DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Title

PORCUPINE DAMAGE AND REPELLENT RESEARCH IN THE INTERIOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Authors

Gary W. Witmer, USDA/APHIS National Wildlife Research Center
Michael J. Pipas, USDA/APHIS National Wildlife Research Center

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

January 1998

Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) rely on trees and shrubs for winter food and can cause serious, localized damage to conifers. Twenty-two percent of ponderosa trees (Pinus ponderosa) examined in southeastern Washington were damaged by porcupines. Most damage involved complete girdling of the mid- to upper boles of the larger trees (12 to 30 cm dbh) in the stand. Preliminary repellent trials with captive porcupines suggested that several materials might reduce tree damage, especially predator-associated odors. Field trials are needed to assess efficacy and duration of protection under ambient winter conditions.