Eras Of Wildlife Management PDF

The Eras of Wildlife Management in North America Era of Abundance: 1600-1849 Settlers harvested game in excess 1630: First bounty offered on wolves 1646 closed hunting season for white tail deer Era of Abundance: 1600-1849 Market hunters Industrial Revolution → r...

The Eras of Wildlife Management in North America Era of Abundance: 1600-1849 Settlers harvested game in excess 1630: First bounty offered on wolves 1646 closed hunting season for white tail deer Era of Abundance: 1600-1849 Market hunters Industrial Revolution → recreational hunters New York Sportsmen’s Club (1844) – enforcement of taxes, game sales, hunting seasons First closed hunting season on wildlife (deer) Grizzly hides  Era of Abundance: 1600-1849 Manifest Destiny – move west for expansion 1862 – Homestead Act – 160 acres free if live on property for five years and improve it. Railroad affected wildlife movement Barbed Wire: Changed wildlife Migration and movement Era of Overexploitation: 1850-1899 Coincided with increases in – human settlement of North America – technological developments with Industrial Revolution (weapons, plows, railroads) – Market hunting Excess harvesting of bison, elk, prairie chickens, eastern grizzly, wolves, deer, passenger pigeon Protectionist sentiment was growing through this period Examples of Overexploitation Examples of Overexploitation Predator control had a major impact on wildlife populations from 1700s to the mid-20th century Wolves are laid out in the snow after the two-hour hunt and the hunters tally the day's bag, as well as the bounty money of $35 per animal. © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS Examples of Overexploitation American bison once numbered over 60 million in North America. By 1890, there were only about 150 left Pile of American bison skulls waiting to be ground for fertilizer (mid-1870s). Examples of Overexploitation Various wildlife species have become extinct in the past 200 years in North America Examples: Plains Grizzly, Carolina Parakeet, Heath Hen, Eastern Elk Carolina Parakeets ate crops after their grassland habitat was destroyed and then were shot by farmers Examples of Overexploitation There may have been as many as 2.2 billion Passenger Pigeons in North America. After uncontrolled commercial hunting, the last wild Passenger Pigeon was shot in 1900 Era of protection: 1900-1929 Drastic declines of wildlife and other resources alarmed the public Primary tool: Legal protection Established – State game and fish departments – First bag limits Still a negative attitude toward predators Era of protection: 1900-1929 1901: Teddy Roosevelt was elected President (established Forest Service, first National Wildlife Refuge, and made hunting of many migratory species illegal) Weeks-McLean Act- stopped the commercial hunting of migratory birds and the illegal shipment from state to state  Era of protection: 1900-1929 Supreme Court case “Geer vs. Connecticut” established public ownership of wildlife (1896) Yellowstone National Park – Original protection of area, not resources within – 1st federal action in conservation (1872) – Became first area where wildlife were protected (1897) Automobiles facilitated NP overcrowding and contributed to wildlife degradation by breaking down traditional habits and feeding patters. A buck begs at car. (National Park Service Historic Photograph Collection,1926) Era of protection: 1900-1929 Lacey Act (1900) prohibited game taken illegally in one state to be shipped across state boundaries. Federal protection of migratory wildlife (1918) – Scientific results are first used to protect non-game species First national wildlife refuge established (1903) Executive order from T. Roosevelt: Pelican Island, FL Era of Protection: 1900 – 1929 The Dust Bowl (1930s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS6DJ o1NYFA Era of game management: 1930-1965 Recognition that we needed more knowledge about ecology and biology of animals Wildlife conservation oriented toward game animals (those favored by hunters) Contributions of Aldo Leopold (Game Management) led to training of wildlife biologists Definition of Wildlife Management Wildlife management is the application of ecological knowledge to populations of vertebrate animals and their plant and animal associates in a manner that strikes a balance between the needs of those populations and the needs of people (Robinson and Bolen 1999). Basic approaches of wildlife management Preservation by allowing nature to take its course without human intervention. Direct manipulation of animal populations by trapping, shooting, poisoning, and stocking. Indirect manipulation of animal populations by altering the vegetation or water that is present. Era of game management: 1930-1965 Increased public funding of conservation efforts Ding Darling (former chief of U.S. Biological Survey) creates editorial cartoons to show nation plight of wildlife Era of game management: 1930-1965 Duck stamps authorized by Congress to raise funds for wetland preservation First North American Wildlife Conference Held Federal government plays a major role in wildlife conservation Wilderness Act Passed (1964) Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present Shift towards looking at environment from more holistic approach Science is used to direct environmental management Prominence of endangered species conservation Many landmark laws passed – National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-1970 – Clean Water Act (CWA)-1972 – Endangered Species Act (ESA)-1973  What is Wildlife Science? Applied Ecology ECOLOGY Population Growth CONSERVATION BIOLOGY Community Threatened & Endangered Organization species Ecosystem Organization Reserve Design Processes & Interactions Restoration Habitat WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Increase or Decrease Populations Sustainable Harvest Monitor Population Status Information Needs for Wildlife Conservation Habitat requirements Assessment of past and current populations – Growth or decline? Major limiting factors – Ability to survive, reproduce and disperse How to manage the population(s)? – Habitat protection – Captive breeding – Legal protection  Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present Examples of Success in Wildlife Conservation American Bison From the surviving 150 individuals, there are now over 30,000 bison in many different herds Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present Examples of Success in Wildlife Conservation White-tailed (E. U.S.) and mule deer (W. of Cascades to Dakotas) Suffered from loss of habitat and overharvesting Habitat restoration and better protection resulted in many recovered populations and even over-population in places  Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present Examples of Success in Wildlife Conservation Elk (wapiti) Suffered from over-harvesting and loss of habitat Habitat restoration & better protection have led to many recovered populations  Era of Environmental Management: 1966-present Examples of Success in Wildlife Conservation Gray wolf Persecuted for centuries, ongoing in some places Change of attitudes has made restoration efforts possible (e.g. Yellowstone NP) Still controversial species, especially with respect to ranching  HUNTER EDUCATION IN TEXAS -A movement to improve the sport of hunting -Develop Knowledge, Skill, and Attitude September 6, 2016 28  Remember: Lack of knowledge causes ignorance! Lack of skill causes carelessness! Lack of proper attitudes causes irresponsibility! September 6, 2016 29 Hunter Education in North America: Began in the 1900s Close to one million students a year become certified in the US Funds where established through the Dingell-Hart Excise Bill on handguns in 1970 1972 North America Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators was founded September 6, 2016 30 History of Hunter Education Early 1900s- Hunter Education concepts started 1928- Code of outdoor ethics are written 1946- Hunter Education started in Kentucky statewide youth camp program 1948- National Rifle Association (NRA) 1949- New York started the first hunter safety program 1988- Texas started a hunter safety program September 6, 2016 31  WHO??? If You are born after September 2, 1971 you must take the Hunter Education safety course. Age 17 and over you must take the training course. Age 9-16 you must take the training course or be accompanied by a licensed hunter 17 years old or older. Under the age of 9 you must be accompanied by a person 17 years old or older with a valid license. September 6, 2016 32 What about private hunting opportunities? September 6, 2016 33 What about private hunting opportunities? 94% of Texas is privately owned You can hunt on private land if: 1. You own your own land, 2. You receive the permission from the land owner, 3. You pay to hunt. A hunting lease is privately owned land where a landowner provides you access after certain arrangements are made. September 6, 2016 34 How do I find a lease? Plan Early Set Goals and Objectives Research List the top 5 Choices Visit Be Selective Agreement Verification Sign and Date Be responsible September 6, 2016 35 What should a hunting lease agreement contain? JUST FYI… The type of lease, Payment information, Names, address, and phone numbers of all that are involved, Land descriptions, maps, and boundaries, Specific Services September 6, 2016 36 Public hunting opportunities: Public lands are administered by Texas Parks and Wildlife and other agencies such as the -US Forest Service, -US Fish and Wildlife Service, -US Army Corps of Engineers -military. September 6, 2016 37  PHASES OF HUNTING: September 6, 2016 38  Phase 1- SHOOTER PHASE Description- hunter in this stage talks about the satisfaction of just getting shots. Usually young or 1st time hunter. Problem- lack of knowledge and skills with a strong desire to shoot. Solution- concentrate on where the muzzle of the gun is. Be sure of the target, backstop or background. Know the safe zone. September 6, 2016 39  Phase 2- LIMITING OUT PHASE Description- hunters in this stage are happy just to shoot their limit. Family and friends take a big role in this stage. Problem- Attitude. Considered a “game hog.” overly concerned about getting the limit and bragging about it later. Solution- game hog forgets about common courtesy, and may shoot other hunter’s game illegally. Responsible hunters do well to stay away from phase 2 hunters. September 6, 2016 40 Phase 3- TROPHY or SELECTIVE PHASE Description- hunters in this stage express satisfaction in killing a wood duck or big buck. They pass up many chances to wait for “the big one” to come out. Problem- money and ego. Sometimes the value or reward is so great, hunters act irresponsibly, sometimes illegally. Solution- at this stage it is very important to demonstrate responsibility and restraint. September 6, 2016 41 Phase 4 METHOD PHASE Description- specialized equipment is brought out. Decoys, boats, dogs, bow, etc. A lot of time in preparing to hunt. Problem- Hunters in this stage should be especially concerned with their image toward non-hunters. Solution- do not dominate conversations with hunting. Try not to intimidate non-hunters September 6, 2016 42 Phase 5 -SPORTSMAN PHASE Description- hunter in this stage mellows out. They find satisfaction just being outdoors. Seasoned hunter. Problem- concerned with habitat, ecosystem and loss of quality. Solution- educate, not over educate September 6, 2016 43 Phase 6- GIVE BACK PHASE Description- hunter in this stage wants to pass on the value of hunting, introducing others into hunting. Problem- none September 6, 2016 44