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The management implications (MI) section of articles in The Journal of Wildlife Management ( JWM) and Wildlife Society Bulletin ( WSB) is meant to relay transparent, applicable information from researchers to managers. I questioned whether this goal was being met because inspection of paper titles in these journals showed many studies do not address management topics. Accordingly, I developed a classification scheme for statements in the MI section and analyzed the nature and content of randomly selected MI sections ( n = 80) in Volume 72 (2008) of JWM. Management implications (deductions or inductions) made up 5.5 ± 1% standard error of statements in the sample ( n = 562 statements). Accordingly, >90% of the statements in the sample of MI sections were not MIs. The MI heading does not inform readers of section content. I recommend a more flexible heading (e.g., Implications, Research Needs, Recommendations, Conclusions) or elimination of the section because salient material usually appears in other sections of a paper anyway. © 2011 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Long-term monitoring and research projects are essential to understand ecological change and the effectiveness of management activities. An inherent characteristic of long-term projects is the need for consistent data collection over time, requiring rigorous attention to data management and quality assurance. Recent papers have provided broad recommendations for data management; however, practitioners need more detailed guidance and examples. We present general yet detailed guidance for the development of comprehensive, concise, and effective data management for monitoring projects. The guidance is presented as a graded approach, matching the scale of data management to the needs of the organization and the complexity of the project. We address the following topics: roles and responsibilities; consistent and precise data collection; calibration of field crews and instrumentation; management of tabular, photographic, video, and sound data; data completeness and quality; development of metadata; archiving data; and evaluation of existing data from other sources. This guidance will help practitioners execute effective data management, thereby, improving the quality and usability of data for meeting project objectives as well as broader meta-analysis and macrosystem ecology research. © 2015 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitfall traps are commonly used in diet studies for insectivorous and omnivorous wildlife. Pitfall trap methodologies and designs vary considerably among studies and investigators. Such variation and lack of standardization limits scientists' abilities to compare their results with others. We conducted a literature review to identify the most common methods used by past investigators who placed pitfall traps for the purpose of quantifying indices of arthropod abundances, and used this information to guide our proposal for standardized pitfall trapping methods. We documented the pitfall‐trap methods of 257 studies published between January 1994 and March 2016 in 107 scientific journals. Pitfall‐trap methods varied greatly across the time period. We found only minor differences in the pitfall‐trap methods most commonly used in different vegetation communities (e.g., preservative was used less frequently for pitfall trap studies in grasslands). Studies published in wildlife journals tended to use pitfall traps of larger diameters than studies published in other disciplines; these studies also had worse rates of methodological reporting than those in entomology journals. We did not detect a decline in negligent reporting over time; ≥1 key methodological detail was missing from >50% of studies regardless of the decade published. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. We conducted an extensive literature review to identify the most common pitfall trapping methods used for the purpose of quantifying indices of arthropod abundance and, based on this summary, we propose standardized methods and reporting metrics for future studies that use pitfall traps to produce indices of arthropod abundance. The majority of the published studies we examined lacked at least one key methodological detail; methodological reporting was worse in ecology and wildlife journals than in entomology journals; failure to fully report methods hinders comparisons among studies and future meta‐analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The baited hoop-net is one of the most heavily used sampling tools for monitoring freshwater turtle populations. In the past several years, we have published a series of studies that tested potential biases associated with this sampling method. For this paper, we used a new experiment to directly test the influence of trap-mouth opening size on both captures and escapes. We also summarized the results from previous studies to direct future research on this topic and provide a useful guide for managers and researchers using this sampling device. In our experiment during May 2013 in Texas, USA, we found that traps with larger mouth-openings were more efficient at capturing turtles, while escapes were minimal for both mouth sizes. Thus, at least within the boundaries we tested here, increasing mouth-opening size is an effective way to increase captures without introducing biases caused by differential escape probabilities. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Over the past decade, declines of Canadian populations of boreal caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) have received considerable attention from scientists, government agencies, environmental nongovernmental organizations, Indigenous communities, and the forest industry. Boreal caribou (also known as boreal woodland caribou) was listed as a threatened species in Canada when the Species at Risk Act came into force in June 2003. Many boreal caribou populations have been shown to be decreasing, in some cases precipitously, and empirical evidence from adult survival and calf recruitment surveys indicates that the cumulative effect of habitat disturbance, including that which results from industrial development, is a key driver in the decline. Yet, as scientific understanding of the decline has become clearer, and agreement among scientists and governments about habitat management requirements has increased, campaigns of denial have intensified in the public sphere. In this paper, we examine parallels with climate change rhetoric prolific in the 2000s and show that willful ignorance disguised as skepticism has resulted in public uncertainty despite robust scientific evidence. We show how these strategies of manufactured uncertainty used in climate change denial campaigns have seeped into wildlife management debates, with pernicious results. In this case, it has successfully delayed efforts to effectively address the decline of boreal caribou, which is protected under federal, provincial, and territorial legislation, and inhibited meaningful dialogue about socially acceptable conservation solutions. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editor discusses various reports on deer ecology and management in developed landscapes published within the issue.

Declines in hunter numbers across the United States make hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) a high priority for wildlife management. As wildlife management agencies and nongovernmental organizations seek to reach new audiences, college campuses present a unique opportunity to cultivate nontraditional path hunters. Despite recent proliferation of R3 initiatives, little research has evaluated effects of hunting programs on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of new hunters. We designed and implemented Getting Started Outdoors: Hunting 101 workshops specifically targeting college students without previous hunting experience, and we assessed workshop efficacy with a theoretically‐grounded approach to workshop evaluation. Using quantitative and qualitative analysis of surveys conducted before, shortly after, and 12–18 months after workshops, we assessed impacts of R3 efforts at large public universities in 16 different U.S. states. Across all states, 19 workshops attracted 314 total participants, with 255 completing both pre‐ and post‐workshop assessments and 133 completing the follow‐up surveys. Workshops significantly increased participants' confidence in hunting, reduced barriers related to inadequate knowledge and skills, and fostered positive views of hunters and hunting. Immediately after workshops, most participants said they would definitely (50%) or probably (34%) hunt in the future; 82% said they would likely (or very likely) purchase a hunting license. Over one year after the workshops, 34% of workshop participants reported having hunted, and another 45% said they would probably hunt in the future. Overall, workshops attracted a diverse population of potential hunters, increased interest in future hunting, and created hunting advocates. Findings highlight the potentially powerful impact that R3 programs focused on diverse college students can have on the future of hunting across the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common understanding and clear process to apply the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) to wildlife‐related activities is crucial to promote animal welfare when conducting wildlife research and for streamlining review by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Current interpretation of the AWA and United States government policies advise that wildlife research activities be reviewed for compliance by an IACUC; however, guidance regarding which wildlife activities are categorized as research and therefore subject to review and oversight is limited. In our opinion and experience, this lack of clarity creates a challenge, particularly for natural resource agencies that conduct a range of wildlife activities, to ensure that research is properly identified for IACUC review and differentiated from management activities that are exempt from review. To fill the gap in current guidance, we propose a decision‐making model that clarifies research and management activities. We apply our model to case studies involving wildlife to highlight nuanced differences between the 2 types of activities. Wildlife agencies conducting potentially regulated activities could use this adaptable model, which has been successfully employed by the National Park Service IACUC, to clarify when the AWA might apply, streamline IACUC reviews, and promote welfare of wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choosing and executing a wild pig management strategy is often a considerable challenge for wildlife managers due to the wide variety of potential strategies and stakeholder preferences. Our research aims to understand management preferences for and tolerance of wild pigs among Texas resident hunters within 8 managerial districts of Texas. We applied the Potential for Conflict Index (PCI2) to estimate potential management preference conflicts within each district. From 24,201 questionnaires completed in 2019, we found that, on average, 74% of respondents across all management actions in each district were found to be acceptable. Resident respondents were overall intolerant of wild pigs and were least tolerant in the San Angelo district. Study findings are useful in informing socially acceptable and contextually appropriate wild pig management plans. Our research serves as an approach that matches the units of analysis with the units of management for decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is increasingly involved in the contemporary management of natural resources. Tribal wildlife management programs in the United States may be uniquely positioned to effectively and ethically integrate their IK. While a narrow focus on the body of IK and a particular management activity may suffice for project‐level integration efforts, herein we consider how IK integration at the programmatic level may be best supported. We propose a holistic conceptual framework of preconditions including sovereignty, the North American Model management, funding, cultural resources, stakeholder support, and programmatic leadership. We assess the current status and common challenges with each precondition and illustrate their potential roles for a more lasting and pervasive integration of IK into tribal wildlife management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1970 and 2010, the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) approved 7 resolutions and one position statement related to lead, alternative ammunition, and wildlife management. The resolutions and statement address the following topics: transitioning from lead to nonlead shot for waterfowl hunting; addressing concerns relating to lead mobility at outdoor shooting ranges; and developing guiding principles for the future regulation of lead ammunition. We provide a brief overview of AFWA's committee structure and decision‐making processes, and also note the presence of ongoing discussions about lead ammunition in the AFWA Fish and Wildlife Health Committee and the AFWA Lead and Fish and Wildlife Health Working Group. "We describe the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' perspectives on lead, alternative ammunition, and wildlife management. Resolutions adopted by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies have addressed the following topics: transitioning from lead to non‐lead shot for waterfowl hunting; lead mobility at shooting ranges; and developing guiding principles for the future regulation of lead ammunition." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density estimates for animal populations often inform conservation and management decisions. Many methods to estimate animal density exist but deciding between competing alternatives traditionally has depended upon assessing multiple factors (e.g., precision, total cost, area sampled) independently and often in an ad hoc manner. Cost‐effectiveness analysis is a tool that economists use to decide objectively between competing alternatives. We extend cost‐effectiveness analysis to simultaneously integrate precision and per‐area cost of sampling when selecting between competing techniques used to estimate animal density both after a single application of a method and across several applications of capital equipment. Our extension allows for weighting of factors that may vary with the objectives and constraints of decision makers. We apply our extension of cost‐effectiveness analysis to a case study in which population density of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was estimated in 3 large management units in Indiana, USA, using 3 competing distance‐sampling methods: fecal‐pellet, camera‐trap, and aerial sampling. The unweighted cost effectiveness of aerial sampling with color and infrared sensors was usually superior after a single application of each method and was always superior across several applications in differing landscapes. Pellet sampling was the most cost effective after a single application of each method in an agriculturally‐dominated management unit. Although camera sampling has increased in popularity, the cost effectiveness of camera sampling was poorer than the other 2 methods, even when allowing for potential future innovations to streamline data processing. Cost‐effectiveness analysis can be useful when selecting among competing methods for monitoring animal populations of conservation and management importance. The same principles used in our cost‐effectiveness analysis can be used to decide between competing alternatives related to any ecological monitoring in addition to density estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervid populations poses substantial economic costs, and its management is resource intensive. Control of CWD is often subject to stakeholder‐dependent strategies that require active support and participation. The development of effective CWD management strategies and policies hinges on understanding stakeholder preferences, values and decision‐making behavior. Here we provide a basis for understanding the economic impacts of CWD, which are key to developing effective management strategies. We analyze stakeholder incentives from an economic perspective and discuss the effectiveness of prior management and eradication strategies. Our analysis discusses the integration of behavioral economics into evaluations of stakeholder preferences and its effect on decision‐making to produce optimal policy and management outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the early 1980s, Quality Deer Management (QDM) has been used widely to manage populations of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the United States. Since 2000, QDM has been a catalyst behind a suite of deer management cooperatives (DMCs) forming across the United States. Although QDM has grown in popularity among North American deer hunters, large‐scale implementation of multi‐landowner DMCs relies on voluntary changes to implement structured hunter harvest behavior to achieve management goals. Therefore, a national review of how DMCs influence harvest behavior of hunters and if the DMC model works to accomplish deer management goals is warranted. We assessed if DMCs change the harvest behavior of their members, and if factors such as state, motivations, and length of membership influence change in hunter behavior. Results from our survey of 459 DMC members across 5 U.S. states found that DMC members' harvest behavior changed after joining their DMC. Deer management cooperative members reported they were more likely to harvest does, less likely to harvest yearling males, and more likely to pass on the harvest of a 3.5 year old (or younger) males after joining the DMC. When analyzed at the state level, Texas and Georgia saw the largest gains in perceived hunt quality (≥ $\ge $2.5 point gain on 1–7 scale) and QDM implementation. Motivations for joining the DMC had little impact, but length of membership influenced hunt behavior with more tenured members (>5 years of membership) being more likely to follow QDM practices. Our results suggest that DMCs serve stakeholders by increasing perceived hunt quality, assisting agency personnel with non‐regulatory avenues to address management goals, and developing a community engaged with local wildlife management. Deer management cooperatives occupy the critical nexus of agency needs and private landowner deer management objectives, often at scales larger than a single private landowner, that are necessary for effectively managing wild deer populations. Although DMCs may not be widely implemented, they may address a myriad of management objectives that public and private stakeholders desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic evidence at predation sites is rapidly improving predator‐prey interaction studies and can provide information beyond field‐based investigations. However, factors contributing to the retention of genetic evidence have received limited investigation in a field setting, and researchers have yet to leverage genetic evidence to improve traditional field investigations. Using data from 61 mortality investigations of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white‐tailed deer (O. virginianus), and elk (Cervus canadensis), we evaluated factors influencing predator DNA amplification success and misidentification of predators in field investigations. We found that predator DNA was detected more for prey with higher body mass (18.5% increase per standard deviation [23.1 kg] in carcass body mass above the mean [32.8 kg]). Predator DNA was also 27.0% more likely to amplify when collected from kill sites that had not undergone a freeze‐thaw cycle between the mortality and the investigation. The delay between the kill and the investigation, the swabbing surface, and the amount of precipitation did not influence amplification of predator DNA. Misidentifications of the predator based on the field ID were not influenced by the investigation delay or investigator confidence level, suggesting that investigators should collect genetic evidence even when they feel certain about the predator. Errors in identifying the predator during the field investigation increased for prey with smaller body mass, and the predator was actually more likely to be misidentified than correctly identified for fawns and calves < ~21 kg. Black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Lynx rufus), cougars (Puma concolor), coyotes (Canis latrans), and wolves (C. lupus) were equally likely to be missed in a field investigation, but bobcats tended to be falsely assigned more than expected and cougars were falsely assigned as the predator less than expected. Using genetic evidence as validation, we showed how patterns of predation and the field signs left by predators differed for some species depending on the size of the prey. Our findings should help researchers and managers to optimize their use of genetics to enhance field investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field‐based learning is a key element in wildlife management curriculum as it is a valuable teaching tool for natural resource topics. There are multiple constraints that restrict use of field‐based learning techniques in wildlife programs that have been complicated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Many academic programs were forced to rapidly transition to online instruction, but despite these difficulties, there was a need to provide interactive, in the field learning opportunities for students. This necessity resulted in the development of a live streaming system to provide an interactive learning experience (Leopold Live!). In this case study, we describe the technology used in Leopold Live! to augment an online, wildlife habitat management course at Texas A&M University, and the associated challenges and adjustments needed to improve delivery in the future. We conclude that Leopold Live! serves as a potential method to meet the challenge of providing interactive, field‐based learning in a distance education setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable population abundance estimates are invaluable to wildlife management programs. Mark‐recapture techniques are regarded as the gold standard for estimating abundance but can be financially or logistically prohibitive. Recent developments in remote camera analytical approaches have provided alternative methods to estimate unmarked populations efficiently but have undergone limited field testing. In September and October 2020, I assessed 2 camera methods that use the same set of time‐lapse photographs; a space to event (STE) model and instantaneous sampling (IS), applied to a case study of feral sheep (Ovis aries) at the US Army's Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawai'i Island. Results of the camera methods were compared to an abundance estimate calculated from an aerial distance sampling survey completed concurrently with camera sampling. A comparison of confidence intervals indicated no statistical difference between estimates, but the relative imprecision of IS suggested the STE model to be a more reliable estimator. The cost of camera sampling was approximately 3 times that of the aerial survey, but camera sampling became more economical if the area was resurveyed 3 or more times. My study showed the STE model to be a cost effective, practical abundance estimator of feral sheep when compared to well‐established aerial distance sampling techniques, and therefore should offer considerable potential for the conservation and management of other easily identifiable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hastening the development of early and mid‐career fish and wildlife (hereafter wildlife) professionals in state and federal agencies is an acute need. In particular, development and application of exceptional reasoning and judgment skills is critical. It would be shortsighted, however, for wildlife agency administrators to assume professional development is simply a matter of staff training. Decker et al. (2019) completed an expert panel study in 2019 to identify habits and practices of consistently high performing wildlife management professionals. Decker et al. (2019) suggest 5 clusters of competencies are characteristic of consistently high‐performing wildlife professionals: being a critically inquisitive, continuous learner; practicing multi‐level, integrative systems thinking; being self‐disciplined; using a balanced approach; and having the emotional intelligence to interact successfully with others. Based on observations from a series of workshops with wildlife professionals, our collective professional experience, and literature review, we contend that impediments to expression of key habits/practices identified by Decker et al. (2019) exist at the group and organizational, as well as the individual level. We argue that providing individual training is necessary, but not sufficient to create work environments where wildlife professionals in state and federal wildlife agencies can develop and apply reasoning and judgment skills. Structural and cultural change in wildlife agencies would enhance effectiveness of public wildlife management. We hope this empirically‐grounded commentary stimulates reflection within wildlife agencies and a commitment to organizational behavior that catalyzes professional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors present insights on the editorial guidelines published by the journal in 2012 aimed at addressing the recurrent problematic patterns that emerge in processing hundreds of manuscripts in the field of wildlife management and research. They cite several words that are often misuse, including data, vegetative, vegetation and habitat type. They also explain the purpose of research article sections, such as methods, results and literature cited.

Most state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies have access to important information about patterns in sportsperson participation through their license databases. Using transaction data from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's electronic hunting and fishing license system, we tracked license purchases of Nebraska, USA, resident license holders in 2010 through 2017. We categorized sportspersons by gender and yearly purchases as hunting only (Hunter), fishing only (Angler), a combination of hunting and fishing (Hunter–Angler), or no purchases (Inactive). The probability of movement among active sportsperson groups was limited and varied little based on initial group participation. The Angler group had the greatest probability of an individual transitioning to the Inactive group (females = 0.39; males = 0.33). The Hunter–Angler group had the greatest probability of an individual remaining within the same group (females = 0.65; males = 0.76). There was a relatively low probability of an individual in the Hunter group moving to the Angler group and vice versa (≤0.02). The sportsperson population is dynamic and understanding patterns of sportsperson participation is important for the future of fish and wildlife management in North America. Using data readily available to most fish and wildlife agencies has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of hunter and angler participation and aid management agencies and conservation organizations in the development of more effective strategies for managing sportspersons. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. Due to the recent decrease in hunting and fishing participation, we investigated how hunters and anglers transition among different hunting and fishing activities, or not at all. Individuals who participated in both hunting and fishing activities were more likely to remain as active participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delineation of management units for harvested wildlife should strive to maximize homogeneity within each unit subject to constraints imposed by geography and heterogeneity in factors related to human‐caused changes in vital rates. Prior efforts to delineate management units for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) used regression to identify environmental and sociological factors related to female harvest density, followed by spatially constrained cluster analysis to select multicounty units for management purposes. We used county‐level data in Indiana, USA, from 2012 to 2017 to present a modified approach that 1) simultaneously models variation in 4 types of human‐mediated deer mortality with spatial, environmental, and socio‐cultural explanatory variables; 2) clusters counties using a partial contiguity constraint that explicitly considers nonspatial variables; and 3) relies on expert opinion to assess model adequacy and suggest improvements. Multivariate negative binomial regression of mortality from 4 sources (legal antlerless and antlered harvest, reported deer–vehicle collisions, crop depredation permits) yielded additive models with adequate fit and sizable effects for all univariate models due to latitude (standardized coefficient, β range = −0.18–0.24), and the nonspatial variables deer habitat (β range = 0.26–1.02) and hunter density (β range = 0.25–1.02). Fraction of cropland enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program was positively related to harvest (β range = 0.10–0.13), and general human development was positively related to deer collision deaths (β range = 0.25–0.28) and take with depredation permits (β range = 0.07–0.24). Clustering counties with partial contiguity increased within‐unit nonspatial homogeneity 1.7–1.9 times more than clustering with strict contiguity. Responses to online surveys by 10 agency biologists and conservation officers provided congruence (mean ± SD = 85.2 ± 3.4%) of expert and model‐derived maps and useful suggestions for incorporating a separate urban management unit. Combining mortality‐based statistical models and expert assessment offers a rigorous yet flexible approach to delineating spatial units for wildlife management that is easily adaptable for various harvested species in multiple jurisdictions. © 2020 The Wildlife Society. : A method is presented to delineate wildlife management units that models variation in multiple sources of human‐mediated mortality with spatial, habitat, hunter, and human development variables, clusters counties using important nonspatial variables as well as geography, and uses expert opinion to assess model adequacy and suggest improvements. We apply our method to county‐level data on white‐tailed deer in Indiana, USA, and believe the method can be adapted easily to other species and jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production, including croplands, pasture, and timber, dominates private‐land use and land cover across much of the contiguous lower 48 states. These private lands are essential to achieving the goals of national conservation initiatives such as the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (bobwhite [Colinus virginianus]), Sage Grouse Initiative, and North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Effective conservation delivery in managed landscapes requires 1) an understanding of landowner priorities and ownership objectives, 2) knowledge of the economic and environmental costs and benefits of conservation, and 3) natural resource professionals who understand the business of agriculture and forestry as well as principles of habitat management and wildlife conservation. We make the case for a new vision of multifunctional working landscapes that include designed components of natural and seminatural noncrop perennial plant communities (wetlands, grasslands, riparian areas, field margins, pine [Pinus spp.] grasslands, savannas, etc.) embedded in a matrix of row‐crop, pasture, rangeland, and forested working lands that produce sustainable food, fiber, and fuel. Producing sustainable, multifunctional landscapes will require effective conservation delivery that is intentional, objective‐driven, targeted, science‐based, and landscape scale. We contend that it will also require a new kind of natural resource professional. We consider the specific and novel skill sets that will be required among natural resource professionals to deliver conservation to private owners–producers of working lands. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. Multifunctional landscapes that include natural and semi‐natural features embedded in a matrix of cropland, rangeland, and managed forestlands can provide ecosystem services and contribute to national conservation goals. Effective conservation delivery in managed landscapes requires 1) an understanding of landowner priorities and ownership objectives, 2) knowledge of the economic and environmental costs and benefits of conservation, and 3) natural resource professionals who understand the business of agriculture and forestry as well as principles of habitat management and wildlife conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnivore depredation gives rise to direct costs for killed and injured animals as well as indirect costs due to productivity losses and additional labor requirements. Our aim was to investigate indirect costs to sheep farmers in Sweden due to carnivore depredation and presence. We estimated these costs using survey data describing conditions in 2013. Reproduction and time spent on fence maintenance and taking care of animals were analyzed to isolate effects of carnivore exposure from other factors that affect these variables. Results indicate that both high carnivore densities and attacks are associated with comparatively lower sheep reproduction. Farmers who experienced an attack spent much more on labor for maintaining fences, searching for lost animals, and bringing the animals in for the night. Results suggest that the indirect cost per adult female sheep is EUR23 for nonattacked herds in areas with high carnivore densities; EUR71 in herds that were attacked and where sheep are kept on fenced grazing land; and EUR100 on attacked summer‐pasture farms, where free‐range grazing is applied. A flat rate compensation per adult female sheep, differentiated between herds in areas with high carnivore density that have not been attacked and herds that have been attacked could be used to compensate sheep farmers for these costs. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. We investigated indirect costs to sheep farmers in Sweden due to carnivore depredation and presence in 2013. Results indicated that both high carnivore densities and attacks were associated with comparatively lower reproduction; farmers who have experienced an attack spent more labor on fence maintenance, searching for lost animals, and bringing animals in for the night. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide program managers insight into considerations for launching and running a large‐scale, long‐term citizen science project, using the Snapshot Wisconsin trail‐camera project as a case study. Many citizen science projects are undertaken with a "learn as you go" approach, so there is room to better prepare program managers from the outset. We provide a comprehensive list of components making up citizen science projects, and discuss capacity needs for each component. We then quantify staff time needed throughout the project, based on our own experiences managing a long‐term citizen science project with >1,000 participants. We show that total staff time and staff time devoted to certain project components vary markedly among 3 project phases: planning, growth, and maintenance. We recommend planning for 5.5 staff positions to maintain a long‐term project serving a few hundred volunteers or more. The illustrated concepts can be applied by any person or group developing a volunteer‐based project to prepare for logistic and funding needs across a project's lifespan. Program managers must remember that people form the backbone of any citizen science project, and the success or failure of such projects depend in large part on the user experience of volunteers. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. Many citizen science projects are undertaken with a "learn as you go" approach, so there is room to better prepare program managers from the outset. We provide a comprehensive list of citizen science project components and quantify staff time needed throughout the lifespan of a project, drawing from our own experiences managing a long‐term citizen science project with >1,000 participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large game management units often lead to criticisms from hunters because they assume smaller units possess less variation in wildlife populations and more closely represent their local area. In 2003, Pennsylvania, USA, replaced smaller, socio‐political county‐based management units with larger wildlife management units (WMUs). We tested the hypothesis that smaller county units possessed less variation in antlered and antlerless white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvest densities among municipalities than did larger WMUs. Spatial variation, as measured by standard deviation and coefficient of variation of deer harvested per km2 was similar for antlered deer (county units 0.44 SD, CV = 0.35; WMUs 0.43 SD, CV = 0.38) and antlerless deer (county units 0.71 SD, CV = 0.44; WMUs 0.84 SD, CV = 0.45). We found no support for the assumption that larger management units resulted in greater spatial variation in deer harvest density. © 2019 The Wildlife Society. It is often assumed smaller wildlife management units possess less variation in wildlife populations than larger wildlife management units. We analyzed deer harvests in small, socio‐political units and large wildlife management units and found no evidence that smaller socio‐political units reduced deer harvest variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Woodrats (Neotoma spp.) are imperiled in large swathes of the United States. Their populations have previously been monitored mainly through live‐trapping and sign surveys. However, these methods are labor‐intensive and either stress captured animals or limited by sign visibility and persistence. As noninvasive alternatives, we deployed baited camera traps and baited track plates to monitor eastern woodrat (N. floridana) presence along rocky outcrops at 4 woodrat reintroduction sites in southern Illinois, USA, during May 2013 (5 camera and track‐plate stations/site) and May and September 2014 (4 camera and track‐plate stations/site) to compare their effectiveness. During each deployment, camera traps detected woodrat presence at all 4 sites while track plates only detected presence at 2–3 sites. A greater proportion of camera traps than track plates recorded detections during each deployment. Camera traps required more person‐hours to deploy and retrieve, but resulted in more detections per hour effort than track plates. We conclude that baited camera traps are superior to baited track plates for detecting and monitoring woodrat presence. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. We compared the effectiveness of baited camera traps and baited track plates for monitoring eastern woodrat presence along rocky outcrops. Baited camera traps were superior to baited track tubes because they consistently detected woodrat presence at each site and resulted in more detections per hour effort, even though they required more person‐hours to deploy and retrieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife management agencies conduct hunter surveys to obtain information useful for making management decisions. Often these surveys are designed to collect data, such as hunter success rates, with reliable precision at statewide or regional scales. However, at finer spatial resolutions, such as at the county level, sample sizes are often small, making estimates either impossible to calculate or unreliable using traditional statistical procedures. We used Bayesian hierarchical modeling methods to overcome this small‐area estimation problem for the 1996 Missouri, USA, spring wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunter survey. We explored 8 potential models based on 3 general hypothesized models. These families of general models included a binomial‐beta‐gamma model, 5 variations of spatial dependency models with and without covariates, and 2 variations of models with covariates but without accounting for spatial dependency. We used Bayes factors to select among models. We selected a conditional autoregressive binomial logistic linear mixed model as the most appropriate and used the posterior predictive distributions from this model to assess its fit. This small‐area estimation model provided precise hunter success‐rate estimates at the county level even though this hunter survey was designed to provide reliable estimates at the regional‐scale. This approach provides estimates at smaller scales than are possible using traditional statistical analyses, allowing managers to identify when small‐scale management decisions are warranted. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. Small area estimation conducted through Bayesian hierarchical modeling was useful in showing the gradient of turkey hunter success rates during 1996 among counties in Missouri, USA, even across counties where hunter survey results did not contain reported trips. A conditional autoregressive model was found to be the most parsimonious using Bayes factors to select among 8 proposed Bayesian hierarchical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Wildlife‐related tourism represents an important and growing economic sector for many rural communities and may be inadequately considered during regional planning. Providing robust estimates of wildlife values can help address this challenge. We used both market and nonmarket valuation methods to estimate the value of tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) in North Carolina, USA, and compared tundra swan values among hunters, wildlife watchers, and general public. Wildlife watchers reported the greatest willingness‐to‐pay (US$35.2/wildlife watcher/yr), followed by hunters (US$30.53/hunter/yr), and residents (US$16.27/resident/yr). We used the Impact Analysis for Planning system software to estimate market values or economic activity associated with tundra swans. Tundra swan hunters spent an average of US$408.34/hunter/year. Depending on assumptions over the substitutability of tundra swan hunting, we estimate that it generates value added of between US$306,155/year and US$920,161/year for the state economy. Wildlife watchers spent an average of US$171.25/wildlife watcher/year. We estimate that this generates value added of between US$14 million/year and US$42.9 million/year for the state economy, again depending on assumptions about whether watching tundra swans would be substituted with other leisure activities in eastern North Carolina or out‐of‐state. Compared with studies of international nature tourism, we found relatively low leakage rates (i.e., loss of economic benefits outside the study region), suggesting that enhancing opportunities for hunting and wildlife‐viewing may be an effective economic development strategy for rural areas in the United States. Presenting both market and nonmarket values provides a more complete picture of the value of wildlife and may facilitate more effective management decisions; therefore, we recommend that both market and nonmarket values be considered to optimize tradeoffs between development and wildlife recreation. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) and Dall's sheep (O. dalli) are among the iconic megafauna of North America. Both species generate great public interest and have received much attention from management agencies and conservation groups. Bighorn sheep, however, have suffered far more management setbacks than have their northern congeners and, as a result, have been the beneficiary of aggressive conservation programs. Nevertheless, both species face continuing challenges. Among those challenges are limited preparation of personnel, interagency competition, bureaucratic inertia, confounding legislation, public advocacy (or the lack thereof), political expediency, and interpersonal issues. To foster and maintain momentum for conserving wild sheep, I encourage managers to 1) enhance relationships with nongovernmental organizations, private enterprise, and the media; 2) work more closely with sister agencies to take advantage of opportunities or skillsets; 3) seize opportunities for enhancing conservation by working with agencies whose primary missions are other than wildlife conservation; 4) recognize the importance of private lands and role of private landowners; 5) take advantage of opportunities to involve academic institutions in conservation; 6) acknowledge skills and contributions of colleagues or coworkers, and fully use those talents; and 7) develop and maintain personal attitudes that enhance working relationships and build on past successes. Application of these recommendations likely will enhance the effectiveness of conservation of wild sheep, and for other species of North American wildlife as well. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Firearms are often used in lethal control of invasive vertebrates, but safety and regulatory aspects limit the circumstances under which they can be used. During August 2016 at the Brown Treesnake Project laboratory on Guam, we evaluated hobby‐grade Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs)—a lower powered, less‐hazardous, and less‐regulated alternative to firearms—for capture and control of small animals, with specific emphasis on invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis). Tests of AEGs differing in power with ammunition (plastic pellets) masses ranging from 0.20 to 0.39 g, fired at gelatin blocks from distances of 4, 8, and 12 m, showed that heavy ammunition is of overriding importance for maximizing lethality: 0.39‐g pellets penetrated more deeply at 12 m than did 0.20‐g pellets at 4 m. Inspection of tissue damage in brown treesnake carcasses subjected to fire with the 0.39‐g ammunition from the same distances suggested that injuries sustained by a direct hit from 12 m would often be lethal, and snakes would be unlikely to survive multiple hits from automatic fire discharged at approximately 17/s. Limited trials with live snakes helped us to understand behavioral responses in a snake hit by ≥1 pellets, including distance traveled over time. Based on these factors, we assessed the risk that a snake injured by pellet fire might evade subsequent capture by rapid responders in the proximity. We also discuss ethical considerations and regulatory advantages of using AEGs. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is increasingly being applied in the field of wildlife conservation, yet conceptualizations of what TEK is and views regarding whether TEK is science remain diverse and, at times, conflicting in the TEK discourse. Many practical and philosophical challenges come with the pursuit of TEK initiatives, potentially leaving wildlife researchers and managers wondering how to conduct projects effectively and also in a culturally sensitive manner. The consideration of historical and philosophical contexts that affect tribal communities may be beneficial in such cases. I provide a historical context by presenting chronological events of Indian Country in the United States as related to Federal Indian Law in parallel with the development of wildlife management as a profession. Additionally, I explore the philosophical context of TEK as science by discussing Western and Indigenous scientific paradigms and their linkages to TEK. Finally, given these contexts, I provide several suggestions for developing culturally sensitive approaches to TEK research in the wildlife field. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) have expanded their range in Brazil since late 1980s, with reports of damage becoming more frequent in recent years. In 2013, use of lethal methods for wild pig control was legalized by the federal environmental agency. However, several restrictions related to the purchase and transportation of guns and ammunition hamper the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Nevertheless, many citizens engaged in wild pig control in Brazil do not officially report their control activities as required by the legislation. Our goal was to characterize the profile of wild pig controllers in Brazil to understand their methods and motivations, estimate the number of wild pigs killed per person per year, and evaluate current regulations regarding their applicability to the situations observed in the field. We formulated and distributed a structured questionnaire distributed in 2014 and 2015 to pig controllers (n = 172), including both hunters and nonhunters. Respondents reported killing 2,389 wild pigs, and killing an average of 17.2 (SE = 24.8) pigs/respondent/year, with male and female pigs killed in the same proportion. Forty percent of respondents were acting illegally. Hunters primarily controlled wild pigs to defend third‐party properties. Volunteers provided most of the effort toward controlling wild pigs in Brazil and farmers suffered most of the impacts. Therefore, we believe that adjusting the approach to use of hunting after crop harvest, or implementing an integrated program of hunting and traps placed around crops, could be an important new management tool for reducing wild pig population and crop damage. Further, to enhance wild pig control in Brazil, we recommend incentivizing use of corral traps and cages because such techniques have the greatest effect on reducing wild pig population. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In light of the trajectory of wildlife governance in the United States, the future of sustainable use of wildlife is a topic of substantial interest in the wildlife conservation community. We examine sustainable-use principles with respect to 'good governance' considerations and public trust administration principles to assess how sustainable use might fare in the 21st century. We conclude that sustainable-use principles are compatible with recently articulated wildlife governance principles and could serve to mitigate broad values and norm shifts in American society that affect social acceptability of particular uses. Wildlife governance principles emphasize inclusive discourse among diverse wildlife interests, which could minimize isolated exchanges among cliques of like-minded people pursuing their ambitions without seeking opportunity for sharing or understanding diverse views. Aligning governance practices with wildlife governance principles can help avoid such isolation. In summary, sustainable use of wildlife is likely to endure as long as society 1) believes the long-term sustainability of wildlife is not jeopardized, and 2) accepts practices associated with such use as legitimate. These are 2 criteria needing constant attention. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The ability to determine wildlife age classes is important for wildlife management and the key to understanding the life histories of species. We used radiograph images of the epiphyseal cartilage at the distal end of the radius and the age-class criteria developed by Lechleitner (1959) for black-tailed jackrabbits ( Lepus californicus) to determine age classes for antelope jackrabbits ( L. alleni) between 2011-2016. Using 2 known-age antelope jackrabbits, we found that 3 developmental phases similar to those identified by Lechleitner (1959; class 1 [juvenile: <7 months], class 2 [subadult: 7-11.4 months], and class 3 [adult: >11.4 months]) were also applicable to radiographs of forelegs of antelope jackrabbits. Although requiring some interpretive experience, we consider this technique superior to other lagomorph aging methods because radiographs can be obtained from live and dead animals. Using this method, biologists can determine ages of individuals in the population, which would help to estimate recruitment rates and predict population changes. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Prescribed fire is used to reverse invasion by woody vegetation on grasslands, but managers often are uncertain whether influences of shrub and tree reduction outweigh potential effects of fire on nest survival of grassland birds. During the 2001-2003 breeding seasons, we examined relationships of prescribed fire and woody vegetation to nest survival of clay-colored sparrow ( Spizella pallida) and Savannah sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis) in mixed-grass prairie at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge in northwestern North Dakota, USA. We assessed relationships of nest survival to 1) recent fire history, in terms of number of breeding seasons (2, 3, or 4-5) since the last prescribed fire, and 2) prevalence of trees and tall (>1.5 m) shrubs in the landscape and of low (≤1.5 m) shrubs within 5 m of nests. Nest survival of both species exhibited distinct patterns related to age of the nest and day of year, but bore no relationship to fire history. Survival of clay-colored sparrow nests declined as the amount of trees and tall shrubs within 100 m increased, but we found no relationship to suggest nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds ( Molothrus ater) as an underlying mechanism. We found little evidence linking nest survival of Savannah sparrow to woody vegetation. Our results suggest that fire can be used to restore northern mixed-grass prairies without adversely affecting nest survival of ≥2 widespread passerine species. Survival of nests of clay-colored sparrow may increase when tall woody cover is reduced by fire. Our data lend support to the use of fire for reducing scattered patches of tall woody cover to enhance survival of nests of ≥1 grassland bird species in northern mixed-grass prairies, but further study is needed that incorporates experimental approaches and assessments of shorter term effects of fire on survival of nests of grassland passerines. © 2017 This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The 2012 revision of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) explicitly recognized the need to increase recruitment and retention of waterfowl hunters, birdwatchers, and other conservationists to maintain support for wetland conservation. The incorporation of human dimensions objectives within the NAWMP has compelled waterfowl and wetland managers to consider whether and to what extent landscape characteristics such as public land access; the type, amount, and location of wetlands; and site infrastructure will increase support for wetland conservation among user groups. Further, it has forced the waterfowl community to consider the possible trade-offs between managing land to achieve biological versus social objectives. We used publicly available, long-term data sets to illustrate a method of incorporating human dimensions into waterfowl habitat planning and management. We used United States Fish and Wildlife Service waterfowl harvest survey data, United States Geological Survey band encounter data, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird data to summarize travel characteristics of wetland bird enthusiasts (i.e., waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers) in the Atlantic Flyway. Greater than 90% of all trips by wetland bird enthusiasts occurred within their state of residence. We used data from New York, USA, to demonstrate how to construct discrete choice recreation demand models to identify factors that influence site selection and participation. We demonstrate how model outputs, such as the expected change in the number and geographic distribution of recreational trips (i.e., hunting or birdwatching), can be used as an objective metric to evaluate the benefits of alternative habitat acquisition and restoration projects relative to the human dimensions objective of the NAWMP. These data and methods show promise for incorporating human dimensions objectives into habitat delivery and understanding potential trade-offs relative to biological objectives. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Understanding how animals respond to changing habitat conditions can improve predictions about effects of environmental change and also inform conservation planning. We examined relationships between abundances of 5 common dabbling duck species breeding in the Canadian Prairie Pothole Region and basic wetland metrics. Pond area was a well-supported predictor of duck abundance at the local scale of pond. Relationships for all 5 species varied with their respective regional duck and pond densities. In regions where duck densities were high, there were more ducks per pond; conversely, there were fewer ducks per pond in regions where pond densities were high, indicating that mechanisms influencing local habitat use were, in part, mediated by processes occurring at larger spatial scales. Although models explained small amounts of variation of duck abundance on a per pond basis, these models explained more variation when results were aggregated to the level of survey segment, indicating reasonable performance of models for estimating duck abundance over specific areas with known pond areas. Our results also indicated that the greatest increase in duck abundance with increasing pond size occurs at the low end of the range of pond sizes. It is relatively small wetlands that face the greatest threat of loss and degradation on the prairies; therefore, protection and conservation efforts need to focus on these wetlands if the objective is to increase or maintain populations of the duck species studied. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT How organisms respond to and are influenced by temperature is one of the most fundamental aspects of ecology. Temperature affects animal physiology, behavior, survival, and reproduction. At broader spatial and temporal scales, temperature affects animal distributions, speciation, and evolution. Although entire textbooks have been devoted to how temperature is related to various aspects of basic animal ecology, applied ecologists have only recently begun to address thermal ecology in wildlife research. New investigations of thermal conditions relative to specific wildlife species have generally found tremendous variation within landscapes. Consequently, multiple species have been shown to respond in predictive ways to thermal variation. Variation in temperature can be due to both topoedaphic features inherent in the landscape as well as differences in vegetation structure and composition resulting from management actions. Although consideration of the thermal environment has received consideration for exothermic species, new evidence indicates that it has major implications to endotherms and may become even more critical under novel climate conditions. Rarely does management consider thermal cover explicitly or in a spatiotemporally dynamic way; in our view, this is a major short-coming of current conservation planning and management actions. We argue that thermal environments should be foundational in the understanding of the habitat concept. Furthermore, restoration and management efforts should specifically consider thermal refuge and pinch points-the discrete time or event when thermal conditions experienced by an organism deviate to extreme values relative to average conditions and limit vital rates and space use of that organism. We suggest that future research on thermal environments work at scales relevant to organisms so that management can adequately address the full extent of a species' habitat. © 2017 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Studies investigating wildlife crop-damage have been widely documented, but methods often vary and results can be difficult to compare across national and international regions. Standardized data-collection protocols involving local communities are encouraged in wildlife management research to address this issue; however, it is not clear how data collected from such systems compare with government monitoring schemes. I established an independent monitoring program for human-elephant conflict (HEC) incidents over a 3-year period (2008-2010) in northern Botswana, following the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) data collection protocol. In addition, the government's monitoring scheme for problem-animal control continued in the area. With these systems running simultaneously, I compared the data collection efficiency of the 2 approaches and explored implications of each on HEC management. The total number of crop-damage incidents recorded differed between the 2 systems. The IUCN approach was temporally more efficient than the government approach, which influenced measurements of areas damaged by elephants. Government records showed a greater mean area of damage per elephant crop-raiding incident compared with community enumerator records. A potential challenge of using the IUCN approach for wide-scale HEC monitoring is the selection, cost, and management of enumerators. Ultimately, both approaches were effective for general monitoring of HEC incidents when the purpose of data collection was clearly defined. Monitoring systems that address broader issues beyond providing a record of damage incidents are likely to have a greater effect in reducing human-wildlife conflicts in the long-term. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT We examined the utility of bobcat ( Lynx rufus) detections by deer hunters in New Hampshire, USA, as an index of relative abundance. To validate the index, we compared the number of hunter outings that detected bobcats per 1,000 outings (hunting seasons 2009 through 2013) with a statewide model of habitat suitability after we partitioned both by wildlife management units (WMUs). We also compared annual hunter-detection rates with tallies of road-killed bobcats. The habitat-suitability model and bobcat road mortalities were correlated with hunter-survey indices. Linear and exponential trends in hunter-detection rates of ±10%/year could be detected with power ≥99% over 5-year periods. As a result, we believe that major changes in bobcat abundance could be detected by the hunter-survey index. However, without information needed to calibrate the relationship between the index and bobcat populations (e.g., linear or exponential), it was not possible to estimate the extent of change in bobcat abundance by a specific change in detection rate. We consider hunter detections a useful approach to monitor bobcats if applied in concert with other indices (e.g., road-kill tallies, trapper harvests, etc.) to obtain a reliable gauge of population trends. © 2016 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Snags provide habitat for numerous species of wildlife. Several authors have provided recommendations for snag retention in southwestern mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine ( Pinus ponderosa) forests. Most recommendations were presented in terms of minimum snag density and/or size. I summarized the history of recommendations for snag retention in these forest types, and used data from a current study of snag populations (conducted within Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, north-central AZ, USA, 1997 through 2012) to assess congruence between existing snag populations and various recommendations. Most recommendations were based on studies of cavity-nesting birds; therefore, this analysis emphasized characteristics of snags containing excavated nest cavities. Proportions of plots that met minimum management targets varied among recommendations, ranging from 34% to 100% in mixed-conifer forest and from 7% to 95% in ponderosa pine forest. Failure to meet density targets often was caused by a shortage of snags that met minimum size criteria rather than by a shortage of snags. Many snags containing excavated nest cavities did not meet the minimum size criteria in some recommendations. It may be possible to reduce those minimum size criteria while still providing substrates for cavity-nesting birds. Studies explicitly linking snag size and density to demography of cavity-nesting birds are badly needed, however, as are studies documenting ecologically sustainable snag densities. Until such data are available, managers should continue to emphasize snag recruitment and retention, with the focus on larger snags, and to ensure that snags are well-distributed, but not uniformly distributed, across the landscape. © 2016 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The whooping crane ( Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a resource for potential community involvement in whooping crane management by conducting semi-structured interviews (Jul-Sep 2010) of 35 individuals, 25 of whom are concerned community members who work and/or live in the wintering grounds of the lone wild population of whooping cranes in the Texas Coastal Bend, USA. We used an iterative process of inductive analysis to examine structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital within the community. We observed networks with bonding ties within the community that are strengthened by active engagement in crane-related activities, shared values and community identity, and institutions that have fostered leadership and service. Bridging ties between community and state, federal, academic, and nonprofit organizations offer opportunities for knowledge sharing and legitimacy. Reciprocity and trust were evident from descriptions of the community working together effectively to address environmental and crane-related concerns. Challenges to successful community involvement include finding ways for meaningful community contributions to foster greater trust between the community and federal natural resource managers. We suggest social capital in this community provides a resource that has the potential to save time and money in addressing ongoing efforts to protect this charismatic endangered species. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Wildlife education has long been critiqued for leaving students entering the workforce deficient in skills such as communication, public relations, and problem solving. This challenge may emerge from both curricula and instructional techniques focused on technical expertise rather than soft skills. Researchers have suggested several instructional techniques to address this challenge but have not empirically examined their effectiveness. This study examined how an environmental-education service-learning project affected undergraduate wildlife science students' perceptions of education as a possible career and how important they considered education as a wildlife management activity using a pre-posttreatment comparison between 36 wildlife students at North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC, USA, during spring 2014) participating in an environmental-education service-learning project and 23 wildlife students from the same cohort who were not. In the pretest, few (10.3%) students from either group saw K-12 education as a future career, but most (98.3%) saw education as an important wildlife management activity. Most (82.0%) students also predicted they would need educator skills in their careers, but more females than males saw this as likely. The treatment was positively related to students' belief they would use teaching skills in future careers and that a career in K-12 education would be fulfilling. These results suggest that service-learning projects may be an effective tool to boost interest in education both as a career and as a wildlife management activity among future wildlife professionals regardless of gender, but that especially high interest among females could provide guidance for training and recruitment efforts attempting to mitigate the gender gap among wildlife professionals. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Population status and habitat use of yellow rails ( Coturnicops noveboracensis), Nelson's sparrows ( Ammodramus nelsoni), and Le Conte's sparrows ( A. leconteii) are poorly known, so standardized surveys of these species are needed to inform conservation planning and management. A protocol for monitoring secretive marsh birds exists; however, these species regularly call at night and may be missed during early morning surveys. We tested the effectiveness of autonomous recording units (hereafter, recording units) to survey these species by analyzing recorded vocalizations using bioacoustics software. We deployed 22 recording units at 54 sites in northern Minnesota and eastern North Dakota, USA, and conducted traditional broadcast surveys during May-June, 2010 and 2011. We compared detection probabilities between recording units and standard monitoring protocols using robust-design occupancy models. On average, recording units detected 0.59 (SE = 0.11) fewer Le Conte's sparrows, 0.76 (SE = 0.15) fewer Nelson's sparrows, and 1.01 (SE = 0.14) fewer yellow rails per survey than were detected using the standard protocol. Detection probabilities using the standard protocol averaged 0.95 (yellow rail; 95% CI = 0.86-0.98), 0.93 (Le Conte's sparrow; 95% CI = 0.78-0.98), and 0.89 (Nelson's sparrow; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98), but averaged 0.71 (yellow rail; 95% CI = 0.56-0.83), 0.61 (Le Conte's sparrow; 95% CI = 0.42-0.78), and 0.51 (Nelson's sparrow; 95% CI = 0.19-0.82) using recording units. Reduced detection by recording units was likely due to the ability of human listeners to identify birds calling at greater distances. Recording units may be effective for surveying nocturnal secretive marsh birds if investigators correct for differential detectability. Reduced detectability may be outweighed by the increased spatial and temporal coverage feasible with recording units. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Carnivore range expansion creates opportunities for human-wildlife conflicts. Wildlife attitudes and values, factual knowledge, and risk perception have all been proposed as variables to measure or predict social acceptability of wildlife management. We examined the social acceptability of natural recolonization of mountain lions ( Puma concolor; an extirpated carnivore) in the Adirondack Park, New York, USA. We administered questionnaires in person to 315 Adirondack residents and visitors during summer 2013. We also posed questions to 800 New York State residents in a telephone survey during winter 2014. We tested five hypotheses: 1) wildlife attitude and values scale scores predict stated support for restoration of mountain lions in the Adirondack Park; 2) people more knowledgeable about mountain lions perceive less risk and indicate greater support for mountain lion restoration; 3) women report greater perceived risk than do men from mountain lions; 4) residents will report greater perceived risk than nonresidents; and 5) respondents who participate in activities such as hiking and hunting in the Park will perceive less risk than those who do not. A majority of respondents supported natural recolonization of mountain lions to the Adirondack Park. Results of our regression model indicated that perceived risk and factual knowledge influence support for mountain lion restoration, with more knowledgeable respondents perceiving lower risk and reporting greater support. To reduce the potential for human-wildlife conflict and moderate risk perceptions, we recommend wildlife agencies and others consider conveying educational messages about how stakeholders can coexist with large predators in areas in which they are recolonizing. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There are notable costs in maintaining a wildlife trapping program, primarily labor and travel costs associated with frequently and regularly checking large numbers of traps. Wireless sensor networks have the potential to significantly decrease operational costs of terrestrial wildlife trapping and monitoring programs, particularly those involving labor-intensive live-trapping. Furthermore, sensor networks can collect, transmit, and store vast volumes of environmental data, which may be used in research or to refine wildlife management or monitoring. In a modeled example, we estimated that operational cost savings of up to 70% could accrue from use of wireless sensor networks. Cost savings were greater when more traps were included in the network, but declined as rates of sprung traps increased. A simple benefit-cost analysis suggested that use of wireless sensor networks is justifiable economically, although widespread use may be constrained by legislative or regulatory requirements for field staff to service or check traps or the need to replace bait. Should increasing use reduce hardware costs, this technology has great potential for reducing costs of trap-based control programs and increasing the quantity and quality of data from wildlife monitoring studies. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Successful wildlife management often depends on public acceptance of wildlife control methods. We explored the acceptability and amount of consensus among local residents, park staff, and visitors for coyote ( Canis latrans) management in Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada (NPC). We collected data near Cape Breton Highlands NPC, where there has been an increase in human-coyote conflict. Local residents were mailed a questionnaire ( n = 578; 72% return rate) in 2011. Park staff completed the questionnaire ( n = 124; 85% return rate) during 2011 and visitors were interviewed on trails and given a mail-back questionnaire during 2011 and 2012 ( n = 375; 51% return rate). The Potential for Conflict Index was used to examine differences in acceptability among the 3 groups. Acceptability of different management options was evaluated for 3 situations: 1) a coyote crossed the trail; 2) a coyote approached a person; and 3) a snarling coyote approached a person. All 3 groups tended to prefer nonlethal management options, but as the scenarios increased in threat level, lethal and more invasive options became more acceptable. Understanding which management options were more acceptable in different contexts facilitates informed decision-making when humans and coyotes come into conflict. Contrasting public(s) views against those of managers highlighted situations whereby problems might occur. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Many wildlife management prescriptions are either implicitly or explicitly designed to improve habitat quality for a focal species, but habitat quality is often difficult to quantify. Depending upon the approach used to define and identify high-quality habitat, management decisions may differ widely. Although individual-level measures of habitat quality based on per capita reproduction (e.g., average nesting success, number of young produced per pair) are most common in the literature, they may not align with population-level measures that reflect number of young produced within a defined area. Using data on the cerulean warbler ( Setophaga cerulea) collected in the Cumberland Mountains (Tennessee, USA; 2008-2010) as an example, we illustrate how lack of concordance between individual- and population-level measures of habitat quality can have real-world management implications. © 2015 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Predator-odor-based repellents have benefits as humane, non-lethal management tools that may reduce the need for lethal control in some areas. Macropods (such as kangaroos and wallabies) are iconic Australian native marsupials; however, some are considered important rangeland pests, and their presence in the urban and peri-urban environment often results in conflict. The management of these macropods is a contentious and volatile issue. We evaluated lion ( Panthera leo), Sumatran tiger ( P. tigris sumatrae), and dingo ( Canis lupus dingo) fecal odors as short-term odor-based repellents for wild eastern grey kangaroos ( Macropus giganteus) and red-necked wallabies ( M. rufogriseus). These odors were used to 'protect' highly palatable food sources; with any food not consumed (residue) collected and weighed each day. Trials were conducted at Long Grass Nature Reserve in Queensland, Australia from 9-29 January 2009. Both eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies relocated a minimum of 100 m away from the food station treated with lion odors on the first day of the trial. As a result of this spatial shift, more food was consumed at the control food stations than at any food station treated with predator odors (regardless of predator). In particular, eastern grey kangaroos never fed from a single predator-odor food station. An increase in vigilance behaviors was observed for both macropod species, and red-necked wallabies were more likely to exhibit vigilance behaviors than feeding behaviors at predator odor food stations. There was no difference in food residue between any predator odors and these food stations were only visited on the first day of the study. Use of predator fecal odors may repel macropods from highly palatable food sources, and predator fecal odors also may be useful for macropod relocation. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The use of private land by owls has long been of interest to wildlife managers in the Sierra Nevada, California, USA, because private lands could contribute to owl conservation if it is used extensively. Therefore, we studied the use of private lands for foraging by 14 California spotted owls ( Strix occidentalis occidentalis) in the central Sierra Nevada, California during 2006. We modeled foraging locations as a function of 2 land-ownership categories within an owl's territory: public and private land. The log probability of an owl using a public-land location was 15% greater than for a private-land location. Private-land distribution was relatively consistent with respect to the geometric center of owl home ranges, suggesting that our result was not influenced by a peripheral distribution of private land in owl home ranges. Based on our findings, national forest lands within our study area currently have more foraging habitat for California spotted owls than do private lands. We recommend that managers consider owl use of private land within the context of our results when developing conservation strategies for California spotted owls in the central Sierra Nevada. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]