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Current Research On Improving Capture Devices For Coyotes, Robert L. Phillips, Kenneth S. Gruver

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Nine types of footsnares were tested on captive coyotes (Canis latrans) at the United States Department of Agriculture Predator Research Facility. Preliminary results indicate that the E-Z Lee, Nelson, Freemont, and Godwin leg snares can be effective in restraining coyotes while causing only minor leg injuries. Additional testing will be required to determine the effectiveness of these devices in different field situations. Four types of coyote leg-hold traps were evaluated to determine the injuries they inflict on captured coyotes. The No. 3 1/2 McBride padded trap caused the least injury in comparison to 3 other trap models that …

Wildlife Damage Managers And Euthanasia, Robert H. Schmidt

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage managers regularly are faced with decisions that include whether and how animals will be killed. Euthanasia refers to death without pain or distress, i.e., a humane death. The American Veterinary Medical Association has developed guidelines for euthanasia (Andrews et al. 1993). These guidelines affect many of the methods and technologies involved in wildlife damage management. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, barbiturates, and gunshots are appropriate methods of euthanizing wildlife when necessary and when applied in the prescribed manner.

An Evaluation Of Oklahoma's Depredation Program For Handling Deer Damage To Agricultural Crops, Michael G. Shaw

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A stepwise approach was developed in 1993 to handle agricultural damage complaints caused by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Results from 2 seasons were evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the procedures implemented. Approximately half of the damage complaints received were handled by prescribing non-lethal techniques such as fencing, harassment, and repellents. The remainder of the complaints required 1 or more types of lethal control. Although doe harvest rates were similar under the 2 permit options, Damage Control Assistance Permits (DCAP) provided several distinct advantages over out of season shooting using Depredation Permits (DEPR). The DCAP permits increased hunting …

Depredation Of Catfish By Double-Crested Cormorants At Aquaculture Facilities In Oklahoma, Robert L. Simmonds Jr., Alexander V. Zale, David M. Leslie Jr.

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Oklahoma has about 324 ha of surface water in catfish (Ictalurus spp.) production. The state also supports a large number of migrating and wintering piscivorous birds, particularly double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus). To address concerns of aquaculture facility operators regarding loss of fish to cormorants, we asked 11 operators to conduct regular counts of piscivorous birds at each facility. These data were used to determine factors affecting cormorant density at facilities and to estimate amount of catfish lost to cormorant depredation. Cormorant density (birds/ha/day) was positively correlated with surface area of water in production at facilities <10 ha (r = …

Feral Hogs In The Rolling Plains Of Texas: Perspectives, Problems, And Potential, Douglas R. Tolleson, William E. Pinchak, Dale Rollins, Leland J. Hunt

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) have expanded their territory in Texas and are now found in all but the extreme western portions of the state. Perhaps the most dramatic expansion has occurred in the Rolling Plains of northwest Texas. Perspectives on feral hogs range from definitely for to adamantly against. Problems encountered with feral hogs include: (1) damage to crops and livestock, or facilities and equipment, (2) transmission of disease to humans and livestock, or (3) interaction with native wildlife including competition for available resources, depredation and destruction of habitat. The feral hog is also an animal with economic …

Private Beaver Management In Oklahoma, Julianne Whitaker

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) estimated the state's beaver (Castor canadensis) population at 1,245 animals in 1951-52. That same year, ODWC relocated 29 beaver from 5 western counties to Department lands in 4 eastern counties. Beaver populations in Oklahoma have since grown as a result of changes in available habitat. In response to the growing number of beavers, ODWC opened an annual beaver season from 1 December to 31 January, in 1960-1961. The season was opened year-round in 1983. Although beaver activities benefit many wildlife species, their activities have had a negative economic impact on the …

Ripening Field Corn Lost To Wildlife In 1993, Alice P. Wywialowski

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Ripening field corn lost to wildlife was measured in fall 1993 in 10 midwestern states that have produced 83% of the field corn in the United States over the past 10 years. Sampling of damage was stratified by producer expectation of likely wildlife damage or unlikely wildlife damage. Damage was assessed immediately before harvest. Two plots that measured 4.5 m x 2 rows were assessed in each selected field. Of assessed fields, wildlife damage was present in 340 of 1,259 (27.0%) likely damaged fields and 108 of 1,243 (8.7%) unlikely damaged fields. As a percentage of harvested production, birds (Aves) …

Using Sound, Visual, And Tactile Products To Repel Birds, Mona Zemsky

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Birds are typically thought of as beautiful, graceful, tuneful creatures by the general public. However, there are many reasons to control birds. Birds and their droppings can create unsightly visual conditions and an unhealthy atmosphere that promotes disease transmission. In addition, cleaning costs including time spent, and property, equipment, or product damage can cause financial loss. Some bird control products, though widely used, are not suitable in many situations. For environmental and safety reasons, poison perches, poison grain and shotguns may not be ideal choices under certain circumstances. Because of high cost and unfeasibility, netting and spikes may be inappropriate. …

The Efficacy Of Naphthalene And Sulfur Repellents To Cause Avoidance Behavior In The Plains Garter Snake, Dennis M. Ferraro

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The efficacy of naphthalene, sulfur, and a commercial combination of these chemicals as a repellent against the plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) was investigated. Behavioral tests were conducted using 96 recently captured snakes to determine whether significant avoidance results from the presence of these chemicals. Field tests were performed at 24 locations in the snakes' home range and in unfamiliar habitats. In both home ranges and unfamiliar habitats application of potential repellents did not result in significant avoidance behavior. The snakes may be able to sense these volatile chemicals, but the stimuli were unable to alter their behavior. …

Controlling Nuisance Egret And Heron Rookeries In Oklahoma, Kevin R. Grant, James Watson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Native egrets (Egretta spp.) and herons (Nyticorax spp.) maintain rookeries throughout Oklahoma. With the appearance of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) in North America, nuisance problems have occurred with the creation and expansion of rookeries near human populations. Egrets and herons, their nests, eggs, and rookery habitat are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Damage associated with Oklahoma rookeries are nuisance noise, nuisance odor, potential disease threats, decline of vegetation (guanotrophy), displaced fledglings, and air strike hazards. Proven nuisance rookery control includes habitat alterations (tree thinning), noise harassment with pyrotechnics and propane exploders, shooting to reinforce …

Effects Of Mule Deer Grazing On Alfalfa Seed Production, Dennis D. Austin, Philip J. Urness

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Evaluation of crop loss caused by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) grazing on alfalfa grown for seed harvest was studied in northern Utah. Results indicated (1) wire baskets used to protect non-grazed plots did not affect alfalfa production, and (2) alfalfa seed crop loss was directly correlated with alfalfa hay crop loss. Consequently, methods used to evaluate crop loss to alfalfa hay may be applied to alfalfa seed.

Wedelia: A Potential Ground Cover For Reducing The Attractiveness Of Tropical Airfields To Birds, Michael A. Linnell, Michael R. Conover, Tim J. Ohashi

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Airport environments frequently provide ideal feeding and loafing habitats for many bird species. Bird strikes at most airports involve predominantly insectivorous species. However, the Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai, Hawaii has had a severe problem with bird strikes involving 4 granivorous species: the zebra dove (Geopelia striata), spotted dove (Streptopelia chinensis), chestnut mannikin (Lonchura malacca), and nutmeg mannikin (L. punctulato). Two owl species, the common barn owl (Tyto alba) and Hawaiian short-eared owl (Asio flammeus sandwhichensis), have also been involved in aircraft collisions at Lihue. Shooting …

Twelfth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Summary, Ronald E. Masters, J. Grant Huggins

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Immunocontraception And Possible Application In Wildlife Damage Management, Lowell A. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

lmmunocontraception technology appears to have viable application in wildlife damage management. However, administration of these vaccines is presently performed by syringe injection or remote delivery by darts or bio-bullets. In order for immunocontraception to be successful for broad scale application to free-roaming animals, the vaccine must be delivered in an oral form. Recent advances in molecular biology, immunology, and pathology of mucosal infection gives us tools to develop effective oral vaccines. Oral immunocontraceptive vaccine encapsulated in adhesive liposomes or non-virulent live vectors holds promise as a practical approach for immunocontraception of free-roaming wildlife. Issues of safety, species specificity, regulatory constraints, …

The Oral Rabies Vaccination Project And The Experimental Use Of Raboral V-Rg In The South Texas Canine Rabies Epizootic, M. Gayne Fearneyhough

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Beginning in October 1988, Texas experienced the onset of an expanding epizootic of canine rabies in far South Texas. That epizootic now involves 18 counties, with 522 laboratory confirmed cases as of December 1994. Approximately 50% of those cases have occurred in coyotes (Canis latrans) and most of the remainder in domestic dogs. Forty-three "spill over" cases have been reported in 7 other species, both wild and domestic. Since 1988, over 1600 people in South Texas have received postexposure rabies treatment due to potential exposure to a rabid animal and 2 human deaths have been attributed to this virus strain. …

Protecting Juvenile Salmonids From Gull Predation Using Wire Exclusion Below Hydroelectric Dams, John E. Steuber, Mikel E. Pitzler, J. Gary Oldenburg

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Predation by ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarenis) has been identified as a significant threat to migrant steelhead and salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) smolt in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Bird predation appears highest immediately below hydroelectric facilities. Installation of overhead wire/cable exclusion systems over the tailrace area of 12 dams has been completed to reduce gull predation. Data collected from 1 of the facilities as well as observations from other dams indicate that overhead wire/cable exclusion systems are effective in reducing predation by gulls.

Participants

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

List of participants

The Puma In The Central Mountains And Great Plains, Jay W. Tischendorf, F. Robert Henderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Current status of the puma, Felis concolor, in the central mountains and Great Plains of Canada and the United States is discussed. Recent specimens and verified sightings are reviewed. Based on growing evidence, the puma has the potential to recolonize much of this region. Minor depredation problems can be expected, particularly as puma numbers increase and their range expands. This species is highly adaptable and extremely elusive, and its detection requires special skills. Professional wildlifers must be prepared to meet the dual challenges of managing both for recovery of this relatively rare carnivore and for its coexistence with humans.

Primase Structure And Function, Mark A. Griep

Department of Chemistry: Faculty Publications

Primase is the ssDNA-dependent RNA polymerase that synthesizes RNA primers during DNA replication. In common with all DNA and RNA polymerases, primase has structural and functional features involved in polymer elongation. As RNA polymerase, it has structural and functional features for initiating chain synthesis. As a primase, it has structural and functional features for initiating chain synthesis on ssDNA. Using amino acid sequence analysis the structure of Escherichia coli primase responsible for binding zinc, at least three magnesium, and DnaB helicase has been identified. One of the magnesium binding motifs resembles the “active magnesium” motif found in all DNA and …

Acuta Enews April 1995, Vol. 24, No. 4

ACUTA Newsletters

In This Issue

Board Report

President's message

DC at a glance

Directory updates

From ACUTA Headquarters

Nebline, April 1995

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Horticulture

Rural $ense

Family Living

4-H & Youth

Environmental Focus

Community & Leadership Development

Extension Calendar

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

Nebraska Association for Family and Community Education News

and other extension news and events

Water Current, Volume 27, No. 2, April 1995

Water Current Newsletter

Conference Brings Water Officials, Splash of Expertise to Debate
From the Director: Funding for Water Resources Research Institutes Threatened
New Lake Manual Readable, Practical
Platte Watershed Program
Research Review: Sprinkler Irrigatin: A Volatile Organic Compound Remediation Alternative
Nebraska Water News
Pesticide Applicator Manuals on the Web
Nebaskan Named NACD Director
Faculty Receive Extension Grants
Awards Honor Group, Individuals for Service
Mathiason Appointed

Ard News April 1995

Agricultural Research Division: News and Annual Reports

CONTENTS:

COMMENTS FROM THE DEAN
PROCEDURES FOR PROCESSING PROPOSALS
NEW OR REVISED PROJECTS
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR FEDERAL GRANTS
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RELEVANCY ANALYSIS
URBAN EMPHASIS WITHIN ARD PROGRAMS
RESEARCH PROGRAM COMPARISON: ARD vs OTHER SAESs
ESCOP/CSREES RESEARCH INITIATIVES -1995
FY 1996 FEDERAL RESEARCH BUDGET
SIZE OF NORTH CENTRAL REGION SAES PROGRAMS
SOURCES OF SAES FUNDING IN NC REGION
FACULTY RECOGNITION

Three New Eimerians In Capybara (Hydrochaeris Hydrochaeris) Populations From Eastern Bolivia And Southern Venezuela, M. C. Casas, Donald W. Duszynski, L. M. Zalles

Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology: Faculty Publications

From June to August 1993, fecal samples were collected from the intestinal tract of 13 juvenile, 4 pre-adult, and 25 adult capybaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L.) from 10 localities in eastern Bolivia; additionally, 19 fresh fecal samples were collected in 1994 from capybara herds at 2 localities in south central Venezuela. Oocysts of 3 eimerians were recovered from the capybara populations in both countries and, after study, are described here as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria trinidadensis n. sp. are subspheroidal, 20.9 x 18.1 (18-23 x 16.5-21) μm with sporocysts ovoidal, 9.8 x 6.1 (8-12 x 5-8) μm. Micropyle …

The Challenge And Opportunity Of Recovering Wolf Populations, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

The gray wolf once inhabited a wide variety of habitats throughout most of the northern hemisphere north of 20°N latitude. Because the animal preyed on livestock and competed with humans for wild prey, it was extirpated from much of its range outside of wilderness areas. Environmental awareness in the late 1960s brought for the wolf legal protection, increased research, and favorable media coverage. The species has increased in both Europe and North America, is beginning to reoccupy semiwilderness and agricultural land, and is causing increased damage to livestock. Because of the wolfs high reproductive rate and long dispersal tendencies, the …

Cropwatch No. 95-3, March 31, 1995, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Inside

Wheat survey ...................... 18

Topdressing wheat ............. 19

No-till weed control ........... 20

No-till planting ................... 21

Rinsing sprayers ................. 22

Corn rootworms ................. 23

Protective clothing ............. 23

Controlling kochia .............. 24

The Relationship Between Homophobia, Peer Counseling Effectiveness, And Peer Counseling Self-Confidence, Marc T. Kiviniemi

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The relationships between a peer counselor's level of homophobia, their self-perceptions of counseling ability, and their effectiveness as a peer counselor were examined. Resident Assistants (RA's, N=27) completed the Index of Homophobia (Hudson & Ricketts, 1980) and the Peer Counseling Comfort Scale. Resident students (N=159) evaluated their RA's performance and ability as a peer counselor. Results from the three surveys were correlated. A significant correlation was found between Homophobia scores and self-perceptions of ability. Implications for counseling practice and suggestions for further research are discussed.

When Quod Is “Which” And When Quod Is “Because”, Thomas Nelson Winter

Department of Classics and Religious Studies: Faculty Publications

“When is quod ‘which’ and when is quod ‘because’?” asked Betsy A. Beacom, intermediate Latin student. Good question, and once alerted to it, even the professor becomes conscious of starting the wrong way with the word sometimes. The obvious answer about relative pronouns and their antecedents has serious shortcomings. Frequently the entire preceding idea is the antecedent and we do not know if the quod will refer to it or tell the why of it; a neuter antecedent is no guarantee of a “which”: sometimes a preceding neuter noun—even immediately preceding—can still leave you with a “because,” as in items …

Cropwatch No. 95-1, March 17, 1995, Lisa Brown Jasa

Crop Watch (1994–2005)

Inside

Welcome back/subscription information ......... 2

Integrated com management workshop .......... 3

Combination herbicides table ............................ 5

Winter wheat update ......................................... 6

Biological pest control ........................................ 7

Worker Protection Standard .............................. 8

Memory Processes In Elderly Eyewitnesses: What We Know And What We Don’T Know, Brian H. Bornstein

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Research is reviewed on the memory abilities of elderly eyewitnesses. Two major issues are addressed: First, how credible are elderly witnesses? Second, how accurate are they? Despite negative stereotypes regarding elderly eyewitnesses, they do not necessarily lack credibility at trial. In terms of their memory performance, older witnesses are as accurate as young adults in many respects, but they are particularly vulnerable to misleading information that is presented after the witnessed event. Furthermore, their performance varies depending on the type of information that is sought and the manner in which their memory is assessed. Recommendations are made for improving the …