Kansas Attitudes on Prairie Dog Control

摘要: --In Kansas prairie dog management is primarily determined by private individuals and local government agencies. We conducted a mail survey of 350 affected landowners as means to evaluate the effectiveness current control. The same was also sent randomly selected state residents within general range. evaluated people's perceptions dogs, control methods, costs control, reasons for poor response techniques. Results indicate people that have previously been involved in on lands they manage different opinions about dogs than residents. INTRODUCTION In 1901 1903, legislature passed laws (K.S.A. 80-1201, 1203) authorizing townships conduct eradication programs provide funds State Agricultural College hire field agent "direct experiments purpose destroying gophers" (Lantz 1903). recent years seven counties invoked "Home Rule" take over authority from impose mandatory requirements landowners. This came mainly because increasing numbers disputes problems created when dispersed into surrounding pastures. 1 Paper presented at Ninth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop, Fort Collins, Colorado, April 18-20, 1989. 2Charles D. Lee Extension Assistant, University, Manhattan, Kansas. 3F. Robert Henderson Specialist, Animal Control, Some gone an operational program where landowner first given opportunity "his" if he fails do so it done county expense. several weed supervisor responsibility winter. Other contract with commercial pest applicators program. If refuses pay costs, may be extended property property's tax roll. Township boards commissioners some cases mandate elimination. A few are being forced eliminate their acreage even though like protect dogs. 97% land ownership. Wallace County, Kansas, Cooperative Service (CES), estimate indicated 14,000 acres inhabited 1979. CES again surveyed 1988 there less 300 type reduction has not occurred other county-wide However, had very hardworking, persistent dedicated employees last 10 years. Estimates precise. states, including planning conducting surveys locate sites possible black-footed ferret reintroduction. eight colonies 1988. this was, part, obtain bench mark data measure expansion 20 future result CRP native grass plantings now taking place. using Department Revenue aerial photographs. These high quality photo's (1:4800) were accurate locating colonies. photographs taken spring 1986 changed since then. researchers noted inaccuracies relying photos population indicators (Bishop Culbertson 1976 Cheatheam 1973). known methods involve expense offer least trend method. plans available 5 year rotation.