Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Animal Damage Control And The Endangered Species Act, Warren T. Parker

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The premise of the Endangered Species Act is that all wildlife are valuable natural resources and the extinction of species in the name of progress must be halted. To achieve this end, Congress requires all Federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service when any of their programs or projects affect a listed endangered or threatened species. Problems of special interest to this conference are those that project an endangered or threatened species in direct conflict with man.

State Funded Wildlife Damage Programs: The Wisconsin Experience, Scott E. Hygnstrom, Scott R. Craven

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Wisconsin has a long tradition of involvement with wildlife damage and wildlife damage programs. It is one of less than a dozen states that presently has a program for wildlife damage. From 1931 to 1980, Wisconsin paid landowners for damage to crops caused by wildlife. Now the focus of Wisconsin's wildlife damage program is on damage control and prevention through appropriate abatement techniques and wildlife population control. This paper will detail Wisconsin's experience with these approaches and will offer insight into improving state funded wildlife damage programs.

Reformulated 4-Aminopyridine Baits Cost-Effectively Reduce Blackbird Damage To Ripening Cornfields, Jerome F. Besser, John W. De Grazio

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In 1984 4-aminopyridine baits, stabilized with hydrochloric acid, were appraised in ripening cornfields being attacked by blackbirds on the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, South Dakota. In 1982, it had been discovered that 4-aminopyridine, the active agent in commercial Avitrol^® baits for crop protection rapidly vaporized at summer storage and field baiting temperatures.

In July, baiting lanes were created in 12 cornfields by destroying every 55th row. In August after a 3-day pretreatment period, fields were baited with Avitrol^® FC Corn Chops-99 for a 2-week period when corn was most vulnerable to damage. Bait was applied from baiting …

An Investigation Of Techniques Used To Discourage Rebuilding Of Beaver Dams Demolished By Explosives, James M. Dyer, Charles E. Rowell

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

One hundred seventeen beaver dams were partially or wholly demolished with explosives from April through August between 1982 and 1984. These dams were of two types; shallow water dams found in areas of flat terrain, and deep water dams found in major creek channels or in areas of hilly terrain. Following demolition, various treatments were applied to the dam sites to try to retard rebuilding. Our conclusions are that deep water dams can be removed more effectively than shallow water dams and that late summer removals were rebuilt less frequently than early and midsummer removals. Also, certain types of repellents …

Landowner Tolerance Of Beavers: Implications For Damage Management And Control, Ken G. Purdy, Daniel J. Decker, Richard A. Malecki, John C. Proud

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Management of beaver (Castor canadensis) populations can be an effective way to create wetlands while at the same time producing a valued recreational and furbearer resource. Optimizing beaver populations for such a dual objective, however, requires careful integration of biological and sociological considerations in management planning. Knowledge of beaver population dynamics by itself is insufficient for sound management; human tolerance data also must be included in management decisions to reduce the potential of encountering problems that could impede the attainment of beaver-wetlands management objectives. Expansion of beaver into new areas often may be constrained by managers' perceptions of …

Economic And Environmental Impacts Of Beavers In North Carolina, David K. Woodward, Robert B. Hazel, Brian P. Gaffney

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In 1984, a postal survey of landowners and managers was conducted in North Carolina concerning the presence of beavers (Castor canadensis) on their property. Major objectives of the survey were to determine: (1) current distribution and relative abundance of beavers in North Carolina, (2) the economic and environmental impacts from an apparently increasing beaver population, and (3) landowner attitudes toward these increasing populations. Of the 1,069 questionnaires returned, data was compiled from 456 landowners (43 percent) who confirmed the presence of beaver activity on their property during 1983. A significant increase in beaver numbers and distribution has occurred …

Preventive Control Of Pest Rodents, Walter E. Howard

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

With "preventive control" of pest rodents, by using rodent bait boxes (stations) on a permanent basis, there is no longer any biological, ecological, or economic reason for rodent pests or health problems to occur in villages, cities, and intensively cultivated agricultural areas, but not pastures or forests. Such pest rodents can usually be eliminated without endangering nontarget species, quite inexpensively, simply, and in a more environmentally desirable manner than most current practices, where the pest rodents are not controlled until populations have built up, which requires large amounts of rodenticides. With preventive control, once the pest rodents have been controlled …

Relationship Between Seasonal Changes In Forage Quality And Feeding Patterns In Meadow Voles (Microtus Pennsylvanicus), Ronald J. Brooks, Stephan A. Struger

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Forage analyses revealed that mowed orchards provide a relatively high quality forage to meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), especially in the fall. Mowed forage was characterized by significantly higher protein and moisture content and significantly lower acid and neutral detergent fibre and lignin than forage from an abandoned orchard. Energy and fat were not significantly affected by mowing. However, vole numbers declined markedly in mowed regions in comparison to undisturbed areas. Voles preferred to inhabit areas with dense cover even though vegetative dieback had occurred. Voles did not exhibit any distinct preference for either cracked corn (rodenticide carrier agent) …

Vole Control In The Eastern United States, Richard M. Poche, Robert Sharp

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and pine vole (M. pinetorum) are major pests in fruit orchards in the eastern U.S. These species damage trees by gnawing the bark or root systems during the winter months, thus, reducing the fruit yield, or in many cases actually killing the trees. Orchard owners generally use an integrated pest management approach involving a combination of methods: (1) cultural practices such as reducing favorable vole habitat, thereby, limiting the carrying capacity, (2) mechanical control through the use of tree guards or trapping techniques, and (3) the use of rodenticides, both acute …

Comparisons Of Strychnine And Zinc Phosphide In Prairie Dog Control, H. Todd Holbrook, Robert M. Timm

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Efficacy and safety are primary considerations in registration and use of toxicants for vertebrate pest control. Strychnine (0.5%) and zinc phosphide (2%) are currently registered by EPA for prairie dog control, but continued registration is uncertain. Two percent zinc phosphide bait has been suspected of producing lower and more erratic results than strychnine bait. In our study in western Nebraska in fall 1984, indices based on changes in burrow activity showed no difference in efficacy (P =0.66) or variability (P= 0.7) of control for strychnine and zinc phosphide, however neither toxicant consistently gave effective control or black-tailed prairie dogs. Costs …

Utilizing A Computerized Fish And Wildlife Information System To Solve Animal Damage Control Problems, Jefferson L. Waldon, Charles T. Cushwa, Peter T. Bromley

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Animal damage control professionals are faced with the monumental task of absorbing an enormous amount of literature about animal species. For example, one person cannot become an expert on all facets of dozens of species, much less the 1000 or more fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds that fall under the wildlifer's jurisdiction. An important new aid to the wildlife damage control specialist is the computerized fish and wildlife information system (CFWIS). A CFWIS is a tool for systematically compiling and managing information about animal species which reside in a state. Cushwa and Kopf (1984) summarized the development of state …

Estimating Cost-Effectiveness Of Controlling Animal Damage To Conifer Seedlings, David S. Decalesta

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A model for determining the benefit-cost ratio of controlling damage by vertebrate pests to conifer seedlings requires knowledge of the amount, distribution, and duration of animal damage, reduction in damage associated with control, costs of control, methodology and value of trees at harvest. Because control costs occurring in the present must be compared with savings recovered decades later in the future, the model incorporates procedures for discounting or adjusting future monetary benefits into present net worth valuations. The model allows forest managers to evaluate a wide range of damage costs and savings accruing from use of various control techniques. The …

Computer Assisted Extension Program On Ground Squirrel Control, Terrell P. Salmon, Donald L. Lancaster, Leanne Lasarow

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Computers have become common place in virtually all phases of agriculture. Most individuals have access to micro-computers and the once apparent intimidation about using them is rapidly disappearing. Because of increased availability and public acceptance, it's no surprise that many Extension programs are using computers as an important component of their educational package. Recently, several computer models have been developed to assist Extension personnel and others in demonstrating proper wildlife damage control decision-making. We have developed such a model which is used to: 1) present ground squirrel control information to the grower, 2) take user (grower) input on production, yields, …

An Evaluation Of Visual And Auditory Electronic Devices To Repel Deer, R. Blake Roper, Edward P. Hill

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

An electronic devicethat emitted auditory and visual stimuli was evaluated for repelling deer from hardwood plantations and soybean fields in Southwest Alabama from February 1976 through March 1978. Repellent effectiveness in hardwood plantations and in soybean fields was determined by comparing browsing damage on areas treated with the repellent stimuli against damage on control areas.

No difference (P < 0.05) was detected in browsing damage between treated and control areas in either hardwood plantations or soybean fields. Browsing damage on soybeans continued when electronic stimuli were combined with electric fences, human scent rags, and periodic shooting, demonstrating the high degree of adaptability of the white-tailed deer as they attempt to utilize an available food supply.

Evaluating Reports Of Deer Damage To Crops: Implications For Wildlife Research And Management Programs, Linda A. Lyon, Patrick F. Scanlon

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

We examined damage permit records to determine the incidence of reported white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage to crops in Virginia from 1982 to 1984. Permits were issued to 144, 252, and 195 landholders in 1982, 1983, and 1984, respectively. The total number of permits issued in 1983 (355), a drought year, was greater than that of 1982 (199) or 1984 (258). Most permits were issued for peanuts and soybeans in the southeastern section of the state and for orchards in the western portion of the state. Permits were also issued for gardens, corn, and tobacco. We found some …

Current Status Of Deer Fencing In The Northeast, Mark R. Ellingwood, Jay B. Mcaninch, Michael J. Fargione

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The recent development of high tensile electric fencing for controlling deer damage has led to the installation of these fence designs throughout the Northeast. In May 1984, 55 surveys were sent to individuals in 10 states who were known to have recently constructed deer fences. Sixty-seven percent of the surveys were returned and a variety of fence-related data were generated. These include information on deer damage, a general description of fence designs being utilized, information concerning fence voltage, data on fence maintenance and several questions on fence performance, owner satisfaction and the cost/benefits of deer damage control. The majority of …

The Whooping Crane Cross-Fostering Experiment: The Role Of Animal Damage Control, Roderick C. Drewien, Stephen H. Bouffard, Desmond D. Call, Richard A. Wonacott

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Predator losses of endangered species in reintroduction programs are unacceptable because of the scarcity of the species and the major commitment of staff time and funds. When the whooping crane (Grus americana) cross-fostering experiment (experiment) at Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Grays Lake), Idaho was proposed in 1972, animal damage control (ADC) was considered unnecessary. Sandhill crane (G. canadensis tabida) nest success was high and coyotes (Canis latrans) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were uncommon. Canids increased by the mid-1970's destroying whooping crane eggs and chicks. An ADC program initiated in 1976 …

Dispersal Of A Heron-Egret Rookery, Douglas I. Hall

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

A rookery composed of an estimated 10,000 herons and egrets (family: Ardeidae) located in Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas was successfully dispersed in the Spring of 1983. A diversified scaring program was planned and initiated prior to the onset of courtship display and nest building. The roost relocation was subsequently followed by habitat alteration procedures to make the 5-acre stand of primarily Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) unattractive as a future roosting site. Although no nesting occurred at the site in 1983, the lack of an early scaring program in the Spring of 1984 resulted in the uncleared …

Histoplasmosis And Its Impact On Blackbird/Starling Roost Management, A. R. Stickley Jr., R. J. Weeks

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Histoplasrnosis is a common and sometimes serious fungal disease that primarily affects the lungs, but can also involve other parts of the human body. The disease is characterized by 3 major forms: acute pulmonary, chronic cavitary, and disseminated histoplasmosis.Two fungicides are effective in treatment of the disease, but serious side effects often result. The occurrence of the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, is associated with large quantities of bird and bat excreta that have come in contact with soil. Roost sites must generally be occupied by birds for at least 3 years before soil conditions are conducive to its growth. Once established, …

Management Of Nuisance Canada Goose Flocks, Michael R. Conover

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

In recent years, non-migratory flocks of Canada Geese have become established in some urban and suburban areas. These birds often become a serious nuisance when they litter backyards, parks and beaches with fecal material, creating a potential health hazard especially for young children. To determine the scope of the problem, I surveyed golf course managers in the eastern U.S. to see if they were experiencing a problem with geese. This survey showed that this problem was widespread, occurring throughout the eastern U.S., and appeared to be increasing. Twenty-six percent of all respondents reported nuisance goose problems and were willing to …

Dispersing Blackbird-Starling Roosts With Helium-Filled Balloons, Donald F. Mott

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Large (120 cm diameter) helium-filled balloons (2-10 per ha of roost) tethered about 8 m above the vegetation were effective in dispersing blackbirds and starlings from roosting sites. Bird population estimates before, during, and after balloon exposure showed that the balloons frightened the birds and caused most of them to abandon the roost. Roosting bird numbers at each of 5 test roost sites (0.3 to 1.7 ha) were reduced an average of 82% (min-max 47-100%) during 3 to 4 evenings of balloon exposure. Winds >16 km/h during the study made it difficult to keep the balloons aloft and not entangled …

Management Implications Derived From Bird Damage Assessments In North Dakota Sunflower, Joseph L. Guarino, John L. Cummings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The most recent estimate of blackbird damage to ripening sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in North Dakota in 1980 exceeded $6 million. Although less than 5% of the sunflower fields in the state received greater than 10% damage in each of four past survey years, as much as 50% of the total state-wide damage occurred in these fields. This loss can be combated with cost-effective control. Successful control requires timely action when blackbirds are in large concentrations. Frightening blackbirds from fields early in the damage season disperses damage and this can result in compensatory growth by sunflower, whereby yields at …

Preparation And Analysis Of Alternative 4-Ap Baits For Blackbirds, J. E. Davis, D. J. Cunningham, J. L. Cummings

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) acceptance of corn as a bait for use in ripening sunflower has been questioned. This study demonstrated that sunflower meats, sunflower achenes, and pearled barley all have potential as alternative bait carriers for 4-AP. Each can be treated with 4-AP so that individual bait particles carry dosages equivalent to those of cracked corn in the registered product, Avitrol FC Corn Chops 99S. Treated baits produced a distress response in redwings in times ranging from 21.7 min (sunflower meats) to 64.5 min (sunflower achenes). The time to distress elicited by sunflower meats coated with 4-AP …

The Effects Of Canada Goose Grazing On Winter Wheat: An Experimental Approach, Hubert A. Allen Jr., David Sammons, Russell Brinsfield, Roland Limpert

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The effects of grazing winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) by Canada geese (Branta canadensis) was assessed in 3 fields during 2 years of experimentation at the Wye Research and Education Center, Queenstown, Maryland. Randomly placed wire enclosures prevented goose grazing on 11.1 m sq. control plots. Grazed plots were marked in each field soon after the geese migrated in March. Grazed plots had consistently lower yields than ungrazed plots with mean differences ranging from 0-13%. The differences were related to the intensity of grazing. Other parameters, including mean weight per seed, mean number of seeds per spike, …

Removal Of Nesting Starlings With Drc-1339, Douglas I. Hall

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

DRC-1339-treated crickets (Gryllus sp.) were utilized in an attempt to remove starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) nesting and rearing young in the aircraft hangars at the Little Rock Air Center, Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Bait ratio of 1 treated to 5 untreated crickets was used. They were placed under airport night lights where foraging birds naturally gathered to feed on insects attracted to these lights. Adult starlings consumed the crickets as well as fed them to their young. Lethal control was achieved on both age classes of bird. Field test results show promise for the development of …

Apparent Efficacy Of Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Programs At Four Naval Air Stations, Thomas C. Walker, C. Willard Bennett

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Department of the Navy implemented its present mandatory bird-aircraft strike reporting system in 1981. Reported bird-aircraft strikes have increased each year presumably due to increased awareness and compliance with regulations. Four Naval air stations implementing bird-aircraft strike hazard reduction programs in 1984 reported 57-78% fewer strikes in 1984 than in 1983.

Birds In Hangars- A Messy Problem, Albert E. Bivings Iv

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

Pest birds in hangars and similar man-made structures pose specific health hazards as well as nuisance and corrosion problems. While lethal control or a scaring program may be the best technique for some locations, neither address the long-term problem of the basic attractiveness of these structures to birds. The best long-term solution usually is to exclude the birds with permanently installed plastic or nylon netting. Several methods to accomplish this are discussed.

Air Force Problems With Birds In Hangars, Timothy J. Will

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Air Force's Bird - Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Team has been dealing with bird hazards to aircraft for over ten years, primarily through awareness programs, direct assistance to military bases, and through R&D aimed at world-wide BASH reduction. As with any problem where a biological system (in this case, birds) is involved, diversification is important in developing solutions. The BASH Team has recommended a variety of methods for working with hazards from birds. One area of particular concern is the nuisance of pest birds in hangars. These structures are extremely alluring to birds, which seek the roof-supporting I-beams and …

The Role Of State And Wildlife Agencies In Wildlife Damage Control, Charles D. Kelley

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

The Alabama Game and Fish Division is responsible for the stewardship of the wildlife and fisheries resources in the state. Within this context and the cooperative efforts with other agencies that have dealings with animal damage, the Division develops, permits, approves and administers control of both game and nongame (except migratory) species of wildlife.

Animal control complaints fall into two major areas - crop damage and nuisance animals. Nuisance animals, with some exceptions, are bats, armadillos, alligators, woodpeckers, snakes, birds that roost or nest in rookeries. Squirrels, bears, rabbits are the cause of both nuisance and crop damage complaints. Deer, …

The Role Of The Indiana Division Of Fish And Wildlife In Wildlife Damage Control, Glenn Lange

Wildlife Damage Management Conference

As defined by state statue, the Division of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for the protection, reproduction, care, management, survival, and regulation of all wildlife populations. By law, the Division must take a leading role in solving wildlife damage problems when they occur.