ROGER A. WOODRUFF, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Animal Damage Control, 720 O'Leary, Olympia, WA 98502
JEFFREY S. GREEN, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Animal Damage Control, 12345 W. Alameda, Suite 204, Lakewood, CO 80228
Abstract: Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have caused increasing problems for people both in urban and agricultural environments. In many instances, traditional methods of resolving conflicts caused by these species have proven ineffective or impractical. Some property owners and others have begun to use livestock herding dogs to haze geese and other wildlife from areas where they are not wanted. We report on the applications and effectiveness of this technique as employed on golf courses, farms, and other areas. The use of trained hunting dogs appears to be a feasible and effective method for reducing wildlife damage in a variety of urban and rural settings.
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Pages 43-45 in R.E. Masters and J.G. Huggins, eds. Twelfth Great Plains Wildl. Damage Control Workshop Proc., Pub- lished by Noble Foundation, Ardmore, Okla. |
Key words: Branta canadensis, Canada goose, crops, damage, dogs, Odocoileus virginianus, white-tailed deer.
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Canada geese (Branta canadensis) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) have long been valued as important wildlife resources. Both species
have rebounded dramatically from low populations earlier in the century, in response
to revised management practices. Concurrently, conflicts with human interests have
escalated as these species face shrinking native habitat and have adapted to more
urbanized areas. Resident populations of urban geese on golf courses, school grounds,
and other public and residential areas cause an increasing number of human health and
safety concerns. In addition, geese and other waterfowl continue to cause significant
damage to agriculture. Similarly, white-tailed deer cause extensive damage both in
suburban and agricultural areas throughout their range. A plethora of methods has been employed to resolve goose problems with varying degrees of success. Propane exploders, pyrotechnics, visual scare devices, and other tactics have proven useful in rural and agricultural settings. However, many of these methods have limited application in urban areas where noise and appearance can be important considerations. Habitat modifications have been used to resolve some problems but are often considered unacceptable by landowners (Conover 1992). Repellents such as methyl anthranilate may prove effective and acceptable in populated areas. However, because of the need for multiple applications, repellents can be cost prohibitive on large areas such as golf courses and parks. Relocation of geese to reduce local populations can be an effective technique but is typically labor intensive and generally requires a multi-agency effort. It has also become more difficult to find suitable relocation sites for problem geese. Many methods have also been employed to resolve deer problems. A variety of repellents and fencing designs have been tested and used. Special hunting seasons and out-of-sea- |
son kill permits have also been utilized to help alleviate problems. Research of
immunocontraception holds hope for the future. However, a clear need still exists for
the development of new techniques in resolving deer conflict. During the last several years, several people have turned to livestock herding dogs, primarily border collies and Australian shepherds, to haze geese and other wildlife from areas where they are not wanted. Federal law allows scaring or herding of depredating migratory birds without a permit (other than eagles [Aquila chrysaetos, Haliaeetus leucocephalus] or threatened or endangered species). States generally require permits to haze ungulates with dogs. In this report, we discuss instances where hazing dogs have been successfully employed. We also describe some of the applications, effectiveness, and considerations of utilizing dogs for this purpose.
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