Copyright (c) 2013 University of Nebraska - Lincoln All rights reserved. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2 Recent documents in Second Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference, 1985 en-us Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:05:46 PST 3600 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/50 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/50 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:49:18 PDT 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 throughout much of North Carolina during the past thirty years and currently the species inhabits 80 of 100 counties. Beavers affect a minimum of 35,858 hectares of bottomland in North Carolina. Total estimated damage loss to forestry and agricultural interests in 1983 exceeded benefits by $275,000. Cooperative efforts in administering a beaver management program between the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other state agencies centers on landowner education and technical assistance in the form of inspection and demonstration, with referral to professional trappers for aid in controlling nuisance animals.

]]> David K. Woodward et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/49 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/49 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:46:35 PDT 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 bars for nesting sites and shelter. In addition to the nest materials and feathers which fall onto aircraft and equipment, bird droppings can easily create a messy maintenance nightmare for those who clean the hangar floors and aircraft.

For the most part, Air Force hangar bird problems have centered on the three pest bird species: Rock Doves (domestic pigeon), (Columba livia), European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus). Experience has shown that observation of the types and numbers of birds present, as well as their habits, is a crucial first step to dealing with the situation. Additionally, documentation of cleanup costs, damaged parts, morale problems, etc., can be helpful in gaining support from commanders for programs to remove birds.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a better knowledge of structural bird problems and a survey of methods which have offered varied success on Air Force installations. One of these methods has proved to be very effective for worst-case aircraft hangar problems and will be discussed in detail.

]]> Timothy J. Will http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/48 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/48 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:44:38 PDT The Pennsylvania Game Commission has, throughout our existence, tried many new approaches to solve our wildlife/ human conflicts. In recent years, the District Game Protector has been plagued with calls requesting help with nuisance wildlife, especially in the high population urban areas. While the law provides for methods of dealing with deer and bear which cause damage to crops and related materials, little is included to simplify the situation created by small mammal wildlife pests. With limited manpower available, which has been further complicated as a result of the Supreme Court ruling regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act and overtime pay, it became imperative that we find a better way to handle these problems. Meetings and discussions with several of our urban Officers helped us develop a Wildlife Pest Control permit concept which was presented to our Commission, approved and implemented in the fall of 1983.

]]> Gerard W. Wendt http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/47 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/47 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:42:51 PDT 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.

]]> Thomas C. Walker et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/46 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/46 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:40:50 PDT 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 CFWISs from the 1970's through 1984. At present 11 states are implementing a CFWIS using a variety of hardware and software. Categories of information in CFWISs generally follow the "Procedures" system (Mason et al. 1979). Currently, Virginia, Colorado, Missouri and Pennsylvania have working Procedures-type CFWISs. Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming are in the implementation stage, and decisions are pending in many other states.

]]> Jefferson L. Waldon et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/45 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/45 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:38:11 PDT Histoplasmosis 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 histoplasmos is. 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, the fungus remains for years, but its development can be prevented by bird dispersal and lethal bird control techniques. Infested sites may, with difficulty, be decontaminated using formal in.

]]> A.R. Stickley Jr. et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/44 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/44 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:35:50 PDT The doctrine of State ownership of wildlife was a part of the body of English common law transplanted to these shores by the original English settlers. The Crown conveyed ownership of many natural resources, and included wildlife in the patents it issued to the proprietors of plantations and colonies. When the provinces became States, they inherited ownership of wildlife.

]]> LeRoy W. Sowl http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/43 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/43 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:35:49 PDT Session Moderators

]]> http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/42 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/42 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:34:11 PDT A survey of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage was conducted among growers (N = 2,236) of fruit, Christmas tree and nursery crops in Ohio; over 81% responded. Damage was reported by 43.1% of Christmas tree growers, 4l.3% of orchardists and 32.5% of nurserymen. Most commonly reported by orchardists as damaged were apples (Malus spp.)s by Christmas tree growers were white pines (Pinus strobus), and by nurserymen were maples (Acer spp.)o Young plants (x̅ = 7.5 years) were more commonly damaged than older plants of all species. Seasonal damage was most common in spring and summer for orchard species, and fall and winter for Christmas tree and nursery species. Mean percent of crop damaged ranged from 9.5% in spruces (Picea spp.) to 48.8% in cherries (Pinus spp.)< Average reported losses/ha were $204 by orchardists, $219 by Christmas tree growers and $268 by nurserymen. Positive relationships were demonstrated between damage levels and two deer density indices; buck harvest/km² and mean maximum deer sighted were significantly (P < O.OOOl) correlated with damage (R² = 0.571). Regression equations using these indices should be useful in predicting damage. As percentage of cultivated crops bordering production areas increased, the chance of damage occurring decreased (P = 0.06). Growers with damage had significantly (P < 0.05) more woods (x̅ = 49.7%) bordering crop areas than did growers without damage (x̅ = 39.3%). The most popular means of damage control was sport hunting, Significantly more (P < 0.05) growers that had damage permitted hunting (70.6%) than growers without damage (41.6%), Other control techniques used by growers included repellents (16.5%), special deer harvest permits (3-10%), deer deterrent fencing (5.8%), and scare devices (4.5%). Human hair, tankage and Hinder were the most commonly used repellents, and 65 to 92% of respondents using repellents thought repellents offered some to complete protection.

]]> Joel D. Scott et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/41 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/41 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:27:39 PDT Have you ever heard about a way to keep snakes away from your house? Many people in North Carolina have been told by their elders of various ways to repel snakes. When we first started working on this problem in North Carolina, we were amazed at the number of "home remedies" that people believed would protect their property from snakes; and we began to keep a record of these remedies. In 1981, a grant from the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program allowed us to begin to test some of these remedies to determine their value.

]]> Gary J. San Julian http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/40 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/40 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:26:13 PDT Computers have become common place in virtually all phases of agriculture. Most individuals have access to microcomputers 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, etc. and predict the potential impact squirrels may have on that grower's operation, and 3) present the potential cost effectiveness of the available control options.

]]> Terrell P. Salmon et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/39 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/39 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:22:53 PDT An electronic device that 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.

]]> R. Blake Roper et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/38 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/38 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:20:26 PDT 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 the potential for landowner complaints of beaver damage. Responding to numerous complaints can be a time-consuming and costly drain on agency resources. In response to wildlife managers' concerns about landowners' reactions to increasing beaver populations, landowners in central New York were surveyed in January-February 1985 to determine public attitudes and tolerances associated with beaver activities o Survey responses indicated that over one-half of the owners of sites occupied by beaver had incurred previous damage or nuisance problems. Site owners' perceptions of the severity of damage were strongly related to their overall tolerance orientation toward beaver. Damage estimates indicated that site owners were willing to incur nearly $800 of damage per landowner in return for the presence of beaver on their property during the period of 1982-1984. Individuals attempting damage control often relied on the assistance of others with their control efforts and a majority of all site owners indicated they were willing to conduct habitat modifications on their property that would aid in the prevention of future beaver damage problems. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to issues that must be addressed by wildlife managers developing damage management and control programs.

]]> Ken G. Purdy et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/37 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/37 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:17:07 PDT 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 yields 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 and chronic. Economics, or affordability, is often the determining factor as to which method or methods an orchard manager will utilize to reduce vole damage to trees. Although rodenticides offer an effective means of control, the use of chemicals should be in combination with either cultural or mechanical control measures. Environmental considerations are of utmost importance in the chemical control of voles. Both primary and secondary hazard potential to non-target wildlife should be examined before a product is used. The rapid environmental degradation time of certain compounds reduces exposure to wildlife.

]]> Richard M. Poche et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/36 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/36 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:17:06 PDT List of participants

]]> http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/35 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/35 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:14:11 PDT 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 indirect conflict with man.

Undoubtedly the most publicized of these conflicts has involved the threatened timber wolf and the livestock producers of northern Minnesota. This long-term battle continues on the ground and in the courts. Of perhaps special note is the fact that the courts have typically sided with the Congressional intent of the Endangered Species Act, even when the Fish and Wildlife Service supported limited trapping and hunting of wolves.

]]> Warren T. Parker http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/34 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/34 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:09:17 PDT 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 in roost vegetation. Winds of less intensity, however, were probably beneficial since they increased balloon movement. These tests demonstrated that helium-filled balloons would be a useful addition to the list of devices used to scare blackbirds and starlings from objectionable roost sites.

]]> Donald F. Mott http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/33 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/33 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:08:14 PDT "A well balanced wildlife management program includes research, the acquisition of land, the development of habitat, the careful regulation of hunting or harvest, the protection of certain species, the enforcement of laws — and — the control of animal depredations. Though necessary, this is among the least popular and most controversial of the wildlife management functions. It is, nevertheless, one of the activities which a responsible agency must undertake." This statement is a direct quote from the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' (IAFWA) Position Paper on Animal Damage Control (1981).

]]> James E. Miller http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/32 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/32 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:05:42 PDT Evaluations of systematic damage assessments of 5, 10 and 20 percent of all apple trees in 12 orchards were compared. The 10% assessment technique was selected as the most accurate and efficient in estimating summer and fall damage. Analysis of several parameters of tree vigor found significant differences between browsed and unbrowsed trees for tree basal diameter and central leader diameter over 2 successive years. These subtle yet important differences in tree development were felt to severely limit the possibilities of relating browsing to growth and. later, yields. Methods and considerations for making control decisions on a per acre basis are discussed.

]]> Jay B. McAninch et al. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/31 http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ewdcc2/31 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:03:14 PDT 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.

In Indiana, wildlife damage or nuisance animal problems takes two forms: damage from individual birds or mammals that are in the wrong place at the wrong time (such as raccoons nesting in an attic) and damage from bird or mammal populations that have grown large enough to cause serious economic losses for agricultural, forestry, or other land use interests (such as deer depredation on row crops).

Biologists of the Division have recognized basically three levels of wildlife damage or nuisance problems: 1) An example of the first level would involve a bird or mammal taking up residence in a man-made structure where, routinely, there is little or no damage. Birds or mammals at this level are classed as being simply nuisance animals. 2) The second level would involve animals that are actually causing damage. Examples would include minor beaver dam flooding, individual animals consuming garden crops or ornamental trees, muskrat damage to pond banks or dams, and damage to attics or basements from squirrels or raccoons. 3) The third level of damage is the most serious from an economic point of view. In Indiana, examples include coyote depredation of livestock, deer damage on or chards and row crops, and large concentrations of geese in urban areas.

]]> Glenn Lange