Wildlife Management History: 1600-1899

Era of Abundance: 1600-1849

• Settlers harvested wildlife without regulation, leading to excess killing.
• 1630 marked the first bounty on wolves, reflecting growing conflict with predators.
• The first hunting restrictions, such as the closed season for white-tailed deer in 1646, were introduced.
• The Industrial Revolution spurred a shift from market hunting to recreational hunting.
• The New York Sportsmen’s Club, established in 1844, began enforcing regulations on hunting seasons and game sales.
• Manifest Destiny encouraged westward expansion; the Homestead Act (1862) provided 160 acres of free land under certain conditions.

Era of Overexploitation: 1850-1899

• Human settlement growth and technological advancements, like improved firearms and railroads, increased wildlife harvesting.
• Market hunting drastically reduced populations of bison, elk, prairie chickens, and other species, leading to the decline of the eastern grizzly and passenger pigeon.
• Predator control was widespread; techniques severely impacted wolf populations.
• American bison, numbering over 60 million in 1800, plummeted to about 150 by 1890 due to overhunting.
• Various species became extinct, including the Plains Grizzly and Carolina Parakeet, with habitat destruction leading to population collapses.

Era of Protection: 1900-1929

• Alarm over wildlife declines led to the establishment of legal protections, including state game and fish departments.
• Teddy Roosevelt's presidency initiated major conservation efforts, including the creation of the first National Wildlife Refuge and legal protections for migratory birds (Weeks-McLean Act).
• The Supreme Court upheld public ownership of wildlife in Geer vs. Connecticut (1896).
• Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, became the first area to provide wildlife protection.
• The Lacey Act (1900) aimed to prevent illegal game trade across state lines.
• The Dust Bowl of the 1930s highlighted the urgent need for environmental management.

Era of Game Management: 1930-1965

• Focus shifted towards understanding animal ecology and biology, fostering game-oriented conservation.
• Aldo Leopold promoted wildlife management training and established foundational concepts for habitat management.
• Duck stamps were introduced to fund wetland conservation.
• The federal government became significantly involved in wildlife conservation during this era.
• The Wilderness Act (1964) formally recognized the importance of preserving large wilderness areas.

Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present

• Emphasis shifted to a holistic approach to environmental management, integrating scientific research.
• Key legislation was passed, including the National Environmental Policy Act (1970), Clean Water Act (1972), and Endangered Species Act (1973).
• Focus on the conservation of endangered species marked this era’s approach.

Definition of Wildlife Management

• Wildlife management balances ecological knowledge with human needs regarding vertebrate populations and their ecosystems.
• Approaches include preservation, direct manipulation of populations, and indirect management through habitat alterations.

Information Needs for Wildlife Conservation

• Understanding habitat requirements and limiting factors is crucial for effective conservation.
• Techniques like habitat protection, captive breeding, and legal protections aid population management.

Examples of Conservation Successes

• The American bison population rebounded from 150 individuals to over 30,000 through concerted conservation efforts.

This quiz explores the historical shifts in wildlife management from the Era of Abundance (1600-1849) to the Era of Overexploitation (1850-1899). Learn about the introduction of hunting regulations, the role of organizations, and the impact of technological advancements on wildlife populations. Test your knowledge of key events and concepts that shaped wildlife conservation in this critical period.