Game Management

Settlers to the US Thought that conservation was not necessary Thought primarily of their own survival

Settlers to the US Soon found that Americans would begin to initiate programs to manage wild life

Aldo Leopold Early authority on game management “art of making land produce sustained annual crops of wild game for recreational use”

Game Management Science and art of changing characteristics and interactions of habitats, wild animals, and humans to achieve wildlife population goals

Habitat Food Water Cover Territory Home range

Food Wildlife are often classified by the type of food they eat Herbivores – plant eaters Carnivores – meat eaters

Food Insectivores – insect eaters Frugivores – fruit eaters Omnivores – eat many types of foods, usually meat and plants

Food Spermivores – seed eaters Also classified by the amount of food that they eat

Food Euryphagous – animal that consumes great varieties of food Since its choice of food is varied, chance of survival is great

Euryphagous Opossum eats fruits, berries, corn, worms, frogs, snakes and even mice

Stenophagous Eats a specialized diet Usually has less chance to adapt to new food sources it its traditional food supply is not available

Stenophagous More likely to starve in a food scarce season

Cover In order for wildlife to survive harsh weather conditions they must find cover – a place that will protect them

Cover Protection from predators Ranges from a thicket or a fencerow to water in the case of beavers and muskrats

Water One of the most important requirements of wildlife Bodies of most game animals are 60-80% water

Water Important in blood composition, temperature regulation and nutrient transport

Water Without an abundant supply of fresh water an area will soon become desolate of wild game

Home Range Area over which the game travels is called its home range Area may be as small as an acre or as large as a township

Territory Area that an animal will defend, often to the death Animal’s home ranges may over lap but territory never will

Territory Only exception to territory overlap is during mating season

Management procedures Most common methods include: Game refuges Habitat development and improvement

Common methods Coordination with other resources Hunting regulations Predator control Artificial stocking

Game Refuges Set aside land for the protection of wildlife species Refuges, reserves and wilderness areas

Game Refuges Provide the basics for survival without the threat of hunters Early refuges were for private use

Game Refuges First state reserve was established in 1870 in California

Game Refuges Areas for nesting birds, migratory waterfowl, pelicans, and large game animals have been established since 1870

Game Refuges Not the answer to all wildlife problems Only protect wildlife from hunters, not their natural enemies

Game Refuges Do not protect the animals once they leave their boundaries Only part of total game management plan

Habitat development To increase game populations, habitat must be developed and improved Common methods Fencerow plantings

Fencerow Plantings Provide food and shelter for wildlife Farmers provide area at the end of rows for wildlife habitat

Woodland Management Not allowing livestock to graze in woodlands increases game carrying capacity

Coordination w/other resources Keep in mind that all resources work together

Hunting Regulations Game was abundant to early colonists 1646 Rhode Island became first state to establish a closed season on game

Hunting Regulations Law was specific for white tailed deer, it led the way for other states to follow suit First bag limit was initiated in 1878 by the state of Iowa

Hunting Regulations American Bison were plentiful on the plains Provided food, clothing and shelter to the plains Indians

Bison When the railroad was being constructed through the west, thousands of bison were slaughtered to feed the workers

Bison Many more were killed as easterners came to the west and killed bison for their tongues – a delicacy in the East or their hides

Bison The entire carcass was not utilized, the remains were left to rot Legislation by Congress tried to head off extinction……

Bison The bill was vetoed by President Grant Laws passed later, but Bison were almost extinct

Hunting Regulations Hunting is controlled on both public and private lands Game populations depend on many factors

Hunting Regulations Reproduction rates, climate, disease, habitat, and predators

Hunting Regulations Bag limits, hunting seasons and closed seasons for a given game species must be changed each year in accordance with the population

Predator Control Medium sized and large predators can be dangerous to people Predators can be a threat to domestic livestock and wild game

Predator Control Predators help to maintain an improved game population by killing weak or diseased animals

Artificial Stocking Introduction of exotics – species new to the area Usually done to supply predators for a problem game animal

Artificial Stocking The rabbit – once introduced in Australia soon became a major pest

Artificial Stocking Examine the desired population density or an area Estimate the carrying capacity

Population Density Number of game animals in a defined area Can easily become a problem of over population of a game species

Carrying Capacity Amount of game for which a given area will provide the essentials for life

Population Density Mismanagement can lead to starvation, unhealthy animals and possible disease problems due to weak animals with poor resistance

Management Land owners can attract more wildlife to their property by improving habitat Digging a pond

Management Provide abundant food supply Assistance available from: US Forest Service, USDA, DNR, Soil conservation Service

Legislation Lacey Act 1900 – first major law affecting wildlife Migratory Bird Act – 1929 Provided refuges for migratory birds

Legislation Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp – 1934 means of raising funds for migratory refuges. Pittman-Robertson Program and Dingell-Johnson Act – 1950

Pittman etc Allow excise tax on guns, ammo, and fishing tackle. States match funds collected and allocate the total to their fish and game departments

Legislation Lea Act of 1948 – federal land for waterfowl feeding Endangered Species Act – 1966 – protecting rare and endangered species