Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
Articles 1 - 30 of 48
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Effects Of Decoy Gender And Wing Clipping On Capture Success Of Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Scott C. Barras, Thomas W. Seamans, Jonathan D. Cepek
Effects Of Decoy Gender And Wing Clipping On Capture Success Of Brown-Headed Cowbirds, Scott C. Barras, Thomas W. Seamans, Jonathan D. Cepek
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Due to the risks that nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) pose to breeding Kirtland's Warblers (Dendroica kirtlandii) and other songbirds, refinement of existing cowbird trapping techniques and development of new techniques are needed to improve the efficiency of cowbird removal. We conducted experiments during 1999-2002 to determine if the use of male and female decoys affected capture rates of cowbirds, and to determine if clipping primaries on one wing of female decoys to prevent escapes affected cowbird capture success. These experiments were conducted using 6 permanently placed modified Australian crow traps (decoy traps) measuring …
Development Of Nicarbazin As A Reproductive Inhibitor For Resident Canada Geese, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yonder, John D. Eisemann, John J. Johnston, Lowell A. Miller
Development Of Nicarbazin As A Reproductive Inhibitor For Resident Canada Geese, Kimberly S. Bynum, Christi A. Yonder, John D. Eisemann, John J. Johnston, Lowell A. Miller
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Expanding populations of resident Canada geese that remain in suburban and urban areas year-round often result in increased conflicts with humans. Non-lethal and humane means are needed for managing the size of Canada goose flocks residing near or on airports, golf courses, industrial parks, government sites, and city parks. A side effect of nicarbazin, a veterinary drug used to control coccidiosis in chickens, is decreased egg production and hatching. Exploiting this side effect, studies of nicarbazin for reducing the hatchability of eggs from Canada geese were conducted. An initial study in Cotumix quail verified reduction in hatchability in a species …
The Use Of Digital Motion-Sensor Cameras To Capture Coyote Presence In Western Georgia, Lauren Billodeaux, Jim Armstrong
The Use Of Digital Motion-Sensor Cameras To Capture Coyote Presence In Western Georgia, Lauren Billodeaux, Jim Armstrong
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Because of their learned avoidance of humans and the dense cover provided by forested areas, observation of coyote activity is often very limited in the Southeast. In this study we used digital motion-sensor cameras to detect activity among coyote populations in various urban and rural habitats. Camera stations were placed adjacent to regenerating clear cuts, forest trails and roads, agriculture fields, residential areas, and within city parks to determine activity and presence of coyotes in these various areas. Cameras were successful in detecting coyotes in all study sites throughout the year. Coyotes appear to show no avoidance of camera stations. …
Wildlife Master Volunteers: A Multi-County Approach To Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts, Daniel L. Einarsen, Tom Mason, Deryl E. Waldren, Ray T. Sterner
Wildlife Master Volunteers: A Multi-County Approach To Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts, Daniel L. Einarsen, Tom Mason, Deryl E. Waldren, Ray T. Sterner
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
The Wildlife Master (WM) Program in Colorado was modeled after the highly successful Master Gardener volunteer program. In 10 highly populated suburban counties with large rural areas surrounding the Denver Metro Area, Colorado State University (CSU) Cooperative Extension Natural Resources agents train, supervise and manage these volunteers in the identification, referral, and resolution of wildlife damage issues. High quality, research-based training is provided by university faculty and other professionals in public health, animal damage control, wildlife management and animal behavior. Inquiries are responded to mainly via telephone. Calls by concerned residents are forwarded to WMs who provide general information about …
Conditioning Beaver To Avoid Desirable Plants, Julie L. Harper, Dale L. Nolte, Thomas J. Deliberto, David L. Bergman
Conditioning Beaver To Avoid Desirable Plants, Julie L. Harper, Dale L. Nolte, Thomas J. Deliberto, David L. Bergman
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Conditioned food aversion can be used to train animals to avoid select foods. Generally, aversive conditioning is best applied when animals first encounter a food item. However, almost by definition damage is inflicted to desirable plants very familiar to the culprit. We assessed the potential for training beaver to avoid a known preferred food. During a 5 day day treatment period beavers were offered only corn at 1600 hours. Six hours later, animals that had ingested corn were injected with 150 mg/kg lithium chloride (LiCl), with a control group receiving sodium chloride (NaCl). Alternate foods were then offered with corn …
The Role Of Raccoons In The Ecology Of Bovine Tuberculosis, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Holy J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson
The Role Of Raccoons In The Ecology Of Bovine Tuberculosis, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Holy J. Smith, Justin S. Stevenson
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Bovine tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial disease that has had significant socioeconomic impacts on the region of northern lower Michigan. The role raccoons may play in the ecology and maintenance of the disease on farms in the core disease is unknown. Preliminary results of 61 radio collared raccoons have yielded a better understanding of raccoon movement and habitat use within an agricultural complex. Preliminary analysis of raccoons suggests annual home range sizes of .824km2 and .608km2 for males and females, respectively. Additionally raccoons and cattle have been documented at resource interfaces, further illustrating the potential for indirect disease …
Economic Impacts Of Blackbird Damage To The Rice Industry, John L. Cummings, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Shelagh K. Tupper
Economic Impacts Of Blackbird Damage To The Rice Industry, John L. Cummings, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Shelagh K. Tupper
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
In cooperation with the Louisiana Rice Research Board, the Louisiana State University Rice Research Station and the USA Rice Federation, we conducted a questionnaire survey in 2002 to estimate the economic impacts of blackbirds on the rice industry in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, California, and Missouri. Survey areas in rice producing states were identified based on the 2001 National Agricultural Statistic Service's rice harvest records. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in each state provided a mailing list of farm operators growing rice and approximately one third of the rice farm operators were randomly selected to be surveyed. The questionnaire was …
Decoy Cropping Methods For Luring Blackbirds Away From Commercial Sunflower: Usda Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, Heath M. Hagy, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier
Decoy Cropping Methods For Luring Blackbirds Away From Commercial Sunflower: Usda Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots, Heath M. Hagy, Jonathan M. Raetzman, George M. Linz, William J. Bleier
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
In an effort to reduce blackbird damage to commercial sunflower, which can range from $4-11 million annually in North Dakota and South Dakota, we evaluated Wildlife Conservation Sunflower Plots (WCSP) for efficacy and wildlife benefits. Blackbird depredation has caused some producers to reduce sunflower acreages and seek alternative crops in this optimal sunflower growing region. USDA 's Wildlife Services funded 8-ha units of oil sunflower (WCSP) to lure migrating blackbirds away from commercial sunflower fields. Vegetative data, habitat variables, GIS-analyzed land-use data, weekly blackbird surveys, sunflower damage surveys, and avian point counts will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of …
Estimating Drc-1339 Mortality Using Bioenergetics: A Case Study Of European Starlings, H. Jeffery Homan, Randal S. Stahl, John J. Johnston, George M. Linz
Estimating Drc-1339 Mortality Using Bioenergetics: A Case Study Of European Starlings, H. Jeffery Homan, Randal S. Stahl, John J. Johnston, George M. Linz
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
We developed a bioenergetics model for European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) that estimated mortality from baitings with CU Bird Carrier pellets treated with 1% DRC-1339 Concentrate and diluted 5:1 (untreated:treated pellets). A bioenergetic analysis of heat and radiative energy exchanges between the starling body surface and surrounding environment was converted to daily caloric demand based on a steady-state energy balance. The amount of Bird Carrier eaten per starling was governed by subroutines in the model that used probability distributions to simulate variability in dietary intake at the bait site. Mortality was estimated through dose-response regression analysis. Compared to onsite …
Predator Control For The Protection Of The Federally Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus) At Dimmick's Point, North Manitou Island, Kimberly S. Struthers, Patrick J. Ryan
Predator Control For The Protection Of The Federally Endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius Melodus) At Dimmick's Point, North Manitou Island, Kimberly S. Struthers, Patrick J. Ryan
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
The recovery plan for the federally endangered Great Lakes Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) identifies the need for predator control/removal to increase Piping Plover chick fledging success. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services entered into an interagency agreement with the National Park Service to conduct predator management on North Manitou Island (NMI), Dimmick's Point, located in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, during the 2003-2005 field seasons. Six control methods were used to remove American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), Common Raven (Corvus corax), Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), and …
Compressed Air, Wooden Clappers, And Other Non-Traditional Methods For Dispersing European Starlings From An Urban Roost, Randolph J. White, Richard A. Dolbeer, Craig R. Hicks
Compressed Air, Wooden Clappers, And Other Non-Traditional Methods For Dispersing European Starlings From An Urban Roost, Randolph J. White, Richard A. Dolbeer, Craig R. Hicks
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
During autumn 2003, several thousand European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) began roosting on exposed I-beams in a newly constructed, decorative glass canopy that covered the passenger pick-up area at the terminal building for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Ohio. The use of lethal control or conventional dispersal techniques, such as pyrotechnics and fire hoses, were not feasible in the airport terminal area. The design and aesthetics of the structure precluded the use of netting and other exclusion materials. In January 2004, an attempt was made to disperse the birds using recorded predator and distress calls broadcast from speakers installed in …
Development Of Diazacon™ As An Avian Contraceptive, Christi A. Yoder, Kimberly S. Bynum, Lowell A. Miller
Development Of Diazacon™ As An Avian Contraceptive, Christi A. Yoder, Kimberly S. Bynum, Lowell A. Miller
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Due to increasing human-wildlife conflicts with birds and growing opposition to lethal techniques, nonlethal methods need to be developed to help manage bird populations. DiazaCon™ is a promising oral contraceptive that acts by directly inhibiting the conversion of desmosterol to cholesterol. Because cholesterol is essential for the production of the steroid reproductive hormones testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol, DiazaCon™ also indirectly inhibits the formation of these hormones. These hormones are essential for sperm and egg production, and the production of egg yolk precursors in the liver. Because DiazaCon™ is cleared slowly from the liver, its contraceptive effects are long-lasting. Initial research …
Alien Birds In North America - Challenges For Wildlife Managers, Michael L. Avery, Eric A. Tillman
Alien Birds In North America - Challenges For Wildlife Managers, Michael L. Avery, Eric A. Tillman
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
In Executive Order 13112 "Invasive Species", an alien species is defined as one "that is not native" to a particular ecosystem. In North America today, there are nearly 100 alien bird species with self-sustaining populations. These include numerous game birds (primarily gallinaceous birds) and escaped pet birds (primarily psittacine species). Others, such as house sparrows (Passer domesticus), European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and mute swan (Cygnus olor), were originally introduced for aesthetic reasons or to control agricultural insect pests. The establishment of alien bird populations through purposeful or accidental introductions has resulted in numerous problems …
Nutria: An Invasive Rodent Pest Or Valued Resource?, Susan M. Jojola, Gary Witmer, Dale Nolte
Nutria: An Invasive Rodent Pest Or Valued Resource?, Susan M. Jojola, Gary Witmer, Dale Nolte
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Nutria or coypu (Myocastor coypus), semi-aquatic rodents native to southern South America, are an invasive species having detrimental impacts mainly in the southern and eastern United States. Nutria were introduced into the U.S. in 1899 for fur farming and became established in several states. Nutria dispersals resulted primarily from releases by fur farmers, escapes during hurricanes or rising floodwaters, or as translocations in an attempt to control nuisance aquatic vegetation. The ravenous appetite of these herbivores can cause damage to agricultural crops and aquatic vegetation, and can alter aquatic ecosystems. Their burrowing habits can weaken irrigation structures and …
Overview Of Impacts Of Feral And Introduced Ungulates On The Environment In The Eastern United States And Caribbean, Martin S. Lowney, Paul Schoenfeld, William Haglan, Gary W. Witmer
Overview Of Impacts Of Feral And Introduced Ungulates On The Environment In The Eastern United States And Caribbean, Martin S. Lowney, Paul Schoenfeld, William Haglan, Gary W. Witmer
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Non-native wild and feral ungulates have been introduced throughout the world for many centuries. Often the reasons for introductions were narrow in scope and benefits or the ungulates escaped or were released. Justifications for some introductions have included providing hunting opportunity, meeting cultural and dietary needs of people, fund raising, and aesthetics. Evaluations about the impacts to the environment, native wildlife, livestock, and people were most likely looked at in a narrow prism or not fully evaluated. Ungulates commonly introduced in the Eastern United States and Caribbean islands over the last 150 years included white-tailed deer, sika deer, hogs, horses, …
Feral And Introduced Carnivores: Issues And Challenges, Gary Witmer, Bernice U. Constantin, Frank Boyd
Feral And Introduced Carnivores: Issues And Challenges, Gary Witmer, Bernice U. Constantin, Frank Boyd
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Feral and invasive carnivores have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced to many parts of the world for a variety of reasons. Once established, they have often caused significant impacts to endemic species because of their predatory nature and, in numerous cases, have altered ecosystem structure and function in important conservation areas. They can also cause competition for native predators, hybridization with native species, losses to livestock and companion animals, and disease hazards. We provide examples of the extent of introductions, resulting impacts, and efforts to control or eradicate these populations. Working with introduced or feral carnivores presents many challenges to …
An Overview Of The 2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit, Gary Witmer, John D. Eisemann
An Overview Of The 2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit, Gary Witmer, John D. Eisemann
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
On October 19-21, 2004, the USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Fort Collins, CO, hosted the 2nd National Invasive Rodent Summit. The conference was jointly sponsored by the NWRC, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and The Wildlife Society's Wildlife Damage Management Working Group. The conference was a follow-up to the 2001 "Rat Summit" held in San Francisco, CA. Like the "Rat Summit," this conference emphasized the management of rodents to conserve plants, other wildlife and habitats. The scope of the problem, concerns, species involved, and lands affected were all considered. The conference began with …
Use Of Deer Repellents To Preserve Wildlife Food Plots For Game Birds, Wendy M. Arjo, Kimberly K. Wagner, Chad D. Richardson, Dale L. Nolte
Use Of Deer Repellents To Preserve Wildlife Food Plots For Game Birds, Wendy M. Arjo, Kimberly K. Wagner, Chad D. Richardson, Dale L. Nolte
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Food plots are a vital element for the survival of game bird species such as bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) on Fort Riley Military Installation in Kansas. However, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) tend to eat the sorghum when it starts to ripen in September and continue feeding on it through November and December, often leaving no food for the quail during the winter. We conducted pen and field trails to determine if repellents were an effective and feasible method to protect grain sorghum food plots from deer damage. Two-choice pen trials with both deer and game bird …
Wildlife Damage To Seedlings In Reforested In Hardwood Sites In Mississippi, Amy E. Barras, Jeanne C. Jones, Dale L. Nolte, Curtis G. Culpepper, Lawrence H. Shearer, Jarrod H. Fogarty
Wildlife Damage To Seedlings In Reforested In Hardwood Sites In Mississippi, Amy E. Barras, Jeanne C. Jones, Dale L. Nolte, Curtis G. Culpepper, Lawrence H. Shearer, Jarrod H. Fogarty
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Herbivory assessments were conducted on seven reforested sites that were less than one year old in the following Mississippi counties: Bolivar, Leflore, and Attala. At each site, 100ft. x 100 ft. plots were established and randomly selected seedlings were marked and measured to determine seedling species, height, condition, survival, and type and extent of animal feeding sign. Surveys were conducted in March/April, May, and August 2004. Herbivory rates were highest during May with approximately 47% of seedlings showing signs of herbivory. In March/ April and August, the percentage of seedlings exhibiting signs of herbivory was 37% and 30%, respectively. Foraging …
Hunters----Can They Do The Job?, Paul D. Curtis, David Drake, Jody Enck, Gary J. San Julian, David Taylor
Hunters----Can They Do The Job?, Paul D. Curtis, David Drake, Jody Enck, Gary J. San Julian, David Taylor
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herds at the landscape scale is increasingly difficult. The future of eastern hardwood forests is threatened by inadequate regeneration of valuable timber species, due in large measure to deer browsing. In the northeast, deer damage to crops, landscaping, and vehicles costs more than 640 million dollars annually. Nationally, hunter ranks are decreasing. In the east, white-tailed deer numbers are increasing; state wildlife agencies have expanded season lengths, and increased deer bag limits. While venison is still a highly prized meat, the average hunting family wants to use about 2 deer per year. …
Use Of Confined Dogs For Reducing Deer Damage To Apple Orchards, Paul D. Curtis, Regina Rieckenberg
Use Of Confined Dogs For Reducing Deer Damage To Apple Orchards, Paul D. Curtis, Regina Rieckenberg
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
We assessed the efficacy of free-ranging dogs, confined by buried fences and electronic collars, for reducing deer damage to apple trees in three commercial apple orchards in Oswego County, New York State. During 1995 and 1996, we monitored paired dog-protected and control plots in each orchard. Within dog-protected areas, the percentage of damaged buds was lower, and fruit yield was higher in both 1995 and 1996 than for control plots. Gross economic returns were higher from dog-protected than control plots in both 1995 (by 51%) and 1996 (by 184%). After two seasons of growth, trees planted in May 1995 had …
Effectiveness Of A White-Tailed Deer Exclusion Fence Based On Traction Limitations Of The Hoof: The Slipper Fence, George R. Gallagher, Heidi A. Keen, Robert H. Prince
Effectiveness Of A White-Tailed Deer Exclusion Fence Based On Traction Limitations Of The Hoof: The Slipper Fence, George R. Gallagher, Heidi A. Keen, Robert H. Prince
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
We hypothesized that an exclusion fence could be devised to capitalize on traction limitations of the hooves of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Hexagonal plots (9.8 m wide) enclosed by a 2.4 m field fence with two openings (4.9 m) were established. Data were collected daily on consumption of corn provided (2.27 kg) and events recorded by infrared monitors (IR) for treatment and control sites. Five-day treatment periods consisted of test panels (4.9 m x 2.4 m) placed in plot openings at 0°, 5° and 10° slopes, and lubricant applied at the 10° slope. Deer consumed all corn provided …
Demographic And Spatial Responses Of Coyotes To Changes In Food And Exploitation, Eric M. Gese
Demographic And Spatial Responses Of Coyotes To Changes In Food And Exploitation, Eric M. Gese
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Lethal control for reducing carnivore populations is a contentious issue throughout the world. While computer simulations have been developed modeling the effects of population reduction on coyote (Canis latrans) population parameters, testing these hypotheses with empirical data from the field is lacking. We documented the demographic and spatial responses of coyotes to changes in the levels of food resources and human exploitation on the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, southeastern Colorado. We captured, radio-collared, and tracked 92 (53 M: 39 F) coyotes from March 1983 to April 1989. Of these, 74 animals were residents from 32 packs, plus 12 …
Thermal Imaging Applications In Urban Deer Control, Earl L. Hodnett
Thermal Imaging Applications In Urban Deer Control, Earl L. Hodnett
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Control of burgeoning populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is a challenging endeavor under the best of circumstances. The challenge is further complicated when control programs are attempted within an urban or suburban area. Wildlife managers often consider management techniques and equipment which have a proven track record. New challenges require new and innovative techniques. The deer management program in Fairfax County, Virginia has employed thermal imaging technology in a variety of ways to better address these unique challenges. In addition to the more commonly used aircraft-mounted FLIR (forward looking infrared), this program utilizes vehicle-mounted and hand-held thermal …
Modifying Fences To Prevent Ungulate Use Of Cropland And High-Value Pastures, James E. Knight, Roy Fenster, Carolyn Nistler
Modifying Fences To Prevent Ungulate Use Of Cropland And High-Value Pastures, James E. Knight, Roy Fenster, Carolyn Nistler
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Big game can damage crops and compete with livestock for valuable forage. Ranchers have reported their tolerance for big game would increase if the animals could be prevented from using key areas critical for spring livestock use. Likewise, some farmers have high value areas that must be protected. Fences provide the most consistent long term control compared to other deterrent methods, but are costly to erect. Many designs of woven wire and electric fences are currently used. Costs of erecting deer proof fencing could be greatly reduced if an existing fence could be modified instead of being replaced entirely. This …
Effectiveness Of Milorganite® As A Repellent To Protect Ornamental And Agronomic Plants From Deer Over-Browsing, Odin L. Stephens, Michael T. Mengak, George R. Gallagher, David A. Osborn, Karl V. Miller
Effectiveness Of Milorganite® As A Repellent To Protect Ornamental And Agronomic Plants From Deer Over-Browsing, Odin L. Stephens, Michael T. Mengak, George R. Gallagher, David A. Osborn, Karl V. Miller
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
When deer populations become locally overabundant, browsing of ornamental and agronomic plants negatively affects plant establishment, survival, and productivity. Milorganite® is a slow-release, organic fertilizer produced from human sewage. We tested Milorganite® as a deer repellent on chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemums morifolium) in an urban/suburban environment, and soybeans (Gycine max) in a rural agriculture environment. Six beds of chrysanthemums at two sites were monitored for 28 to 35 days. Treatment plants received a top dressing of 104 grams of Milorganite® (1120.9 kg/ha). Milorganite® treated plants had more (P < 0.001) terminal buds and achieved greater height (P < 0.002) compared to controls at one site, however damage observed was similar at the second site. In a second experiment, 0.2-ha plots of soybeans (Glycine max) were planted on five rural properties in …
Deer-Vehicle Crash Patterns Across Ecoregions In Michigan, Krishnan Sudharsan, Shawn J. Riley, Brent A. Rudolph, Brian A. Maurer
Deer-Vehicle Crash Patterns Across Ecoregions In Michigan, Krishnan Sudharsan, Shawn J. Riley, Brent A. Rudolph, Brian A. Maurer
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Deer-vehicle collisions (DVCs) impact the economic and social well being of humans. We examined large-scale patterns behind DVCs across 3 ecoregions: Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP), Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP), and Upper Peninsula (UP) in Michigan. A 3 component conceptual model of DVCs with drivers, deer, and a landscape was the framework of analysis. The conceptual model was parameterized into a parsimonious mathematical model. The dependent variable was DVCs by county by ecoregion and the independent variables were percent forest cover, percent crop cover, mean annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and mean deer density index (DDI) by county. A discriminant function …
Evaluations Of Livestock Protection Dogs For Deterring Deer And Cattle Interactions, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Gregory E. Phillips, Robert L. Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle
Evaluations Of Livestock Protection Dogs For Deterring Deer And Cattle Interactions, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Gregory E. Phillips, Robert L. Pooler, Michael J. Lavelle
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Bovine Tuberculosis (bovine TB) in northern Michigan has proven a dilemma necessitating aggressive measures including depopulation of livestock operations, culling of wildlife, banning the feeding of wildlife, and fencing livestock feed with high fences. Bovine TB is believed to be transmitted from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to domestic cattle through feces, urine, saliva, and nasal secretions on contaminated feed (indirect transmission) and from animal to animal (direct transmission). Effective methods for excluding deer from cattle enclosures would minimize the potential for indirect and direct transmission of bovine TB between infected deer and cattle. We combined an idea used …
Dogs For Reducing Wildlife Damage To Organic Crops: A Case Study, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Nathan W. Seward, Daniel L. Hirchert, Michael L. Jones, Scott F. Beckerman
Dogs For Reducing Wildlife Damage To Organic Crops: A Case Study, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Nathan W. Seward, Daniel L. Hirchert, Michael L. Jones, Scott F. Beckerman
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Deer (Odocoileus spp.) damage millions of dollars in agricultural crops each year in the United States. A variety of frightening devices and repellants have been developed to reduce crop depredation, however most are effective temporarily (< 6 months). Several types of fences are available, but the most effective are expensive, time consuming to install, and may be considered aesthetically displeasing. Additional means to control wildlife damage to agriculture are needed. We evaluated the efficacy of dogs (Canis familiaris) over a several year period for preventing crop damage caused by white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) and other wildlife at an organic fruit and vegetable farm in south-central Wisconsin. Annual losses at the farm before the introduction of dogs were estimated at $3,177 in 1997 and $4,391 in 1999. One field was protected with 2 crop protection …
Monitoring Racoon Rabies In Alabama: The Potential Effects Of Habitat And Demographics, Wendy M. Arjo, Christine E. Fisher, James Armstrong, Dana Johnson, Frank Boyd
Monitoring Racoon Rabies In Alabama: The Potential Effects Of Habitat And Demographics, Wendy M. Arjo, Christine E. Fisher, James Armstrong, Dana Johnson, Frank Boyd
Wildlife Damage Management Conference
Density, morphometrics, and disease prevalence of raccoon populations were determined in 4 habitats (agriculture, riverine, managed, and forested) in central Alabama. In addition we monitored 71 collared raccoons to determine survival. Density estimates were similar in the agriculture (ag) and riverine habitats in central Alabama with 8 raccoons/km2, and lower in the forested habitat at 5 raccoons/ km2. Retention of juveniles did not appear to contribute to observed higher populations in the riverine and ag habitat. Although the riverine and ag, possibly due to supplemental resources, likely provide better habitat for raccoons, we found only body …