|
|
- Info
Wildlife damage to crops: perceptions of agricultural and wildlife professionals in 1957 and 1987
| Author: |
Conover, M.R.; Decker, D.J. |
| Date: |
1991 |
| Periodical: |
Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Abstract: |
Agricultural damage by wildlife is a major concern for both agricultural and wildlife agencies at the state and federal levels. Unfortunately, a national perspective on this problem is lacking. In 1957, McDowell and Pillsbury (1959) surveyed state wildlife agencies to assess the extent of wildlife-caused damage to crops in the U.S.; since then, there has been no similar wide-scale study. Subsequent studies of crop damage by wildlife have been limited in scope to a single wildlife species (e.g., Hothem et al. 1983, 1984; Heinrich and Craven 1987; Wigley and Garner 1987), a single crop (e.g., Dolbeer et al. 1978), a single state e.g. Woodward et al. 1985). Or a region (e.g., Hothem et al. 1988). Consequently, a rational, effective allocation of resources to solve wildlife-caused damage problems on a national scale is hampered. Moreover, lack of information can lead to controversial decisions on how to manage a specific wildlife damage problem (Berryman 1984). For instance, such controversies may arise because farmers feel that wildlife managers are unaware of the crop losses caused by wildlife species or are insensitive to their needs.
To provide a national overview, we surveyed wildlife and agricultural professionals from each state to determine their perceptions of wildlife-caused damage to agricultural crops in their respective states. We wanted to identify which crops and wildlife species were involved, determine the seriousness of the problems, and assess whether differences existed among the various groups of wildlife and agricultural professionals in their perceptions of wildlife damage. Our survey was patterned after that used by McDowell and Pillsbury (1959), allowing us to examine how perceptions of damage by wildlife have changed in the last 30 years.
|
|
