Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of New York State's Division Of Fish And Wildlife In Deer Damage Control, Louis T. Berchielli

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) spells out the responsibilities and authorities of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Section 1-0101, subdivision 3 of the ECL declares a State policy which includes the fostering, promoting, creating and maintaining of conditions under which humans and nature can thrive in harmony. Section 11-0303, subdivision 1 of the ECL vests in the department the efficient management of the wildlife resources of the State. The department is further directed by subdivision 2 of this section to include regard to the compatibility of production and harvesting of wildlife crops with other necessary or desirable land uses …

An Evaluation Of The Cost And Effectiveness Of Repellent Applications In Protecting Fruit Orchards, Mark R. Ellingwood, Jay B. Mcaninch, Raymond J. Winchcombe

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A summer repellent spray program was devised and implemented on a total of 110 acres (9 orchard blocks) of 1- to 3-year-old semi-dwarf apple trees. Cooperating growers were supplied with repellent (Hinder or Clearepel) as required, to allow them to adhere to a flexible 3-to 6-application schedule from May through August. Spraying costs, including labor, equipment, and spray materials, were estimated based on data provided by each cooperating grower for each application completed.

New Directions In Deer Damage Management In Wisconsin, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The question of responsibility for wildlife damage is a difficult one to answer, especially for damage caused by white-tailed deer. Some states have chosen, or been forced by political pressures, to assume the responsibility for wildlife damage, with or without some responsibility on the part of the agricultural producer who is sustaining the damage. According to a 1980 survey by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, only 10 states were bound by law to make payments for damage done by game species. Only Wisconsin included a nongame species (sandhill cranes) in their payment program. Other states offer abatement assistance, while …

Population Status Of Blackbirds And Starlings In North America, 1966-81, Richard A. Dolbeer, Robert A. Stehn

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In the early 1800s, the Passenger Pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) was the most abundant bird in North America (and perhaps the world) with a population size of at least 3 billion (Schorger 1955). With the clearing of the forests in the East and Great Lakes Region, food supplies and cover were depleted and the Pigeon population declined rapidly. Undoubtedly, large scale market hunting accelerated the inevitable decline. The population was extinct in the wild in 1900 and the last individual died in captivity in 1914.

Structural Bird Control - An Overview, Charles W. Areson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Structural pest bird control is probably the most environmentally sensitive area of all pest control. The potential hazards associated with bird control are far greater and far more open to public scrutiny than in any other type of pest control. One error in judgment may bring the wrath of an entire community on you, as well as involve you with legal repercussions from both federal and state agencies. Hazards to non-target species are always a threat when using any type of program with toxics, and potential secondary hazards to protected and endangered species must always be considered. There is no …

Wildlife Damage Control: A Current Perspective, Jack H. Berryman

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

I attach special importance to this responsibility and appreciate the opportunity to deliver these keynote comments. We are here to discuss a very important and always controversial subject. The first Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference provides a unique opportunity for all of us to constructively influence the future direction as well as the professional and public perception of this important wildlife management activity.

Will Mammalian Pheromones Be Useful In Wildlife Damage Control?, Dietland Müller-Schwarze

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Rodents, lagomorphs and cervids are the most important herbivorous mammals that cause economic damage in North America. Farmers, foresters, trappers and gardeners have since time immemorial used various concoctions to attract wild mammals or repel them from certain sites or crops. The chemical industry has often used food odors in their animal control products. Currently no pheromone is being used in wildlife damage control.

Rodenticide Selection And Bait Composition To Minimize Potential Primary Hazard To Nontarget Species When Baiting Field Rodents, Rex E. Marsh

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A wide variety of methods is used to reduce potential hazards to non target species when baiting out-of-doors for rodents. The principles involved in making rodent baits highly selective hinge on the biology, particularly the feeding habits and food preferences of the target species. The differences or uniqueness of both the at-risk nontarget animals and the target animals should be assessed and then capitalized upon where possible in terms of susceptibility to toxicant, kind, size and shape of bait, etc. Generally only a few nontarget species are at risk in any particular situation, and the degree of this risk also …

The Use Of Eurasian Dogs To Protect Sheep From Predators In North America: A Summary Of Research At The U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Jeffrey S. Green, Roger A. Woodruff

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The authors thank the sheep producers who cooperated in the study. R. Harman, R. VanHorn, S. Ecret, K. Havelock, J. Geiser, W. Bowers, G. Pendleton, D. Johnson, and C. Schwartz helped with the care and evaluation of the dogs.

In the search for methods to reduce coyote (Canis latrans) predation on sheep, livestock guarding dogs have been found to be a relatively successful technique in a variety of conditions including open rangeland (Green and Woodruff in press) and fenced pastures (Linhart et al. 1979, McGrew and Bakesley 1982, Pfeifer and Goos 1982, Green et al. In Press a). …

Ultrasonics: Technology Vs. Tools, Tej Tanden

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Food and material losses to rodents are as old as the knowledge of humans to store food for future use. Humans have had to share their food supplies and learn to live with the unwelcome guests since time immemorial. Even to this day rodents continue to claim a significant share of human food supply on this earth. They have inflicted epidemics that have destroyed large segments of human populations in various parts of our world, throughout history.

Humans Versus Animals, William D. Fitzwater

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In the beginning, humans and the so-called "lower animals" would meet cautiously and fleetingly, both intent on the basic goals of survival - food and water for the belly and shelter or other escape from more powerful enemies who regarded them as dinner entrees. This situation prevailed until puny man threw the first stone or swung a heavy club and realized that he could catch fleeter animals and kill larger ones than himself with his new tools. Thus instead of a grubby existence on plants, fruits, and insects, humans with their new toys eventually became efficient predators. Most of the …

Managing Coyote Damage Problems With Nonlethal Techniques: Recent Advances In Research, Samuel B. Linhart

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In 1972 President Nixon issued Executive Order 11643 prohibiting further federal use of toxicants for controlling predators; EPA subsequently withdrew all chemical registrations for this purpose. These actions stimulated research efforts to develop alternate nonlethal means of reducing livestock losses to coyotes and other predators. Some of these studies, focused primarily on barrier fencing, guarding dogs, chemical repellents and aversive agents, "frightening" devices, and modification of leg-hold traps, have resulted in new ways to alleviate the problem.

Canada Goose Numbers And Goose Damage In Northeastern Indiana, Ed Cleary, Ken Reynolds

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Any wild animal can be both hero and villain, and Canada geese are no exception. They can and do cause damage. Goose numbers are increasing and present data indicate a positive relationship between goose numbers and goose damage. In Northeastern Indiana, Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima and B. c. interior) damage agricultural crops and cause esthetic damage to lawns, boats, docks and beaches. Indiana is not the only midwestern state with a goose damage problem. During the last year, Wisconsin registered 235 goose damage complaints, Ohio 160, Michigan over 100, Minnesota 46 and Illinois 31 (personal communications with …

Bird Repellent Seed Corn Treatment: Efficacy Evaluations And Current Registration Status, Jon F. Heisterberg

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Bird damage to sprouting corn can be a serious problem for some farmers. Questionnaire surveys returned by 337 wildlife and agricultural specialists in 25 States indicated that losses of corn sprouts to birds in 1971 could amount to as much as $49 million (Stone and Mott 1973). Objective surveys in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1978 and 1979, respectively, set annual sprout losses to blackbirds (mainly common grackles [Quiscalus quiscula]) and crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) at $1.8 million (Heisterberg, in press). Although losses in both states averaged < 1%, 32 (7%) of the 485 fields surveyed received > 1% losses accounting for 82% of the total damage.

Phenology Of Red-Winged Blackbird Use Of Field Corn In Central New York, Eric K. Bollinger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Crop depredations by red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) have been a problem since colonial times (Cardinell and Hayne 1945, Weatherhead and Bider 1979, Dolbeer 1980). Today, tens of millions of dollars worth of corn are consumed yearly by blackbirds (Stone et al. 1972, Dolbeer 1980, Tyler and Kannenberg 1980) and the problem appears to be increasing. Most of the initial efforts to reduce blackbird damage to corn and other crops focused on techniques to reduce redwing populations or on chemical and mechanical repellents and frightening devices (Dyer and Ward 1977). The inconsistent effectiveness of these techniques, however, has indicated …

An Update On Pesticides Registered For Control Of Vertebrate Pests, William W. Jacobs

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Federal registration certifies that it is legal to market and use the produce in question in the United States, subject to the conditions and restrictions stipulated on the approved label. Federal registration does not guarantee that a particular chemical or product will be available throughout the country or even that the product will actually be marketed at all. If a particular product cannot be found in a local outlet, the manufacturer should be contacted. If the name of the manufacturer is not known, this information can be obtained from the extension specialist or from Product Management Team 16, Registration Division …

The Effects Of Soil Texture And Related Soil Properties On The Distribution And Control Of Pine Voles (Microtus Pinetorum) In New York State Apple Orchards, John R. Whitney

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The semifossorial microtine rodent Microtus pinetorum or the pine vole is well known as a destructive pest in fruit orchards (Hamilton 1935; Benton 1955; Burt 1957). The subterranean burrows of the pine vole often parallel the roots of apple trees, and damage occurs when the rodent gnaws the bark and cambial layers of large roots and severs smaller roots, occasionally even girdling the tree to more than a foot below the surface (Benton 1955; Pearson and Forshey 1978).

Shrew Damage And Control: A Review, Robert H. Schmidt

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Shrews (Insectivora:Soricidae) occasionally come into conflict with human interests. This review covers the general biology of shrews, situations in which shrews can be considered pests (as defined by Howard 1962), and control methods.

Deer Damage Control In Pennsylvania Agriculture, W. L. Palmer, R. G. Wingard, J. L. George

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Deer damage to crops has been and continues to be a serious problem for many Pennsylvania farmers. In 1978 wildlife scientists at Penn State began a 4-year study on deer damage to Pennsylvania agriculture. The research project was funded by the PA Department of Agriculture. The objectives were to determine the extent and distribution of the damage, and to evaluate methods of damage control.

An Effective Program In Coyote Damage Control, F. Robert Henderson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Kansas is a prairie state where about 2 million people live. In Kansas there are around 75,000 farms and ranches. Sheep are raised on approximately 1500 farms, either under farm-flock or feeder lamb systems. In January of 1983 there were approximately 200 thousand sheep and 1.7 million calves in Kansas. Kansas ranks 7th in the nation in swine production.

Use Of Electric Fencing To Prevent Deer Browsing In Allegheny Hardwood Forests, Ronnie Brenneman

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In many areas of Pennsylvania, even-aged management of Allegheny hardwood forests is being impacted by excessive browsing of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which makes it difficult to secure adequate natural seedling and sprout regeneration for successful reforestation (Marquis and Brenneman 1981). Marquis (1981) estimated the average value of timber production lost due to deer browsing in northern Pennsylvania at $1,075 per acre, about half the total stand value. Chemical repellents, individual seedling protectors, area fencing and other techniques have been used to attempt to protect forest regeneration; most are either ineffective in preventing deer browsing or economically unfeasable.

Deer Control Using 5 Strand Vertical Fence, Darel Smith

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Many fences have been tried over the years with various amounts of deer control. The 5 strand vertical fence is working very well and is cost effective. Small areas, 5 acres or less are $.60 ft. to $.33 ft. on larger areas 100 acres or more for materials. Costs may vary from site to site.

An Evaluation Of Trapping Efforts To Capture Bobcats, Coyotes, And Red Fox, John A. Litvaitis, Mark O'Donoghue, Mathew Miller, James A. Sherburne

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wildlife biologists are often involved in efforts to capture free-ranging felids and canids. The objective of these efforts is usually to remove individuals causing unwanted or excessive predation, or to obtain study animals. The most common method used to capture carnivores includes some type of leg-hold trap. Numerous references provide information on the technique of leg-hold trapping (Taylor 1971, Musgrove and Blair 1979); however few reports include an evaluation of these methods.

A Wire Mesh Culvert For Use In Controlling Water Levels At Nuisance Beaver Sites, Kenneth J. Roblee

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Trial testing of corrugated plastic drainage tubing and wire mesh culverts has been conducted since 1978 in Region 9 of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Plastic tubing was successfully used in streams with drainages less than 1 square mile. However, in drainages larger than 1 square mile or where longer than 10-inch diameter tubing was required, 19-inch diameter wire mesh culverts were tried. By 1983 more than 11 wire mesh culverts had been installed success fully in the Region.

The 1080 Toxic Collar: Economics Of Field Use In Texas, Jerry H. Scrivner

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Although numerous studies have evaluated the effectiveness of various methods of predator damage control, relatively few have discussed the economics of techniques used to reduce predation on livestock (deCalesta 1983, Green et al. 1980, Gum et al. 1978, U.S. Department of Interior 1978); probably because of difficulties obtaining reliable data (Connolly 1982). Such information, however, is important since eliminating expenses of relatively inefficient control practices would allow ranchers to reduce total production costs, thereby increasing net returns (Scrivner and Conner 1983), whereas for state and federal animal damage control agencies, better documentation of the economics of various control techniques promotes …

Evaluation Of Induced Sterility For Beaver (Castor Canadensis) Management Problems, J. J. Kennelly, P. J. Lyons

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The concept of controlling animal damage problems by reducing fecundity of offending species through induced sterility first was proposed by Knipling (1955) for insect control and was applied successfully by that author (Knipling 1959) for eradication of the screw-worm fly. The potential application to vertebrate pest problems was recognized immediately by David (1961) and, subsequently, by many other workers for a variety of pests (e.g. Balser 1964; Kennelly et al. 1970: Murton et al. 1972; McDonald 1980; Potvin et al. 1982) including beaver (Arner 1964; Blanchard 1964; Nevers 1968; Hill 1977). Unfortunately, the method remains today largely unavailable for routine …

Control Of Damage By Mammals In Ontario Orchards, Ronald J. Brooks, Stephen A. Struger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Each year, mammalian wildlife causes extensive and costly damage to fruit tree growers throughout Ontario. In 1981, in response to the concern among fruit growers over high levels of this damage, the Ontario Apple Marketing Commission and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food requested that we initiate a long-term study of this problem. However, the desire to improve available control practices was impeded by a general lack of know ledge of the scope of mammalian pest problems in Ontario. For example, the extent and degree of damage in relation to seasonal and regional differences, pest population levels and management …

Introducing Livestock Guarding Dogs To Sheep And Goat Producers, Raymond Coppinger, Jay Lorenz, Lorna Coppinger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Dogs that protect sheep and goats from predators were relatively unknown as a method of reducing predation in the United States until recently. An estimated several dozen individuals were using guarding dogs with flocks (Newbold 1974), but only a few government officials or industry leaders were aware that the technique might have merit for the long-standing coyote problem. North American ranchers relied mainly on removal of predators, but removal provides only temporary relief and poses ethical questions as well. In strong contrast, on Old World sheep and goat pastures, the method of choice for protecting stock from Canis, Ursus …

The Need For Urban Animal Control, Gary J. San Julian

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The relationship between humans and animals has evolved over many centuries; in the beginning it was very violent. As humans moved from a cave to a village and later to a farm, they protected their property with whatever means were available. Spears, traps and later poisons and rifles were used to handle wildlife problems. As methods of providing life's necessities were refined, people moved from the farms into the cities. Today, many former city dwellers are moving out of town into a more rural setting. Although the relationship between wildlife and humans has changed from its violent beginnings, competition still …

Evaluation Of Dimethyl Anthranilate As A Nontoxic Starling Repellent For Feedlot Settings, J. Russel Mason, Adam H. Arzt, Russel F. Reidinger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Few objective estimates are available, but starling (Sturnus uulgaris) and, sometimes, blackbird (e.g., Agelaius phoeniceus) depredations at feedlots are considered serious economic problems (Besser et al. 1967, 1968; Feare 1975, 1980; Stickley 1979; Twedt and Glahn 1982). Losses may result either from feed contamination and disease transmission or, more likely, from feed consumption (Besser et al. 1968; Russell 1975; Twedt and Glahn 1982). These problems are exacerbated by the use of complete diets (Rickaby 1978) which are presented in open troughs to which starlings have access. Feare and Wadsworth (1981) have shown that these birds can take …