Integrating Wildlife and Livestock

PLSC 211 - exam 3

integrating wildlife and livestock depends on…

stocking rate and habitat

when can running livestock and wildlife together be mutually exclusive?

• the livestock stocking rate is excessive

• drought conditions prevail

• of the entire ranch ecosystem is devoted to cattle production (all introduced forage, no brush, etc.)

should wildlife or livestock be the focus?

wildlife

cows vs deer: rumen size, rate of passage, head shape, salivary gland size

cow:

• rumen size: large

• rate of passage: slower rate

• head shape: blunt

• salivary gland: small

deer:

• rumen size: small

• rate of passage: fast

• head shape: pointed

• salivary gland: large

how are exotic livestock different from deer in what they eat?

they are both concentrate selectors, but only exotic livestock can switch to browse/grass when concentrates are depleted

livestock should be considered…

strategic tools

what’s the greatest competitor with the whitetail deer?

another whitetail deer

too much grass reduces…

forb production (leafy plants), and valuable bare ground required by certain bird species

too little grass can lead to…

erosion and a reduction in seed production

management for ______-_______ _____ results in good habitat for any species

white-tailed deer

what may be inappropriate for small acreages?

long-term use of large species of livestock

what are the 3 main deer management problems?

1. over-population

2. over-harvest of bucks

3. lack of habitat maintenance

what causes over-population of deer?

• failure to control doe population

• failure to maintain habitat

high deer populations lead to declines in:

• fawn crop

• antler quality

• herd health

what are density dependent factors that control population?

• starvation

• parasites

• disease

• predators

• hunters

what are density independent factors that control population?

• climate

• predators

• hunters