Life Sciences Commons^™

Animal Damage Control And The Endangered Species Act, Warren T. Parker

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The premise of the Endangered Species Act is that all wildlife are valuable natural resources and the extinction of species in the name of progress must be halted. To achieve this end, Congress requires all Federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service when any of their programs or projects affect a listed endangered or threatened species. Problems of special interest to this conference are those that project an endangered or threatened species in direct conflict with man.

State Funded Wildlife Damage Programs: The Wisconsin Experience, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wisconsin has a long tradition of involvement with wildlife damage and wildlife damage programs. It is one of less than a dozen states that presently has a program for wildlife damage. From 1931 to 1980, Wisconsin paid landowners for damage to crops caused by wildlife. Now the focus of Wisconsin's wildlife damage program is on damage control and prevention through appropriate abatement techniques and wildlife population control. This paper will detail Wisconsin's experience with these approaches and will offer insight into improving state funded wildlife damage programs.

Reformulated 4-Aminopyridine Baits Cost-Effectively Reduce Blackbird Damage To Ripening Cornfields, Jerome F. Besser, John W. De Grazio

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In 1984 4-aminopyridine baits, stabilized with hydrochloric acid, were appraised in ripening cornfields being attacked by blackbirds on the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota. In 1982, it had been discovered that 4-aminopyridine, the active agent in commercial Avitrol^® baits for crop protection rapidly vaporized at summer storage and field baiting temperatures.

In July, baiting lanes were created in 12 cornfields by destroying every 55th row. In August after a 3-day pretreatment period, fields were baited with Avitrol^® FC Corn Chops-99 for a 2-week period when corn was most vulnerable to damage. Bait was applied from baiting …

An Investigation Of Techniques Used To Discourage Rebuilding Of Beaver Dams Demolished By Explosives, James M. Dyer, Charles E. Rowell

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

One hundred seventeen beaver dams were partially or wholly demolished with explosives from April through August between 1982 and 1984. These dams were of two types; shallow water dams found in areas of flat terrain, and deep water dams found in major creek channels or in areas of hilly terrain. Following demolition, various treatments were applied to the dam sites to try to retard rebuilding. Our conclusions are that deep water dams can be removed more effectively than shallow water dams and that late summer removals were rebuilt less frequently than early and midsummer removals. Also, certain types of repellents …

Landowner Tolerance Of Beavers: Implications For Damage Management And Control, Ken G. Purdy, Daniel J. Decker, Richard A. Malecki, John C. Proud

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Management of beaver (Castor canadensis) populations can be an effective way to create wetlands while at the same time producing a valued recreational and furbearer resource. Optimizing beaver populations for such a dual objective, however, requires careful integration of biological and sociological considerations in management planning. Knowledge of beaver population dynamics by itself is insufficient for sound management; human tolerance data also must be included in management decisions to reduce the potential of encountering problems that could impede the attainment of beaver-wetlands management objectives. Expansion of beaver into new areas often may be constrained by managers' perceptions of …

Economic And Environmental Impacts Of Beavers In North Carolina, David K. Woodward, Robert B. Hazel, Brian P. Gaffney

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In 1984, a postal survey of landowners and managers was conducted in North Carolina concerning the presence of beavers (Castor canadensis) on their property. Major objectives of the survey were to determine: (1) current distribution and relative abundance of beavers in North Carolina, (2) the economic and environmental impacts from an apparently increasing beaver population, and (3) landowner attitudes toward these increasing populations. Of the 1,069 questionnaires returned, data was compiled from 456 landowners (43 percent) who confirmed the presence of beaver activity on their property during 1983. A significant increase in beaver numbers and distribution has occurred …

Comparisons Of Strychnine And Zinc Phosphide In Prairie Dog Control, H. Todd Holbrook, Robert M. Timm

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Efficacy and safety are primary considerations in registration and use of toxicants for vertebrate pest control. Strychnine (0.5%) and zinc phosphide (2%) are currently registered by EPA for prairie dog control, but continued registration is uncertain. Two percent zinc phosphide bait has been suspected of producing lower and more erratic results than strychnine bait. In our study in western Nebraska in fall 1984, indices based on changes in burrow activity showed no difference in efficacy (P =0.66) or variability (P= 0.7) of control for strychnine and zinc phosphide, however neither toxicant consistently gave effective control or black-tailed prairie dogs. Costs …

Estimating Cost-Effectiveness Of Controlling Animal Damage To Conifer Seedlings, David S. Decalesta

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A model for determining the benefit-cost ratio of controlling damage by vertebrate pests to conifer seedlings requires knowledge of the amount, distribution, and duration of animal damage, reduction in damage associated with control, costs of control, methodology and value of trees at harvest. Because control costs occurring in the present must be compared with savings recovered decades later in the future, the model incorporates procedures for discounting or adjusting future monetary benefits into present net worth valuations. The model allows forest managers to evaluate a wide range of damage costs and savings accruing from use of various control techniques. The …

The Whooping Crane Cross-Fostering Experiment: The Role Of Animal Damage Control, Roderick C. Drewien, Stephen H. Bouffard, Desmond D. Call, Richard A. Wonacott

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Predator losses of endangered species in reintroduction programs are unacceptable because of the scarcity of the species and the major commitment of staff time and funds. When the whooping crane (Grus americana) cross-fostering experiment (experiment) at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Grays Lake), Idaho was proposed in 1972, animal damage control (ADC) was considered unnecessary. Sandhill crane (G. canadensis tabida) nest success was high and coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were uncommon. Canids increased by the mid-1970's destroying whooping crane eggs and chicks. An ADC program initiated in 1976 …

Dispersal Of A Heron-Egret Rookery, Douglas I. Hall

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A rookery composed of an estimated 10,000 herons and egrets (family: Ardeidae) located in Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas was successfully dispersed in the Spring of 1983. A diversified scaring program was planned and initiated prior to the onset of courtship display and nest building. The roost relocation was subsequently followed by habitat alteration procedures to make the 5-acre stand of primarily Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) unattractive as a future roosting site. Although no nesting occurred at the site in 1983, the lack of an early scaring program in the Spring of 1984 resulted in the uncleared …

Management Of Nuisance Canada Goose Flocks, Michael R. Conover

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In recent years, non-migratory flocks of Canada Geese have become established in some urban and suburban areas. These birds often become a serious nuisance when they litter backyards, parks and beaches with fecal material, creating a potential health hazard especially for young children. To determine the scope of the problem, I surveyed golf course managers in the eastern U.S. to see if they were experiencing a problem with geese. This survey showed that this problem was widespread, occurring throughout the eastern U.S., and appeared to be increasing. Twenty-six percent of all respondents reported nuisance goose problems and were willing to …

Dispersing Blackbird-Starling Roosts With Helium-Filled Balloons, Donald F. Mott

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Large (120 cm diameter) helium-filled balloons (2-10 per ha of roost) tethered about 8 m above the vegetation were effective in dispersing blackbirds and starlings from roosting sites. Bird population estimates before, during, and after balloon exposure showed that the balloons frightened the birds and caused most of them to abandon the roost. Roosting bird numbers at each of 5 test roost sites (0.3 to 1.7 ha) were reduced an average of 82% (min-max 47-100%) during 3 to 4 evenings of balloon exposure. Winds >16 km/h during the study made it difficult to keep the balloons aloft and not entangled …

Management Implications Derived From Bird Damage Assessments In North Dakota Sunflower, Joseph L. Guarino, John L. Cummings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The most recent estimate of blackbird damage to ripening sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North Dakota in 1980 exceeded $6 million. Although less than 5% of the sunflower fields in the state received greater than 10% damage in each of four past survey years, as much as 50% of the total state-wide damage occurred in these fields. This loss can be combated with cost-effective control. Successful control requires timely action when blackbirds are in large concentrations. Frightening blackbirds from fields early in the damage season disperses damage and this can result in compensatory growth by sunflower, whereby yields at …

Preparation And Analysis Of Alternative 4-Ap Baits For Blackbirds, J. E. Davis, D. J. Cunningham, J. L. Cummings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) acceptance of corn as a bait for use in ripening sunflower has been questioned. This study demonstrated that sunflower meats, sunflower achenes, and pearled barley all have potential as alternative bait carriers for 4-AP. Each can be treated with 4-AP so that individual bait particles carry dosages equivalent to those of cracked corn in the registered product, Avitrol FC Corn Chops 99S. Treated baits produced a distress response in redwings in times ranging from 21.7 min (sunflower meats) to 64.5 min (sunflower achenes). The time to distress elicited by sunflower meats coated with 4-AP …

The Effects Of Canada Goose Grazing On Winter Wheat: An Experimental Approach, Hubert A. Allen Jr., David Sammons, Russell Brinsfield, Roland Limpert

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The effects of grazing winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) by Canada geese (Branta canadensis) was assessed in 3 fields during 2 years of experimentation at the Wye Research and Education Center, Queenstown, Maryland. Randomly placed wire enclosures prevented goose grazing on 11.1 m sq. control plots. Grazed plots were marked in each field soon after the geese migrated in March. Grazed plots had consistently lower yields than ungrazed plots with mean differences ranging from 0-13%. The differences were related to the intensity of grazing. Other parameters, including mean weight per seed, mean number of seeds per spike, …

Removal Of Nesting Starlings With Drc-1339, Douglas I. Hall

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

DRC-1339-treated crickets (Gryllus sp.) were utilized in an attempt to remove starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) nesting and rearing young in the aircraft hangars at the Little Rock Air Center, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Bait ratio of 1 treated to 5 untreated crickets was used. They were placed under airport night lights where foraging birds naturally gathered to feed on insects attracted to these lights. Adult starlings consumed the crickets as well as fed them to their young. Lethal control was achieved on both age classes of bird. Field test results show promise for the development of …

Apparent Efficacy Of Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Programs At Four Naval Air Stations, Thomas C. Walker, C. Willard Bennett

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Department of the Navy implemented its present mandatory bird-aircraft strike reporting system in 1981. Reported bird-aircraft strikes have increased each year presumably due to increased awareness and compliance with regulations. Four Naval air stations implementing bird-aircraft strike hazard reduction programs in 1984 reported 57-78% fewer strikes in 1984 than in 1983.

Birds In Hangars- A Messy Problem, Albert E. Bivings Iv

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Pest birds in hangars and similar man-made structures pose specific health hazards as well as nuisance and corrosion problems. While lethal control or a scaring program may be the best technique for some locations, neither address the long-term problem of the basic attractiveness of these structures to birds. The best long-term solution usually is to exclude the birds with permanently installed plastic or nylon netting. Several methods to accomplish this are discussed.

Air Force Problems With Birds In Hangars, Timothy J. Will

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Air Force's Bird - Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Team has been dealing with bird hazards to aircraft for over ten years, primarily through awareness programs, direct assistance to military bases, and through R&D aimed at world-wide BASH reduction. As with any problem where a biological system (in this case, birds) is involved, diversification is important in developing solutions. The BASH Team has recommended a variety of methods for working with hazards from birds. One area of particular concern is the nuisance of pest birds in hangars. These structures are extremely alluring to birds, which seek the roof-supporting I-beams and …

The Role Of State And Wildlife Agencies In Wildlife Damage Control, Charles D. Kelley

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Alabama Game and Fish Division is responsible for the stewardship of the wildlife and fisheries resources in the state. Within this context and the cooperative efforts with other agencies that have dealings with animal damage, the Division develops, permits, approves and administers control of both game and nongame (except migratory) species of wildlife.

Animal control complaints fall into two major areas - crop damage and nuisance animals. Nuisance animals, with some exceptions, are bats, armadillos, alligators, woodpeckers, snakes, birds that roost or nest in rookeries. Squirrels, bears, rabbits are the cause of both nuisance and crop damage complaints. Deer, …

The Role Of The Indiana Division Of Fish And Wildlife In Wildlife Damage Control, Glenn Lange

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

As defined by state statue, the Division of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for the protection, reproduction, care, management, survival, and regulation of all wildlife populations. By law, the Division must take a leading role in solving wildlife damage problems when they occur.

Wildlife Damage Control And The Wildlife Society, Thomas M. Franklin

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife damage control is recognized by The Wildlife Society as an essential and responsible segment of the wildlife profession. At least since 1959, Society committees have addressed elements of wildlife damage control (although wildlife damage control was not always the specific term used).

The Wildlife Society Council first approved an "Animal Damage Control" position statement in 1968. In March 1985, Council updated and renamed it "Wildlife Damage Control" to emphasize our positive approach to this important segment of wildlife management. The official position statement was published in The Wildlifer (May-June 1985) and is reprinted below.

Usda Forest Service Role In Wildlife Damage Control, Hugh C. Black

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife damage control is an important objective of resource management on the 191 million acres of National Forest System (NFS) lands administered by the USDA Forest Service. Policy on wildlife damage control is based on the USDA Policy on Fish and Wildlife (Secretary's Memorandum 9500-3, July 1983). The objective of wildlife damage control is to reduce damage and loss by wildlife on all NFS lands to levels consistent with management objectives. Control measures are only undertaken when and where necessary to realize wildlife management objectives and to prevent serious damage to public or private property and natural resources. Because of …

Role Of The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency In Wildlife Damage Control, William W. Jacobs

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the Federal agency in charge of pesticide registration. Therefore, EPA has ultimate regulatory authority over the pesticide compounds used for wildlife damage control.

Role And Responsibilities Of Agencies For Wildlife Damage Control, Hal S. Atkinson Jr.

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The wildlife resources of the State belong to the people of the state as a whole. The Wildlife Resources Commission is charged with the stewardship of these resources and is empowered by general statute to promulgate those regulations deemed necessary to accomplish this charge.

Role And Responsibilities Of Agencies For Wildlife Damage Control - An Overview, James E. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

"A well balanced wildlife management program includes research, the acquisition of land, the development of habitat, the careful regulation of hunting or harvest, the protection of certain species, the enforcement of laws -- and -- the control of animal depredations. Though necessary, this is among the least popular and most controversial of the wildlife management functions. It is, nevertheless, one of the activities which a responsible agency must undertake." This statement is a direct quote from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (IAFWA) Position Paper on Animal Damage Control (1981).

Future Of Wildlife Damage Control And The Cooperative Extension Service, Peter T. Bromley

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The driving forces which determine the role of the Cooperative Extension Service in wildlife damage control are (1) the demand for information by the public, (2) the degree of support for programs at the national level, and (3) the level of professionalism exhibited by Cooperative Extension Agents and subject matter Specialists. Analysis of several trends suggests that the Cooperative Extension Service role in Wildlife Damage Control will increase in coming years. The movement of urban people into rural settings will create greater demands for wildlife damage control information. Likewise, the expansion of wildlife population into urban and suburban environments due …

What You Wanted To Know About All You Ever Heard Concerning Snake Repellents, Gary J. San Julian, David K. Woodward

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Have you ever heard about a way to keep snakes away from your house? Many people in North Carolina have been told by their elders of various ways to repel snakes. When we first started working on this problem in North Carolina, we were amazed at the number of "home remedies" that people believed would protect their property from snakes; and we began to keep a record of these remedies. In 1981, a grant from the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program allowed us to begin to test some of these remedies to determine their value.

Double-Crested Cormorant Damage To A Commercial Fishery In The Apostle Islands, Wisconsin, Scott R. Craven, Esther Lev

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The endangered classification of the double-crested cormorant (DCC) in Wisconsin resulted in complete protection and significant management efforts in the 1970's. These efforts, probably coupled with reduced pesticide loads, resulted in a resurgence of Wisconsin cormorant populations from a low of 66 pairs in 1972 to 1028 pairs in 1982. The DCC was reclassified as a threatened species in 1982. This apparent success story did not take into consideration the potential negative impact of an abundant piscivorous bird. In 1978 a colony of DCC's became established on a remote rocky island in the Apostle Islands National, Lakeshore, in Lake Superior. …

Minimum Effective Level Of Methiocarb For Protecting Sprouting Rice In Louisiana From Blackbird Damage, N. R. Holler, P. W. Lefebvre, A. Wilson, R. E. Matteson, G. R. Gutknecht

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Blackbirds cause locally serious losses to rice. The Denver Wildlife Research Center, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Rice Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center have been cooperating in tests to determine the efficacy of methiocarb seed treatments for protecting sprouting rice in Louisiana from blackbird damage. Results from four field tests (1980, 1982, 1983, and 1984) have shown that methiocarb provides good protection when applied to rice seed at the rate of 2.4 g and 1.25 g active ingredient (a.i.)/kg of rice seed (0.25 and 0.125%). Seed treated at 0.6 g a.i ./kg appeared to be …