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Eighth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings: Frontmatter & Contents

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Uresk, Daniel W.; Schenbeck, Greg L.; Cefkin, Rose, technical coordinators. 1988. Eighth Great Plains wildlife damage control workshop proceedings. General Technical Report RM-15it. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; 231 p. [Listed also as Publication Ho. 121, Lincoln, NE: Great Plains Agricultural^ Council.]

Abstract These proceedings consist of more than 40 presented papers on damage caused by many different animals. Panel presentations that followed two special sessions—one on prairie dogs and related small mammals and another on ways to enhance waterfowl production—are also included. In addition to information on mechanical …

Aerial Hunting Takes Sheep-Killing Coyotes In Western Montana, Guy Connolly, Bart W. O'Gara

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This paper reports limited data to document that depredating coyotes were shot from a helicopter in western Montana in 1976. Coyotes marked themselves by puncturing diphacinone-filled collars on the necks of sheep they attacked. Subsequently, 11 coyotes were shot from a helicopter on 3 ranches where collared sheep had been attacked. Six coyotes contained diphacinone and thus were confirmed as having recently attacked or fed on collared sheep.

Control Of Ecosystem Processes By Prairie Dogs And Other Grassland Herbivores, James K. Detling, April D. Whicker

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Black-tailed prairie dogs in the mixed-grass prairie at Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, create habitat patches characterized by altered species composition, lower standing crops of plants, but higher forage quality. Native wildlife species such as bison, pronghorn, and elk preferentially feed on these prairie dog colonies and likely derive nutritional benefits from doing so.

Efficacy Of Deferred Grazing In Reducing Prairie Dog Reinfestation Rates, Kelly A. Cable, Robert M. Timm

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Population growth of black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) was studied in 1985 and 1986 at 20 prairie dog towns on short- and mixed-grass rangeland in western Nebraska, to determine the efficacy of 2 years deferred (May 1 - Sept. 1) grazing in reducing population growth rates following population reduction. In 1985, population growth measures on deferred sites were not significantly different from grazed sites, perhaps due to drought conditions. In 1986, natality and population growth (% increase in animals) were significantly lower on deferred sites than on sites grazed by livestock. Deferred sites studied both years showed significant …

Overwater Nesting By Ducks: A Review And Management Implications, Stephen H. Bouffard, David E. Sharp, Carol C. Evans

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Nest success of overwater duck nests is generally higher than nests in upland sites. A review of the literature indicated that the major factors limiting success of overwater nests were fluctuating water levels, nest parasitism, predation, and human disturbance. Regional patterns of the occurrence of these factors could not be discerned. General management guidelines for improved recruitment and reduced nesting female mortality are suggested.

A Statistical Model Of Expansion In A Colony Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs, R. P. Cincotta, D. W. Uresk, R. M. Hansen

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

To predict prairie dog establishment in areas adjacent to a colony we sampled: (1) VISIBILITY through the vegetation using a target, (2) POPULATION DENSITY at the colony edge, (3) DISTANCE from the edge to the potential site of settlement, and (4) % FORB COVER. Step-wise regression analysis indicated that establishment of prairie dogs in adjacent prairie was most likely to occur when an area was near a densely populated colony edge with high visibility through the vegetation.

Prairie Dog Control—A Regulatory Viewpoint, Dennis C. Clarke

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Prairie dogs and their control are complex issues. At this conference we've heard numerous speakers discuss a wide variety of topics concerning the organism's effect on range and man's attempts to deal with those effects. It appears one could make a case for or against the prairie dog depending on his own particular situation and experience. While the organism is a natural part of the prairie ecosystem, it may not be a desirable inhabitant of a livestock producers range when its population goes unchecked.

This leads to conflict. The prairie dog becomes a biopolitical issue. On one hand it evolved …

Policy And Goals Of The U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, Harold A. Doty

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

A recent memo out of our regional office says that we shall refer to this subject as seasonal predator management. You know it covers a lot of other terms; we used to call it predator control and so on. But going back to the origins of predator management in this country, we generally think of protecting domestic crops, be it trees or grains or sheep or cattle.

If you turn in another direction and look towards Europe, you can see many centuries of involvement in use of the land. There game is a product of the land and is owned …

Importance Of Attractant Qualities For Improving A New Coyote Delivery System, Steven M. Ebbert, Daniel B. Fagre

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Changes in effectiveness and nontarget species selectivity of a new system for delivering ingestible substances to coyotes (Canis latrans) were examined by systematically varying odor type and quantity used to attract coyotes to the device. The new delivery system's efficacy was comparable to the M-44 in our tests in south Texas. A synthetic lure improved the effectiveness of the delivery system when applied in amounts of 0.10 cc or 0.50 cc. Varying odor type did not increase the incidence of desirable coyote behavior, such as biting, but did increase rates of visitation.

The Lure Crop Alternative, Steven D. Fairaizl, William K. Pfeifer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Lure crops are proposed as an alternative to scaring waterfowl. The lure crop works on the principle of permitting waterfowl to feed undisturbed for the duration of the damage season in an unharvested field of their choice thereby utilizing trampled grain. Waterfowl from adjacent areas are encouraged to use the lure crop through the use of scaring devices placed in protected fields. General criteria for implementation of a lure crop project and specific criteria for lure crop purchases are presented. Factors contributing to a successful lure crop and problems which reduced lure crop effectiveness are identified. Benefit/cost analysis of lure …

Arthropod Consumption By Small Mammals On Prairie Dog Colonies And Adjacent Ungrazed Mixed Grass Prairie In Western South Dakota, W. Agnew, D. W. Uresk, R. M. Hansen

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The percentage of arthropods and plants in the diets of seven small rodents captured on prairie dog colonies and adjacent mixed grasslands were estimated by microhistological techniques. Arthropod composition over the two year study averaged 51% and 37% on prairie dog colonies and mixed grasslands, respectively. Composition of arthropods on prairie dog colonies was greater during the summer than in late spring or late summer. Conversely, arthropods made up a considerably smaller percentage of small mammal diets in the summer on mixed grasslands. Nearly twice as many small mammals, excluding prairie dogs, were trapped on prairie dog colonies than on …

Field Study—Steel Versus Lead In Aerial Hunting, Duane Bernstein, David Nelson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The purpose of this study is to get an objective measure of the comparative performance of steel and lead when used in aerial hunting. Comparisons will be made by patterning lead and steel from 35 and 45 yards using improved cylinder and modified shotgun barrels. Tests will be conducted from the ground and air to compare penetration by lead and steel.

Rodent Damage To Various Annual And Perennial Crops Of India And Its Management, Ranjan Advani

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The results of about 12 years' study deals with rodent damage to several annual and perennial crops of India including cereal, vegetable, fruit, plantation and other cash crops. The rodent species composition in order of predominance infesting different crops and cropping patterns percent damages and cost effectiveness of rodent control operations in each crop and status of rodent management by predators are analysed.

Historical And Present Status Of The Black-Footed Ferret, Dean E. Biggins, Max H. Schroeder

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) was once widely distributed in the Great Plains and intermountain valleys of North America, its range overlapping the combined ranges of several species of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Most life history information has been obtained from studies of ferrets in southwestern South Dakota (1964-1974) and studies near Meeteetse, Wyoming (1981-present). The ferret's nearly complete dependence on prairie dogs was documented in both study areas. The recent collapse of the Meeteetse population of ferrets due to an outbreak of canine distemper underscores the threat posed by this disease, but reductions of prairie dogs …

Control Methods For Objectional Roosts Of Purple Martins, Albert E. Bivings Iv

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Multi-thousand bird roosts of Purple Martins (Progne subis) occasionally form in the South during the early summer (June-July). Nightly depositions of fecal material create considerable nuisance and potential health problems. Since they are federally protected migratory birds and have legions of bird-lovers trying to increase their populations, lethal controls are unlikely to be popular or even permitted. Control techniques including plastic netting (partial or complete exclusion), active scaring and modification of building schedules are discussed and evaluated. Plastic netting was observed to be the most successful long-term solution.

Decoying Coyotes With Dogs, Gary J. Rowley, Delyle Rowley

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Decoy dogs, used in conjunction with a predator call or coyote howl, are an effective technique to reduce coyote depredation on domestic sheep ranges during the spring and summer when coyotes are highly territorial and aggressively protect their young and den area. Trained decoy dogs, when chased by coyotes, return to their owner bringing the coyotes into shooting range. The type of dogs used successfully for this work is discussed.

Eighth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Workshop Committee,
Session Chairpersons,
Poster Session,
Exibitors,
Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station

Welcome From The Great Plains Agricultural Council, Robert L. Storch

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

On behalf of the Great Plains Agricultural Council and other sponsoring agencies, I want to welcome you to the 8th Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop. From the very first session that was held in 1973 at Manhattan, Kansas, this workshop has consistently enjoyed a high level of success, and we believe this year's effort will be no exception. Being approximately a year and a half since the last workshop in San Antonio, we were initially concerned about the amount of interest that would be shown in this year's workshop. However, in looking at the number and quality of the …

Policy And Goals In The Private Sector, Rick Warhurst

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Today I am supposed to talk about policy and goals for predator management and control to enhance waterfowl production in the private sector. The private sector includes a wide array of interests. Each of you probably has a particular opinion. You have already observed some different thinking, some different languages, in reference to predator control from previous panel members. If you extrapolate that over the whole United States population, which would be the private sector, it would include a wide array of interests and thoughts.

Duck Nest Success On South Dakota Game Production Areas, S. Gay Simpson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Duck nesting success was studied on South Dakota Game Production Areas in 1985 and 1986. Mayfield success rates for all species combined were 28.0 and 28.4 percent, respectively. Predators were responsible for nearly 90 percent of nest failures. Results from lake Albert Island and Hogsback served to demonstrate potential for intensive management to increase duck nesting success.

Consider Using Electric Powered Fences For Controlling Animal Damage, Robert E. Steger

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The use of electronics in animal damage control is not new. The use of amplified frequencies or sound has been widely used for controlling insects, rats, and other kinds of animals. Recent innovations for uses of electric powered fences are being recognized. Animals heretofore managed by expensive predacides or physical barriers are being managed with electric powered barriers. For example, caterpillars are being economically managed in New Zealand with the use of one electrical wire slightly above ground level. This application is being made possible because electric powered fences are 1) economical; 2)effective; 3) provide flexibility; and 4) are relatively …

Politics, Prairie Dogs, And The Sportsman, John Sharps

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I would like to speak to you today about potential economic and biological values of prairie dogs. When I refer to prairie dogs throughout my talk, I'm referring only to the prairie dogs on the National Grasslands Systems in western South Dakota. Prairie dogs have great economic potential to sportsmen and the general public and also act as ecosystem regulators to grassland plant and animal communities, and as such, could enhance both potentials if managed differently.

Policy And Goals Of The State Of South Dakota, Gay Simpson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I am to address the policy of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks toward predator control and management in relation to waterfowl. Waterfowl has always had a high priority with the state of South Dakota. As a state agency, we could have said "let the Feds do it," but we did not take that approach (1) because South Dakota is a production state, lying where it does on the northern end of the Central Flyway, and (2) because we have a healthy population of waterfowl hunters. We sell about 40,000 duck stamps annually. The Department has recognized the importance …

Adc In The U.S. Department Of Agriculture, Gerald J. Fichtner

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

ADC transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture by Public Law 99-190. Parameters of ADC in USDA are that the program is biologically sound, environmentally acceptable, and economically feasible. Major program components are cooperative operational control, education and information, and research. The National Animal Damage Control Advisory Committee is being formed. The American Society for Testing and Materials is helping on research priorities. A line-staff organization has been put in place within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in USDA.

A Novel Strategy For Pocket Gopher Control, Michael E.R. Godfrey

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Current techniques for the control of pocket gophers use traps, fumigants or toxic baits. Trapping and fumigation are labor intensive and seldom effective in giving more than short-term relief. Toxic baiting usually uses baits that are rapidly degraded and although the resident gopher may be killed the burrow system is frequently reoccupied very rapidly and little long-term control is achieved. The use of persistent baits that remain toxic and acceptable to the gophers for an extended period may result in more effective long-term control.

A Chronology Of Prairie Dog Control Operations And Related Developments In South Dakota, Rew Hanson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The black-tailed prairie dog is a South Dakota native with a long history of controversy regarding its activities and control. The first organized efforts in prairie dog control date back to 1914 but little information was recorded until 1919 with some county operations and the passing of a rodent control law by the South Dakota Legislature. Nine west river counties reported treating a total of 398,000 acres of prairie dogs in 1920.

Control Of One Native Animal Species To Benefit Another Native Species, John T. Lokemoen

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

This paper expresses my feelings on the topic of controlling one native animal species (small carnivores) for the benefit of another native species (waterfowl). The relationship between the predator and prey has always been an interesting one. During much of man's experience with wildlife, predators were generally feared and persecuted. It was almost universally agreed that killing predators resulted in larger game populations, which man wanted for food or sport.

Comparative Toxicity Of Strychnine To Eight Species Of Ground Squirrels, George Matschke, Carolyn L. Fordham, Susan C. Hurlbut, Richard M. Engeman

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The toxicity of 3 strychnine bait concentrations, 0.20%, 0.35%, and 0.50%, was evaluated on 8 species of ground squirrels (Spermophilus spp). Significant species-specific differences were evident in the relative toxicity of strychnine in our tests.

An Overview Of The South Dakota Animal Damage Control Program, Alvin L. Miller

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Animal Damage Control in South Dakota is a very comprehensive program. The program's objective is to reduce agricultural loss caused by predators, nuisance animals, rodents, migratory birds and waterfowl. It involves the cooperation of several federal, state and county agencies as well as landowners and In turn requires very close coordination of these various entities in order to successfully achieve our objective. Operational control, extension services, research and educational programs are alI important facets of such a comprehensive program.

Legislative Review Of Prairie Dog Statutes, Lyndell Peterson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The legislature is a modern version of a system that allows us to get along and bring our values together, sort them out, and establish ground rules under which we function. As we imbalance nature in our favor and apply our values through the legislature and congress, one prevailing value is that most of us will go to war for our right to own property. Yet there are times when our point of view functions in such a way that we say this process should provide us authority and power over somebody else's property as long as nobody exercises that …