Scarecrow Nouvelle: Predation Prevention Tools and Techniques By Kaiti Nixon M.Sc. Candidate, Trent University 1

Your speaker today... M.Sc. Candidate, Environmental and Life Sciences Trent University, 2011-present Interest: Human Wildlife conflict management B.Sc. Zoology University of Guelph, 2011 Dip. Veterinary Technology Ridgetown College,

The Project Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Trent University Input by OMAFRA personnel 3

Eastern Coyote (Ontario) Size: lbs Photo Courtesy of Brent Patterson. Other culprits... Dogs Wolves Bears Cougars Ravens Birds of Prey Etc... 4

Photo courtesy of Brent Patterson. Image from cbc.ca Coyotes are difficult because... Versatile use of habitat Varied diet Learn very quickly Suspicious of new things** High reproductive rate 5

Use of prevention tools From a 2011/12 survey of Ontario sheep producers. Multiple options can be indicated per respondent. Total surveys = 181 6

Base map adapted from OMAFRA Statistics: Livestock by County Geographic distribution of survey responses. 54 out of 149 indicated sheep losses to coyotes in

Guaranteed to stop Raccoon, Owl, Fox, Coyote, Opossum, Bear, Cougar, Wild boar, Mink, Skunk, Mountain Lion, Beaver, Blue Heron, Deer, Hawks and Other intruders. Theory on the use of deterrents Basic principle: Coyotes are neophobic – new things are scary They habituate within a short time frame, but it isn’t consistent Deterrents are non-lethal, allows for learning (good and bad) 8

Fox Lights ( Australian designed/made in Taiwan Instructions were to use one light per 100 ewes – doesn’t make sense! We use 2 lights per 5 acres Units are designed to sit on a T-post Rubbing is an issue Light up the dark areas of the field May not be effective in lit areas 9

Niteguard Designed in the US, made in China Use two of these “cluster mounts” per 5 acres Prone to breaking at the tab, need to protect from rubbing/chewing Lights are to be mounted at the eye level of the predator, long grass is an issue Bright red flash, turns on fairly early in the evening Can be used in a perimeter mount for smaller areas 10

Ultrasound Purchased from a Canadian Company, made in China Motion sensor activated, allows for surprise Instructions are to use in “problem areas” Need to use around the whole perimeter Low battery life Many other brands on the market, if ultrasound has an effect there is probably a better design 11

Fladry Ancient Eastern European technique for hunting wolves Can be made very inexpensively We used traditional fladry sizing, principle could be modified Could be used on a hot wire (turbo-fladry) Need to do a full perimeter More effective with wolves than coyotes 12

More unanswered questions... What makes one farm more susceptible than another? What is the motivation to take livestock rather than natural prey? Do non-lethal deterrents work better with low levels of predation? Do they work better at different times of the year? Does the surrounding landscape have an effect? 13

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Predation as a function of: 15

Final Tips: Keep good records of where and when kills happen (time of day, exact location, where you were) Think about investing in a trail camera ($200+) to monitor activity in the field when you aren’t there Monitor your fences, they are your first line of defence Think like a coyote – figure out what else might be drawing them in (water, small animals in a wood pile, dead stock, pet food, bird feeders...) Get to know the hunters and trappers in your area Talk to your neighbours about their properties (den locations, sightings, animals killed...) 16

Special Thanks to... Andy Robinson, Jennifer Johnson, Jillian Craig, Ruth Gilmour, Anita O’Brien, Christoph Wand, Susan Fitzgerald, Tina Hanley, Tyler Wheeldon, Bruce Pond, Brent Patterson and all of my survey and trial participants. 17

Questions? 18