Digital Commons Network^™

An Investigation Of Animal Damage Associated With Maple Syrup Production, J. Alan May, Dennis Slate

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

An increase in the use of plastic tubing systems to collect sap from sugar maples (Acer saccharum) has allowed syrup producers to boost production in recent years, but not without cost. Rodents gnawing on tubing, spouts, and fittings may cause damage in excess of $300,000 annually in Vermont, the largest maple producing state. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), and chipmunks (Tamias striatus) appear to be responsible for the majority of damage. Other species including flying squirrels (Glaucomvs sabrinus), white-footed mice (Peromvscus leucopus), porcupines (Erethizon …

Farmer Attitudes Toward Wild Turkeys In Southwestern Wisconsin, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The reintroduction of the Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) represents one of the great success stories for Wisconsin wildlife management. Human settlement, habitat loss, and perhaps disease, combined to eliminate once-common turkeys from Wisconsin by 1900. Periodic attempts to restore a viable turkey population were unsuccessful with the exception of a small flock at Meadow Valley-Necedah in central Wisconsin. However in 1976, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) began a new, well conceived cooperative project with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Under the agreement, Missouri received 3 wild Wisconsin ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) in exchange for …

Factors Affecting Deer Use Of Hybrid Corn In Winter, David K. Ingebrigtsen, Jay B. Mcaninch

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We compared white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of 15 field corn (Zea mays) hybrids grown in food plots near 3 deer wintering areas in southwestern Minnesota, 1987-88. Physical and morphological characteristics of corn varied significantly among sites, subplots and among hybrids. Deer use of hybrids was significantly different and 5 use groups of hybrids were identified. A significant linear relationship was found between use and ear height. Hybrids with higher ears and less husk coverage were preferred by deer. These findings suggest that deer preferences for corn hybrids are affected more by deer pressure, ear height …

Population Dynamics And Management Of Deer In Wisconsin, Keith R. Mccaffery

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Management of deer in Wisconsin is affected by a combination of biological and environmental factors. In the Northern Forest, winter severity dramatically affects annual survival and recruitment. However, deer density goals here are above "I" carrying capacity. Thus, minor errors in harvest management are in part compensated by herd responses. Deer in the farmland areas of the state are maintained at goals that for the most part are below "I" carrying capacity. Errors in harvest management are magnified in farmland because herd responses are not compensatory. Therefore, the harvest quotas for antlerless deer must be more precise in our farmland …

Black Bear Damage In Virginia, Michael R. Vaughan, Patrick F. Scanlon, Sue Evelyn P. Mersmann, Dennis D. Martin

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We examined records of black bear damage in Virginia on Shenandoah National Park, (SNP) (1979-1988) and non-Park lands (1973-1988). Mean annual damage was $5,470 on non-Park lands and $1,217 on the Park. Corn and beehives accounted for 79 percent and personal property for 72 percent of the economic loss on non-Park and Park lands respectively. Young males were responsible for most damage on non-Park lands while adults of both sexes caused most damage on SNP. Over 70 percent of bear damage incidents in the state occurred either on the Park or on land immediately adjacent to the Park. Moving bears …

Farmland Habitat Use By Wild Turkeys In Wisconsin, R. G. Wright, R. N. Paisley, J. F. Kubisiak

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Habitat use and food habits of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were studied during summer 1988-89 in southwestern Wisconsin in order to address growing concerns that turkeys cause considerable crop damage. Intensive telemetric monitoring in 1988 suggested that turkeys used crop fields (corn-alfalfa-oats) at a low rate compared to forest types. Brooded hens used forest habitats less and field habitats more than broodless hens and gobblers. Brooded hens appeared to use forest and crop field habitats less and non-crop fields (pasture and idle) more than expected. Broodless hens and gobblers appeared to use forest types and non-crop fields more …

Preliminary Evaluation Of A Granular Trimethacarb Formulation For Deterring Grazing By American Coots, Michael L. Avery, Curtis Nelms, J. Russell Mason

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In a 0.2 ha flight pen, group of 4 American coots were tested to determine if their grazing activity could be affected by application of a registered granular-trimethacarb insecticide. In the 3 days following treatment (3 kg/ha, a.i.), grazing activity in the treated portions of the 200 m² experimental plots was reduced an average of 47%. Overall use of the treated areas followed a similar pattern but was less consistent among groups. The addition of methylpyrazine, a strong odorant, produced a strong initial suppression of grazing activity in the treated halves of the plots. However, subsequent rain and a …

Controlling Roosting Starlings In Industrial Facilities By Baiting, Bernice U. Constantin, James F. Glahn

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

During the winters of 1987-88 and 1988-89 a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of DRC-1339 baiting for controlling roosting European Starlings (Sturnus vulgarus) at Tennessee Eastman Company's chemical manufacturing plant in Kingsport, Tennessee. In 1987-88 Starlicide CompleteR (1% DRC-1339 treated poultry pellets diluted 1:9 with untreated poultry pellets) was used in preroosting congregating areas adjacent to the roost. In 1988-89 Starlicide CompleteR and DRC-1339 treated bread were used in bait containers placed in the roosting structure. Although 90 lbs of Starlicide CompleteR was consumed during 1987-88, bait consumption was sporadic and no appreciable change in the …

Florida's Nuisance Alligator Control Program, Michael L. Jennings, Allan R. Woodward, Dennis N. David

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The recovery of alligators from centuries of exploitation, coupled with a burgeoning human population in Florida has resulted in an increasing number of problem animals and alligator attacks. In response to this problem, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission implemented a nuisance alligator control program in 1978. A mean of 2513 nuisance alligators per year was harvested during the period 1978 to 1988. The number of alligator complaints, nuisance alligators harvested, and alligator attacks increased significantly over the period (P=0.0003, P=0.0001, and P=0.04). The value of alligator meat remained stable at about $5.00/pound over the same period, while …

Economic Impact And Control Of Wading Birds At Arkanas Minnow Ponds, Michael D. Hoy, Jeffery W. Jones, Albert E. Bivings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Esophageal/stomach contents of 172 little blue herons (Egretta caerulea), great egrets (Casmerodius albus), snowy egrets (Egretta thula), and great blue herons (Ardea herodias) were analyzed to estimate their consumption of golden shiners. Mean and maximum number of golden shiners consumed/bird, as well as the mean total length of golden shiners consumed by each wading bird species was determined. Loss estimates varied by wading bird species and ranged from $0.10 - $1.12/bird/feeding. Loss estimates reflect the severity of problems with wading birds on minnow ponds and the need to reduce losses by use …

An Automatic Trigger For Bird Frightening Devices, Steve Price, John Adams

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

This triggering unit for animal frightening devices was developed because of an expressed need for a more effective method of breaking up starling and grackle roosts. The USDA, Animal Damage Control (ADC) office in Louisville, KY suggested that a device which detected the presence of the birds before activating and then emitted different sounds would be much more effective than single functioning devices on timers. Existing frightening devices have limited effectiveness because the birds become accustom to the repeated and periodic actuations of the same thing over and over again. In November of 1986, Mr. Bernice Constantin, District Supervisor for …

The Usda-Aphis-Adc Program In The United States, Bobby R. Acord

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The ADC program was transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in 1986. Shortly after the transfer, the Secretary of Agriculture established the National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee (NADCAC). Current and future issues facing ADC are discussed in the context of NADCAC recommendations.

Epa Update On Vertebrate Pesticides, William W. Jacobs

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates pesticides under the authority of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Vertebrate pesticides are subsumed under the heading "rodenticides" and, under FIFRA, are regulated similarly to other pesticides.

Impact Of Wolves On White-Tailed Deer In North-Central Minnesota, Todd K. Fuller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Field studies conducted in north-central Minnesota during 1980- 1986 suggest that wolves (Canis lupus) killed about 6% of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population (including fawns). Given certain assumptions, simple equations can be used to estimate sustainable numbers of deer, wolves, and hunter harvest in an area.

Ecologically Sensitive Management Options For Bats, Paul B. Robertson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic, positive shift in the public image of bats in the United States (Tuttle 1988a). This shift is particularly impressive in light of the inappropriate and poor public image that bats have suffered in most western nations in the last century. Over the past decade, a sizable segment of the U.S. public, as well as local, state and national officials, have been educated to the ecological and economic value of bats which results from their insectivory and plant pollination activities (Olkowski and Olkowski 1989, Tuttle 1988b). The fact that they pose a …

Wildlife Damage In Electric Substations In New York, Jody W. Enck

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife managers have long been concerned with the damage wildlife can cause, especially to agricultural crops. However, one area which has received little research is the damage caused by wildlife to electric substations. Such research is needed because damage to electric substations increases operating costs of utilities and reduces reliability of service to customers.

Six member utilities of the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corporation (ESEERCO) were surveyed to identify classes of substations experiencing animal-caused faults (i.e., short circuits), and to determine the impacts of those faults. Records of more than 200 animal-caused faults occurring from 1970-88 were examined. The …

Zinc Phosphide Rodenticide Reduces Cotton Rat Populations In Florida Sugarcane, Nicholas R. Holler, David G. Decker

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Rodents cause extensive damage to sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids) in southern Florida (Samol 1972). Losses have been estimated as high as $235/ha (Lefebvre et al. 1978). Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) and roof rats (Rattus rattus) are responsible for most of the damage (Holler et al. 1981). In-field treatment is required for effective reduction of rat populations because of the distribution and restricted movement patterns of rats within fields (Lefebvre et al.1985a). Zinc phosphide (2%) baits are the only rodenticide baits registered for in-field use in Florida sugarcane. A preliminary test of in-crop aerial application …

Use Of Donkeys To Guard Sheep And Goats In Texas, Murray T. Walton, C. Andy Feild

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Though livestock guarding dogs have received considerable attention in recent years, other animals including donkeys (Equus asinus) are being used to protect sheep and goats from predation by coyotes (Canis latrans). In Texas many ranchers prefer donkeys due to low cost, relatively small maintenance requirements, and compatibility with other predator control methods. This paper describes husbandry practices for use of guard donkeys and relates rancher accounts of their effectiveness in protecting sheep and goats.

Extent And Nature Of Deer Damage To Commercial Nurseries In New York, Roger W. Sayre, Daniel J. Decker

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We surveyed nursery producers in New York to determine the extent, nature and economic impact of deer damage to their operations, and to assess their attitudes towards deer. Seventy-three percent of the producers experienced deer damage to their crops in 1988. Average costs for replacement were nearly $6,000 per grower for those reporting damage estimates (and over $8,000 if 1 extreme value was included). Statewide damage estimates ranged from $500,000 to $1.2 million (depending on assumptions). Forty-six percent used damage control, which cost an average of about $2,000 per grower. More than 80% of the producers were classified as "nonaccepting" …

Persistence Of Tartrazine In Marking Sheep Wool, Richard J. Burns, Peter J. Savarie

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Tartrazine was examined as a possible replacement marker for rhodamine B in the Livestock Protection Collar. Test solutions were formulated in six combinations; tartrazine at 0.5%. and 1.0% concentrations, with and without compound 1080, and with and without nigrosin black. Each solution was examined for persistence of color in the laboratory and when applied to the wool of dried sheep hide. Hide pieces were allowed to weather naturally or were sprinkled to simulate rain. Tartrazine alone was also tested at concentrations of 0.5%. and 1.0% on the necks of sheep. Over a 3-month period, no fading was noted in the …

Wolf Depredation On Livestock In Minnesota Annual Update Of Statistics - 1988, William J. Paul

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Depredation by wolves (Canis lupus) on livestock and poultry in Minnesota is a problem for some producers. A small percentage of the farms in the wolf range are affected annually and a few of these farms suffer substantial monetary loss in a given year. From 1976 through 1988, the number of farms suffering verified wolf depredations ranged from 9 to 38 (x = 23) per year out of about 7,200. From 1977 through 1988 the highest cattle losses claimed by farmers were 0.45 per 1,000 available in 1979; the highest sheep losses claimed were 2.66 per 1,000 available …

Effects Of Free-Ranging Cats On Wildlife: A Progress Report, J. S. Coleman, S. A. Temple

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We have embarked upon a three-year study to determine the density and distribution of free-ranging cats (Felis catus) and their effects on prey populations in rural Wisconsin. The effects of predation by free-ranging cats on wildlife populations are potentially great and have not been adequately accounted for in wildlife management programs. In rural Illinois there was an average of 5.6 free ranging cats per farm (Warner 1985). If densities elsewhere are similar, then a state such as Wisconsin, with over 200,000 active and retired farms, could have over 1 million free-ranging cats on farms. In other studies (Bradt …

Depredation Permits For Migratory Birds, Larry L. Hood

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

All of the native species of birds in the United States are protected by either federal or state laws. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the federal government has formulated regulations that assist in controlling protected species that cause economic damage or health hazards. These regulations are in Subpoint D of Part 21, Title SO Code of Federal Regulations, and may take the form of standing depredation orders or permits issued to kill those species that cause problems.

A Fencing Technique To Reduce Raccoon Feeding Damage To Sugarcane Research Plots, Hugh P. Fanguy, Dwight Leblanc

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Damage caused by the feeding of raccoons (Procyon lotor) on stalks of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) has occurred for several years on the 200-acre U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) research farm located near Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Damage begins when sugarcane mature internodes begin to from in late June and early July, and continues until the completion of harvest in late December. Raccoons appear to prefer varieties having low fiber and/or high sugar content and can severely damage these varieties (personal observation). Depredation by these animals frequently result in loss of data as preferred …

Animal Damage Control And The Wildlife Profession, Gary J. San Julian

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Conflicts between man and wildlife have always been a part of our history. We have tried to control the damage caused by wildlife and found that this was not always in the best interest of the resource. The role of animal damage control in our profession has changed and so has the public's view of it. As professionals we must strive to explain the need and value of wildlife damage management to our peers, the public and our detractors. This can be accomplished by participation in our professional organizations, the presentation of papers at scientific meetings, and open discussion of …

Gopher: A Computerized Cost/Benefit Analysis Of Pocket Gopher Control, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Ronald M. Case

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

GOPHER is a computer program that can assist landowners, extension agents, and resource personnel in determining the cost-effectiveness of various methods of pocket gopher control. The program is interactive and user-friendly. It allows for the input of variables, including: crop type, acreage, expected yield and value, and acreage infested. Material and labor costs can be assigned or standard default values can be used. Other "fixed" variables can be changed, including: pocket gopher density and rate of increase, rate of treatment, rate of retreatment, and forage recovery rate. With these variables and values, GOPHER generates the costs, time, and economic feasibility …

Elk And Crop Damage In Pennsylvania, Gary W. Witmer, Rawland Cogan

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The native eastern subspecies of elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) was once widespread in Pennsylvania, but was extirpated from the state by 1880 (Bryant and Maser, 1982). About 177 Rocky Mountain elk (C. e. nelsoni) were re-introduced to the state between 1913 and 1926 (Sassaman, 1985). The herd increased as did crop damage complaints. Hunting seasons began in 1923 and continued until 1931. No further hunting was allowed because the herd had declined steadily. A small herd persisted in North-central Pennsylvania, in Elk and Cameron Counties. Elk sightings were rare by 1948, despite 17 years of closed …

Donkeys For Predation Control, Jeffrey S. Green

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Donkeys (Equus assinus) are described and their availability discussed. Key points which appear important in successfully using a donkey for reducing predation on livestock are presented.

Beaver And Beaver Dam Removal In Wisconsin Trout Streams, Larry Dickerson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Beaver (Castor canadensis) dam building activities create many longterm affects on stream ecosystems. Beaver dams may negatively influence trout fisheries by creating physical barriers to spawning areas, increasing sediment retention, and increasing water temperatures. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Damage Control (ADC) program in Wisconsin, entered into cooperative agreements with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on the Nicolet National Forest from June through September, 1988, to remove beaver and beaver dams from priority classed trout streams. Four hundred and eight beaver …

Population Dynamics And Harvest Response Of Beaver, Neil F. Payne

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

"For when we speak of the fur trade, we mean the beaver trade. Other furs were handled; others -- notably the rich sea otter -- were more valuable by far. But the beaver was the root and core of the trade... Many men died, a continent was explored, an indigenous [human] race degraded and its culture crushed; all because beaver fur, with its tiny barbs, felted up better than any other" (Berry 1961:18).