Wildlife Management

Domestic: tamed, made captive and bred for special purposes

What is Wildlife?

Wildlife: live on their own and provide their own food, shelter, and other needs.

Feral: domesticated animals that have gone wild

Economic – animal products, meat, hides

Recreation – hunting, fishing, watching

Aesthetic – beauty, pleasure from their majesty.

These first three drive decision-making in the United States.

Wildlife Values

Scientific/Education: studies (Rachel Carson)

Ecological: role they play in ecosystemCultural/Societal: sports, cars, religionEthical – maintain them for the futureNegative – damage they cause

This last one drives some decision-making in Africa, but trying to change that.

Wildlife Values, cont.

Population StudiesA. Counting Populations – actual

count, tag/recapture, survival rate

B. Population Density Studies – animals per unit area

C. Evidence – scat, owl pellets, estimations, nests, etc.

Wildlife Management

Direct – working directly with animal

Examples: hunting, trapping, shocking, moving, sterilizing, breeding,…..

Management Techniques

Indirect – habitat alteration or non-intervention

Examples: fencing, mowing, planting, re-seeding, non-use, protecting,…..

Management Techniques

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceSupported by federal income taxes

Duck Stamps: $450 million raised to purchase wetlands for duck habitat

Agencies Involved in Wildlife

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, cont.Manage – endangered species,

migratory animals, refuges, federal money, and import/export.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, cont.Dingell-Johnson Act (fish)Pittman-Robertson Act (animals)

Tax on all sporting equipment, ammunition, firearms, archery, etc. – goes back to states – BIGGEST revenue source for the states NEXT TO licenses! Huge!

State: Colorado Parks and WildlifeManages the organisms and habitat of

wildlife in the state (protection, recovery, recreation)

Licenses BIGGEST source of revenue

Spend money on habitat protection, species protection, and hunting and fishing recreation.

Agencies Involved in Wildlife