Suburban Deer Management: Killing Bambi may be necessary to preserve the Environment
White-tailed deer are a commonly known mammal that are very generic to almost the entire North American continent. There are an estimated 30 million white-tailed deer that live across the continent from southern Canada to southern Mexico. While an individual white-tailed deer may only have a home range of about a square mile. Deer are herbivores or plant eaters and their diet can be extremely dependent on where their home ranges are and what types of food sources that are there. However, their diet will dominantly consist of green grasses during the spring or summer months. Then in the fall, they eat corn, acorns, grasses, and other types of nuts. Lastly, during the winter, they mostly eat twigs and buds of woody plants. White-tailed deer are a large-bodied mammal that tend to have a tan or brown fur during the summer; then a greyish-brown coat during the winter months. These adaptations in their fur coats are for the protection of predators to blend into their natural setting. They are also known for having a large white patch under their head on their throat, around their eyes and nose, on their stomach, and the underside of their tail.
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White-tailed deer are a commonly known mammal that are very generic to almost the entire North American continent. There are an estimated 30 million white-tailed deer that live across the continent from southern Canada to southern Mexico. While an individual white-tailed deer may only have a home range of about a square mile. Deer are herbivores or plant eaters and their diet can be extremely dependent on where their home ranges are and what types of food sources that are there. However, their diet will dominantly consist of green grasses during the spring or summer months. Then in the fall, they eat corn, acorns, grasses, and other types of nuts. Lastly, during the winter, they mostly eat twigs and buds of woody plants. White-tailed deer are a large-bodied mammal that tend to have a tan or brown fur during the summer; then a greyish-brown coat during the winter months. These adaptations in their fur coats are for the protection of predators to blend into their natural setting. They are also known for having a large white patch under their head on their throat, around their eyes and nose, on their stomach, and the underside of their tail.
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Road-based survey for estimating Wild Turkey densities in New Kingston, NY
Abstract: I conducted an eastern wild turkey survey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in the New Kingston Valley in New York. I was comparing winter to spring changes in activity as the spring turkey breeding patterns began. A total of 261 turkeys consisting of 97 males and then 164 females. Weather extremely effected the study, as winter weather pushed into early April causing some breeding to be later. I observed the highest amount of turkeys on the 1st survey day while turkeys were in their winter groups, by April the gobblers and hens broke into small groups and began to move further into the valley.
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Abstract: I conducted an eastern wild turkey survey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) in the New Kingston Valley in New York. I was comparing winter to spring changes in activity as the spring turkey breeding patterns began. A total of 261 turkeys consisting of 97 males and then 164 females. Weather extremely effected the study, as winter weather pushed into early April causing some breeding to be later. I observed the highest amount of turkeys on the 1st survey day while turkeys were in their winter groups, by April the gobblers and hens broke into small groups and began to move further into the valley.
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The Impact of Raptor Presence at Dairy Barns on Nuisance Birds
Abstract: Rock pigeon (Columbia livia) and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) are viewed generally as a nuisance species in many different environments such as city infrastructure and at farms. We intend to investigate if the presence of raptors affect abundance of nuisance birds at dairy facilities. This study is being conducted around Cobleskill in Schoharie County, New York at 4 different dairy barn facilities. To assess if the presence of raptors influences nuisance bird abundance at dairy facilities, we conducted pre and post surveys of pigeon and starling abundance at each facility. Three perches were placed at each barn facility to increase chances of perches being utilized by raptors.
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Abstract: Rock pigeon (Columbia livia) and European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) are viewed generally as a nuisance species in many different environments such as city infrastructure and at farms. We intend to investigate if the presence of raptors affect abundance of nuisance birds at dairy facilities. This study is being conducted around Cobleskill in Schoharie County, New York at 4 different dairy barn facilities. To assess if the presence of raptors influences nuisance bird abundance at dairy facilities, we conducted pre and post surveys of pigeon and starling abundance at each facility. Three perches were placed at each barn facility to increase chances of perches being utilized by raptors.
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Falconry as a Management Tool
Falconry is the art of training and using a raptor to hunt for sport. The origins of falconry are estimated to date back between 4,000 and 6,000 BC in Mongolia, where birds of prey were initially used for substance hunting. Gradually, as falconry spread westward, falconry evolved into a sport. During the Middle Ages, falconry gained popularity in Europe, where the possession of various birds of prey was considered a symbol of status.
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Falconry is the art of training and using a raptor to hunt for sport. The origins of falconry are estimated to date back between 4,000 and 6,000 BC in Mongolia, where birds of prey were initially used for substance hunting. Gradually, as falconry spread westward, falconry evolved into a sport. During the Middle Ages, falconry gained popularity in Europe, where the possession of various birds of prey was considered a symbol of status.
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Border Collies as a Wildlife Management Tool
A new approach using border collies is an effective abatement method that conveys a “real predator” situation for nuisance wildlife. Border collies provide an excellent management technique that incorporates auditory and visual threats to scare nuisance wildlife from an area.
Border collies are a breed of domestic dog known for their ability to herd animals. Trained collies can be used to mimic natural predators, such as the coyote (Canis latrans), which employ an encircling strategy prior to a depredation attempt.
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A new approach using border collies is an effective abatement method that conveys a “real predator” situation for nuisance wildlife. Border collies provide an excellent management technique that incorporates auditory and visual threats to scare nuisance wildlife from an area.
Border collies are a breed of domestic dog known for their ability to herd animals. Trained collies can be used to mimic natural predators, such as the coyote (Canis latrans), which employ an encircling strategy prior to a depredation attempt.
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Atlantic Waste - Avian Mitigation Techniques
Landfills attract many different species of scavenging wildlife but the most problematic are of the feathered variety. Not only are birds a nuisance to ongoing work at landfills but they also pose health and safety concerns to the surrounding area (Slate, et. al, 2000). Gulls have been found to carry an expansive range of pathogens from Salmonella, Campylobacter, the avian flu virus H5N1, E. coli, and the infectious bursal disease virus and given that these birds disperse across the surrounding landscape “the potential for large scale transmission of disease is great,” (Cook et. al, 2008). These large numbers of birds also produce large amounts of fecal matter. Bird fecal matter, while being unsightly and unsanitary, is also corrosive to equipment, the foremost mode of transmission for some of the pathogens listed above, and toxic to nearby water sources as the feces will raise bacterial counts. The large numbers of birds attracted to landfills are also a risk to nearby aviation. Because of this the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends new landfills not be established “within five statute miles of an airport” (FAA, 2006).
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Landfills attract many different species of scavenging wildlife but the most problematic are of the feathered variety. Not only are birds a nuisance to ongoing work at landfills but they also pose health and safety concerns to the surrounding area (Slate, et. al, 2000). Gulls have been found to carry an expansive range of pathogens from Salmonella, Campylobacter, the avian flu virus H5N1, E. coli, and the infectious bursal disease virus and given that these birds disperse across the surrounding landscape “the potential for large scale transmission of disease is great,” (Cook et. al, 2008). These large numbers of birds also produce large amounts of fecal matter. Bird fecal matter, while being unsightly and unsanitary, is also corrosive to equipment, the foremost mode of transmission for some of the pathogens listed above, and toxic to nearby water sources as the feces will raise bacterial counts. The large numbers of birds attracted to landfills are also a risk to nearby aviation. Because of this the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends new landfills not be established “within five statute miles of an airport” (FAA, 2006).
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Should My Airport Contract with USDA Wildlife Services?
Important Considerations for Airports Contemplating Hiring USDA Wildlife Services-Even when using local funds; If your airport receives federal funding through programs such as the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Airport Terminal Program (ATP), Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG), or Federal Contract Tower (FCT) Program, you are subject to FAA regulations that prioritize competitive procurement to ensure efficiency, safety, and responsible use of resources, as outlined in FAA Order 5100.38D, Chapter 10, Section 10-1, and the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), 41 U.S.C. § 3306(a).
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Important Considerations for Airports Contemplating Hiring USDA Wildlife Services-Even when using local funds; If your airport receives federal funding through programs such as the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Airport Terminal Program (ATP), Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG), or Federal Contract Tower (FCT) Program, you are subject to FAA regulations that prioritize competitive procurement to ensure efficiency, safety, and responsible use of resources, as outlined in FAA Order 5100.38D, Chapter 10, Section 10-1, and the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA), 41 U.S.C. § 3306(a).
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