History of Wildlife Management in America Wildlife Management

History of Wildlife Management in America

Wildlife Management • Has evolved during the past 75 to 100 years • In the past, wildlife management was pushed aside in the rush to settle America. • This resulted in the loss of wildlife habitat, loss of entire species, and endangerment of other species. • Management attempts began in the early 1800’s.

• New settlers almost died of starvation and malnourishment. • They quickly learned to hunt, fish, and exploit the abundant wildlife. • More settlers came and the pressure on America’s wild FAUNA increased.

• Due to different climate and soils, it took almost 200 years for agriculture to get a firm grip. • Therefore, American wildlife fed, clothed, and made money for settlers. • 1700 -1900: The greatest abuse of wildlife.

• Millions of acres of • Seasons were largely habitat were ingnored destroyed for homes, – Why do you think they were ignored? towns, and farms. • Deer were hunted 365 d. of the year- by 1776 all southeastern states (except Georgia) had a closed deer season.

• Rural families = more that 90% of the population • Shot anything they could eat or that threatened them. • Some practices were beneficial to some species. – Ex: Clearing land for crops benefited whitetailed deer, and their predators were being systematically destroyed.

• Forests were cut and • The English settlers burned, leading to began to pave, build, turkeys and create over the passenger pigeons wilderness. losing their • The large number of reproduction grounds. wild creatures vastly diminished.

• Bison and pronghorns were threatened as well. • Early conservationists ensured that they still exist today, unlike the passenger pigeon. • Due to sport hunters and conservationists, many species are still abundant today.

Exploitation • From the earliest • This would forever alter North beginnings, America and its English settlers had no intention of wildlife adapting to the • The French wilderness. Unlike became bounty the French to the hunters, trappers, north. and gatherers of – Set out to clear the wilderness. forest and build towns, cities, and roads.

• Some thought is being given today to the damage our construction is having on wildlife. – Once a piece of land is paved, its use as a source of wildlife habitat is ended!

Conservation Begins • Early 1870’s: Serious effort to protect and preserve America’s wild FAUNA. • They worked to change the views on the commercialization of wild game. • Market hunters played a huge role in eliminating much of America’s wildlife. – What are market hunters?

SPORT HUNTING HAS NEVER ENDANGERED A SINGLE SPECIES!

• Market hunters: kill for • Sport hunters: Use money, kill the sporting methods and surplus and cut into regulate their harvest the breeding stock. Wildlife are vulnerable when unsporting tactics are used. – For example: Ducks, geese, and wild turkeys are relatively easy to bait with corn.

• Sport hunters were interested in the protection of game animals. • Trends in fashion led to large concentrations of birds being harmed and exploited. • Sport hunters used the Boone and Crockett Club and publications to change views on market hunting.

Progress is FINALLY made!!!!

The Lacey Act • The Lacey Act of • Work of John F. Lacey, an avid 1900: – Ended market hunting – Ended interstate shipment of wildlife and wildlife products hunter and fisherman.

Theodore Roosevelt • Deep love of big • However, he could game hunting. not openly establish them – it would have • Strong responsibility been political suicide. to preserve remaining wildlife. • Created more than 50 refuges, 5 national parks, and 17 national monuments.

Aldo Leopold • “First” Professional Wildlife Manager • First book, Game Management, advanced many new concepts. • Taking a census of the wildlife populations. • “Home range” theory • Management plans based on: reproduction, predators, food, water, shelter, etc

Yellowstone • Yellowstone National Park was the first national park. • Founded in 1872 • Established through the efforts of sport hunters to preserve a unique piece of the west. • Took more that 20 years to get the protection it now has.

National Parks • Weren’t always protected from poachers. • Today they are wildlife and wilderness sanctuaries. • Restocking efforts were possible because of national parks and other sanctuaries. • National parks and forests practically ensure the existence of some wildlife as long as the refuges remain.

Migratory Birds • Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929 – Important to the recovery of waterfowl populations. – Cooperative Agreement between U. S. , Canada, and Mexico.

Migratory Birds • Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 – Often called the Duck Stamp Act – Provides millions of dollars for waterfowl management through the sale of stamps to hunters.

Federal Aid • 1937: The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act was passed. • Commonly referred to as the Pittman. Robertson Act. • Called for a 10% excise tax on firearms and ammunition. • Collected directly from the manufacturers and provides most of the funding for wildlife departments in all 50 states. Video

Pittman Robertson Act • The excise tax was raised to 11% in 1941 • 1970: 10% tax on handguns • 1971: 11% tax on archery equipment • There is a similar tax on fishing equipment • These taxes helped: – Wildlife management, research, and protection. – Acquire millions of acres of habitat.