Game Management - Forestry Natural Resources and Wildlife - Lecture Slides, Slides of Wildlife Ecology

Download Game Management - Forestry Natural Resources and Wildlife - Lecture Slides and more Slides Wildlife Ecology in PDF only on Docsity! Game Management Docsity.com Settlers to the US • Thought that conservation was not necessary • Thought primarily of their own survival Docsity.com Game Management • Science and art of changing characteristics and interactions of habitats, wild animals, and humans to achieve wildlife population goals Docsity.com Habitat ° Food ¢ Water ° Cover ° Territory * Home range ® Docsity.com Food • Wildlife are often classified by the type of food they eat • Herbivores – plant eaters • Carnivores – meat eaters Docsity.com Food • Euryphagous – animal that consumes great varieties of food • Since its choice of food is varied, chance of survival is great Docsity.com Euryphagous • Opossum eats fruits, berries, corn, worms, frogs, snakes and even mice Docsity.com Stenophagous • Eats a specialized diet • Usually has less chance to adapt to new food sources it its traditional food supply is not available Docsity.com Cover • Protection from predators • Ranges from a thicket or a fencerow to water in the case of beavers and muskrats Docsity.com Water • One of the most important requirements of wildlife • Bodies of most game animals are 60-80% water Docsity.com Water • Important in blood composition, temperature regulation and nutrient transport Docsity.com Territory • Area that an animal will defend, often to the death • Animal’s home ranges may over lap but territory never will Docsity.com Territory • Only exception to territory overlap is during mating season Docsity.com Management procedures • Most common methods include: • Game refuges • Habitat development and improvement Docsity.com Game Refuges • Provide the basics for survival without the threat of hunters • Early refuges were for private use Docsity.com Game Refuges • First state reserve was established in 1870 in California Docsity.com Game Refuges • Areas for nesting birds, migratory waterfowl, pelicans, and large game animals have been established since 1870 Docsity.com Habitat development • To increase game populations, habitat must be developed and improved • Common methods • Fencerow plantings Docsity.com Fencerow Plantings • Provide food and shelter for wildlife • Farmers provide area at the end of rows for wildlife habitat Docsity.com Woodland Management • Not allowing livestock to graze in woodlands increases game carrying capacity Docsity.com 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 Docsity.com Hunting Regulations • American Bison were plentiful on the plains • Provided food, clothing and shelter to the plains Indians Docsity.com Bison • When the railroad was being constructed through the west, thousands of bison were slaughtered to feed the workers Docsity.com Bison • The bill was vetoed by President Grant • Laws passed later, but Bison were almost extinct Docsity.com Hunting Regulations • Hunting is controlled on both public and private lands • Game populations depend on many factors Docsity.com Hunting Regulations • Reproduction rates, climate, disease, habitat, and predators Docsity.com Predator Control • Predators help to maintain an improved game population by killing weak or diseased animals Docsity.com Artificial Stocking • Introduction of exotics – species new to the area • Usually done to supply predators for a problem game animal Docsity.com Artificial Stocking • The rabbit – once introduced in Australia soon became a major pest Docsity.com Carrying Capacity • Amount of game for which a given area will provide the essentials for life Docsity.com Population Density • Mismanagement can lead to starvation , unhealthy animals and possible disease problems due to weak animals with poor resistance Docsity.com Management • Land owners can attract more wildlife to their property by improving habitat • Digging a pond Docsity.com Legislation • Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp – 1934 means of raising funds for migratory refuges. • Pittman-Robertson Program and Dingell-Johnson Act – 1950 Docsity.com 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 Docsity.com Legislation • Lea Act of 1948 – federal land for waterfowl feeding • Endangered Species Act – 1966 – protecting rare and endangered species Docsity.com