Game Management

History Theodore Roosevelt Conservationist President Created the US Forest Service 51 Federal Bird Reservations 4 National Game Preserves 150 National Forests 5 National Parks 18 National Monuments. Proctected 230,000,000 acres of public land.

Aldo Leopold Developed rules for state wildlife agencies Published a book about managing game species "the art of making land produce sustained annual crops of wildlife." Good land management=good wildlife management

D.N. “Ding” Darling Promoted construction of wildlife refuges under the supervision of Theodore Roosevelt Political cartoonist Created art for Duck Stamps

Forest Reserve Act of 1891 Established National Parks Effected wildlife that live in forests Protects land for wildlife- game preserve Created Yellowstone National Park

Endangered Species Act Protects animals that are declining in number

Habitat Requirements Food: carnivores, herbivores, omnivores Euryphagous- consumes wide variety of food Stenophagous- eats a specialized diet Less adaptation

Habitat Requirements Cover- protection from the elements, predators Water- wildlife bodies are 60-80% water Controls blood composition, temperature regulation and nutrient transport within the body

Habitat Requirements Home range- area over which game travel Territory- area an animal will defend, often to its death

Game Management Procedures Game refuges Habitat development & improvement Coordination with other resources Hunting regulations Predator control Artificial stocking Legislation

Game Refuges Set aside land for protection of a wildlife species Refuges only protect wildlife from hunters, not from natural enemies. Do no protect wildlife from hunters once they leave the refuge

Habitat Development Increase habitat Fencerow plantings and woodland management Farmers are asked to set aside a small area for the purpose of wildlife feeding. Subsidized by the government Increase of population

Coordination with Other Resources Populations are dependent on many resources At times competition exists between species Persuading farmers that leaving the end of a row for wildlife is an example. Takes communication

Hunting Regulations First hunting season- Rhode Island Oftentimes prevent females & young of the species from being harvest. Regulate the population to the desired number

Legislation NO MORE DDT Chemical substance used to control insects Caused weak shells in predatory birds No longer used (1960’s)

Predator Control Controlling the number of predators controls the population of prey animals Predators can be dangerous to people & livestock Allows for less waste

Bounties on predator species Started during WWII to keep farmers from losing unnecessary numbers of animals Every animal was needed for supplies

Artificial Stocking Great Concern among environmentalists “manipulating” Leads to introduction of new species Can be used to account for recreation. “Put & Take Fisheries” Stocking trout in community ponds