White-tailed Deer Browsing and Rubbing Preferences for Trees and Shrubs That Produce Nontimber Forest Products

Nontimber forest products (food, herbal medicinals, and woody floral and handicraft products) produced in forest, agroforestry, and horticultural systems can be important sources of income to landowners. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can reduce the quality, quantity, and profitability of forest products by browsing twigs and rubbing stems, resulting in direct and indirect losses to production enterprises. We evaluated deer damage (frequency and intensity of browsing and rubbing) sustained by 26 species of trees and shrubs, the relationships among morphological features of trees and shrubs to damage levels, and the economic impacts of deer damage on the production of nontimber forest products. Levels of browsing were high (frequency \u3e93% and intensity \u3e50%) in most species of trees and shrubs, with the highest intensity (\u3e60%) occurring in chinese chestnut (Castanea mollisima) and dogwood (Cornus spp.), and the lowest (Ginkgo biloba), curly willow (Salix matsudana), ‘Scarlet Curls’ curly willow, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), and pussy willow (Salix caprea). Species of trees or shrubs with one or a few stout stems unprotected by dense branching [e.g., american elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), smooth sumac, and curly willow] sustained the most damage by rubbing. Trees and shrubs with many small diameter stems or with dense tangled branching [e.g. redozier dogwood (Cornus sericea), forsythia (Forsythia suspensa), ‘Flame’ willow (Salix alba), and ‘Streamco’ basket willow (Salix purpurea)] were damaged the least by rubbing. Annual economic costs of deer damage to producers of nontimber forest products can range from $26/acre for pussy willow to$1595/acre for curly willow

Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs are stocky burrowing rodents that live in colonies called “towns.” French explorers called them “little dogs” because of the barking noise they make. Their legs are short and muscular, adapted for digging. The tail and other extremities are short. Their hair is rather coarse with little underfur, and is sandy brown to cinnamon in color with grizzled black and buff-colored tips. The belly is light cream to white. Five species of prairie dogs are found in North America: the black-tailed (Cynomys ludovicianus), Mexican (C. mexicanus), white-tailed (C. leucurus), Gunnison’s (C. gunnisoni), and Utah prairie dog (C. parvidens). The most abundant and widely distributed of these is the black-tailed prairie dog, which is named for its black-tipped tail. Adult black-tailed prairie dogs weigh 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.4 kg) and are 14 to 17 inches (36 to 43 cm) long. The Mexican prairie dog also has a black-tipped tail, but is smaller than its northern relative. White-tailed, Gunnison’s, and Utah prairie dogs all have white-tipped tails. White-tailed prairie dogs are usually smaller than blacktailed prairie dogs, weighing between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 pounds (0.7 to 1.1 kg). The Gunnison’s prairie dog is the smallest of the five species. Exclusion: Wire mesh fences can be installed but they are usually not practical or cost-effective. Visual barriers of suspended burlap, windrowed pine trees, or snow fence may be effective. Cultural Methods: Modify grazing practices on mixed and mid-grass rangelands to exclude or inhibit prairie dogs. Cultivate, irrigate, and establish tall crops to discourage prairie dog use. Frightening: No methods are effective. Repellents: None are registered. Toxicants: Zinc phosphide. Fumigants: Aluminum phosphide. Gas cartridges. Trapping: Box traps. Snares. Conibear® No. 110 (body-gripping) traps or equivalent. Shooting: Shooting with .22 rimfire or larger rifles. Other Methods: Several home remedies have been used but most are unsafe and are not cost-effective

G92-1110 The Thirteen-Lined Ground Squirrel: Controlling Damage

This NebGuide describes the physical characteristics, habits and management of the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. Description Thirteen-lined ground squirrels (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) are common throughout the Great Plains. They have many common names such as thirteen-liner or striped gopher. Gopher is a misnomer because true (pocket) gophers (Geomys bursarius and Thomomys talpoides) belong to another family of rodents

G94-1215 Bait Stations for Controlling Rats and Mice

This NebGuide describes the design and safe use of bait stations for rat and mouse control. It includes information on correct bait station placement and bait selection. Toxic baits are often used to control the damage caused by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus). Bait stations used in rodent control programs may increase both the effectiveness and safety of rodent baits (rodenticides)

G92-1106 Controlling Rats

Ways to recognize rat problems and control rats are covered here. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) (also known as the common brown rat) is a destructive pest. Found in and around towns and farms throughout Nebraska, these rodents eat and contaminate large amounts of feed, damage structures by their gnawing and burrowing, and spread diseases that affect livestock and humans

Techniques and Expertise in Wildlife Damage Control: A Survey Among The National Animal Damage Control Association (NADCA) Membership

The membership of the National Animal Damage Control Association (NADCA) was surveyed during 1995 to collect information about specialty fields, preferred methods and experience. Respondents had broad experience that included 44 species or species groups. Members reported firsthand experience with an average of 17.6 different species and 2.9 vertebrate groups. Forty-three percent indicated that their specialization was among carnivores. In this group, coyotes, Canis latrans (45%), raccoon, Procyon lotor (23%) and skunk (13%) were most frequently mentioned. Members reporting carnivore experience had firsthand experience with an average of five different species. Rural and urban members did not significantly differ in breadth of experience with carnivores. Respondents most frequently specialized with coyote (11.8%), raccoon (11.5%), beaver, Castor canadensis (9.6%) and tree squirrel, Sciurus spp. (6.8%). Trapping was the most used technique for most mammals. Exceptions were deer or elk where exclusion was preferred. Blackbirds and starlings, Sturnus vulgaris, were most often controlled by repellents or scare tactics. Removal of an animal was the most common and preferred method and represented about 70% of responses for first choice

CONSUMPTION OF ZINC PHOSPHIDE-TREATED, BROMETHALIN-TREATED, AND UNTREATED OATS BY PRAIRIE DOGS AT BAIT STATIONS

Currently, zinc phosphide is the only toxicant registered in bait formulations for controlling prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.). Zinc phosphide-treated oats has been registered as a rodenticide for control of black-tailed prairie dogs (C. ludovicianus) for decades. However, its efficacy and weatherability have been questioned in recent years (Marsh 1987). In contrast, bromethalin is a relatively new acute rodenticide that has been used as an alternative method of control for anticoagulant-resistant commensal rodents (Spaulding and Jackson 1982). Its activity involves the uncoupling of the oxidative phosphorylation process in the central nervous system mitochondria (Van Lier and Ottosen 1981). Both acute and chronic toxicity of bromethalin result in visible signs, such as lethargy and weakness in the hind legs, that have been observed in field studies (Jackson et al 1982). Black-tailed prairie dogs populations have increased recently in Nebraska: aerial coverage of prairie dog towns has increased from 6,000 in 1975 ha to 35,200 ha in 1988 (F. Andelt, pers. commun.). It is possible that the significant limitations on the use of the relatively few prairie dog toxicants available has reduced their use and precipitated a recent increase in prairie dog populations. There is a need for new, environmentally-safe, and cost-effective methods of prairie dog control. We tested the relative efficacy of 2% zinc phosphide-treated oats and 0.008% bromethalin-treated oats for controlling black-tailed prairie dogs

MOVEMENTS OF DEER MICE AND HOUSE MICE IN A SUGARBEET FIELD IN WESTERN NEBRASKA

In fall, 1990 we became involved in a National Pesticide Clearance Inter-regional Research Program (NPCIRP) project to test the efficacy of zinc phosphide in controlling vole (Microtus spp.) damage in sugar beets in Western Nebraska. During the course of the project we observed some rather remark-able short-term movements by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). Although mice have the physical capability of moving up to 300 m in 1 hr (Rawson 1964), typical observed-range lengths are much less. Farming practices that affect food availability and cover likely affect small mammal movements (Warburton and Klimstra 1984, Vessey 1987). Average daily movements of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) in agricultural fields ranged from 13.2 m (no-till corn stubble) to 36.9 m (chisel-plowed corn stubble) (Albers et al. 1990). Linduska (1942) noted that deer mice with adequate food and cover in shocked corn fields had minimal movements, while those in adjacent wheat stubble dis-played exceptional movements of 60 to 90 m from nest sites in a single night. In this paper we will report on the short-term movements of deer mice that we observed and will speculate on factors that may have caused such movements

Prairie Dogs and the Prairie Ecosystem

Prairie dogs play an important role in the prairie ecosystem by creating unique patches of habitat in the expansive prairies of the American West. Their daily activities change the physical characteristics of the community, which leads to increased plant and animal diversity. Prairie dogs are a source of food for several predators, and their burrows provide homes for a variety of species, including the burrowing owl and endangered black-footed ferret. They also provide recreational opportunities for nature observers, photographers, and the sporting public. The presence of large, healthy prairie dog towns, however, is not always compatible with agriculture and other human land-use interests, but we can coexist. We should strive to conserve prairie dogs and their habitat while maintaining populations at acceptable levels. Through proper management, we can ensure that the complex community of plants and animals that are supported by and dependent on prairie dogs can continue to meet at the crossroads of the prairie

G03-1510 Using Burrow Builders for Pocket Gopher Control

Pocket gophers spend nearly their entire lives underground and may only appear aboveground when they excavate soil to the surface or when they disperse to new areas. Each animal moves tons of soil during a year and creates dozens of mounds, sometimes in the span of a few days. This NebGuide discusses how to use tractor-drawn mechanical bait applications to manage pocket gophers