Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Efficacy Of Deer Stopper™ Repellent For Reducing White-Tailed Deer Damage To Ornamental Plantings, James B. Armstrong, M. Keith Causey, John T. Owen

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

A 2-year study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of Deer Stopper™ repellent for reducing white-tailed deer damage to ornamental plantings. Efficacy testing was conducted on a captive deer herd at Auburn University’s White-tailed Deer Research Facility and the Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary, Jackson, AL. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata), a highly preferred browse species in this area, was used as the test plant at all study sites. Plants were arranged randomly between treatment and control. Treatment plants were sprayed with prescribed applications of Deer Stopper™ and percent defoliation and browsing estimated for each plant. Repeated measures analysis of variance …

Attempted Relocation Of A Ring-Billed Gull Roost At Washington National Report, Jessica Dewey, Martin Lowney

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

Gulls, particularly ring-billed gulls [Larus delawarensis ], have been identified as a threat to aircraft operations at Washington National Airport (now Ronald Reagan National Airport) in northern Virginia. Through bird surveys conducted in 1992, 1993, and 1997, an estimated 7,000 gulls were observed roosting during winter on the Potomac River near the airport. A harassment program was run on 5 consecutive evenings, 24-28 February 1997, to relocate the roosting gulls. Six to 8 people shot pyrotechnics from shore and 2 boats for 2 hours prior to dusk each evening. Each evening the gulls arrived consistently later than the prior …

Frontmatter Credits And Contents

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

Frontmatter and contents

Controlling Great-Tailed Grackle Damage To Citrus In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, James F. Glahn, Jose D. Palacios, Melvin Garrison

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

Great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) damage to citrus is a serious concern to producers in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Damage caused by grackles pecking fruit is initiated by breeding colonies in the spring on immature fruit and extends through the fall and winter on ripening fruit. The most significant damage occurs during the post-breeding period of July through September when neither the currently registered DRC-1339-treated dog food bait nor frightening strategies are effective. Observations by Texas Wildlife Services personnel suggested that watermelon was highly attractive to grackles during the period when dog food baits are poorly …

Developing Urban Deer Management Plans: The Need For Public Education, Deborah Green, Glen R. Askins, Phillip D. West

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

Independent public opinion surveys concerning urban deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management were conducted in two Virginia communities. A total of 346 citizens were interviewed in two Random Digit Dial telephone surveys. In addition to questions concerning management techniques and their administration, participants were asked about their experience with deer, their awareness of problems with deer in the area, and their enjoyment of deer. In both localities, non-lethal controls were preferred over lethal controls; trapping and relocation, fencing, repellents, and birth control measures were favored by a majority of residents. The only lethal control acceptable to residents in both communities …

The Use Of Gis To Delineate Potential Urban Deer Habitat, David M. Kocka, Frederick M. Garst

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

Overabundant deer herds in urban environments often require new and creative approaches to properly evaluate the situation and gain support for population management. To determine potential white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) habitat for the Harrisonburg, Virginia, Deer Task Force, a geographic information systems (GIS) map was created that reflected current land use in the city. Data were compiled using 2m resolution Digital Ortho Quarter Quads. Using this backdrop, land use zones were digitized on-screen. Wooded (13%), Agricultural (20%), and Open Areas (14%) land use types accounted for nearly half the city's land area and represent a conservative estimate of …

Aldo Leopold’S Land Ethic: Implications For Predator Management, Johnny Stowe

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

The golden rule of Aldo Leopold’s land ethic clearly supports active management of predators that harm populations of rare animal species. In the early part of his career, while working as a forester in the American Southwest, Leopold advocated exterminating large predators like gray wolves (Canis lupus lupus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) from the region, but he later changed his mind when he realized that native predators help maintain ecosystem integrity. Philosophically, Leopold’s changing views on predators exemplifies John Dewey’s customary and reflective morality. But Leopold’s dramatic narrative in A Sand County Almanac about …

Wildlife-Caused Losses For Catfish Producers In 1996, Alice P. Wywialowski

Eighth Eastern Wildlife Damage Management Conference (1997)

In January 1997, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) surveyed catfish producers about wildlife-caused losses in 1996, Of the 1,465 catfish producers in 15 states surveyed, 1,008 (68.8%) agreed to complete the survey. Surveys were conducted primarily by telephone, but some producers received mail surveys. The response rated varied among states. The majority of catfish producers were in Mississippi (n=-300), followed by Alabama (n=163), and then Arkansas (n=117). The remaining states each had <100 respondents. Data were analyzed for 6 regions, each with a sample size of >100 respondents. Overall, 69% of catfish producers cited a wildlife-caused loss of catfish. Producers cited losses to wildlife most frequently in Mississippi (81%), followed by states adjoining …

Changes In Reproductive Morphology And Physiology Observed In The Amphipod Crustacean, Melita Nitida Smith, Maintained In The Laboratory On Polluted Estuarine Sediments, John T. Tanacredi Ph.D., B. Borowsky, P. Aitken-Ander

Faculty Works: CERCOM

An earlier study showed that the amphipod crustacean Melita nitida Smith maintained on sediments dosed with waste crankcase oil developed physiological and morphological abnormalities. Most notably, mature females developed abnormal setae along the edges of their brood plates. The present study was conducted to determine whether similar abnormalities might be induced in animals maintained on polluted field sediments containing petroleum by-products among other toxic substances. In the laboratory, heterosexual pairs were maintained on three sediments taken from Jamaica Bay (New York) plus one control sediment and one toxic substratum (Ulva lactuca (L.) thalli). The results mirrored the results of …

Artificial Recharge In The Las Vegas Valley: An Operational History, Michael Johnson, Erin Cole, Kay Brothers, Las Vegas Valley Water District

Publications (WR)

Artificially recharging the Las Vegas Valley (Valley) ground-water system with treated Colorado River water is one water resource management option employed by the Las Vegas Valley Water District (District) to help meet future long-term and short-term peak water demands. The District began operation of an artificial ground-water recharge program in 1988 in order to bank water for future use and to slow declining water levels. Artificial recharge occurs in the winter months, typically from October to May, when there is excess capacity in the Southern Nevada Water System (SNWS), currently a 400 Million Gallon per Day (MGD) treatment and transmission …

Evaluation Of Continuous Flow Constructed Wetlands Treating Swine Waste, Stephanie Rivard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The ability for wetlands to purify contaminated water is not a new concept. Natural wetlands have been cleansing water within our environment for ages. After studying the process of natural wetlands the same concept was applied to municipal waste. It is the success of constructed wetlands treating municipal waste that created the new idea for the application of a wetland system to treat wastewater from livestock facilities. Through proper design and management, constructed wetlands may be useful for reducing the nutrient concentration of waste (Rieck el al., 1996). Taking into consideration the higher nutrient loads of livestock waste, the same …

Las Vegas Wash Water Quality Monitoring Program: 1996 Report Of Findings, Richard A. Roline, James J. Sartoris, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey

Publications (WR)

Las Vegas Wash, a natural wash east of the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, carries stormwater, groundwater drainage, and sewage effluent from three sewage treatment plants to Lake Mead. The Wash provides nearly the only surface water outlet for the entire 2,193 mi² of Las Vegas Valley. A drainage area of 1,586 mi² contributes directly to the Wash through surface flow which is channeled to Las Vegas Bay of Lake Mead, while drainage of the remaining 607 mi² is presumably subsurface and may drain toward Las Vegas Wash.

In the 1930's and 1940's, sewage treatment plants were …

Status Of The Major Oyster Diseases In Virginia 1996 A Summary Of The Annual Monitoring Program, Lisa M. Ragone Calvo, Eugene M. Burreson

Reports

No abstract provided.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …