John S. Barclay

Acceptance of Deer Management Strategies by Suburban Homeowners and Bowhunters

Abstract More communities are experiencing problems associated with overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Public acceptance of approaches for managing deer may differ within communities. Although hunting with firearms is a common practice used to manage deer populations, many suburban communities only allow bowhunting. Our objectives were to assess suburban homeowners and bowhunters acceptance of lethal and nonlethal deer management strategies. Additionally, we wanted to determine homeowner willingness to pay for deer management and how long they would be willing to wait for relief to address conflicts caused by deer overabundance. Most homeowners supported using lethal strategies to reduce and manage deer populations. Most homeowners were unaware of the cost (94%) or effectiveness (92%) of birth control agents to manage free-ranging deer populations. Of lethal strategies, bowhunting was preferred. Establishment of a special crossbow season outside the existing archery season received the greatest support by bowhunters and was also acceptable to homeowners. As landscapes progressed from rural to more urban, hunting access, human–wildlife conflicts, and homeowner willingness to pay for deer management decreased. Regardless of management strategy, most homeowners were willing to wait 3–5 years to achieve a desired reduction in the deer population at no cost to them. As costs increased, homeowner willingness to wait decreased. Because exposure, tolerance of deer, and willingness to pay for management varies by landscapes, towns with diverse landscapes should consider developing regional rather than town-wide plans to manage overabundant deer populations.

Assessing strategies to improve bowhunting as an urban deer management tool

Abstract Firearms hunting often is limited as a deer (Odocoileus spp.) management tool in urban and suburban areas due to firearms discharge ordinances, restrictive hunting laws, or public perception about firearms safety. Many states use bowhunters to manage overabundant deer populations in urban-suburban areas. Little information exists on the effectiveness of bowhunting as a deer management tool in developed areas. Our objectives were to evaluate the potential for bowhunting to manage deer populations in urban-suburban areas and identify important variables influencing hunt effectiveness. We estimated deer population size and herd composition using aerial deer surveys and spotlight counts. Nonhunting mortality was determined from radiotelemetry data. We mailed a 9-page survey to bowhunters who hunted in a residential community with high deer densities to determine harvest rates, hunter success rates, willingness to harvest additional antlerless deer, and interest in employing aggressive deer management strategies. Of 159 surveys mailed, 71% were completed and returned. We conducted model simulations using Program STELLA® (High Performance Systems Inc., Lebanon, N.H.) to determine which management strategies would contribute most to stabilizing deer population growth. Sunday hunting provided 41% fewer hunting days, yet was more effective at reducing deer population growth than a January extension. Harvesting antlerless deer that hunters were passing up had the greatest relative effect in reducing deer population size. Incentive programs for hunters to harvest antlerless deer are needed. Combining multiple hunt strategies (i.e., January and Sunday hunting) may be more effective than implementing individual hunt strategies. A special crossbow season outside the existing archery season may be an effective deer management tool in urban areas.

Factors affecting harvest-reporting rates for white-tailed deer

Abstract Harvest data often are used to model deer (Odocoileus sp.) population growth and evaluate harvest strategies. Understanding factors that may influence harvest-reporting rates among methods of data collection is important in assessing the reliability of harvest data. Our objectives were to compare deer harvest-reporting rates over a 3-year period between mail-in archery-kill report cards (AKRC) and hunter surveys (HS) from the same group of bowhunters, assess the effects of harvest incentive programs, and evaluate factors influencing harvest-reporting rates. Estimated deer harvest, based on the HS, was almost 2.5 times greater than estimated harvest from AKRC. Of hunters initially classified as unsuccessful because no AKRC were submitted, 61% reported harvesting a deer on the HS. The HS appeared to better reflect actual deer harvest, and AKRC were more representative of actual harvest when harvest incentives were provided. Hunters classified as “less active” reported harvesting more deer on the HS than on AKRC for only 1 of 3 years, while hunters classified as “more active” reported harvesting more deer on the HS than on AKRC for all 3 years. Harvest incentives such as “earn a buck” or “earn a trip” may increase harvest and harvest-reporting rates. Hunters who spent much time hunting and harvested multiple deer in a season appeared to be more relaxed about reporting harvest on AKRC than hunters who spent less time hunting and harvested fewer deer. We concluded that harvest incentives will increase harvest-reporting rates, especially in areas with high deer populations, and that caution should be used when evaluating effects of harvest incentive programs.

Accumulation and mobilization of organochlorine contaminants in wintering greater scaup

Analyses for chlorinated pesticides (α-BHC, Aldrin, DDD, DDE, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, and Hexachlorobenzene) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) of abdominal fat pad (AFP) and breast muscle tissue were performed on 112 adult male greater scaup (Aythya marila) wintering in Long Island Sound. The AFP weight decreased significantly later in the wintering period. Based on tissue wet-weights there was an increase in residues (ppm wet-wt) of all contaminants in breast muscle over time, but no significant change in the concentrations within the AFP. However, when the residues were normalized for tissue percent lipid, contaminant concentrations increased over time for both tissues. The decrease in the weight and percent lipid of the AFP corresponded to increasing concentrations of the contaminants in the fat pad as well as the breast muscle tissue. Normalizing for the percent lipid may reflect changes in concentrations of lipophilic compounds that may not be evident based upon wet-weight analysis. The role of organochlorine contaminants in waterfowl food webs, reproduction, and human consumption may be underestimated when reported by traditional methods. Therefore, the use of lipid-weight reporting procedures may be more appropriate for analyzing temporal trends in lipophilic contaminant accumulation.

Use of Bait to Increase Archery Deer Harvest in an Urban–Suburban Landscape

Abstract Hunting is the primary tool for managing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations. Effectiveness of hunting in suburban areas may be reduced due to limited hunter access to small properties, firearms-discharge laws, and public safety concerns. In Connecticut, USA, hunting over bait on private land was recently legalized to increase harvest opportunities. Our objective was to assess bow-hunter willingness to use bait and effects of bait type, hunter disturbance, time spent hunting, and property size on deer-harvest potential in a suburban landscape. We mailed a prebaiting survey in February 2002 and a postbaiting survey in February 2004 to the same group of hunters. Hunters using bait were more successful and harvested more deer than hunters using no bait. Hunters using bait on small properties observed similar numbers of deer within shooting range as hunters using bait on larger properties. Hunters using bait met their venison needs, whereas hunters using no bait did not meet their needs. Resource managers should implement strategies that increase hunter success when developing urban deer-management programs for communities.

Factors affecting bowhunter access in suburban areas

Abstract Access to private lands for hunting has been implicated as one factor affecting management of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations, especially in urban–suburban communities. Our objective was to identify factors influencing suburban landowner decisions to allow hunting and bowhunter willingness to comply with additional requirements imposed by landowners. We surveyed bowhunters to assess bowhunting skills, challenges of hunting in residential areas, and hunter perspectives on shooting proficiency. We also surveyed landowners to assess opinions about hunting and factors influencing their willingness to allow hunting. Both bowhunters and landowners were divided on the value of demonstrated shooting proficiency as a factor influencing landowner willingness to allow hunting. Ability to restrict hunting activity on their property and completion of a state-certified bowhunter safety course were important factors for all landowner groups. To maximize cooperation with landowners, hunters and hunt managers should assess and accommodate landowner needs.