Issue #11

Managing Wildlife and Fisheries

 

 

Problem, Opportunity Statement

 

Fish and wildlife are important economic, aesthetic, scientific, ecological, educational, recreational and cultural resources.  In Pennsylvania, 18 percent of the adult population participates in consumptive wildlife activities such as hunting (over 1 million hunting licenses sold Statewide annually) and fishing, and 37 percent participates in non-consumptive activities such as wildlife watching, feeding and landscaping for wildlife (USDI, FWS 2003).  Three billion dollars are spent annually in Pennsylvania on wildlife-related recreational activities (USDI, FWS 2003), and this source of income is particularly important for rural communities.  Sustaining the health and diversity of fish and wildlife populations throughout the state’s 28 million acres is of vital importance.  Management of wildlife resources involves working with a diverse mix of habitats, ownerships and objectives.  Key habitats involve all areas of the state including our forests, agricultural lands, riparian zones and wetlands, as well as the urban and suburban communities of the state.

 

Wildlife nuisance and damage problems impact residents throughout the state.  In agricultural areas, wildlife cause more than 76 million dollars of damage annually.  As suburban sprawl increases, suburban residents, often unfamiliar with wildlife, come in contact with wildlife more frequently and many times with negative consequences to both.  In Pennsylvania’s forests, an abundant deer population has negative effects on tree regeneration, herbaceous plant abundance, wildlife habitat and species diversity.  A key to sustaining fish and wildlife populations within the state is to increase awareness of how development, agriculture and forestry can affect fish and wildlife populations, and how to minimize the negative effects.  At the same time we must increase awareness of how wildlife can impact homeowners, farmers and foresters with the ultimate goal of developing ways to minimize conflicts and enhance coexistence.  This issue crosses state lines and improved coordination among state wildlife agencies and universities will promote consistent, multi-state approaches to help resolve these problems.

 

A number of disease such as West Nile, rabies and lyme disease may be transmitted directly or indirectly to humans, and many of these have become more common in recent years.  Anxiety and the risk of infection can be reduced by understanding the disease and by implementing methods to reduce risks.  Chronic wasting disease is affecting deer in other parts of the country and has the potential to cause economic loss and concern if found in Pennsylvania.  Keeping citizens updated and informed about this disease will reduce these risks.

 

Pennsylvania youth show a strong interest in fish and wildlife resource programs and outdoor recreational activities including fishing, hunting and shooting sports.  Over 3000 youth from 42 counties enrolled in 4-H shooting sports programs in Pennsylvania in 2003 to develop skills in marksmanship and firearm safety.  4-H sport fisheries programs have been successful nationwide and show tremendous potential with an estimated 2 million fishermen in Pennsylvania.  These curriculums have a strong tie to wildlife and fisheries education programs with a natural connection to hunters and fishermen.  Many Pennsylvania youth have been raised in urban or suburban areas and have lost the link with the land.  Natural resource youth programs for 4-H clubs, school groups, home schoolers and other youth groups can help to reconnect our youth with the natural environment.  These programs will increase children’s knowledge and awareness about the value of fish and wildlife resources and the direct and indirect effects their actions have on the health and sustainability of these natural resources.

 

Fish and wildlife are influenced by changing land use practices with private landowners and homeowners having a major impact.  Professional land managers and decision makers such as state and local government also heavily influence land use decisions for private and public lands.  Encouraging individuals and groups to implement sound management practices to enhance wildlife habitat in all geographic areas of Pennsylvania is essential to the stability of our resources.  Extension wildlife and fisheries programs can increase awareness of the importance of these natural resources within the state, provide the tools and techniques for minimizing human wildlife conflict, enhance wildlife habitat, provide recreational opportunities and help sustain rural economies.

 

 

Subject Matter Areas

 

  • Habitat Management & Enhancement

 

  • Youth Programming in Wildlife & Fisheries (incl. adult leaders/educators)

 

  • Nuisance and Damage Management

 

  • Wildlife Related Human Health Concerns

 

 

Program Titles and/or Program Topics by Subject Matter Area

 

  • Habitat Management & Enhancement
    • Managing forests and woodlots for wildlife
    • Farmlands and wildlife management
    • Backyard habitats – landscaping for wildlife
    • Wildlife population estimation
    • Habitat assessment
    • White-tailed deer
    • Hunting as a management tool

 

 

  • Youth Programming in Wildlife & Fisheries (incl. adult leaders/educators)
    • Wildlife Habitat Judging (Jr. and Sr. divisions)
    • Wildlife Field Days
    • 4-H Camp
    • Ag in the Classroom
    • Conservation Leadership School
    • 4-H Sport Fishing
    • Forest Resources Institute for Teachers
    • Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences Institute for Teachers
    • Hunter Education Programs for Natural Resource Educators and/or Youth
    • 4-H Wildlife Curricula
    • Envirothon
    • Natural Resources Careers      
    • 4-H Shooting Sports

 

  • Nuisance and Damage Management
    • Livestock protection
    • Crop protection
    • Wildlife damage and nuisance management
    • Nuisance bird control
    • Nuisance wildlife in and around the home
    • Hunting as a management tool
    • Landowner attitudes about control
    • Forest regeneration
    • Novel methods to address wildlife nuisance information requests (info line, etc.)

 

 

  • Wildlife-Related Human Health Concerns
    • West Nile Virus
    • Rabies
    • Chronic Wasting Disease
    • Lyme disease
    • Hanta virus
    • Tularemia
    • Giardia
    • Emerging diseases

 

Resources

 

  • Habitat Management and Enhancement
    • Wildlife extension specialists
    • Other extension agents
    • Master Gardeners
    • Fish and Wildlife Related Extension Publications
    • Partnerships with agencies and non-governmental organizations

 

  • Youth Programming in Wildlife and Fisheries

o   4-H Wildlife and Natural Resources curricula

o   Fish & Wildlife Agencies & Organizations

o   Project Wild

o   Project Learning Trees

o   Pa Songbird curriculum

o   Project Wet

o   Project Aquatic Wild

o   Wildlife Management Institute

o   Partnerships with agencies and non-governmental organizations

o   Fish and Wildlife Related Extension Publications

 

  • Nuisance and Damage Management
    • Wildlife extension specialists
    • Other extension agents
    • Extension publications
    • Partnerships with agencies/organizations:

§         PA Game Commission

§         USDA-APHIS / Wildlife Service

§         PDA

§         NE Wildlife Damage Management Co-Op.

    • Ag and livestock commodity groups
    • Master Gardeners

 

  • Wildlife-Related Human Health Concerns
    • Extension publications
    • Wildlife extension specialists and agents
    • PA Game Commission
    • USDA-APHIS
    • PA Dept of Health
    • Center for Disease Control
    • West Nile Virus teams

 

Indicators

 

·        Number of individuals indicating increased knowledge of wildlife habitat requirements and management.

·        Number of individuals implementing habitat management practices.

·        Number of acres of habitat created or improved (acreage modified, # of trees planted, # of bird houses, etc.).

·        Number of bird houses established to improve habatat.

·        Number of youth demonstrating increased knowledge of environmental issues.

·        Number of youth demonstrating improved technical skills related to hunting, fishing, firearm safety and shooting sports.

·        Number of leaders/educators using curriculum materials related to fisheries and wildlife management in their classroom.

·        Dollars saved by reduced wildlife nuisance and damage problems.

·        Number of people adopting practices to reduce wildlife nuisance and
damage control.

·        Number of people who implement practices to reduce risks of disease
transmission and acquisition.

·        Number of people who demonstrate increased knowledge of the
transmission of wildlife-transmitted diseases.