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Migratory Bird Damage & Control Techniques Micheal Kearby, CWB Biological science Technician USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services. Mission
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Migratory Bird Damage & Control Techniques Micheal Kearby, CWB Biological science Technician USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services
Mission Wildlife Services (WS) is a part of the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, an agency of the USDA. The mission of the Wildlife Services program is to help alleviate damage caused by wildlife to agriculture, property, and natural resources and to safeguard public health and safety.
The Arkansas Wildlife Services Program provides both direct and technical assistance to Arkansans in addressing concerns, conflicts, and problems caused by wildlife.
Migratory Bird Damage Each year migratory birds cause millions of dollars in damage to the agriculture industry. Migratory birds cause damage to agriculture resources due to the depredation of agricultural crops and livestock.
In 2007, 11,002 DCC were dispersed from fish farms in Arkansas.
In 2007 Arkansas Wildlife Services personnel dispersed the following fish-eating birds from aquaculture facilities: Species Dispersed • Great Egrets 2,935 • Great Blue Herons 4,896 • Snowy Egrets 200 • Little Blue Herons 600 • American White Pelicans 500
Wildlife Identification • Different bird species require different control options. Proper identification will help determine if the species are: Migratory or non-migratory, and game or non-game. Therefore, the development of a wildlife control program is correctly identifying the bird species that are causing damage to the resource.
Categories • Migratory Birds Migratory birds are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. • Game or Non-Game Knowing whether the bird species is game or non-game will also help in determining what control options can be implemented. (ex: Canada geese are migratory game birds, thus special hunting seasons are available to help control goose populations.)
Regulations • Both game and non-game migratory bird species are protected under the MBTA. • Non-lethal harassment techniques are legal under the MBTA to control migratory birds. • Lethal control of migratory birds is an option when non-lethal harassment has become ineffective for the dispersal of migratory birds. However, a depredation permit has to be issued by the USFWS for lethal take of migratory birds, chicks, eggs, or nests with eggs.
Migratory Bird Control Techniques • Lethal control (depredation permits, depredation orders, and legal harvest) • Non-lethal control (ex. Pyrotechnics, propane cannons, distress call units, vehicles, and etc.)
Depredation Permit Issued by the USFWS for the lethal take of migratory birds. Used to control migratory birds that are causing damage or about to cause damage to a specific resource.
Most game birds are not approved for lethal take under a depredation permit.
Depredation Order Species specific Amendment to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the lethal control of certain migratory bird species. Examples: Aquaculture Depredation Order 21.47, Resident Canada Goose Agriculture Depredation Order 21.51, and the Depredation Order for Blackbirds, Cowbirds, Grackles, Crows, and Magpies 21.43
Other lethal control options: • Legal harvest Liberal waterfowl seasons allow farmers to either hunt or allow hunting on their property for the control/dispersal of depredating waterfowl. However, several factors need to be considered before conducting this control strategy. Landowners need to be aware of current regulations regarding waterfowl take, harassment, liability, and baiting issues.
Implementation of Wildlife Damage Control Plans • There is NO SILVER BULLET for wildlife harassment. • Use multiple harassment techniques. • Need for lethal control to help reinforce the non-lethal harassment control programs already in place.
Wildlife Control Suppliers SUPPLIERS OF PYROTECHNICS AND PROPANE CANNONS FOR USE IN SCARING BIRDS Margo Supplies, LTD P.O. Box 5400 High River, Alberta, Canada T1V 1M5 PHONE: (403) 652-1932 FAX: (403) 652-3511 www.margosupplies.com Sutton Agricultural Enterprises 746 Vertin Avenue Salina, CA 93901 PHONE: (866) 280-6229 or (831) 422-9693 FAX: (800) 482-4240 or (831) 422-4201 info@suttonag.com
Contact Information Micheal Kearby, CWB Wildlife Specialist USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services 3101 Main St. Des Arc, Arkansas 72040 (870) 672-2939 USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services 2967 HWY 130 E Almyra, Arkansas 72003 (870) 673-1121