By — Ben Ikenson

Sound wildlife management requires good data. By helping determine animal population sizes, wildlife surveys are vital to effective stewardship strategies, whether for the benefit of game management or the conservation of endangered species.

“But counting animals is no simple task,” says David Stewart, a statistician for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Surveys must contain desirable properties, and should produce an estimate that is consistent, unbiased and precise, and, most important, be easy to compute.”

For six months in 2017 and 2018, Stewart and other biologists from the Fish and Wildlife Service and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish addressed the issue, and produced some promising results. Their research, recently described in Scientific Reports, pioneers an innovative new method to count animals by estimating their population sizes simply, safely, and affordably.

When it comes to being surveyed, all animals are not created equal. Those with distinct markings, such as ocelots or giraffes, make for more convenient individual identification, and therefore easier population surveys. Similarly, animals living in open areas, like Serengeti grasslands or arctic tundra, are readily observed and counted from small aircraft. Obviously though, many species don’t have distinctive spots or inhabit open landscapes — and a simple process is needed for counting them too. Read more

ODNR reminds people of the importance of trees in a cicada’s life cycle.

COLUMBUS, Ohio –The so-called “Brood X” cicadas are set to emerge in parts of western and central Ohio after 17 years underground, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The cicadas will begin to emerge when the soil, eight inches beneath the ground, reaches 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This typically happens between late-April and mid-May. Shortly after emerging, cicadas will climb a vertical surface, like tree trunks, shed their exoskeletons, and develop into winged adults. The dried, shed exoskeletons are orangish in color and may remain in place or on the ground for several weeks.

“Periodical cicadas make themselves known with their sheer numbers and their constant cricket-like noise, which is the male ’singing’ to attract female cicadas,” said Tom Macy, manager of the ODNR Division of Forestry Forest Health Program. “Cicada chorusing is the loudest natural noise in the world.”

After mating, female periodical cicadas use their saw-like ovipositors, or egg-laying appendages, to cut slits into the stems and branches of trees and shrubs. They will deposit dozens of eggs into the openings. Several weeks later, the tiny newly hatched nymphs drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, where they feed on tree and plant roots, and develop for 17 years.

“Cicada egg-laying behavior can kill plant branches from the egg-laying site to the tips of the twigs, often resulting in wilted and discolored foliage becoming apparent in mid-summer,” said Macy. “Although this branch tip dieback may look like a major plant health concern, for most plants the damage is inconsequential.”

Cicadas can be a nuisance in yards, but they are not aggressive and are harmless to people and pets. Dogs or cats that ingest too many cicadas may experience stomach-upset resulting in vomiting, but cicadas are not toxic. Read more

DES MOINES—April is Arbor Month and a new five-minute video produced by the Iowa DNR aims to help residents learn to properly plant trees and avoid very common mistakes—vital to the longevity of new plantings.

“Learning to correctly plant trees really determines the longevity of that tree’s life,” said DNR urban forestry specialist Gabbi Edwards. “What we find at tree planting events is that people are wide-eyed during the planting instructions. They say ‘Oh my, I’ve always planted trees all wrong.’ But the video can easily help them do it the right way.”

Common errors such as planting roots too deep or too shallow, or not removing encircling roots can lead to improper rooting and other issues years later. Improperly mulching—especially with mulch mounded up around the tree trunk—can lead to rot and also dramatically shorten the life of the tree.

That’s where the video comes in. Read more

Higher payment rates, new incentives to help spur future program enrollment

St. Paul, Minn. – April 21, 2021 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the open enrollment of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate resiliency. Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are acknowledging the exceptional work of USDA Secretary Vilsack and agency officials to fast-track these critical improvements for the nation’s premier private lands conservation program.

“Today’s CRP announcement by Secretary Vilsack delivered upon every requested improvement we’ve made since he returned to USDA leadership. At the top of that list was the need for adjusted soil rental rates to make CRP an attractive option for farmers and ranchers once again. That had to be the starting point, and it’s clear our voice was heard. We’re also encouraged to see the grassland habitat created by CRP acknowledged as a massive component of the recipe for climate resiliency,” reported Jim Inglis, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s director of governmental affairs. Read more

Now through June 4, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program will accept applications for habitat improvement and enhancement projects.

“We look forward to the opportunity to partner with those who want to increase habitat and enhance existing habitat through the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Jared Duquette. “Healthy and abundant habitats not only benefit wildlife, but also benefit Michigan residents.”

Funding is available for local, state, federal and tribal governments, profit and nonprofit groups, and individuals through an open, competitive process. Minimum grant amounts will be set at $15,000, with the maximum being the amount of funds available for the grant cycle. The 2021 overall available grant amount is approximately $1 million. Read more

The National Deer Association (NDA) has announced a new and exciting Deer Steward Module scheduled for June 11-12, 2021 in Unionville, Missouri. The Module, sponsored by onX, will feature habitat experts from Land & Legacy and will benefit new and veteran landowners alike by allowing attendees to learn how to gain a comprehensive understanding of a property’s current habitat composition, develop lists of strengths and weaknesses and to ensure work begins in the right direction. Each attendee will receive a one-year Elite membership to onX Hunt.

“This is an amazing opportunity for landowners to gain access to valuable expertise and hands-on training from some of the best brains in wildlife and property management,” said Matt Ross, NDA Director of Conservation. “Since 2015, we have been hosting these modules as a way to give landowners access to the valuable information they need to have a positive impact on their local habitats and wildlife. This event is a one stop shop for attendees to take any management property to the next level and have a noticeable impact on deer populations.”

“Positive outcomes start with great plans! onX Hunt is excited to partner with NDA and Land & Legacy on the Hunting Property Evaluation Module,” said Todd Williams, onX Senior Regional Business Development Manager. “We want to help make land management planning as accessible as the palm of your hand.”

The Hunting Property Evaluation Module at the Hinkle Farm will be led by Adam Keith and/or Matt Dye from Land & Legacy, the 2020 Al Brothers Professional Deer Managers of the Year. Land & Legacy is devoted to providing an effective assessment of a property’s natural resources, no matter its size or location. They specialize in the design, layout and improvement of a property’s natural resources for the overall achievement of the landowner’s goals and making sure it is in line with the ecological integrity of the surround native landscape.

The program costs $750 for NDA members, $800 for non-members and $700 for Life or Sponsor members. This rate includes instruction, course guide, certificate, some meals/snacks, an onX Elite membership and a NDA membership for non-member price. Read more

MISSOULA, Mont. — In 2020, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers contributed just shy of $24 million worth of value in donated time and labor to further RMEF’s mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

“Our volunteers are amazing and are the heart of RMEF. Day in and day out they truly represent who we are as an organization,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “At no time was that more evident than in 2020 when, despite facing a litany of challenges, they found creative and innovative ways to generate revenue for our mission. We thank them for their passion and dedication.” Read more