GAME MANAGEMENT

Early Settlers

When settlers first arrived here, there was a lot of plant and animal life around.

They used it, never thinking about having to conserve it for later on.

Game Management

Early definition:

The art of making land produce sustained annual crops of wild game for recreational use.

Definition cont.

Now expanded to include:

HabitatsPopulationsPeople

Habitat Requirements

There are 5:

1. Food:Are classified according to type and amount of food consumed.

Food cont.

Examples:Herbivores = eat plantsCarnivores = eat meatOmnivores = eat many different

foodsFrugivores = eat fruit

2 different classifications:

Euryphagous animal—eats many different types of food

Stenophagous animal—eats a specialized diet

2. Cover

A place that will protect animals from harsh weather conditions and from predators.

3. Water

One of the most important requirements of wildlife.

Bodies of game animals are 60-80% water.

Without water, game would disappear.

4. Home Range and Territory

Home range = area over which game travels

Territory = area an animal will defend to the death

Home ranges may overlap, but ranges will not

Management Procedures

Many different methods.

1. Game refuges: Land set aside

for protection of wildlife speciesProtect the wildlife from hunters but not from natural enemies.

2. Habitat development & improvement

Fencerow plantings—plants that are along the edge of a field for game to feed on and use

Woodland management—being careful how woodland areas are handled

3. Coordination w/other resources

Management of game as a resource isn’t independent of other resources.

Must coordinate how resources are used

4. Hunting regulations

Some early settlers recognized need to not kill so many animals through hunting

Laws have been passed to help control hunting on both public and private land

5. Predator control

Control predators of the game rather than the game itself

Can control the population of both the predators and the species they hunt

6. Artificial stocking

Can either be:Stocking of game natural to the

area ORIntroducing a new species to the

area

Must consider:

Population density: number of game animals in a defined area

Carrying capacity: amount of game for which a given area can provide for

LEGISLATION AND GAME MANAGEMENT

Major legislations for wildlife:

1. Lacey Act of 1900: made it a federal offense to transport illegally taken wildlife across state lines

2. Migratory Bird Act of 1929: provided refuges for migratory birds

3. Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp of 1934: gave government way of raising money to help protect game birds

4. Pittman-Robertson Program and Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950: Both allow taxes to be placed on guns, ammo, and fishing tackle

5. Lea Act of 1948: Provided help to farmers whose land was damaged by ducks and geese.

6. Endangered Species Act of 1966: gave authority of examining and protecting species to the Fish and Wildlife Service