delaware. As an assistant professor at Bemidji State University, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in ecology, mammalogy, and wildlife management. He conducts applied research into the behavior, spatial ecology, and harvest management of white-tailed deer and their predators.


Current Graduate Students

Raena Kemna, M.S. student

Raena is an M.S. graduate student studying the ecology and spatial dynamics of white-tailed deer. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology with a minor in Wildlife Care and Handling from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. Raena’s thesis research examines deer spatial response to suburban archery hunting in Bemidji, and the findings will inform management recommendations in other suburban areas of Minnesota.


Undergraduate Researchers

Riley Klingelhofer, Undergraduate Research Assistant

Riley is an undergraduate student majoring in Wildlife Biology, minoring in Wetland Ecology, and earning a certificate in GIS. She serves as an officer for the BSU student chapter of The Wildlife Society. As a research assistant, Riley helps with all aspects of the Bemidji deer project.


Abby Dierkes, Research Technician

Abby is an outdoor loving undergraduate student majoring in Wildlife Biology with a certificate in GIS. When she is not playing pickle ball or perusing the plant section of Home Depot, she can be found enjoying everything involving nature. Abby is excited to be spending the winter assisting in the research efforts of the Bemidji Deer Project.


Joseph Kettelhodt, Research Technician

Joseph is an undergraduate student majoring in Wildlife Biology with a minor in Environmental Communication. Joe is a passionate outdoorsman from Wahkon, Minnesota and wants to pursue research and public outreach in the field of wildlife. He is very excited to be assisting with the deer research project.


Dustin Piotter, Research Technician

Dustin received his Associates of Applied Science in Natural Resource Technology from Central Lakes College and is now an undergraduate at BSU majoring in Wildlife Biology with minors in Wetland Ecology and Aquatic Systems. As a research technician, Dustin helps with the Bemidji Deer Project.


Brad Smithburg, Research Technician

Brad received an Associate of Science from Southeastern Community College, and is now an undergraduate student at BSU studying Wildlife Biology. He grew up hunting in Southeast Iowa, acquiring a passion for wildlife and the outdoors, especially white-tailed deer. Brad is looking forward to working as a research technician on the Bemidji Deer Project.


Olivia Zeman, Research Technician

Olivia is a passionate wildlife enthusiast and an undergraduate student majoring in Wildlife Biology with a certificate in GIS. She is excited to assist with research on deer spatial response to suburban archery hunting in Bemidji. 


Past Graduate Students

Kim Shelton, M.S.

Graduated: Spring 2023

Master’s Thesis: Occupancy and activity patterns of snowshoe hares, fishers, martens, and bobcats on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation – PDF

Current Employer: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service