Tourist Attitudes toward Elk Management in the Pine Ridge Region of Northwestern Nebraska

We interviewed 200 tourists at Fort Robinson State Park and Chadron State Park in the Pine Ridge region of northwestern Nebraska during July and August of 1997 to determine attitudes toward elk (Cervus elaphus) and elk management in Nebraska. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents were aware that elk occupied the Pine Ridge, 95% favored free-ranging elk, and 55% favored hunting as a means of managing the population. Nebraska residents were more aware of elk and elk hunting in the Pine Ridge than were nonresidents. Also, more residents had observed elk and were willing to drive longer distances to view elk in the Pine Ridge. Respondents in older age groups (55–64) were more knowledgeable about elk. More urban tourists were in favor of elk than those from rural communities, but attitudes toward elk hunting were similar between urban and rural residents. Seventy-six percent of respondents wanted an increase in the population of elk. Men were more aware of elk populations than women and more supportive of hunting as the best method to manage the population. We found no differences between gender for maintaining free-ranging elk, knowledge of hunting seasons, or willingness to drive, pay, or spend time to view elk. Our results revealed that tourists had positive attitudes toward free-ranging elk and management practices in Nebraska. Elk herds should be managed to provide maximum opportunity for both consumptive and non-consumptive uses while minimizing negative impacts to property owners and the ecosystem

Tourist Attitudes toward Elk Management in the Pine Ridge Region of Northwestern Nebraska

We interviewed 200 tourists at Fort Robinson State Park and Chadron State Park in the Pine Ridge region of northwestern Nebraska during July and August of 1997 to determine attitudes toward elk (Cervus elaphus) and elk management in Nebraska. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents were aware that elk occupied the Pine Ridge, 95% favored free-ranging elk, and 55% favored hunting as a means of managing the population. Nebraska residents were more aware of elk and elk hunting in the Pine Ridge than were nonresidents. Also, more residents had observed elk and were willing to drive longer distances to view elk in the Pine Ridge. Respondents in older age groups (55–64) were more knowledgeable about elk. More urban tourists were in favor of elk than those from rural communities, but attitudes toward elk hunting were similar between urban and rural residents. Seventy-six percent of respondents wanted an increase in the population of elk. Men were more aware of elk populations than women and more supportive of hunting as the best method to manage the population. We found no differences between gender for maintaining free-ranging elk, knowledge of hunting seasons, or willingness to drive, pay, or spend time to view elk. Our results revealed that tourists had positive attitudes toward free-ranging elk and management practices in Nebraska. Elk herds should be managed to provide maximum opportunity for both consumptive and non-consumptive uses while minimizing negative impacts to property owners and the ecosystem

AVIAN INFLUENZA IN MIGRATORY BIRDS IN THE UNITED STATES, 2007–2009, AND EFFECTS OF SEPTEMBER HUNTING SEASONS ON SURVIVAL, HARVEST, AND RECOVERY RATES OF CANADA GEESE BANDED IN SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA

Highly-pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV H5N1) poses risks to wild birds, poultry, and humans. Personnel with the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife Services, state, and tribal wildlife agencies collected 168,940 samples from migratory birds from 2007 to 2009 to test for presence of HPAIV H5N1. No HPAIV was found, but other subtypes were discovered, including H5 and H7. I estimated prevalence of avian influenza virus by flyway and found prevalence was lowest each year in the Atlantic Flyway (6.7%–8.3%), highest in the Pacific Flyway in 2007 (13.3%) and 2008 (13.4%), and highest in the Mississippi Flyway in 2009 (15.9%). I plotted prevalence monthly and found August–November was optimal time for sampling due to highest prevalence in all flyways. Dabbling ducks had significantly higher prevalence of AIV ( = 14.1%, range = 9.3%–19.4%) than other functional groups across all flyways and study years. My results suggest future surveillance should focus on species from the dabbling duck functional group. Restoration efforts in Nebraska have contributed to increased populations of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that now are considered a nuisance. In 2004, an early September hunting season was initiated to reduce populations. I analyzed band returns from geese banded in Nebraska to determine if early September hunting seasons affected survival, harvest, and recovery rates. The top model in my survival analysis revealed early September hunting seasons did not reduce survival (S = 0.696) of geese. In addition, models indicated survival was not different between geese inside and outside the early hunting zone (southeast vs. northeast, S = 0.711) and survival did not differ by sex (S = 0.708). Survival differed between the metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska (S = 0.742 and 0.678, respectively). A combination of urbanization and non-migratory behavior may be leading to higher survival of Canada geese in Nebraska. Adviser: Scott E. Hygnstro

Evaluation of the effects of September hunting seasons on Canada geese in Nebraska

Populations of temperate-nesting Canada geese (Branta canadensis) have increased in Nebraska, USA, resulting in an increased number of nuisance and damage complaints. September hunting seasons were initiated in southeastern Nebraska in 2004 to reduce populations of Canada geese. We analyzed band recoveries from Canada geese banded in southeastern Nebraska during their hatch-year (HY) or after-hatch-year (AHY) to determine whether September hunting seasons affected survival, harvest, and recovery rates. Survival analyses revealed that HY geese had higher survival than AHY geese (SAHY = 0.696, 95% CI = 0.679–0.713; SHY = 0.896, 95% CI = 0.786–0.953) and September seasons did not affect survival of geese in southeastern Nebraska. Geese banded in the geographic zone with the September seasons (southeastern Nebraska) had the same survival as did geese outside the hunt zone (northeastern Nebraska; S = 0.711, 95% CI = 0.666–0.752). September hunting seasons affected timing of band recovery; 23–49% of annual band recoveries occurred during the month of September. Prior to the initiation of the September seasons, the highest percent of recoveries occurred during November. The September seasons appeared to temporally redistribute harvest but did not reduce survival for populations of Canada geese in southeastern Nebraska. Continuation of the season may not be warranted, because management does not appear to be affecting AHY survival, which is needed to reduce the population. Additional or new methods are likely needed to control populations of temperate-nesting Canada geese in Nebraska and managers should evaluate the effectiveness of these methods as they are implemented

Avian Influenza Virus Prevalence in Migratory Waterfowl in the Central Flyway, 2007–2009

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) poses risks to wild birds, poultry, and humans. Personnel with the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, state game agencies, and tribal cooperators collected \u3e36,000 migratory birds from 2007–2009 to test for HPAI virus. Species from the dabbling duck, diving duck, and geese and swans functional groups were collected in all 10 states of the Central Flyway. Numerous combinations of the 16 hemaglutinin (H) and 9 neuraminidase (N) subtypes were discovered, but no HPAI H5N1 was found. The dabbling duck functional group had significantly higher (p \u3c 0.001) prevalence of AIV than other functional groups and should be the focus of future surveillance

Effects of Seasons and Hunting on Space Use by Female White-Tailed Deer in a Developed Landscape in Southeastern Nebraska

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were extirpated from a 1,800-ha natural area along the Missouri River near Omaha, Nebraska, USA shortly after settlement in the mid-1800s, but they recolonized the area in the early 1960s. In absence of hunting and predators, the population of deer became overabundant in the 1980s and 1990s. Deer impacted plant communities at Fontenelle Forest (FF) and Gifford Point (GP) and a 200–300% increase in deer–vehicle collisions was observed in the area. We radiocollared female white-tailed deer in this region during February 1995–March 1996 to determine the effects of phenological seasons and archery and muzzleloader hunting on space use. Mean size of annual home ranges of 50 radiocollared female deer was 275 ha (range = 18–4,265 ha, SE = 88). Forty-one of 50 deer (82%) maintained high fidelity to their small annual home ranges (x̅ = 115 ha, SE = 13) and made short seasonal movements (\u3c1.0 km). Seven deer dispersed and exhibited large seasonal shifts in centers of home ranges (x̅ = 3.2 km, range ¼ 1–7 km) and 2 deer exhibited migratory behavior. We observed no spatial patterns associated with seasonal dispersal or migration that would subject deer in unhunted areas to harvest in hunted areas. Controlled deer hunts were implemented in the upland areas adjacent to Bellevue residential area and the lowlands of FF and GP. Effects of archery hunting on deer use areas were minimal. Deer subjected to muzzleloader hunting increased the size of use areas by 88–97% and shifted centers of use areas a mean of 666 m (SE = 211, range = 121–1,932 m), but they did not leave the lowland areas of FF or GP. Controlled hunts enabled the removal of resident deer from populations adjacent to the Bellevue residential area. Where practical, we suggest that regulated hunting be used as part of an overall plan to manage densities of deer and associated impacts in developed landscapes

LITERATURE REVIEW OF MULE DEER AND WHITE-TAILED DEER MOVEMENTS IN WESTERN AND MIDWESTERN LANDSCAPES

The relationships among seasonal change, population dynamics, social pressures, landscape dynamics, anthropologic disturbances, and behavioral ecology are complex. Therefore, migration and seasonal movements are poorly understood and dispersal continues to be one of the least understood aspects of animal ecology in North America. We reviewed scientific literature on movements of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) in western and midwestern landscapes to identify gaps in our knowledge and direct future research. We used electronic databases, library catalogs, Internet search engines, and peer-reviewed journals to conduct key word searches for pertinent articles. We found that deer disperse due to habitat conditions and social pressures that are based on seasonal influences. Dispersal rates and distances vary regionally and are influenced by landscape characteristics and competition for resources such as food, cover, and mates. Migration and dispersal may influence local population levels. Decisions to manipulate densities, sex ratios, and age structures should account for local deer movements

Historic and Recent Distributions of Elk in Nebraska

Elk (Cervus elaphus) were historically found throughout North America but were extirpated from Nebraska and much of the Great Plains in the 1880s due to consumptive uses by settlers, miners, market hunters, and others. Elk began to reappear in Nebraska in the 1950s and 1960s, and established a stable, nonmigratory population that currently consists of seven herds and an estimated 1,400 individuals throughout western and central Nebraska. The reappearance and subsequent persistence of elk in Nebraska suggests there is adequate habitat to support a self-sustaining population. The general movement of elk eastward may lead to an eventual statewide distribution, and populations being established in states to the east and south of Nebraska, where elk populations were historically present and suitable habitat still exists. We examined published historic accounts, museum and archeological records, and current literature to determine historic and current distribution of elk in Nebraska and the Great Plains

Effect of selected factors on reproductive characteristics of dairy cows

The aim of the thesis was to evaluate the effect of selected factors on the reproductive characteristics of Montbeliard dairy cows. Hypothesis said that high milk production, poor health and high air temperatures have a negative effect on reproductive indicators of cows. In the literature review, there were summarized knowledge about the factors affecting fertility, reproductive indicators and a description of the breed. Observation was carried out on the farm Osičky, which is one of the centers of the company Agrodružstvo Lhota pod Libčany. To assess the influence of milk yield and health were monitored all standard lactations of dairy cows, which were completed in the period from 1. 1. 2014 to 31. 12. 2015. This gave rise to a set of 632 lactations. To evaluate the milk production was data set divided by the number of lactation, quarter of calving and the rate of milk production into three groups. As a disease with an expected negative impact on fertility, mastitis was selected. Besides air temperature, the relative humidity was assessed too. Indicators such as days open, days from calving to calving and services per conception were evaluated. In order to assess the impact of climate change on fertility data file was divided into 3 groups of air temperature, by quarter, according to the category of cows and by calendar year. Services per conception, pregnancy after the first insemination and pregnancy after all insemination, were assessed. Data could be obtained only from a whole herd of cows and heifers. For statistical evaluation has been used SAS 9.3 software (SAS / STAT 9.3, 2011). Achieved an average length of days open was 98.07 days, days from calving to calving 380.62 days, services per conception was 1.94, pregnancy after the first insemination in heifers 54.28% and 48.43% in cows, yield per lactation was 8 407, 98 kg of milk with fat contents of 3.65 % and a protein contents of 3.53 %. Mastitis occurred only in 17.72 % of cases. The average monthly air temperature during the year 2014 ranged from 1.3 ° C to 21.2 ° C, in 2015 it was 1.5 ° C - 23.2 ° C. From the results of the regression analysis, it was found that the milk production per lactation had a statistically significant effect on the length of the days open (r = 0.214; P 0.05). Effect of air temperature on services per conception, pregnancy after the first insemination and pregnancy after all insemination, was not statistically proven (P > 0.05). Furthermore it has been approved many correlations between different parameters at the levels of significance (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). The hypothesis was confirmed only for the negative impact of high milk production, but the impact of poor health and high air temperatures on reproduction was not approved. The results indicate a healthy herd in terms of mastitis, good management of breeding, which minimizes heat stress and which is of relatively high milk yield and proven negative impact of high milk production to reproduction, achieved a good level of reproduction