Wildlife Module 7

Historical Context (1920s-1930s)
- The discipline of wildlife science was virtually non-existent.
- Agencies operated based on intuition and trial and error to manage wildlife.
- A period characterized by lack of solid guidelines or scientific background.
Case Studies Overview
- The lecture referenced three significant case studies involving cervids: mule deer, whitetail deer, and elk.
- Importance of these examples is drawn from management failures and successes.

Location: Kiboff Plateau, Arizona
Problem Identified: Population explosion due to predator control.
Management Action: Poor initial responses led to a need for drastic reductions in deer population—culled a significant portion of the herd.
Outcome: Habitat recovery was prolonged after management actions were taken.

Location: Pennsylvania
Initial Condition (1900): Whitetail deer were virtually eliminated by hunters.
Problem Identified by 1920s: Overpopulation leading to agricultural damage, especially concerning for farmers.
Management Action: State government encouraged hunters to harvest does, as hunters preferred bucks initially.
Outcome: Regulation allowed whitetail populations to stabilize and recover to a manageable level.

Location: Wyoming
Initial Condition: Significant population increase thought to be manageable through the provision of supplemental feeding.
Management Mistake: Supplemental feeding led to congregations that spread diseases rather than controlled populations.
Outcome: Ultimately required culling half of the elk herd to restore population balance.
General Conclusion from Cervid Studies: These cases emphasized the necessity of hunting as a management tool for controlling cervid populations in regions lacking natural predators, influenced heavily by proximity to agriculture.

Overview: The heath hen was considered extinct; it serves as a poignant case study in conservation efforts and their failures.
Historical Range: Once ranged from Virginia to New England.
- Last Remaining Population: Restricted to Martha's Vineyard.

Pre-1850s: Heath hens were still abundant.
1850s-Hunting: Though protected from hunting by law in the 1860s, there was little management for habitat recovery.
1890 Population: Estimated at 100 to 200 birds.
1894 Wildfire Incident: Significant decline attributed to the breeding season fire, reducing population to 15-20 birds.
Management Attempts (1907-1933):
- Creation of a 2,000 acre heath hen reserve with fire controls and supplemental feeding.
- Population increased to 800 birds by 1916.
Further Declines: Additional wildfires and pressures from domestic pets, diseases from poultry led to rapid declines in population.
By 1933: The heath hen species was considered extinct.

Environmental Stochasticity: Highlighted the dangers of having a single population located in one area.
- The necessity for habitat conservation and the establishment of multiple, separated populations.

Announced Developments: Review of key figures and legislation in wildlife conservation following the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
William T. Hornaday’s Contribution:
- Prominent conservationist with a complex legacy due to his anti-hunting stance.
- Founder of the American License Society; influential in bison conservation.
- Controversial because of his stance on hunting and efforts to block legislation due to personal ideology.

The New Anthony Bill (1921): Proposed a system of wildlife refuges funded via a $1 federal duck stamp.
- Aimed for areas safe from hunting to protect waterfowl.
- Opposition by Hornaday reflected a tension in conservation philosophy regarding hunting impacts.

Norbeck Anderson Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929):
- More palatable than Hornaday's proposed legislation, providing straight wildlife refuges without additional restrictions on hunting.
- Lacked funding from Congress for actual land acquisition despite passing.
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (1934):
- Established funding through the sale of duck stamps for land acquisition, marking a critical legislative success in wildlife conservation.

Early Life:
- Born in 1887, shaped by environmental changes in the Midwest.
- Education at Yale in forestry; became a crucial figure in conservation and wildlife management principles.

Father of Wildlife Management:
- Expanded concepts of game management to include broader principles of ecology and biodiversity.
- Authored "Game Management" (1933), pioneering comprehensive wildlife management philosophy.
Key Principles Developed by Leopold:
- Niche: Defined set of requirements (food, water, cover, space) for animal survival.
- Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size supported by the environment.
- Limiting Factors: Factors (e.g., predation, starvation) that prevent population growth.
- Compensatory Mortality: Certain numbers of harvests not affecting overall populations, with a balance existing naturally.

“A Sand County Almanac”
- Published posthumously, guiding future generations in wildlife and land conservation ethics.
His concept of the land ethic calls for a community-based relationship with nature, highlighting the need for respect and ethical stewardship of ecosystems.

Wildlife Management Evolution: Recognition of historical mismanagement and the outcomes of various wildlife management approaches.
Importance of Multi-Population Management: Highlighted through the case of the heath hen, the need for genetic diversity and ecological resilience.
Conflict in Conservation Practices: From Hornaday’s controversial stances to comprehensive principles offered by Leopold, the evolution of wildlife management relied on addressing diverse opinions and methodologies.
Studies and Legislation: Continued emphasis on legislative frameworks ensuring conservation efforts are well-supported and funded for effective long-term management.