Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

Public Relations And Successful Blackbird Roost Management, Sally S. Erdman

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The public relations aspects of a successful blackbird roost management program for an urban area are described. Appendices include sample field note format, selected bird control references, a method for preserving birds, bird control materials, and a sample citation form.

A Review Of Prairie Dog Diet And Its Variability Among Animals And Colonies, Kathleen A. Fagerstone

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

After almost 70 years of decline, prairie dog numbers are increasing in many western states. As populations expand, it becomes increasingly important to clarify the degree of competition between prairie dogs and livestock. A review of studies on prairie dog food habits shows variable results. Prairie dogs frequently eat the same plant species as cattle and their activities may cause a decrease in grasses normally considered good livestock forage and an increase in forb cover. However, in some instances, prairie dogs may be beneficial to rangeland; plant species diversity and protein content of forage are often greater on prairie dog …

Outwitting The House Sparrow [Passer Domesticus (Linnaeus)], William D. Fitzwater

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

With the decline of house sparrow populations during the first quarter of this century, control research attention shifted to other avian species so little new is available on either life history studies or management. Solutions to animal damage control problems are generally through (1) environmental controls, (2) protection of crops and/or sites, and (3) population reduction. In the case of sparrow problems, environmental controls are of limited application as the birds prefer the habitat modifications made by man. Protection of crops or sites relies on repellents which are generally ineffective against this particular species. The only viable population level controls …

Poster Session Abstracts

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Poster Abstracts include:

● FURBEARER TRAPPER-HUNTER EDUCATION IN KANSAS
EDWARD K. BOGGESS and F. ROBERT HENDERSON, Cooperative Extension Service, Kansas State University

● A FLOW CHART FOR HOUSE MOUSE CONTROL
DARYL D. FISHER and ROBERT M. Timm, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

● BIRD DRAMAGE CONTROL AND DISPERSAL RECORDINGS
RON J. JOHNSON and ROBERT H. SCHMIDT, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

● GROUND SQUIRREL CONTROL IN NEWLY PLANTED GRAlN FIELDS
ANN E. KOLHLER and RON J. JOHNSON, Department of Forestry. Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

● WOODPECKER DAMAGE TO HOUSES AND …

Formula To Build A Better "Rat Trap" Rodenticide, George W.J. Laidlaw

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

In the time that the Pesticides Division of Agriculture Canada has been evaluating rodenticides, it has become apparent that the formulated product's efficacy is dependent on the character of the inert ingredients as well as on the actual active toxicant. The type of food, its level of manufacture, the adhesive-binder, the attractants and preservatives can each affect the efficiency of the active ingredient. Currently, very serious problems have arisen because of the anticoagulant resistance and bait shyness that rodents have developed towards existing products.

Management Of Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs On The National Grasslands, Greg L. Schenbeck

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) occupy approximately 22,800 ha on 11 National Grasslands in the West. Prairie dog control has been implemented on 5 National Grasslands and is planned for 1 additional National Grassland. A unique prairie dog management program in the Conata Basin area of the Buffalo Gap National Grassland is highlighted in this report. Conata Basin is a major prairie dog area and attempts are being made to control prairie dogs while trying to maintain habitat for the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Repopulation of treated colonies has been a major and costly problem in Conata Basin, and it …

A Vertebrate Ipm Project In Nebraska, Robert M. Timm

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

An Integrated Pest Management project in Nebraska is assisting farmers, particularly pork producers, in controlling damage caused by Norway rats, house mice, house sparrows, and starlings. This extension program also provides information on control of pocket gophers in alfalfa and on rangelands. Integrated control recommendations include rodent- and bird-proof construction, limitation of food and shelter, traps, and toxicants (rodenticides and avicides). The project is attempting to gather data on economic damage, including structural damage to confinement buildings, caused by these pests. This information will be used to assist producers in deciding when to initiate control.

Prairie Dog Density And Cattle Grazing Relationships, Daniel W. Uresk, James G. Maccracken, Ardell J. Bjugstad

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Blacktail prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) were more abundant (P < 0.01) in areas of southwestern South Dakota heavily grazed by cattle than in areas where cattle were excluded. Results suggest that periodic exclusions or reduced cattle stocking rates, in combination with control programs, help regulate prairie dog population increase and expansion as indexed by burrow counts.

Research Needs

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The following research needs in wildlife damage control were suggested by workshop participants during the October 14 afternoon session.
Damage assessment/distribution and magnitude of damage, and assessment techniques
Urban problems
Crop cultural practices
Blackbirds in urban areas and grain crops
Deer in crops
Woodpecker repellents
Bat toxicants
Prairie dogs/single-dose toxicants
Diseases
Bait formulations, especially for pocket gophers
Humane techniques
Predacides, including the M-44
Training of students and professionals
Attitudes of the public
Gas cartridges
Pigeon toxicants
Predator and game management
Predator and range management
Antelope in relation to weed dispersal and to fences
Relocation effects on populations
Economics; cost-benefit
Bird …

Panel Discussion: Integrated Pest Management—A Viable Approach To Wildlife Damage Control?, Roger E. Gold Moderator

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Questions & answers. Questioners and respondents include:
Roger E. Gold, Moderator
Robert M. Timm
Bill Ahlschwede
Rex E. Marsh
George Laidlaw
James Miller
Terry Salmon

Program Planning For Extension Wildlife Damage Control: Rodents, Edward K. Boggess

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Program planning is a necessary part of any educational program which is intended to progress in an orderly or logical manner. However, it must be realized that extension wildlife specialists often must deal with special sets of circumstances when it comes to resolving problems with wildlife. When faced with a particular damage problem, the wildlife specialist has two options: to act or to react. The choice of which course to take depends on the specific problem and on a number of related factors, such as uniqueness and severity of the problem and community attitudes.

Update Of Federally Registered Vertebrate Pesticides, Raymond W. Matheny

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The Environmental Protection Agency is charged by Congress under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to regulate the use of pesticides in the United States. Section 3 of FIFRA requires that all interstate pesticides be federally registered. In this process applicants must submit data to support registration of their products. These data encompass the safety, basic chemistry, environmental chemistry, human toxicity and fish and wildlife toxicity of the product. Admittedly, registration of pesticides can be both costly and time-consuming. The objective is to protect the environment, both plant and animal, from adverse effects. Pesticides may also be used,experimentally …

The Status Of Prairie Dogs In The Great Plains, F. Robert Henderson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The data used in this report was acquired during an investigation conducted for the Development Planning and Research Associates Incorporated located here in Manhattan, Kansas: This is a private consulting firm. Their permission to use this information is greatly appreciated. There are four species of prairie dogs in the United States. These are the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus), white-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys leucurus), Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens) and Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) (Jones et al, 1975).

Extension Program Planning For Predator Damage Control, Dale A. Wade

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Program planning for reduction of predator damage through the Extension approach normally involves producers, the county Extension agent and the Extension specialist in animal damage control. Please note that I will use the term "animal damage" rather than "wildlife damage", since free-ranging and feral dogs are frequently responsible for predator-caused losses and reducing these losses is equally as important as limiting losses to wild species.

Federally Registered Pesticides For Vertebrate Control , R.W. Matheny

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

list of registered pesticides

How To Evaluate Wildlife Damage Control Programs - Rodents, Robert M. Timm

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Wildlife damage control programs, whether they be directed at rodents or other species, exist because of particular needs. The first criterion in evaluating any such program is: does the program meet an existing need, i.e. does it effectively reduce damage? To answer this question, it is necessary to define the need. Need can be described in terms of the extent and severity of damage caused by rodents, or potential damage (which may occur, if no action is taken). Actual damage is measured most accurately by an on-site survey or inspection. This may involve measurement of a resource loss (for example, …

Predation Of Upland Game And Its Management, Roger Wells

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

There is probably no greater topic that elicits greater emotion in public wildlife discussions than that of predation. A variety of groups each with their own particular special interest surround the topic.

Some advocate complete protection of predators on the premise that their activities merely result in a "balance of nature." The opposite viewpoint argue just as strongly for the total elimination of Predators of valued wildlife in order to have greater number for man's enjoyment.

The Challenge Of Cost-Benefit Determinations In Bird Damage Control Programs, Richard A. Dolbeer

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Birds cause damage to a variety of crops in North America and, at least for blackbirds feeding on corn, there are fairly accurate estimates of the amount of damage that occurs (Stone et al. 1972, Stickley et al. 1979). To combat these depredation problems, a variety of management tools (cultural methods, mechanical scare devices, chemical toxicants, and repellents)have been developed and are routinely recommended to farmers. Unfortunately, little effort has gone into examing the anticipated or actual losses in relation to the effectiveness and costs of the recommended damage control programs.

Solving Urban Problems Associated With Small Animals, Sharon Whitten

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Small animals have been drawn into the urban setting, and as a consequence of their contact with man their populations are growing. The result of this growth is damage to man's property. We must take steps to reduce damage caused by wildlife in urban areas.

Political And Sociological Aspects Of Wildlife Damage Control, Walter E. Howard

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I greatly appreciate being invited to the 1979 Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control workshop - especially being your dinner speaker. The climate of public opinion developed from the ecology movement in the western world implies that everything chemical is unnatural and bad, while anything biological is intrinsically desirable. Vertebrate pest control faces a very emotional climate, thanks to government actions and many organizations seeking to profit fran keeping it that way. Unfortunately Americans have been indoctrinated to think that the present vertebrate pest control methodology is archaic and inhumane, that the field attracts those who are killers at heart, and …

New Approaches To Alleviating Migratory Bird Damage, Orvis C. Gustad

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

The title of "New Approaches to Alleviating Migratory Bird Damage" does not encompass the broad array of efforts being made through research, but rather is limited to new efforts being made through our Animal Damage Control operational program. My primary emphasis will be on the "Lure Crop" approach. The standard Service approach to resolving migratory bird depredation problems has been to conduct field demonstrations and provide information and materials for moving the birds away from the damage site.

Using Extension Methodology In Prairie Dog Management, Lloyd K. Cheatheam

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

At the turn of the century, Texas' 'black-tailed prairie dog was probably the State's most abundant wildlife species. Bailey estimated the population at 800,000,000 animals in 1905. He also described a single colony that was 100 miles wide and 250 miles long, from San Angelo, Texas to Clarendon, Texas. During this period, other authors described riding by horseback for several days through a single colony. Settlers of this area, wishing to raise cattle, had to first control the prairie dog. My good friend, G.IJ. "Shorty" Kennedy, a retired ranch foreman and an octgenarian, described these historical control methods to me.

Predation On Nesting Waterfowl In The Glaciated Prairie Pothole Region, Raymond Greenwood

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Increased duck production is a primary goal of management on federal Waterfowl Production Areas and many National Wildlife Refuges in the glaciated Prairie Pothole Region. Considerable effort is expended to manage many of those areas for increased duck nesting success. Predation often reduces the effectiveness of many waterfowl management practices and results in lowered production of young by local waterfowl populations. Recent studies on upland nesting ducks in the Prairie Pothole Region of North and South Dakota show that up to 18 percent of the nesting hens, 20-90 percent of the eggs, and a significant though undetermined number of ducklings …

How To Evaluate Wildlife Damage Control Programs, Orvis Gustad

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

I did not volunteer to substitute for Bill Pfeifer on the subject of "How to Evaluate Predator Control Programs" as an expert on this subject, but rather to: 1) point out that we recognize the need for good base information for describing effectiveness; and 2) relay how the Service's Animal Damage Control Program proposes to obtain it.

How Wildlife Damge Control Personnel Can Cope With The Gas Shortage And Reduced Budgets, Yet Still Meet The Needs Of The Public, Volney W. Howard Jr.

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

As I see the situation, we are really addressing a two-sided issue -- one involves actual field personnel, such as Animal Damage Control (ADC), and the other contains those involved in extension. Some potential solutions which may be beneficial for one group may not be applicable to the problems encountered by the other. ADC Personnel. The field personnel are faced with increased fuel costs and static or decreased travel budgets. In addition, there is rumor of a 10 to 15% mandatory decrease in gasoline consumption on a per-month-basis by ADC employees in New Mexico. I assume that ADC personnel in …

New Developments In Rodenticides, William B. Jackson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Rodenticides have become the "standard" for rodent control, and Anti-coagulants have been the quid pro quo. For three decades warfarin(and other dicoumarols) and then the indandiones have been the control element for commensal rodents. However, excessive and indiscriminant uses have selected for resistant populations of Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice in many parts of the U.S. (Jackson and Ashton, 1979). Though resistance is often referenced to warfarin, it is a cross-resistance to all of the currently available, "first-generation" anticoagulants.

Program Planning For Extension Wildlife Damge Control - Bird Damage, Ron J. Johnson

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Bird damage problems occur throughout the Great Plains States, and these problems often confront extension personnel. Knowledge of what problems occur in the various states and how they are handled may help us better pool efforts toward finding solutions. Shared information may also show patterns that exist or new problems emerging that might require increased attention in the future.

Use Of Starlicide In Pigeon Control, Lester B. Kreps

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Feral pigeons, problem birds common to most American cities and farms, are descendants of the Rock Dove (Columba 1ivia)of North Africa and Europe. They were brought to America as domestic poultry by the first European settlers and have since escaped. They are not truly 'wild", as their existence depends upon man's activities. An adult pigeon will eat about a pound of food a week, consisting primarily of grain spilled around elevators, railroad yards and feedlots or fed by pigeon lovers.

Control Of Urban Blackbird And Starling Roosts, Ron Ogden

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

Blackbirds and starlings often establish large fall and winter roosts in areas where their presence is objectionable because of potential health, economic, and/or nuisance problems. Roosts of more than a million birds are not uncommon. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelphoeniceus), common grackles (Quiscalus cuiscula), brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) make up most of the roosts populations.

Vertebrate Animal Damage Control: Summary Of Panel Discussion And Committee Review, Dale A. Wade

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

It is clearly evident that the program planning committee for this national workshop recognized vertebrate animal damage and its control as one of the most difficult problems with which we deal in resource management. Perhaps no other topic is more controversial since it encompasses all of the biological, social, economic and political factors, with emotion and opinions frequently weighed more heavily than fact.