FOR-13 MANAGING WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY: = ASSISTANCE, PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

From: Subject: FOR-13 MANAGING WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY: ASSISTANCE, PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2010 11:28:16 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for13/for13.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5931 FOR-13 MANAGING WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY: = ASSISTANCE, PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS FOR-13
MANAGING WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROBLEMS IN = KENTUCKY:=20 ASSISTANCE, PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
ISSUED: 9-83 =
REVISED:=20 6-91
Thomas G. Barnes, Extension Wildlife Specialist;
Bernice=20 Constantin, USDA / APHIS / ADC;
Thomas Edwards, Kentucky Department = of Fish=20 & Wildlife Resources=20

Introduction
Most = wildlife species=20 (defined as undomesticated animals with a backbone, excluding man) are=20 beneficial; however, they can cause problems when they are in the wrong = place at=20 the right time. As human populations continue to increase, = wildlife-human=20 conflicts are also likely to increase.
Every wildlife-human conflict does not necessarily = require=20 control. It is long-term sustained damage that reaches some economic or = personal=20 threshold that requires corrective action. Thus, the primary objective = of a=20 wildlife damage control program is to alleviate a problem, not destroy = wildlife.=20
Wildlife damage control = methods are=20 essentially the opposite of techniques to improve wildfire habitat. = Because all=20 wildlife require food, shelter, water and space to survive, wildlife = managers=20 try to find out which requirement is in short supply or limiting = population=20 growth if they are trying to increase the population. Managers then = apply=20 appropriate techniques to provide the limiting requirement, thus = increasing=20 population size.
Wildlife = damage control=20 seeks to eliminate or make the environment "inhospitable" by moving one = or more=20 of the essential requirements, thus reducing the target wildlife = population. If=20 this is not possible or practical, alternative actions may be taken = after=20 thorough evaluation.
There = is no=20 "cookbook" approach to dealing with animal damage problems. Each = individual=20 situation must be examined based on a variety of factors, including:=20
=95 species of animal = causing the=20 damage,
=95 severity of = damage,=20
=95 season and duration = of damage,=20
=95 legal status of the = animal,=20
=95 biological and = ecological=20 considerations and value,
=95 available types of prevention and control methods = (non-lethal=20 and lethal) and
=95 economic=20 considerations.=20

When control is appropriate, = specific=20 management techniques should be applied at the time, point and place = where the=20 animal is most vulnerable.
The best type=20 of program to solve wildlife damage problems is based on the following=20 principles:
1.In most = cases it is=20 biologically impossible to control the entire population. In addition, = most=20 damage is caused by a relatively few individuals, not the entire = population. One=20 exception is when roosting or feeding activities of some bird species = conflict=20 with human interests. In these special cases, hundreds or thousands of=20 individuals may be involved, and special control measures are necessary. =
2.When the individual = animal(s)=20 causing the problem are removed, the damage will cease. However, damage = may be=20 caused by another individual if the habitat or original attractant = remains.=20
3.The people who = experience the=20 problem are in the best position to locate the individual animal and = reduce=20 losses promptly. In some cases, especially those involving bird roosts = with=20 hundreds or thousands of birds, the problem may be beyond the scope of = the=20 individual to resolve, and professional assistance may be necessary to = solve the=20 problem.=20

The first step in solving a = wildlife=20 damage problem is correct identification of the species involved. This = is=20 important because any one technique is not appropriate for all wildlife = species.=20 For example, controlling coyote damage may require trapping or snaring, = while a=20 pesticide may be more appropriate for commensal rodent (house mice, = black rats,=20 Norway rats) control or large bird roosts creating a public health = hazard.=20

Preventive Measures
Many = wildlife=20 damage problems can be solved by applying preventive measures, such as = habitat=20 modification, barrier control or repellents. Preventive measures, the = preferred=20 methods in most cases, are most effective when damage can be predicted = well in=20 advance. Examples of preventive measures include erecting a fence to = keep out=20 coyotes or other predators or sealing off entrances into a building = where hats,=20 birds or snakes could enter.
After the=20 initial damage assessment, the first step in managing a wildlife damage = problem=20 is to examine the food, shelter, water and space needs of the wildlife = species=20 causing the damage. Can the habitat be altered to make it less = hospitable? Can=20 the source of food, shelter or water be removed? Habitat modification = generally=20 produces long-lasting control.
If the=20 habitat cannot be modified, can an effective barrier be placed to keep = the=20 animal from the site of damage? Effective barriers may include fences, = hardware=20 cloth, heavy sheet metal or individual tree guard tubes.
Other methods of keeping animals away from the site = of damage=20 may include using a visual, auditory or chemical repellent Visual = repellents may=20 include aluminum pie fins or foil hanging in the breeze, balloons or = brightly=20 colored plastic. Auditory repellents include any device which produces a = loud=20 noise, such as bird rockets, propane cannons or a radio playing loud = music.=20
Chemical repellents are = classified as=20 area repellents if they produce a foul smell to keep animals away or = contact=20 repellents if the repellent produces a bad taste in the animal's mouth = after=20 chewing on the substance or produces an adverse behavioral reaction = signaling=20 other animals to move away.=20

Removal
The next step in = managing a=20 wildlife problem is to remove the offending animal using safe and = effective=20 methods. Various traps or snares are available which can catch animals = safely=20 and humanely. Shooting is effective in moving individual animals in = rural areas.=20 Remember, unless you are somehow exempt, you must have a valid Kentucky = hunting=20 license to shoot a firearm in the state during any season of the year.=20
If all else fails, a = pesticide=20 registered for that particular wildlife species can be used. Private = individuals=20 must be trained and certified in order to buy and use Restricted Use = Pesticides.=20 This training is available at your county Extension office.=20

Repair
After the problem = has been=20 remedied and the individual offending animal(s) removed, be sure to = repair any=20 damage to buildings or other structures. Seal all entrances where hats, = birds or=20 snakes could enter a building. These actions prevent further damage. If=20 preventive techniques are not used, the features that attracted the = animal still=20 remain, with the possibility of another animal moving in and continuing = to=20 damage your property.=20

Sources of Assistance
A = variety of=20 programs and agencies provide assistance or information on managing = wildlife=20 damage problems.
The = Kentucky=20 Cooperative Extension Service provides a wide range of information = on=20 prevention and control of wildlife damage. County agents and specialists = receive=20 up-to-date training on handling a variety of wildlife damage situations. =
Publications are available = for many of=20 Kentucky's wildlife problems, including coyotes, moles, deer, chipmunks, = rabbits, native mice, bats, snakes and woodpeckers. These publications = provide=20 details on life histories and methods for recognizing, preventing and=20 controlling damage. Contact your local Cooperative Extension Service = office,=20 located in every Kentucky county, for more information.
The United States Department of Agriculture, = Animal and=20 Plant Health Inspection Service, Animal Damage Control (USDA / APHIS / = ADC)=20 is the agency that provides most of the on-site assistance with bird = damage=20 control in Kentucky. APHIS is responsible for all major migratory bird = problems,=20 waterfowl including Canada geese and some resident nongame and = non-furbearing=20 animal problems. APHIS personnel also provide information and advice to = people=20 who have other wildlife damage problems.
Field representatives of APHIS responsible for = Kentucky are=20 located in Louisville. Other field representatives who may work in = Kentucky are=20 located in eastern, central and western Tennessee. People who have = wildlife=20 damage problems (including those from beaver) within a county which has = a=20 cooperative agreement may be eligible for on-site assistance from APHIS=20 personnel. Contact the USDA/APHIS/ADC office in Louisville for more = information.=20
The primary responsibility = of the=20 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is to = manage=20 and preserve wildlife and their habitat in the state. The KDFWR provides = information and advice on managing wildlife populations and preventing = damage=20 from resident wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, coyote and = beaver.=20 The KDFWR also issues permits to kill nuisance animals when other = appropriate=20 control methods fail.
Some = commercial=20 pest control operators may assist people in urban areas with = managing=20 problem wildlife species. Many pest control operators will handle = problems with=20 Norway and black rats, house mice, pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, = raccoons=20 and squirrels for a fee. These companies are listed in your local = telephone=20 directory.
Commercial pest = control=20 operators must obtain a license from KDFWR for controlling vertebrate = wildlife=20 populations. This permit, along with appropriate certification and = licensing=20 through the Division of Pesticides in the Kentucky Department of = Agriculture,=20 allows the use of any chemical or device approved by the Environmental=20 Protection Agency and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for = controlling=20 wildlife damage.
Other = sources of=20 information and assistance include the Kentucky Department of = Agriculture=20 and the
Health Department. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is = responsible for consultation and technical assistance with controlling = late=20 spring, summer and early fall small (one or two trees) residential = blackbird and=20 starling roosts.
Larger = bird-roosting=20 problems must be referred to the USDA/APHIS/ADC office in Louisville. = The Health=20 Department is responsible for problems associated with commensal rodents = and=20 situations involving public health nuisances.=20

Laws and Regulations
Wildlife is a=20 public-owned resource protected by federal and state laws. Before = beginning any=20 wildfire damage control program, you should determine the legal status = of the=20 animal, because laws will influence which wildfire damage control = techniques can=20 be used. The KDFWR and the U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service are = responsible for=20 laws related to wildlife protection, management and animal damage = control.=20

Federal Agency Regulations
The U.S.=20 Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for enforcing the Endangered = Species=20 Act of 1973 (as amended), the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (as amended) = and the=20 Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (as amended). Because of these laws, = it is=20 illegal to kill, destroy or harm any endangered or threatened wildlife = species=20 or any migratory bird except the feral pigeon, European staffing and = English=20 sparrow.
A federal permit = must be=20 obtained before any federally protected migratory species may be taken,=20 possessed or transported. This includes whole birds, any bird part, eggs = or=20 nest. This permit is not required only when the following conditions are = present=20 under the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act:
"Yellow-headed, bi-colored and tri-colored, = red-winged, rusty=20 and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, all grackles, crows and magpies when=20 committing or about to commit depredation upon ornamental or shade = trees,=20 agricultural crops, livestock or wildlife, or when concentrated in such = numbers=20 and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance."=20

Federal permit application form requests and a $25.00 processing fee = should=20 be made to:
U.S. Fish and = Wildlife=20 Service
Law Enforcement = Permit Office=20
P.O. Box 4839
Atlanta, GA 30302
Telephone (404) 331-3555
State Regulations=20

The following Kentucky Fish = and Wildlife=20 Statutes (or laws) are related to wildlife damage control:
150.105. DESTRUCTION OR CONTROL OF ANIMALS = CAUSING=20 DAMAGE.
Notwithstanding = any other=20 provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may, with the approval of = the=20 commission, authorize conservation officers or any other persons to = destroy or=20 bring under control in such mariner as he deems necessary any wild = animals, fish=20 or wild birds, protected and unprotected, which are causing damage to = persons,=20 property or other animals, fish or birds, or spreading diseases, and = which in=20 his judgment should be eliminated or controlled to prevent further = damage.=20
150.170 (8). KILLING OF = ANIMALS=20 CAUSING DAMAGE.
Resident = landowners,=20 their spouses or dependent children who kill or trap on their lands any = wildlife=20 causing damage to such lands or personal property situated thereon, = shall not be=20 required to have a hunting or trapping license. Tenants or their = dependent=20 children residing upon said lands shall also have the same privilege. = Upon=20 destruction of any wildlife by the above-specified individuals, such act = must be=20 reported to the department or the resident conservation officer for the = proper=20 disposition of the carcass.
150.320.=20 BIRDS NOT PROTECTED-NESTS AND EGGS.
(1)No person shall take any wild bird except game = birds or=20 live raptors for which there is an open season, either under the laws of = Kentucky and the regulations of the department or the laws of the United = States,=20 except those birds mentioned in subsection (2) of this section.=20
(2)This chapter does = not protect=20 or in any way limit the taking of the crow, the starling or the English = sparrow,=20 but any persons taking any of them must have a hunting license.=20
(3)No person shall = take, disturb=20 or destroy the nest or eggs of any wild birds except for raptors as = prescribed=20 by regulation.=20

150.365. FIRE, EXPLOSIVES, = ELECTRIC=20 DEVICES, GAS, SMOKE TO TAKE WILDLIFE PROHIBITED.
No wildlife may be taken as the result of a fire or = any type=20 of explosives or with the aid of any mechanical, electric or = hand-operated sonic=20 recording devices, except as specified by regulation. No persons shall = use smoke=20 or gas or in any other way molest or destroy the den, hole or nest of = any=20 wildlife, nor shall any person burn a field for the purpose of driving = game,=20 except employees or agents of the department in carrying out=20 investational,research or improvement projects.
150.400. TRAPS-APPROVAL-PROHIBITION-NEW = DESIGN.=20
(1)No person shall = set, use, or=20 maintain, for the purpose of taking wildlife, any steel trap unless the = size and=20 type of the trap hav been approved by the commissioner and the = commission by=20 regulation.
(2)The = commissioner=20 may approve, by regulation, any commerically manufactured trap which is = designed=20 to take wildlife alive and unhurt or to kill instantly. =
(3)Subject to the provisions of KRS = 150.410, it=20 shall be lawful to use snares, deadfalls, wire cage or box traps, but no = person=20 shall set, use or maintain a snare large enough to take deer, elk, or = bear.=20
(4)Any manufacturer = designing a=20 new trap may send a sample to the commissioner for approval or = disapproval=20

150.410. TAGGING OF = TRAPS-VISITING=20 TRAP LINE-PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
(1)No persons shal set, use or maintain a trap for = the=20 purpose of taking wildlife unless there is attached thereto a metal tag = giving=20 the name and address o fthe person setting, using or maintaining trap. = The=20 commission may furnish a tag, at cost, to applicants therefor. =
(2)Each person who sets a trap for the = purpose of=20 taking wildlife shall visit the same at least once every twenty-four = (24) hours=20 and remove any wildlife found therein.
(3)No person shall set a trap in such manner as = unreasonably=20 to endanger the life or safety of any domestic animal. =