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Wildlife Damage in Commercial Pecan Orchards: A Comprehensive Approach
Southeastern Pecan Growers Association Convention
- Feb. 25th 2017
Wildlife Damage in Commercial Pecan Orchards: A Comprehensive - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Wildlife Damage in Commercial Pecan Orchards: A Comprehensive - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Wildlife Damage in Commercial Pecan Orchards: A Comprehensive Approach Southeastern Pecan Growers Association Convention Feb. 25 th 2017 Adam T. Rohnke, MSU Extension Overview Understanding the biology of the problem Integrating the
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Understanding the Biology of the Problem
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Biology: Habitat
Four key needs of all species:
Water Food Shelter Space
Any of these or
combination could be the key “attractant”
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Biology: Annual Cycle
The stages of life
Spring = Breeding Summer = Raising
- f young
Fall = Preparation
for winter
Winter = Pre-
breeding/survival
Smith & Smith 2000
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Pecan Production Schedule
ddd
Rick Addicks Penny Medders Stark Bro’s
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Biology
Knowing your problem allows you to:
Target your
management
Reduce harm to the
animal
Reduce cost and
liabilities to staff
Istock Istock Huffington Post
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Legally Speaking
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Laws: Reach Out
Before you engage in any control think twice!! Establish relationship w/ WCO and regional
USDA Wildlife Services personnel
Refer to resource materials
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Laws: Mammals
General Guidelines Nuisance Animals in MS
Game and nuisance
animals can be controlled legally via hunting season.
Must use implement of that
given season.
Outside of season you will
need Wildlife Control Permit from MDWFP for
- game. Many states have
similar processes.
Beaver Coyote Fox (Red and Gray) Nutria Skunk Wild hogs
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Laws: Birds
All birds are protected via the following laws:
International Migratory Bird Treaty Act
U. S. ,Canada & Mexico
Endangered Species Act, Bald Eagle Act, and state game laws
Dan Skalos Wikimedia Whatbird.com
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Laws: Birds
Restricted Protected Species
Blackbirds, Grackles,
Cowbirds, Crows
Double-crested cormorants Geese species
Non-protected Species
Rock dove (pigeon) European starling House sparrow
- Nat. Geographic
- Nat. Geographic
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Laws: Birds
Migratory Bird Depredation Permit
Human health and safety
Personal property Specific Requirements:
Positive identification
Evidence and est. economic value of damage
Non-lethal actions
Proposed lethal measures
Review from WS and State Wildlife Agency
- Nat. Geographic
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Select Species Control Methods
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The Key Culprits
Based on informal survey
in MS
Others:
White-tailed deer Feral Hogs Armadillos
Istock Istock Huffington Post
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Life History
Breed (by age 1) twice a year (3 per litter) 50% of mortality of pop Range 1-100 acres Consume ½ lb. of pecans per animal per day
Annual Cycle
Squirrel Biology
Breed Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Young Born Breed Breed Young Active Young Born Young Active Istock
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Squirrel Control
Game Species – control through
hunting season
Pressure orchards & surrounding
woods
Trap w/ Tube traps
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Young Born Breed Breed Young Active Young Born Young Active Breed
HUNT HUNT TRAP
A.T. Rohnke
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Crow Biology
Life History
Intelligent Longer lived (4-6yrs or more) Established family groups w/ sentinel 1-2 broods/yr with 4 eggs per
attempt
Flocking
Hundreds of family groups Fall & Winter Key activity center (Home base) Travel 6-12 miles for food (1/2 to 1lb per crow per day) Huffington Post Huffington Post
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Crow Control
PROTECTED & GAME SPECIES Harassment
Sound, pyrotechnics, and pursuit
Distress Call Systems
Uses recorded distress calls of
given species
Have seen some success Use in WTD work recently
A.T. Rohnke
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Crow Control
Shooting
Effective but time consuming Conducted through hunting
season Nov. - Feb (Many states have no limits)
May make it an income opp. Outside of hunting season will require
depredation permit through state and feds
FOX PRO
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Raccoon Biology
Life History
Once per year 2-5 young Avg. life span 3.1 years Use tree cavities (females),
brush piles (males)
Intelligent
Annual Cycle
Breed Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Young Born Young Active
Pinterest.com
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Raccoon Control
Trapping
Box traps, foothold, & snares Effective, time efficient, low-cost
Hunting/Shooting
Staff or local hunters Breed Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Young Born Young Active
HUNT/TRAP HUNT/TRAP
A.T. Rohnke
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Recap
Understanding the biology of the problem Integrating the biology into pecan production
schedule
Understanding the law
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