Wildlife Management
Work Group Names: Miles Dabovich, Ken Cearly. Dale Brandenberger, Raymond Quigg, Don Kelso
Region: WEST Circle which primary base program it addresses - ANR
Section 1. Relevance
Where did this issue surface?
Texas Community Futures Forum
County Committees
Commodity groups/org.
What is the issue/problem?
The management of wildlife as an Ag enterprise integrated into ranching operations and/or for recreational purposes. This programming need is due to the lack of understanding of wildlife and habitat management strategies and wildlife marketing.
Problem size and scope? (How many people does it affect? How wide spread?)
West Region
Problem severity? (How serious is this issue?) High
Description: Wildlife is a major enterprise in West Texas and is a valuable income provider for most counties.
Target Audience? (Who does the problem impact and how many?)
Absentee and resident landowners and/or operators
What are some general characteristics of the audience this program targets? How will you market this program to others?
Landowners/wildlife managers integrating wildlife into existing management operations.
Section 2. Response
State the goal of the program.
Landowners/managers increase their knowledge and skills in managing wildlife as an agricultural enterprise integrated into ranching operations and/or for recreational purposes.
State the outcome objectives.
Client Change |
At the end of this program, will.... |
Knowledge |
increase knowledge on.... Individual species management and habitat requirement, and marketing. |
Skills |
develop skills.... Aging, scoring, record keeping, census technique, marketing habitat manipulation |
Attitude |
change their attitudes pertaining to... Enterprise diversification to include wildlife |
Behavior Change |
adopt.... Wildlife friendly rangeland management practice and through this favor diverse and healthy wildlife populations |
New Technology |
adopt.... GIS/GPS Remote sensing surveillance of wildlife |
Best Practice |
adopt ..... Best management practices to improve the quality and value of wildlife |
Program Design.
Topic (Subject Matter) |
Strategy to Deliver Content (Method) |
Existing Resource(s) |
Contact Person(s) (Includes CEA’s Specialists, Commodity Reps) |
Census/Harvest Strategies (including trophy production) |
Seminars, field days, RD, publications, Deer Appreciation Day Mule Deer Appreciation Day |
publications, proceeding |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD |
Habitat Management / Plant ID |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, |
Brush Sculptor Symposium Proceedings, RAWHIDE symposium proceeding, publications, other proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD Wildlife and Fisheries Department |
Deer Genetics |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, |
Deer Genetics Symposium Proceedings, publications,, other proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD Animal Science Department |
Supplemental Feeding/ Nutrition |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, |
Supplemental Feeding Symposium Proceedings, publications, other proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD Animal Science Department |
High Fences |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
publications, proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown, (TWA) NRCS TPWD |
Marketing/Liability |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
RAWHIDE Symposium proceedings, RPTS nature tourism publications, The Texas Deer Lease publication, other proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD Rec.,Park and Tourism Ag Eco |
Alternative Wildlife Related Enterprises |
Rawhide - based meeting Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
RAWHIDE Symposium proceedings, RPTS nature tourism publications, other publications, other proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD Rec., Park and Tourism Ag Eco |
Remote Surveillance of Wildlife Populations |
Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
publications, proceedings, “The Use of Remote Sensing Cameras in Wildlife Management” abstracts and publication |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Wildlife and Fisheries Department |
Predator |
RAWIDE - based meeting Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
Predator awareness workshop public, proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Texas Wildlife Service Program |
Disease Concerns |
RAWHIDE - based meeting Quail Appreciation Day Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
public, proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE Buddy Faries- Vet Med. TPWD TAHC |
Exotics x Native Wildlife Interaction |
RAWHIDE - based meeting Deer Appreciation Day Seminars, field days, RD, publications, video |
publications, proceedings |
Ken Cearley and Dale Rollins- TCE K. Brown (TWA) NRCS TPWD |
Section 3. Results
Client Change Level |
Sample Questions (Review the objectives section to help place questions or statements in the space below) |
Knowledge |
1. Has your level of knowledge increased to the point that you realize that wildlife should be considered as an additional agricultural enterprise? 2. Do you have a better understanding of management (by species)? 3. Are you better able to market the wildlife? |
Skills |
1. Are you able to score deer antlers now? 2. Are you able to age deer on-the-hoof now? 3. Are you able to determine the age of qual? Deer (by using tooth wear)? 4. What census technique is best suited for ______ County? Are you able to implement it? |
Attitude |
1. Would you consider wildlife as an enterprise in your ranking operation? |
Behavior Change |
1. Are you more likely to implement wildlife friendly management practices as a result of having attended this meeting? |
New Technology |
1. Have you adopted GIS/GPS technology for use as a planning tool?
2. Have you adopted remote-sensing cameras in surveillance of your wildlife?
|
Client Change Level |
Sample Questions (Review the objectives section to help place questions or statements in the space below) |
Economic Indicators. Are there economic indicators that can be measured concerning this issue?
YES
Please list them below.
- Livestock saved from predator management.
- Income enhancement through improvement of wildlife resources.
- Land value enhancement through improvement of wildlife habitat.
Interpretation. The last step in the process is interpreting the results to our stakeholders. List internal and external stakeholders that would be interested in the results of this educational program. Do not forget to think about other state agencies and groups that would be interested in these outcomes.
Internal to Extension Stakeholders |
External Stakeholders |
TCE Administration Wildlife and Fisheries AG Eco Animal Science Rangeland Ecology and Management Rec., Park and Tourism |
Elected officials- local, state, and federal Texas Parks and Wildlife Department USDA - NRCS TWA (TX Wildlife Association) Landowners Land Managers Resource Conservation and Development Areas Non-Consumptive wildlife enthusiasts |
Additional Resources. What additional resources are needed to address this issue? In other words, what is needed to design innovative programs that will impact our audiences? Use the space below or the back if needed.
Sample Wildlife Evaluation Questions
KNOWLEDGE
1. Has your level of knowledge increased to the point that you realize that wildlife should be considered as an additional agricultural enterprise?
2. Do you have a better understanding of management (by species)?
3. Are you better able to market the wildlife?
SKILLS
1. Are you able to score deer antlers now?
2. How do you determine the age of qual? Deer (by using tooth wear)?
3. What census technique is best suited for ______ County?
ATTITUDE
1. Would you consider wildlife as an enterprise in your ranking operation?
BEHAVIOR CHANGE
1. Are you more likely to implement wildlife friendly management practices as a result of having attended this meeting?
NEW TECHNOLOGY
1. Have you adopted GIS/GPS for use as a planning tool?
2. Have you adopted remote-sensing cameras in surveillance of your wildlife?
Sample Evaluation Questions
Perception of Knowledge
● Do you believe your knowledge about the merits concerning the practice of high fencing for white-tailed deer management was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about the drawbacks concerning the practice of high fencing for white-tailed deer management was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about habitat management for white-tailed deer was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about the importance of population management for white-tailed deer was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about the practice of supplemental feeding for white-tailed deer was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about marketing and the economics of white tailed deer enterprises was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about landowner’s risk as it relates to a hunting enterprise was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about a landowner’s liability as it relates to a hunting enterprise was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about the economics of brush management was increased due to this seminar?
● Do you believe your knowledge about the technology of brush management was increased due to this seminar?
Actual Knowledge Questions (Pretest Post Test Strategy)
● What are three factors that determine antler size in deer?
● What season is it when nutrition is most likely to be limited to the deer population?
● How much does the rut vary across the state?
● What is the most limiting nutrient for deer in south Texas?
● Is it possible for a doe to conceive twins with different sires?
● What age do bucks reach their full potential for antler growth?
● What age do bucks maximize his body weight?
● How many estrus cycles are does capable of having during one breeding season?
● Is significant weight loss common or uncommon in rutting bucks?
● Doe fawns are capable of conceiving, but are they capable of birthing or raising offspring?
● The four components to habitat are?
● Forbs are?
● Which forage class do white-tailed deer prefer the most?
● True / False - Lush, green vegetation does not help white-tailed deer meet their water requirements.
● Which of the following is the preferred hiding cover for fawns? (A) Dense Brush, (B) Patches of Prickly Pear, © Tall grass and forbs
● The percent of brush cover for ideal white-tailed deer habitat is:
● True / False - Roller chopping is generally an effective means of controlling prickly pear.
● True / False - Controlled burns usually result in at least 90% kill on mesquite.
● True / False - Vine ephedra and Texas kidneywood are highly preferred deer browses.
● Whitebrush and lantana are highly preferred deer browses.
Measuring Behavior Changes
For each of the practices, listed below, in the LEFT column, circle the ONE number that best reflects you before your participation in the wildlife program. Then, in the RIGHT column, circle the ONE number that best reflects you after the wildlife program.
NEVER | SELDOM | SOMETIMES | OFTEN | ALWAYS
----1 ------------2 ----------------3 ----------------4 -----------5
STATEMENTS |
BEFORE Program |
AFTER Program |
||||||||
I maintain healthy rangeland on my ranch. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I use visual appraisal to evaluate the range conditions. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I consider wildlife concerns before making a management decision. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I manage for native and improved grasses on my rangeland. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I practice proper land stewardship. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I manage for soil erosion properly. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I practice proper livestock grazing management with wildlife and livestock. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I understand the economics of brush management. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I utilize water infiltration practices on my ranch. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I practice wildlife habitat management. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I test my wildlife water supplies annually. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I increased my percent deer crop. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
I purchase hay and supplement my wildlife. |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |