8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/100283

The 8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, Congress for Wildlife and Livelihoods on Private and Communal Lands: Livestock, Tourism, and Spirit, was held on September 7-12, 2014 in Estes Park, Colorado to encourage actions toward issues and opportunities involving private lands, their owners/operators, and cooperating public and private agencies, organizations, and businesses. These digital collections include plenary presentations, topical presentations on the nine symposium themes, Jed's Corner (attendee interviews with puppet Jedediah Johnston), a Blue Valley Ranch field trip video, the congress summary, and the final program and abstracts.

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Open Access
An overview of private lands programs, past and present
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Morgan, Ken, speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Since the inception of the Colorado Division of Wildlife over 100 years ago (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife), wildlife managers have depended on developing and maintaining working relationships with private landowners to assist with the management of the state's wildlife resources. Over the past 50 years, there has been an exponential increase in population in the state, which has created more demand on the resources, Additionally, Congress has created more regulations through various legislative initiatives i.e. the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act, etc. These factors have hampered the ability of state wildlife managers to work cooperatively with private landowners. In many cases these issues became very contentious. It was evident that programmatic approaches to working with private landowners needed to be addressed and changed. This session will give a brief overview of some of the more successful initiatives as well as serving as a basis of the presentations which will follow.
Open Access
Black-Footed Ferret Recovery Program
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Hughes, John, speaker; Morgan, Ken, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Despite a successful captive propagation and reintroduction program, the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) remains one the most endangered mammals in North America due to widespread lethal control of prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), diseases such as sylvatic plague and canine distemper, and conversion of rangeland to row crop agriculture. Black-footed ferrets have been reintroduced at 22 separate sites throughout the Great Plains and Intermountain West, primarily on public lands. Private rangelands throughout the Great Plains, the historic core of black-footed ferret range, represent a unique opportunity to recover the species, provided that regulatory concerns, financial incentives, disease management, and prairie dog management issues can be addressed to the satisfaction of private landowners, agricultural producer groups, and local governments. We provide an update on the implementation of the Black-footed Ferret Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement in the Great Plains, its potential future use, and an update on ongoing challenges to black-footed ferret recovery rangewide.
Open Access
LandHelp.info II: providing collaborative Web services to the world through a modern interactive format for private and public uses
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Schrupp, Donald L., speaker; Halseide, Peder, speaker; Benson, Delwin E., speaker; Calderazzo, John, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
LandHelp (www.LandHelp.info) was developed and used over two decades by professionals and consumers to easily store and retrieve web-based links to manage land, wildlife and people under a common brand name. LandHelp was developed as a first-stop-shop to evaluate, organize and provide access to existing useful information from credible sources that might otherwise go unnoticed, not accessed, or not heeded. LandHelp started when a network of organization professionals were seeking management information for landowners and found that significant written information existed, from a variety of sources and formats, but it often was pulled from print without notice. The web emerged as a commonly-used, dynamic and editable, information resource; consequently LandHelp was created for outreach. A recent evaluation, resulted in an improved, second generation content management system including the original > 5000 web-based links and/or PDF documents and it now uses a dynamic, data-based approach providing for more opportunities to collaborate in its development from the conservation communities that include natural resources professionals, agriculturalists, and resource users. Regular visitors to the site can become registered users, which allows them to provide interactive feedback on LandHelp content, and if so inspired, to submit content themselves for monitored posting at the site. We will present an overview of LandHelp's layout and capabilities. We encourage Wildlife Congress participants to visit LandHelp and take it for a test drive. The ideal outcome is for all states, provinces, and countries to have approved contributors to LandHelp; then, your inputs can be accessed and shared with others.
Open Access
Conservation policy needs for privately owned grasslands
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Manes, Robert, speaker; Riley, Terry, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
The concept of affecting conservation at large scales is relatively simple: If strategies can be applied across traditional boundaries, then fragmenting effects of development and land management can be ameliorated for species that rely on large and intact habitats. The challenge, however, is that landscapes have multiple ownerships and land uses, and conservation entities often are insular. Individual organizations and agencies often lack resources, expertise, authority, and relationships essential to success. Agencies, non-government organizations, and landowners may exist in the same geographies without developing cooperative relationships necessary for large-scale conservation. Three case studies illustrate how this can be overcome. Common success factors include strong partnerships between government, non-government organizations, and landowners; and building broad recognition of the projects' merit. The case studies examined here include Montana's Rocky Mountain Front, Fortin Chacabuco Ranch near the Argentina-Chile border, and eastern Kansas' Flint Hills. In each case, the need for large-scale conservation is illuminated by one or more wide-ranging non-migratory species, and by a still-intact ecosystem that is significantly diminished across its former geographic expression. Also, in each case, conservation success resulted from either purposeful, or initially chance, cooperation between government agencies, NGOs, funders, and private landowners. This cooperation precipitated support for the projects, but also understanding among diverse and sometimes opposing interests. The purpose of this presentation is to strengthen the conservation community's ability to strategically and purposefully form and deploy the alliances necessary to achieve lasting large-scale conservation.
Open Access
Conservation in the 21st century - thinking big, the public good, and private lands
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Hayes, John, speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Conservation and stewardship of our natural resources have been fundamental to the missions of a number of our public agencies in the United States since their inception. However, as important as public lands have been for conservation in the United States, most of the nation's land is in private ownership. The amount, distribution, and characteristics of private lands, combined with the spatial scales at which ecological systems operate, create a special and critical conservation role for private lands. While many of the strategies for conservation on public lands are also effective on private lands, private lands present special opportunities for conservation, as well as special challenges. As is true in many regions, conservation on private lands has played a critical role in sustaining wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems in Northern Colorado. Examples of innovative conservation partnerships and efforts focused on conservation of private lands in the region are presented. Lessons learned from these case studies and the shifting dynamics facing our natural systems suggest a number of lessons and future directions in conservation, education, and research.
Open Access
Jed's song
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Johnston, Jedediah (Puppet), performer; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Jedediah Johnston (puppet) sings a song he wrote putting into prespective his time spent at the Congress.
Open Access
Tennessee wild hog management
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Yoest, Chuck, speaker; Higginbotham, Billy, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
In 2010 the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) acknowledged the failure of harvest-based management to control wild hog (Sus scrofa) populations and the need to shift focus to a more aggressive statewide wild hog eradication program. Recognizing the problem was beyond the scope of the TWRA, organizations were invited to partner in the future of Tennessee's wild hog management. This nascent group focused on proven methods used in states with much smaller hog populations based on three tenets: 1) eliminating incentives to illegally transport and release wild hogs, 2) increasing opportunities for landowners to control wild hogs, 3) and outreach. Following these tenets, wild hog populations have been lowered and some disjunction pockets eliminated across the state. These accomplishments would not be possible by any entity (e.g., TWRA) acting alone. Success is due to the partnership known as the Wild Hog Eradication Action Team (WHEAT) which grew from four partners to a 24 member organization leading wild hog management in Tennessee. WHEAT brings great value to statewide implementation of the three tenets through development of hog management regulations, collaborative outreach, and lobbying. Program success is due to the diversity of partnerships and the ability to guide efforts, remove obstacles, and educate. Recent shifts in Tennessee's wild hog management likely would have failed without the contributions of WHEAT. As a result, we recommend any agencies considering major shifts in wild hog management: 1) do not implement a harvest-based program; 2) adopt the three tenets; and 3) develop an overarching, guiding partnership.
Open Access
Keynote speaker Chad Bishop: Colorado parks and wildlife
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Bishop, Chad, speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Open Access
Jed's corner
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Johnston, Jedediah (Puppet), speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Jedediah Johnston (puppet) discusses his time at the Congress.
Open Access
Saving Mali's desert elephants from war and poaching: a successful model of national and community engagement
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Martin, Vance, speaker; van Hoven, Wouter, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Do poor villagers need elephants? The local people of Central Mali (West Africa) -- many ethnicities and clans -- know that elephants attract the attention (and therefore the assistance) of the wider community -- national, and international -- and are proud of that. As they say, "If the elephants disappear, our area will no longer be special." They also view elephants as an indicator of a healthy ecosystem and they know that their livelihoods depend on a healthy ecosystem. They also know from direct experience that elephants are important as seed dispersers and in forest regeneration. Elephants knock down otherwise inaccessible fruits and seeds from high branches that are gathered by the women for food and sometimes sale. Fruits and leaves are also eaten by livestock. Dung is valued to help conjunctivitis, a widespread problem in these environments. Over 12 years, The WILD Foundation and its many partners developed the Mali Elephant Project (MEP) as a very successful model of CBNRM. With engagement from local communities to the head of state, MEP has brought attention, action, and protection to this unique herd of elephants (the northern most in Africa, desert-adapted, and with the longest recorded elephant migration). It is now "war-tested" with only 2 elephants poached during the Tuareg rebellion and jihadist invasion of 2013. Yet local bandits remain, and the single biggest poaching incident in Mali's history occurred on the full moon night of the 13th/14th May 2014. But the local communities and the army solved it!
Open Access
Introduction to land and animal ownership
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Benson, Delwin E., speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Private lands are used for wildlife and livelihoods on 2/3rds of the US including Colorado. Eastern US and Colorado is more private and the West more public. In Colorado, private lands dominate the eastern short grass prairies, western sagebrush steppes, hills, and mountain valleys. High elevation alpine, forests and range lands are often public, managed by government agencies. National, state, county, and city parks, wildlife areas, and two of 36 sections in townships, called state land trust lands are intermixed with private lands fragmenting ownership, uses, and management. In Colorado, wildlife has seasonal movements north and south, up and down elevations, and to and from private and public lands. Wildlife tends to be on private lands for transitional uses and wintering while on public lands during summers based on food and shelter needs, with exceptions. Hunters come to the West to hunt with open access on abundant and no cost public lands, but prefer private lands when access is granted and if the costs are within budgets. Public lands can become overused in space, time and resources. Access to private lands is appealing to users because animal numbers and recreational experiences can be of higher quality with more private control. Charging access fees is increasing on private lands. Wildlife in the US belongs to the people in custodial jurisdiction of state wildlife agencies with federal responsibilities for migratory and endangered species, and all wildlife while on their lands. Those with wildlife on their lands can have positive or negative influences.
Open Access
Wild pigs in North America: history, distribution, ecology, and challenges
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Mayer, Jack, speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Wild pigs belonging to the species Sus scrofa are not native to the Western Hemisphere. In spite of having had a fairly stable presence in North America during most of the 20th Century, wild pigs on this continent have undergone an explosive increase in both numbers and distribution since 1990. At present these animals are established in 36 US states, four Canadian provinces and a number of Mexican states. Similar to the original introduction from the Old World, this more recent continental increase has been largely man-made. A major part of the reason for the success of this invasive species is that wild pigs are the ultimate survivors, being highly adaptable in many aspects of their biological make-up. Given adequate seasonally-available forage resources and daily access to well-distributed water, shade and escape cover on a year-round basis, these animals are able to live in almost any habitat between the northern boreal forests of Canadian down to the tropical wet jungles of Mexico. Wild pigs have a very high reproductive rate. Finally, with respect to their diet, wild pigs are classified as an opportunistic omnivore, which effectively means that these animals will consume just about anything. Since no viable control mechanisms for pigs currently exist, this situation is only expected to get worse with time. Two future control options currently being investigated include pig-specific toxins and contraceptives. This invasive wild pig crisis has been described as one of the greatest emerging wildlife management challenges facing this continent in the 21st Century.
Open Access
Using bird populations to evaluate activities, promote ecological awareness, and prompt action on private lands
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Ramsey, Philip, speaker; Stone, Kate, speaker; Mummey, Dan, speaker; Morgan, Ken, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Private landowners allocate significant resources towards restoration activities, yet have few ways to demonstrate the ecological effectiveness of their actions. As a group, birds are well suited to serve as response variables to management actions due to their abundance, relatively small territories, association with specific vegetative features, and our ability to passively monitor them. The MPG Ranch studies bird populations using a variety of methods, including: point counts, direct observations of target species, fine-scale mapping of bird occurrence, and tracking devices. The information gathered allows us to evaluate the success of restoration projects, including large-scale activities such as landscape conversion and small-scale activities such as building enclosures and shrubby draw enhancement. Our studies also allow us to document basic distribution and life history information on little-known species. We share data with local conservation groups, our state's Natural Heritage Program, and national bird monitoring efforts such as "eBird", "HawkCount", and "Hummingbirds at Home." Though our main goal is to apply data towards our own on-the-ground restoration activities, collaborative and community outreach efforts broaden its application to larger topics, including regional land-use planning efforts and setting management guidelines for species of concern. Our hope is that our research will prompt other private landowners to invest in formal and/or informal bird monitoring efforts on their properties.
Open Access
Building connections to wild places with remote viewing technologies
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Ramsey, Alan, speaker; Stone, Kate, speaker; Ramsey, Phil, speaker; Larkin, Beau, speaker; Morgan, Ken, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Remote viewing technologies allow new ways to maintain connections between people and wild places. In this presentation we will discuss a suite of technologies that enable viewers to learn about conservation efforts and research underway at MPG Ranch, near Florence, Montana. MPG Ranch is a conservation philanthropy devoted to improving restoration practice and developing ecological knowledge. Web interfaces, live view cameras, and motion sensing cameras are used to share the information we learn and gain insights into the habits of wildlife.
Open Access
An innovative chili dispenser to establish memory fence dynamics at crop-wildlife interfaces for effective long term human-elephant conflict mitigation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) La Grange, Mike, speaker; Le Bel, Sébastien, speaker; Breck, Stewart, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
With elephant populations in southern Africa increasing at 5% per annum, local communities living in marginal land adjacent to protected areas are faced with increasing occurrences of human-elephant conflict. If this situation is not addressed, elephant populations will have to be reduced and condemned to survive in fenced protected areas while the negative attitudes of humans towards wildlife impact becomes engrained in the minds of many people. Recent mitigation strategies were developed aiming at enhancing existing traditional approaches and improving upon their effectiveness. An innovative chili pepper dispenser was developed to apply pepper directly at the offending elephant, teaching them to respect passive repellents. This concept mimics interactions between animal species to form an effective form of a virtual fence. The advanced chili applicator, developed in a hand held version, is the 'Mhiripiribomba' and the ambush version is the 'Ambushchillibomba'. They fire ping pong balls, filled with a concentrated chili liquid, at speeds of 250ft/sec that burst on contact on or near the elephant, atomizing the concentrate into a fine spray, and creating a deterrent. After hundreds of tests in southern Africa, the industrial version of the 'Mhiripiribomber' offers an opportunity to disseminate this tool at low cost. Combined with sustainable revenues from wildlife, the improvement of mitigation measures with this chili dispenser will increase the wildlife acceptance capacity that the human community is willing to tolerate. Through the creation of memory fences, it will facilitate elephants respecting human activities and aid the acceptance of wildlife corridor in crop land.
Open Access
Balancing the act: dilemmas associated with the eradication of Acacia mearnsii from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Mukwada, Geofrey, speaker; Breck, Stewart, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Despite the huge investment that has been made in the control and eradication of Acacia mearnsii there is little evidence to show that the spread of this species will be reversed within the foreseeable future. In South Africa, Acacia mearnsii is considered to be one of the most problematic invasive species in wildlife conservation areas, where it is displacing native species and altering habitats and threatening the balance of ecosystems. This paper assesses the major challenges associated with different approaches of managing Acacia mearnsii invasion around the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa. The study used remote sensing data to investigate the state of vegetation cover in the northern flanks of the park and adjacent communal grazing areas to determine if invasion by Acacia mearnsii leads to deleterious environmental change, as well as a questionnaire survey to check if the control of the species causes livelihood disruptions within local communities. The study also employed discriminate analysis to assess the differences between the survey responses that were given by park officials and local communities, regarding their perceptions about the environmental impacts of Acacia mearnsii invasion, how the species spreads and how the invasion can be controlled. The paper argues and concludes that though the complete eradication of Acacia mearnsii is not always socially and environmentally desirable, due to the unintended environmental disturbances and livelihood disruptions it leads to, it is crucial for the park's environmental integrity and for the sustained flow of ecosystem services and benefits.
Open Access
The game meat scheme in South Africa
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) van der Merwe, Maretha, speaker; Renecker, Lyle, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Over 10,000 privately owned fenced wildlife ranches with 16 million head of game have transformed 25 million ha of marginal agricultural land with limited water into thriving operations with far greater economic output than from cattle livestock enterprises (total head only 14 million). A commercial game ranch generates an economic output of about $31/ha compared to $11/ha for livestock farming and creates better paid jobs for a skilled workforce. Meat production and processing on these ranches offers a practical route to improved food security and economic sustainability while maintaining biodiversity. In the past game ranchers had limited options with regards to the utilization of game meat but this scenario changed when a market demand emerged for organic, natural and healthier protein food. A pro-active initiative from Wildlife Ranching South Africa (WRSA), the official mouthpiece of game ranchers in South Africa produced the Game Meat Scheme that was, only after nine years finally successfully negotiated with SA government in a bid to practically guide the legal provision of safe game meat to the local market. The greatest benefit is the fact that the Scheme places the full financial benefits of game meat into the hands of the game rancher. The required registration of the facility on the farm and the rancher as the game meat examiner (meat inspection) will ensure that safe quality meat is produced and will ensure the SA Game Industry to grow from strength to strength and provide the answer to the escalating protein food shortage.
Open Access
Oil and natural gas industry conservation measures to protect the Greater Sage-Grouse
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Meinhart, Brian, speaker; Riley, Terry, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
The potential listing of the Greater Sage-Grouse under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) is a major cause for concern for communities throughout the West. As the species inhabits 53 million acres in eleven western states, a listing of the sage-grouse would significantly impact a number of public land uses including agriculture, mining, recreation, and oil and natural gas exploration and production. These uses are not only important to the modern economic viability of western communities, but are part of the historic fabric of the West and a key component of our heritage. The Service has repeatedly stressed its preference for mandatory conservation measures, which it states will provide the regulatory certainty needed to ensure that protective measures actually occur. The oil and natural gas industry has for years committed to a wide range of mandatory efforts to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to the Greater Sage-Grouse and its habitat on public lands. These commitments are identified during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and specify the terms under which an oil and natural gas project may move forward, thereby providing the regulatory certainty that the Service is looking for. Our presentation at the Wildlife Congress will feature a recent study by SWCA Environmental Consultants for Western Energy Alliance, which documents and quantifies these conservation measures. Specifically, the study shows that the existing NEPA process provides a robust regulatory mechanism for the protection of the sage-grouse, illustrates the effectiveness of those measures, and posits that oil and natural gas development and the conservation of the Greater Sage-Grouse in the West are mutually achievable goals. We hope this information will prove useful to the Service in the listing decision process, and along with other stakeholder-driven conservation efforts, demonstrate that the species and the western way of life can both thrive without the necessity of an ESA listing.
Open Access
Introductions to congress and important issues
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Benson, Delwin E., speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Dr. Benson addresses the Congress participants asking them the consider the "spirit of things" (i.e. the spirit of wanting to recognize the values of private sector, communal sector, and the problems that happen with those lands and their solutions) in regards to nature conservation and wildlife management as part of their livelihoods. Dr. Benson provides a brief description of the plenary sessions to be held during the Congress.
Open Access
Understanding people's willingness to implement measures to manage human-bear conflict in Florida
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Telesco, David, speaker; Pienaar, Elizabeth F., speaker; Barrett, Sarah, speaker; Breck, Stewart, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
In 2009 the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) began surveying individuals who reported human-bear conflicts. The purpose of this survey is to assess whether individuals take actions recommended by the FWC to reduce or eliminate conflicts. Using this data set, we determined which factors influence the likelihood that surveyed individuals will follow the advice provided by the FWC for managing human-bear conflicts. We find outreach efforts by the FWC increase the probability that people who report conflicts to the agency adopt recommended measures to reduce these conflicts. Our results suggest that outreach efforts by wildlife agencies increase the likelihood that people will alter their behavior to reduce human-bear conflicts.

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