Extension\u27s Perspective of Federal, State and Private Animal Damage Control Programs

Extension personnel are in a unique position to observe and to be involved in animal damage control (ADC) programs at the federal, state and private levels. In order to offer educational programs, we must interpret regulations and policies to provide a workable interface between ourselves, other agencies and the public. This is not an easy task in such a sensitive and emotional area

The Need for Urban Animal Control

The relationship between humans and animals has evolved over many centuries; in the beginning it was very violent. As humans moved from a cave to a village and later to a farm, they protected their property with whatever means were available. Spears, traps and later poisons and rifles were used to handle wildlife problems. As methods of providing life\u27s necessities were refined, people moved from the farms into the cities. Today, many former city dwellers are moving out of town into a more rural setting. Although the relationship between wildlife and humans has changed from its violent beginnings, competition still exists - it is just less dramatic

Charismatic Mega-Fauna or Vermin Vertebrate - Where are you?

Wildlife populations throughout much of the United States were decimated by the end of the 1800s. Many states established game agencies to protect wildlife and generate revenue through the sale of hunting licenses. These efforts were successful, populations grew, and citizens enjoyed seeing the large herbivores and camivores--the charismatic mega-fauna. In the past, most citizens and students had some tie with the farming community. Today\u27s students often lack that link to the land and hunting. Wildlife agencies and universities are looking at ways to improve young professionals\u27 understanding of the role hunting plays in management. Citizens that once left their homes to see wildlife are finding them in increasing numbers in their backyards, and these interactions are cause for concern. Because wildlife is a common property resource, future students must be able to relate to all opinions about wildlife, and universities should develop curricula that reflect the changing needs of managing wildlife in an urban environment

I\u27s and E\u27s of natural resources education, or, moving from learner to teacher

Natural Resources provide some of the most fertile and interesting subjects for an educator to present. Yet, our undergraduate and graduate students are poorly prepared to be educators. Few Master\u27s or Doctoral programs require any education courses before a degree is bestowed. We touch hundreds of students each year in our classes who will become professionals, but are we giving them the tools to pass on their love of the resource to the next generation? Undergraduates and graduate students who are taking our courses should, in my opinion, have the skills and more importantly the desire to pass on the knowledge we impart. Therefore, I believe we need to think about putting the I\u27s and E\u27s into our teaching so at least, when our students are Imitating their professors, the models will be beneficial and positive. We should exemplify the best we can be. We want students to Emulate our good Examples. I am suggesting that you try this Invigorating way of teaching so at the end of the semester everyone in class will move further along a continuum from learner to teacher

THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

As the trend towards urbanization escalates, the United States is rapidly becoming a nation of non-farmers and suburban residents. Consequently, the conflicts between residents and wildlife species are increasing, while the interest in urban wildlife and backyard habitat is growing. These \u27 trends, coupled with changes in pesticide regulations, a shortage of trained professionals and relic legislation, create a complex and paradoxical situation for residents and professionals in the area of urban wildlife management. The future of wildlife in the urban environment will depend on our ability to convince and educate wildlife managers, citizens and legislators about the need for control as well as enhancement of urban animal species

Animal Damage Control and the Wildlife Profession

Conflicts between man and wildlife have always been a part of our history. We have tried to control the damage caused by wildlife and found that this was not always in the best interest of the resource. The role of animal damage control in our profession has changed and so has the public\u27s view of it. As professionals we must strive to explain the need and value of wildlife damage management to our peers, the public and our detractors. This can be accomplished by participation in our professional organizations, the presentation of papers at scientific meetings, and open discussion of our programs in the public forum

THE FUTURE OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT

As the trend towards urbanization escalates, the United States is rapidly becoming a nation of non-farmers and suburban residents. Consequently, the conflicts between residents and wildlife species are increasing, while the interest in urban wildlife and backyard habitat is growing. These \u27 trends, coupled with changes in pesticide regulations, a shortage of trained professionals and relic legislation, create a complex and paradoxical situation for residents and professionals in the area of urban wildlife management. The future of wildlife in the urban environment will depend on our ability to convince and educate wildlife managers, citizens and legislators about the need for control as well as enhancement of urban animal species

The Future of Wildlife Damage Control in an Urban Environment

As the trend towards urbanization escalates, the United States is rapidly becoming a nation of nonfarmers and suburban residents. Consequently, the conflicts between residents and wildlife species are increasing, while the interest in urban wildlife and backyard habitat is growing. These trends, coupled with changes in pesticide regulations, a shortage of trained professionals and relic legislation, create a complex and paradoxical situation for residents and professionals in the area of urban wildlife management. The future of wildlife in the urban environment will depend on our ability to convince and educate wildlife managers, citizens and legislators about the need for control as well as enhancement of urban animal species

Response from Cooperative Extension Personnel to Citizen Requests for Information About Wildlife

With the increasing urbanization of rural areas, conflicts between homeowners and wildlife are becoming more common. County extension offices frequently receive telephone calls from individuals who are experiencing problems with wildlife. In most cases, extension staff provides assistance over the phone or by mail. However, there are no guidelines for the distribution of information nor is there training for extension personnel. Each county office collects and distributes information differently. Because there is no follow-up to inquiries, little is known about what the homeowners actually do or whether the problems were solved. With some wildlife species, there is a question of whether we should advise the homeowner to seek help from a resource professional directly, without trying control methods themselves

What You Wanted to Know About All You Ever Heard Concerning Snake Repellents

Have you ever heard about a way to keep snakes away from your house? Many people in North Carolina have been told by their elders of various ways to repel snakes. When we first started working on this problem in North Carolina, we were amazed at the number of home remedies that people believed would protect their property from snakes; and we began to keep a record of these remedies. In 1981, a grant from the Pesticide Impact Assessment Program allowed us to begin to test some of these remedies to determine their value