Evaluation of techniques to reduce deer and Elk damage to agricultural crops

摘要: Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) provide important recreational, ecological, economic benefits, but can also cause substantial damage to agricultural crops. Cervid agriculture creates challenges for wildlife agencies responsible minimizing crop depredation while maintaining healthy populations. Sunflower producers in southwestern Colorado, USA, have experienced high were interested temporary methods reduce that cost-effective rotational To address this challenge, we investigated 3 temporary, non-lethal exclusion repellent techniques reducing sunflowers: 1) a polyrope electric fence, 2) the chemical Plantskydd TM , 3) winged fence. During July through October 2011 2012, used randomized block design test efficacy of these by quantifying cervid sunflowers number tracks traversing treatmentandcontrolplotboundaries. Usinggeneralized linearmixed modelswefoundthatpolyropeelectric fences reduced presence within plots, did not ungulate activity. Polyrope may be suitable tool areas where management want maintain populations seasonal cervids high-value In use an effective technique such as fence could decrease need lethal permits compensation payments, increase satisfaction among thepublic.Published 2014. This articleisa U.S.Government work andisin thepublic domain USA.