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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Wildlife-Caused Losses Of Agricultural Commodities In 1994 With Emphasis On The Great Plains, A.P. Wywialowski Feb 1997

Wildlife-Caused Losses Of Agricultural Commodities In 1994 With Emphasis On The Great Plains, A.P. Wywialowski

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings


The USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) surveyed 16,000 agricultural producers in January 1995. Of 10,144 respondents nationwide, 58% reported wildlife-caused losses of their commodities, an increase from 55% in 1989. Based on the median value of all producers' estimates of their losses, wildlife-caused losses cost producers approximately $591 million in 1994, $130 million more than in 1989. Losses presented are based on median producer estimates which have been shown to be consistent with field-measured estimates of damage. Because the dollar value of losses are based on median estimates, extremes of reported losses do not affect these results. If all …


Perceptions Of Wildlife Damage Conference Scheduling: Response To A Survey, J. Grant Huggins Feb 1997

Perceptions Of Wildlife Damage Conference Scheduling: Response To A Survey, J. Grant Huggins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings


The Wildlife Society’s Wildlife Damage Management Working Group formed an ad hoc committee to study the perception of some members of the recent development of an overabundance of wildlife damage related professional meetings. The committee consisted of Grant Huggins (chair), Jim Miller, and Phil Mastrangelo.

There are currently 3 major wildlife damage management Conferences in the U.S. The Vertebrate Pest Conference (VPC) is held in California every even-numbered year. The Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop (Great Plains) is held in the spring and the Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (Eastern) is held in the fall of odd-numbered years. The …


Cooperative Wolf Depredation Management In Wisconsin, Robert C. Willging, Adrian P. Wydeven Feb 1997

Cooperative Wolf Depredation Management In Wisconsin, Robert C. Willging, Adrian P. Wydeven

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A depredation management plan was an important component of Federal and State recovery plans for the endangered gray wolf (Canis lupus) in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) entered into a cooperative agreement with USDA-APHIS-ADC to cooperatively manage wolf depredations. Response to complaints involving wolf-dog hybrids was also part of the cooperative agreement. From 1990-1996 ADC investigated 60 wolf complaints and confirmed 10 depredations. In the same time period, WDNR paid a total of $21,376 in compensation payments for 21 incidents of wolf depredations. Wolves may be downlisted from endangered to threatened within the next five …


Control Of Nuisance Birds By Fogging With Rejex-It® Tp-40, Peter F. Vogt Feb 1997

Control Of Nuisance Birds By Fogging With Rejex-It® Tp-40, Peter F. Vogt

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Many bird problems are caused by birds congregating, roosting, loafing, and nesting rather than by the birds’ feeding activities. No matter what their activity, eventually birds will need to be driven off, preferably in a so-called “friendly” way without harming the birds or other animals. Unlike other avian aversion methods, fogging of ReJeX-iT® TP-40 relies on the exposure of the target birds to the aerosol rather than relying on birds eating treated food. Best results are achieved when birds congregate in the early morning or early evening when they settle down. After several exposures the birds generally leave the area …


Impact Of Preventive Aerial Coyote Hunting On Sheep Losses To Coyote Predation, Kimberly K. Wagner, Michael R. Conover Feb 1997

Impact Of Preventive Aerial Coyote Hunting On Sheep Losses To Coyote Predation, Kimberly K. Wagner, Michael R. Conover

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Coyote (Canis latrans) predation is a serious problem for livestock producers in the Western U.S. In Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, 34% of all producer-reported sheep and lamb losses were to coyote predation, amounting to $4.8 million in losses during 1995. Although preventive aerial hunting is commonly used by agriculture agencies in the Intermountain West to reduce coyote (Canis latrans) predation on sheep (Ovis aries), only limited data are available on the efficacy of the technique. We assessed the impact of winter (January - March) aerial coyote hunting on sheep losses to coyotes and the …


Relative Effectiveness Of Various Breeds Of Livestock Guarding Dogs For Reducing Predation On Domestic Sheep In Colorado, William F. Andelt, Stuart N. Hopper Feb 1997

Relative Effectiveness Of Various Breeds Of Livestock Guarding Dogs For Reducing Predation On Domestic Sheep In Colorado, William F. Andelt, Stuart N. Hopper

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We surveyed 59 livestock producers that used multiple breeds of livestock guarding dogs to determine their ratings of the relative effectiveness of guarding dogs for deterring predation on domestic sheep in Colorado during 1995. Significantly (P < 0.05) more producers rated Akbash dogs as more effective than Great Pyrenees for deterring predation by coyotes (Canis latrans), black bears (Ursus americanus), mountain lions (Felis concolor), domestic dogs, and all predators combined. Significantly more producers also rated Akbash dogs as more effective than Komondors for deterring predation by coyotes and all predators combined. Great Pyrenees and Komondors were rated as similar in effectiveness for deterring predation. Significantly more producers rated Akbash dogs as more aggressive, …


Development And Registration Of A Practical Tranquilizer Trap Device (Ttd) For Foot-Hold Traps, Doris E. Zemlicka, D. Pete Sahr, Peter J. Savarie, Frederick F. Knowlton, F. Sherman Blom, Jerrold L. Belant Feb 1997

Development And Registration Of A Practical Tranquilizer Trap Device (Ttd) For Foot-Hold Traps, Doris E. Zemlicka, D. Pete Sahr, Peter J. Savarie, Frederick F. Knowlton, F. Sherman Blom, Jerrold L. Belant

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Foot-hold traps can be used to selectively capture coyotes (Canis latrans) and wolves (C. lupus). However, injuries to captured animals sometimes occur when they struggle to escape. Tranquilizer trap devices (TTDs) reduce struggling and injuries but prototype TTDs were too expensive for widespread use by Animal Damage Control (ADC) operational personnel. For this reason, the Pocatello Supply Depot (PSD) and the National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) are investigating alternative TTD designs. A molded-rubber TTD will be available from the PSD for coyotes, and the NWRC continues to explore other cheaper TTD designs. A practical TTD design …


Evaluating Cable Resistance To Pocket Gopher Damage - A Review, Craig A. Ramey, Geraldine R. Mccann Feb 1997

Evaluating Cable Resistance To Pocket Gopher Damage - A Review, Craig A. Ramey, Geraldine R. Mccann

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The National Wildlife Research Center, formerly known as the Denver Wildlife Research Center (DWRC), collaborated with telecommunications and energy industries to evaluate cable resistance to pocket gopher damage for 29 years (1966 to 1995). Recently, DWRC's evaluation process was transferred to private contract laboratories. This review summarizes the chronology of key investigations and procedures that were used and first published on cable resistance to rodent damage. The longstanding cooperative goal of both DWRC scientists and industry engineers was the development of rodent-proof, buried cables and ducts. Even though most data collected were proprietary, extensive laboratory testing at DWRC provided data …


Field Trials Of Alpha-Chloralose And Drc-1339 For Reducing Numbers Of Herring Gulls, Paul P. Woronecki, Richard A. Dolbeer, Thomas W. Seamans Feb 1997

Field Trials Of Alpha-Chloralose And Drc-1339 For Reducing Numbers Of Herring Gulls, Paul P. Woronecki, Richard A. Dolbeer, Thomas W. Seamans

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

We compared the potential of Alpha-chloralose (A-C) and DRC-1339 to reduce a nesting population of herring gulls at an industrial site in Ohio in 1988. Almost all treated baits were consumed by gulls but only about one affected gull was noted for every 10 baits consumed of either chemical. A test indicated our DRC-1339 baits. containing 3.7 - 7.4 times the published LD value, were not lethal to most captive herring gulls living in fresh water. LD values of A-C and DRC-1339 need to be more precisely estimated for gull species in fresh and salt water environments.


Food Habits Of Mountain Lions In The Trans-Pecos Region Of Texas, Rosemary A. Heinen, S. Kemble Canon Feb 1997

Food Habits Of Mountain Lions In The Trans-Pecos Region Of Texas, Rosemary A. Heinen, S. Kemble Canon

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Information regarding mountain lion (Felis concolor) food habits is relatively scarce overall, and this is particularly true in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. Most information currently available is from Big Bend National Park where livestock are excluded and game animals are not actively managed. This study involved the analysis of 32 mountain lion stomachs collected throughout the Trans-Pecos over a 14 month period. Deer (Odocoileus spp.) and javelina (Tayassu tajacu) were the predominate prey species, each occurring in 39% of the stomachs analyzed. Domestic livestock was found in 9% of the total stomachs and non-game …


Dealing With Different Audiences: Special Interest Groups, Guy R. Hodge Feb 1997

Dealing With Different Audiences: Special Interest Groups, Guy R. Hodge

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

One of the classic cases of clashing special interests can be found in Brownsville, Texas, just a few miles from the border with Mexico. On the outskirts of town is a location that has become as much a gathering place for bird watchers as it is for birds. The site, referred to informally as the Mexican Crow Sanctuary, is the only reliable location in the United States to observe this species. Each year, visiting birders pump millions of dollars into the local economy while pursuing the Mexican crow. But not everyone looks with favor at the presence of the birds. …


Dealing With The Policy Makers, Herb Manig Feb 1997

Dealing With The Policy Makers, Herb Manig

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

First, “Why would policy makers be interested in wildlife damage control in the first place?” In response, I would have to say that the problems with wildlife are increasing in number, diversity and complexity. Policy makers cannot afford to ignore controversies caused by them. We have problems in transportation with deer/automobiles collisions. We have airplane engines ingesting birds. We have health problems with respect to disease. Wildlife damage costs money. We also have problems with aesthetics. Some of the homeowners may not lose a lot of money when deer nibble their shrubs but they certainly don't like the looks of …


Mole Census Techniques, Richard M. Poche Feb 1997

Mole Census Techniques, Richard M. Poche

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Effective mole control is often difficult to achieve. Various types of traps, baits, and fumigants have been developed over the years to reduce mole damage to lawns, golf courses, and other areas. Two studies were conducted in the St. Louis, Missouri area to field test products currently registered by the EPA for mole control. Reliable census methods are required to determine efficacy. The best method used was the hole punch method. It consisted of punching 1.9-2.5 cm diameter holes (using a blunt end broom stick) into the top of a mole shallow tunnel. The punched holes were examined 48 hours …


Elk Vs. Livestock: Forage Utilization Study In Portions Of The Gila National Forest., Michael Treadaway, V.W. Howard Jr., Chris D. Allison, Jon C. Boren Feb 1997

Elk Vs. Livestock: Forage Utilization Study In Portions Of The Gila National Forest., Michael Treadaway, V.W. Howard Jr., Chris D. Allison, Jon C. Boren

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In areas where elk (Cervus elephus) and livestock, mainly cattle (Bos taurus), occupy the same rangeland the potential for competition exists, which may adversely effect each species. Competition between these herbivores may occur for herbaceous vegetation in areas with high elk numbers and moderate livestock numbers. In portions of the Gila National Forest some ranchers claim that the steady increase in elk numbers has caused them to run livestock numbers below that allocated by the United States Forest Service. This has resulted in numerous management challenges including the management of forage utilization for livestock and wildlife. …


Teaching Youth Wildlife Damage Management Principles Comparing Techniques (How To’S And Helpful Hints), Dallas A. Virchow, Denny M. Hogeland Feb 1997

Teaching Youth Wildlife Damage Management Principles Comparing Techniques (How To’S And Helpful Hints), Dallas A. Virchow, Denny M. Hogeland

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Youth need to receive research-based information about wildlife damage management principles and techniques so they can make wise decisions regarding issues. Educators also need to identify the best techniques for specific ages. We presented wildlife damage management topics on 70 separate occasions to over 4,500 youth in Nebraska’s Panhandle from 1993 through 1996. Youth, ages 7 through 10 year old, comprised the majority of the audience. Presentations included a furbearer pelt display and illustration of fur preparation, wildlife population influences using interactive games and demonstrations, wildlife damage principles using lecture, video, small group discussion and demonstration, and historical changes in …


Welcome, Charles Lee Feb 1997

Welcome, Charles Lee

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

It is a pleasure to welcome you to the 13th Great Plains Wildlife Damage Workshop. It has been 24 years since the 1st Great Plains Workshop was held in Manhattan, Kansas, in December 1973. Attendance has varied throughout the years; focus of the workshop has changed and has evolved to where it is today. As I look around the room, I still see a lot of interest. I still get a lot of calls about wildlife damage control, and I realize there is a great need to share the information that each of us has about wildlife damage control. That …


Cost-Effectiveness Of Predator Damage Management Efforts To Protect Sheep In Idaho, Mark D. Collinge, Craig L. Maycock Feb 1997

Cost-Effectiveness Of Predator Damage Management Efforts To Protect Sheep In Idaho, Mark D. Collinge, Craig L. Maycock

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Cost-effectiveness of ADC’s predator damage management efforts was identified as an issue of concern during preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) on predator damage management in southern Idaho. A specific benefit-cost analysis of ADC’s efforts to protect sheep in southern Idaho was prepared to address this issue. This analysis involved a comparison of the difference between 1) the value of livestock losses sustained with a control program in place, plus the costs of implementing the program, and 2) the value of losses that could reasonably be expected without the program in place. This difference, divided by the cost to implement …


Depredation On Artificial Ground Nests By Japanese Macaques: The Unspoken Exotic In Texas, Justin G. Feild, Scott E. Henke, Justin G. Mccoy Feb 1997

Depredation On Artificial Ground Nests By Japanese Macaques: The Unspoken Exotic In Texas, Justin G. Feild, Scott E. Henke, Justin G. Mccoy

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) are old world monkeys that were introduced to Texas in 1972, and their population has since increased to over 800 individuals. Macaques are considered to be primarily vegetarian but will opportunistically forage on a variety of food items. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if macaques impact the nest success of bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). In June 1996, 20 artificial ground nests simulating those of bobwhite quail were placed randomly in areas with and without macaques. Nests were checked at 3-day intervals for 24 days and nest success was …


Dealing With Wildlife Professionals, Scott E. Hygnstrom Feb 1997

Dealing With Wildlife Professionals, Scott E. Hygnstrom

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A relatively small, but highly influential audience that we need to address includes all professional wildlife biologists. But wildlife biologists come in all shapes and sizes. To be an effective educator, you need to properly identify your audience and a proper medium in which to deliver your message.


Dealing With The Media, Stuart Mcdonald Feb 1997

Dealing With The Media, Stuart Mcdonald

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

You have to ask yourself, why would you start a technical session dealing with communications. You know we are all here to learn various aspects of our trade. Why start it out with a session on communications? Well, let me give you the answer to that one. The success of every enterprise depends on public goodwill. When I first read that I thought, yes, in a free society the success of every enterprise depends on public goodwill. But then the Berlin wall came down, communism collapsed and you realize that even tyranny cannot withstand the pressure of public goodwill. So, …


Efficacy Of Turf Shield Repellent On Reducing Damage By Canada Geese And Mallards, Leonard Askham Feb 1997

Efficacy Of Turf Shield Repellent On Reducing Damage By Canada Geese And Mallards, Leonard Askham

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Concentrations of 1/2 to 8 gal of Bird Shield repellent were tested to assess their efficacy on Canada geese and Mallards, determine their potential longevity under natural conditions, and develop strategies to control the bird's use of turf grass areas where they had become physical, aesthetic or health problems to the resource's manager. During the first phase of the trials, each of the concentrations appeared to reduce the birds' use of the treated sites when compared with the untreated control sites. During the second phase of the trial, efficacy was more pronounced when a day use area at a state …


Mylar Flags As Gull Deterrents, Jerrold L. Belant, Sheri K. Ickes Feb 1997

Mylar Flags As Gull Deterrents, Jerrold L. Belant, Sheri K. Ickes

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

During 1996, we evaluated the effectiveness of mylar flags for deterring herring gulls (Larus argentatus) from 2 nesting colonies (roof and breakwall) and herring and ring-billed (L. deglawarensis) gulls from 2 loafing sites at a landfill. Mylar flags (15 cm x 1.0 m) attached to wire or lathe supports were positioned at 6-m intervals at nesting colonies and 3- to 12-m intervals at loafing areas. For both nesting colonies, time of nest initiation, nest density, and clutch size in 1996 when flags were present was similar to or greater than values obtained for these parameters at …


Nonlethal Control Techniques Used To Manage Blackbird Damage To Sunflower, David L. Bergman, Timothy L. Pugh, Louis E. Huffman Feb 1997

Nonlethal Control Techniques Used To Manage Blackbird Damage To Sunflower, David L. Bergman, Timothy L. Pugh, Louis E. Huffman

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Since 1986, nonlethal management techniques have been used by the North Dakota and South Dakota Animal Damage Control programs to reduce blackbird damage to sunflower. The use of propane cannons, pyrotechnics, hazing, and cattail management is discussed. Currently, the primary program for both States is cattail management.


Cultural Control Of Damage To Alfalfa Caused By Pocket Gophers, Ronald M. Case, Debra Baker, James Luchsinger, Bruce Jasch Feb 1997

Cultural Control Of Damage To Alfalfa Caused By Pocket Gophers, Ronald M. Case, Debra Baker, James Luchsinger, Bruce Jasch

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In 1989 we postulated that using different varieties of alfalfa might minimize damages caused by pocket gophers (Geomys spp.). We tested a tap-rooted variety (Wrangler) and a fibrous-rooted variety (Spredor 2). From previous studies, Wrangler out performs Spredor 2 by as much as 27% by the fourth year after planting. Spredor 2, however, has a creeping habit and it sends up new shoots on lateral roots. When a root breaks, it sends up new shoots. Therefore, we predicted that Spredor 2 would be damaged less by below-ground foraging by plains pocket gophers (G. Bursarius). Additionally, Spredor 2 …


The Coyote As An Ecological Model, Thomas A. Eddy, Cindy M. Moore Feb 1997

The Coyote As An Ecological Model, Thomas A. Eddy, Cindy M. Moore

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Teachers (K-12) in a prairie ecology workshop in Kansas used the coyote as the focus for the design of an educational strategy to integrate many concepts and principles of ecology into the various subject areas of the curriculum. A topical outline was developed as a guide for implementing the study.


Gifford Point/Fontenelle Forest Urban Deer Survival And Case Study, Jason D. Ekstein, Scott E. Hygnstrom Feb 1997

Gifford Point/Fontenelle Forest Urban Deer Survival And Case Study, Jason D. Ekstein, Scott E. Hygnstrom

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

From 1995-1996, we radio collared and/or ear tagged 98 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in an urban area of Bellevue, Nebraska. We determined the density to be 44 deer/km2 and observed the movements of 52 collared does. The managed hunt and harvest results are discussed.


Technical Publication Of Wildlife Damage Research, Michael W. Fall, William B. Jackson Feb 1997

Technical Publication Of Wildlife Damage Research, Michael W. Fall, William B. Jackson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The growth of the subdiscipline of wildlife damage research is producing a wealth of scientific information about methods of resolving conflicts between animals and people. Scientists working on these problems have, for many years, found difficulty in publishing the results of their applied research investigations in traditional scientific journal outlets, leading to a diverse information base that encompasses a variety of technical journals and a large “gray” literature in non-refereed publications. Although a number of current scientific journals welcome papers reporting the results of wildlife damage research, the identification of suitable primary outlets for such work, particularly for studies conducted …


Experimental Rodent Control At The Beef Cattle Research Center, Kansas State University, Philip S. Gipson, Charles D. Lee, Matthew L. Burenheide, Jan F. Kamler, Justin E. Kretzer, Daniel J. Martin, Celine C. Perchellet, Chad M. Willemssen, Jennifer Weins Feb 1997

Experimental Rodent Control At The Beef Cattle Research Center, Kansas State University, Philip S. Gipson, Charles D. Lee, Matthew L. Burenheide, Jan F. Kamler, Justin E. Kretzer, Daniel J. Martin, Celine C. Perchellet, Chad M. Willemssen, Jennifer Weins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Little research has been conducted on rodent control techniques in livestock feedlot situations. We tested efficacy of several treatments including two anticoagulant baits, an acute toxicant and snap trapping to reduce rodent populations at the Beef Cattle Research Center at Kansas State University. Among the four treatments utilized, Contrac®, Blox®, and Ditrac® Tracking Powder reduced the number of active burrows. ZP® Rodent Bait had no observed effect on the rodent population and no rodents were taken with snap traps. Burrow activity appears to be a better census method when compared to corn consumption when rodents have access to unlimited food.


Lesser Scaup Depredation And Economic Impact At Baitfish Facilities In Arkansas, M. Chad Philipp, Michael D. Hoy Feb 1997

Lesser Scaup Depredation And Economic Impact At Baitfish Facilities In Arkansas, M. Chad Philipp, Michael D. Hoy

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

During the winters of 1994-95 and 1995-96, unusually large numbers of diving ducks were observed on baitfish facilities in Arkansas. Historically, lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) inhabited baitfish ponds with little reported impact on minnow production, and thus little attention was paid to the birds. Unfortunately, minnow crops in the spring of 1995 fell short of expectations and immediate attention became focused on the role lesser scaup may have had on that minnow shortage. Subsequently, lesser scaup were collected from baitfish facilities in an effort to determine their effect on commercial fish farms. Two hundred and twenty-three lesser scaup …


White-Tailed Deer Activity, Contraception, And Estrous Cycling, Stephen A. Schumake, Gary Killian Feb 1997

White-Tailed Deer Activity, Contraception, And Estrous Cycling, Stephen A. Schumake, Gary Killian

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Reliable activity measures in free-ranging white-tailed deer could be useful for the assessment of estrous cycling and general activity changes that can occur after immunocontraceptive vaccine treatments. Electronic data-logging (CountcardTM) devices attached to 9 white-tailed doe deer on neck collars were used to monitor their movement activities during 2 rutting seasons in 2.5 acre fenced enclosures. Direct daily behavioral observations on buck responses toward individual does were used to detect estrus and to validate changes in 24-hour activity counts as another indication of estrous cycling. When individual activity counts for the estrus days on the does were compared …