Life Sciences Commons^™

Impacts Of Field-Dwelling Rodents On Emerging Field Corn, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Kurt C. Vercauteren, Jason D. Eksteev

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has produced nearly 600,000 ha of exceptional wildlife habitat in Nebraska. Unfortunately, several species of rodents that inhabit CRP grass fields cause damage to agricultural crops. The emergence of corn seedlings in a 4-row strip of no-till field corn, planted in a 64 ha bromegrass field in northeastern Nebraska was examined. The most common rodent species in the study area was the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), of which 18 were captured within 10 m of the planted strip during one evening (400 trap nights). Corn seedling emergence in unprotected control areas [x̅ = …

Reducing Livestock Depredation Losses In The Nepalese Himalaya, Rodney M. Jackson, Gary G. Ahlborn, Mahesh Gurung, Som Ale

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

In the Nepalese Himalaya conflict with rural communities due to livestock predation to large carnivores like snow leopard, common leopard, wolf and wild dog has risen sharply in recent years. This increase is attributed to a number of factors, including implementation and enforcement of wildlife protection laws (which have permitted a recovery in carnivore numbers), the creation of protected areas (which serve as refuges from which predators can populate the surrounding area), the depletion of natural prey due to poaching and loss of habitat, and lax livestock herding practices. However, little information is presently available upon which to design remedial …

Zoonotic Diseases Of Carnivores And Occupational Safety Issues For Predator Control Employees, Michele T. Jay

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The paper highlights some important zoonotic infections of carnivores in North America. The etiologic agents, routes of transmission, reservoirs, and methods for prevention are emphasized. Occupational safety issues for people working in predator control are discussed.

Assessment Of The Environmental Impact Of Brodifacoum During Rodent Eradication Operations In New Zealand, D. R. Morgan, G. R. Wright, S. C. Ogilvie, R. Pierce, P. Thomson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Although Talon^® baits containing brodifacoum have been used successfully in eradicating rats from some of New Zealand's offshore islands, little is known about any environmental effects of this toxin. Invertebrates, blackbirds, soil, and water at intervals of two days to nine months were sampled to determine whether brodifacoum residues were present after aerial distribution of Talon^® 20P cereal pellets on Red Mercury Island and after bait-station use of Talon^® 50WB wax-coated cereal blocks on Coppermine Island. No brodifacoum residues were found in soil, water, or most (99 %) invertebrate samples. Low concentrations (0.12 /μg/g) were found in …

Education And Training Integral Part To 1080 Possum Control In New Zealand, Peter C. Nelson

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

New Zealand currently has large scale possum and rabbit operations being carried out on about 10% of its land area. Education and training are integral to possum control in New Zealand because of the heavy reliance that the control agencies in New Zealand place on toxic baiting with 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate). Education of the general public is treated as a high priority since without their approval many of the operations would not be carried out. It is equally important that school children are advised on what toxic baits look like and why pest control operations are required. Training of pest …

Dealing With Wild Pig Depredation In California: The Strategic Plan, Douglas Updike, John Waithman

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The Wild Pig Management Plan is required by Fish and Game Code Section 4651. It is intended to be a strategic plan for dealing with wild pigs for the five-year period 1995-2000. The plan is a dynamic document that will be reviewed and updated at least every five years.

As prescribed by law, the plan contains information related to the status and trend of wild pig populations, and describes management units established by the Department to address regional needs and opportunities. Those needs include alleviating damage to property, protecting sensitive natural resources, and providing recreational hunting where feasible. Opportunities include …

Ecological Challenges To Controlling Wild Rabbits In Australia Using Virally-Vectored Immunocontraception, C. K. Williams

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

The European wild rabbit in Australia threatens the sustainability of agriculture and conservation of native flora and fauna. Improved means of reducing these impacts are sought including effort to develop virally vectored immunocontraception (VVIC). VVIC for the wild rabbit involves complex interactions between the rabbit, myxoma virus and insect vectors of the virus. Development of the method includes not only reproductive molecular biology and genetics and manipulation of virus genetics, but also many problems in reproductive biology, ecology and population dynamics of the rabbit in diverse environments. Furthermore, epidemiology of enzootic myxomatosis, and behavior and population dynamics of several vector …

Managing Plague In Endangered Species Habitats, Frederick J. Harrison Jr.

Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings: 17th (1996)

Plague is an endemic disease among field rodents in the southwestern United States. Epizootic outbreaks of this disease increase the risk of human infection where man comes into contact with infected rodents or their fleas. The risk is further increased when colonial rodents are involved, since these animals are usually found in large numbers and are often found in locations where people live, work, or enjoy recreational activities. Elimination of large numbers of susceptible rodents from a particular location following a plague epizootic usually results in a quiescent period when plague is neither a threat to those rodents moving into …

Extirpation Of A Recently Established Feral Pig Population In Kansas, Chad D. Richardson, Philip S. Gipson, David P. Jones, James C. Luchsinger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Most feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are descendants of domestic swine that have gone wild and their reproduction is uncontrolled by man. A few populations may be descendants of European wild boar or crosses between wild boar and domestic swine. Disease control officials report that 23 states have established populations of feral pigs and the total feral pig population in the United States is probably in excess of 2 million animals. A population of feral pigs was documented in the fall of 1993 on the Fort Riley Military Installation in northeastern Kansas. Biologists from the Fort Riley Natural Resources …

The Professional Evolution Of Wildlife Damage Management, James E. Miller

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The term -- wildlife damage management, in lieu of animal damage control, vertebrate pest control, or nuisance animal control -- has become the currently recognized term for an area of wildlife management that a growing number of professionals spend a significant part of their time and/or career working in. The acceptance of this terminology is, however, a part of the continuing evolution of the profession and not simply a name change for political correctness. Admittedly, my purpose is not to validate or beg acceptance of this terminology. Rather, what I hope to do is to justify the underlying premise of …

Efficacy Of Shooting Permits For Deer Damage Abatement In Wisconsin, Rick R. Horton, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The efficacy of out-of-season shooting permits for deer damage abatement in Wisconsin has not been critically evaluated. We used deer damage shooting permits to remove 21 antlerless deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 7 heavily damaged alfalfa fields to evaluate subsequent impact on crop damage. Volunteer shooters, using permits issued to the landowners, hunted a minimum of 3 nights/week throughout the growth of the third alfalfa crop (Aug. 1 - late Sept.). We calculated the difference between the assessed damage to the second crop (untreated) and the third crop (treated) on treatment and control farms. We found no significant difference …

Incorporating Depredation Permits Into Integrated Damage Management Plans For Aquaculture Facilities, Philip Mastrangelo, Charles Sloan, Kevin Bruce

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Increasing bird depredation at aquaculture facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi creates economic hardships for many fish farmers. Solutions to bird depredation at these facilities require the development of integrated damage management plans that will reduce damage levels while insuring minimal impacts to bird populations. Damage management plans developed for fish farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Health Plant Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program always include non-lethal control recommendations. If nonlethal control is ineffective or only marginally effective in reducing damage, the management plans may also recommend the issuance of depredation permits by the …

A Historical Perspective Of Catfish Production In The Southeast In Relation To Avian Predation, Donald F. Mott, Martin W. Brunson

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Production of aquaculture species, especially catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in the Mississippi Delta, is a relatively new and expanding industry. Catfish production represents the largest dollar value of the aquaculture industry, accounting for approximately 50% of the entire industry. Mississippi is responsible for 82% of the total U.S. catfish production. Fish-eating bird populations have capitalized on this new food source. Double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), and great egrets (Casmerodius albus) are the primary predators on catfish. Cormorant caused losses in excess of $2 million per year have been reported in …

Pesticide Use By The Federal/Cooperative Animal Damage Control (Adc) Program, 1988-1991, Gus Connolly

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

ADC personnel use many wildlife damage control methods including pesticide products. This paper presents a national overview of the kinds and amounts of chemical pesticides used by ADC in direct control activities during Fiscal Years (FY) 1988-1991. The pesticides used by ADC included aluminwn phosphide, 4-aminopyridine, bone tar oil, brodifacoum, carbon, alpha-chloralose, cholecalciferol, DRC-1339, fenthion, glyphosate, immobilizing & euthanizing drugs, mineral oil, PA-14, phosphorus, polybutene, sodium cyanide, sodium fluoroacetate, sodium nitrate, strychnine, sulfur, and zinc phosphide. This summary shows that ADC personnel used remarkably small amounts of chemicals during FY 1988- 1991. Overall amounts of pesticides used by ADC …

Relationships Between Wild Turkeys And Raccoons In Central Mississippi, Charles D. Lovell, Darren A. Miller, George A. Hurst, Bruce D. Leopold

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Reduced trapping and hunting of predators has led to concerns that increased predator densities may affect game species populations. Therefore, we investigated effects of predation on the wild turkey population on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area (TWMA), Mississippi, from 1984-94. We also determined trends in raccoon trapping and hunter harvest in Mississippi. Predation of nests (eggs), nesting hens, and poults caused a population decline on TWMA. Most (88%) nest failures were caused by predation from 1984-94; raccoons were the dominant predator. Declining raccoon hunter harvest from 1980-94 was correlated with declining hunter effort. Trapping license sales and trapping harvest also declined. …

From Deer Problem To People Solution: A Case Study From Montgomery County, Maryland, Jonathan S. Kays, Douglas Tregoning

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Montgomery County, Maryland, a 495 square-mile area adjacent to Washington, D.C., is a rapidly developing, highly educated suburban community with one of the highest per capita incomes in the nation. There is increasing concern for the growth and impact of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations by agricultural interests, resource professionals and residential landowners. The Montgomery County Council assembled a task force of stakeholders to examine relevant information and propose deer management options. The task force report provided detailed information on the county deer situation, 11 management alternatives, and 9 final recommendations. The county parks administrator appointed a staff …

The Effectiveness Of A New Mole Repellent For Preventing Damage To Lawns By Eastern Moles, Glenn R. Dudderar, Stacey Tellman, Dale K. Elshoff

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A new product containing 65% castor oil with the trade name Mole-Med was evaluated for its effectiveness in repelling eastern moles (Scalopus aquaticus) from lawns. Seven lawns in southern Michigan during September, 1993 were selected as preliminary test sites, and the ridges over mole tunnels in the lawns were flattened each day for 3 days. If some existing and new ridges were raised each day, the site was classified as having mole activity and continuing damage. The repellent was then applied according to label directions, and ridges above mole tunnels were flattened as described previously. If no tunnels …

Evaluation Of The Yard Gard Ultrasonic Yard Protector For Repelling White-Tailed Deer, Paul D. Curtis, Christopher Fitzgerald, Milo E. Richmond

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Ultrasonic devices are marketed for pest control because some manufacturers believe they possess properties aversive to animals. However, there is little evidence that ultrasound is more aversive to animals than is audible sound. In this study, we examined the efficacy of the Yard Gard ultrasonic device for deterring deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from feeding on apples. Four deer feeding stations were established at private residential properties with a history of deer damage to ornamental plants, so that control (A1 and B1) and experimental (A2 and B2) stations existed at each site. Apples were placed at each feeding station and …

Ecology And Control Of Wildlife Damage To Electric Substations, Glenn R. Dudderar, Scott R. Winterstein, Wendy H. Sangster

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

This study addresses several aspects of the ecology and control of wildlife damage to electric substations because the amount of existing research is not sufficient to make informed decisions about how best to minimize that damage. Records of 121 incidents of animal-caused faults showed that 78% of the faults were caused by squirrels and raccoons and an average of 2,511 customers lost service during the outage caused by such a fault. Animal damage control measures were evaluated by observing challenges to control measures by raccoons and squirrels at a substation. The control measures were breached twice because they had not …

American White Pelicans: The Latest Avian Problem For Catfish Producers, D. Tommy King

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Animal Damage Control offices in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi began receiving complaints concerning American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) foraging in commercial channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ponds in 1990. Because of the relatively shallow pond depth and high fish stocking rates used by most producers, commercial catfish ponds provide a near perfect foraging environment for American white pelicans. Since 1993, pelicans seem to have become more persistent in their foraging efforts and therefore, more difficult to disperse from catfish farms. Damage abatement recommendations have consisted of harassment measures similar to those used for other piscivorous birds, issuance of …

Black Bear Damage In The Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Thomas H. White Jr., Catherine C. Shropshire, Mike Staten

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We surveyed 62 hunting clubs in the batture of the Mississippi River in Arkansas and Mississippi to determine the extent and severity of black bear (Ursus americanus) damage. Bear damage was more prevalent in Arkansas (70.6%) than in Mississippi (11.8%). Damage to deer stands was most common (43.8%), followed by damage to buildings (22.9%), getting in garbage (12.5%) and damage to wildlife food plots (10.4%). Cost estimates of bear damage averaged approximately $40 per incident over the past 5 years. Most (90.9%) clubs rated bear damage as either a slight nuisance or not important at this time, and …

Survey Of Black Bear Depredation In Agriculture In Massachusetts, Sandra A. Jonker, James A. Parkhurst

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Black bear (Ursus americanus) depredation in agriculture has become an increasing concern in Massachusetts. Complaints from apiarists, corn growers, and livestock producers have increased 167% during the period 1980 to 1990, but whether this increase truly represents more depredation, response of bears to other factors, or simply better reporting/record keeping has not been determined. The bear population in Massachusetts from 1984 to 1989 increased 50% to approximately 700-750 animals statewide. Subsequent estimates (1995) have placed the bear population around 1,200 animals. Concurrent encroachment of human development into prime bear habitat also increased contact between bears and humans. During …

Apple Production, Vole Control, And Wild Turkeys: Finding A Balance In Vermont, Richard B. Chipman, Dennis Slate, Abigal J. Duke, Lorraine Berkett, Douglas Blodgett

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) cause extensive damage to apple trees by gnawing and girdling trunk and root systems. In 1991, approximately 70% of Vermont's 90 commercial apple producers were using zinc phosphide (ZP) treated cracked corn to manage vole damage. From November 1991 through January 1992, 36 confirmed wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) deaths were attributed to the broadcast application of ZP treated cracked com in Vermont orchards. As a result of public concern regarding impacts to nontarget wild turkeys, a working group was formed with representation of various state …

Ecosystem Management And Wildlife Management: Compatible Or Conflicting?, David C. Guynn Jr., Greg K. Yarrow

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Examples of wildlife-human conflicts include deer-automobile collisions, disease transmission concerns, and damage to various commodities (e.g. agricultural crops, timber production). The extent of these problems is increasing at a time when American's attitudes are shifting emphasis from commodity production to concern for the environment. Ecosystem management has been proposed as a strategy to balance concerns for commodity production and the environment. Ecosystem management, unlike traditional natural resource management, will require management over large areas for long periods of time. This new philosophy of land management requires that the natural resource base be viewed in its entirety, and not as separate …

Black Bear Damage Management In Washington State, Georg J. Ziegltrum, Dale L. Nolte

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Black bears (Ursus americanus) foraging on trees can be extremely detrimental to the health and economic value of a timber stand. A supplemental feeding program to reduce bear damage is coordinated by the Washington Forest Protection Association's Animal Damage Control Program (ADCP). A brief overview of the ADCP is provided along with a description of bear damage and the supplemental feeding program. Success of the feeding program is demonstrated by an increasing participation and its general acceptance by the public. Timber producers placed over 400 thousand pounds of pellets in 700 feeding stations this past year.

Blackbirds And Starling Killed At Winter Roosts From Pa-14 Applications, 1974-1992: Implications For Regional Population Management, Richard A. Dolbeer, Donald F. Mott, Jerrold L. Belant

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The surfactant PA-14, registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1973 by the federal Animal Damage Control (ADC) program, was used for 19 years (1974-1992) for lethal control of roosting blackbirds (Icterinae) and European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in the United States. In 1992, the ADC program withdrew the registration of PA-14 because of costs required to provide additional EPA-requested data. There were 83 roosts encompassing 178 ha treated with 33,300 L of PA-14 from 1974-1992. An estimated 38.2 million birds (48% common grackles [Ouiscalus quiscula], 30% European starlings, 13% red-winged blackbirds [ …

Comparison Of Predation Rates On Wild Turkey Hens Between Two Forest Ecosystems In Mississippi, Michael J. Chamberlain, Darren A. Miller, Bruce D. Leopold, George A. Hurst

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Because of increases in predator populations, concern has arisen about effects on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations. We examined differences in predation of adult hens between 2 forested areas in Mississippi. Twin Oaks Wildlife Management Area (OAKS), located in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, is a 2,302 ha tract of mature bottomland hardwood forest surrounded on 3 sides by soybean fields. Tallahala Wildlife Management Area (TWMA) is a 14,410 ha mixed forest in central Mississippi and is part of a large, forested ecosystem. Hens were captured, fitted with transmitters, and monitored by telemetry, 1990-1994 on TWMA (n = …

Prey Availability And Selection By Mountain Lions In The Aravaipa-Klondyke Area Of Arizona, Stan C. Cunningham

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Prey selection by mountain lions (Felis concolor) in the Aravaipa-Klondyke area (2,000 km²) in southeastern Arizona was studied from February 1991 through September 1993. Overall diet from frequency of occurrence as determined from 370 scats was: 48% deer (white-tailed and mule deer combined), 34% cattle, 17% javelina, 6% rabbit (cottontail and jackrabbit), 4% rodent, and 2% desert bighorn. Using a correction factor developed by Ackerman et al. (1984), we also estimated percent biomass and proportion of individuals killed. With respect to biomass consumed, cattle was 44%, deer 40%, javelina 10.9%, rabbits 2.9%, and rodents 0.02%. Based …

Can Predator Trapping Improve Waterfowl Recruitment In The Prairie Pothole Region?, Frank C. Rohwer, Pamela R. Garrettson, Ben J. Mense

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We contrasted nest success for control areas and experimental areas in eastern North Dakota where we employed professionals to trap mammalian nest predators from late March to late July. In 1995, dabbling ducks averaged 53% nest success on four treatment blocks of 4,150 ha each; whereas on four control areas upland nesting ducks averaged 24% success. Diving duck nest success averaged 57% on experimental areas and 29% on control areas. American coot (Fulica americana) nest success also improved on experimental areas, but blackbird nesting and fledging success were not affected by the treatment In 1994, nest success of …

Mississippi's Beaver Control Assistance Program, 1989-1994, Philip Mastrangelo

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Responding to landowner requests, the 1989 Mississippi Legislature created the Beaver Control Advisory Board and mandated it to develop a program which would ensure the control of beaver damage throughout Mississippi. The Advisory Board is comprised of the administrative heads of five state agencies: the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (chairperson), the Department of Transportation, the Cooperative Extension Service, the Forestry Commission, and the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (ADC) program, the Advisory Board developed the Beaver Control Assistance Program (BCAP). BCAP …