8th International Wildlife Ranching Symposium

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://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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Congress for wildlife and livelihoods on private and communal lands: livestock, tourism, and spirit: summary
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Benson, Delwin E., director; Peterson, Kesley Arline, producer; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Includes: a brief summary of congress, a thank you note from Dr. Benson and a short video.
Open Access
The potential of wildlife to improve the standard of living and food security in rural Africa
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) van Hoven, Wouter, speaker; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Poaching, unsustainable wildlife utilization practices and the bush meat trade has cleared wildlife out of many of their former natural habitats in Africa. Based on the success of reintroducing wildlife into the Quicama National Park in Angola in cooperation with the local community, all wildlife that have been settled in the wildlife sterile landscape has flourished, multiplied and not one was lost to poaching over the past 12 years. The community is benefitting now from the Park through amongst others employment and the tourist camp is permanently fully booked. Amongst others, the 34 elephants that were airlifted there in family groups have increased to 120. South Africa has experienced a forty fold increase in its wildlife numbers over a period of 50 years due to the private sector and communities taking custodianship of wildlife on private lands. Based on these experiences and successes in starting new nodes of wildlife in Angola, wildlife can be established in other parts of Africa where civil war and over-utilization like in the bush meat trade has wiped wildlife out. The clearest successes in promoting wildlife conservation outside of protected areas in Africa have been achieved where authority to manage and utilize wildlife has been devolved to the landholder level.
Open Access
Colorado's prairie future: oil and gas forecasts, wildlife impacts, and solutions
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Kram, Megan, speaker; Pague, Chris, speaker; Belinda, Steve, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
This project is designed to inspire conversations among oil and gas companies and government agencies about how best to achieve goals for wildlife conservation and oil and gas development across eastern Colorado's vast prairie grasslands. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) developed this project based on its "Development by Design" methodology (http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/smart-development/) and with input from a variety of external partners. The project spans all of eastern Colorado (30 million acres) and includes three components: A forecast of oil and gas development, potential risk to wildlife, and an assessment of "Available Practices for Wildlife." Project results may be used to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential impacts to wildlife through site-specific oil and gas drilling plans, the use of best management practices, etc. Those interested in this project may include oil and gas companies; landowners; and local, state, and federal government agencies within and outside of Colorado.
Open Access
Wind power from Tribal lands: given uncertainties in hydropower
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Gough, Bob, speaker; Morisette, Jeffrey, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
In the midst of accelerating climatic change and observed weather extremes due to long-term natural variation, as well as our more recent and all-too-efficient anthropogenic transfer of carbon from the earth to the atmosphere, Great Plains Indian Tribes see tremendous clean energy and economic development opportunities on the horizon for mitigation and adaptation literally blowing in the wind. Our centralized electrical energy generation capacity is highly water dependent and our transmission and distribution infrastructure, built over the last half-century, is strung out and exposed across the volatile Upper Great Plains. They are extremely vulnerable and highly susceptible to changes in precipitation and other weather variabilities over both the short and long-term. Our electrical generating capacity inextricably relies upon the surface water resources throughout the Missouri River basin to fuel the federal hydropower generators, and to spin and cool the conventional coal and nuclear thermal plants throughout the region. Our rural transmission and distribution systems that deliver electricity are exposed across vast distances and are extremely vulnerable to a variety of weather related disruptions. American Indian Reservations are also spread across this vast expanse where wind, one of America's most abundant renewable energy resources, can be readily tapped through both community-sized, and large, utility-scaled, distributed generation projects. The economic integration of this variable but abundant resource into the coal and hydropower dominated electrical system can benefit from better planning and forecasting in both the short and long term. This paper examines some critical planning and forecasting issues raised in this context.
Open Access
North American feral swine diseases: are we winning, yet?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Jack, Skip, speaker; Higginbotham, Billy, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Swine have been around for many millennia, present in North America about one-half of one. They continue to expand their home ranges and unfortunately, they share several infectious diseases with our domestic animals and many zoonotic diseases with humans (e.g. TB, brucellosis, leptospirosis, pseudorabies, etc.). As home ranges (human, wildlife, and domestic animals) expand there will be ever-increasing interactions and opportunities for disease spread. Disease surveillance reports indicate that there are various agents and prevalence around the US. But, apparently management strategies and disease control measures have not yet proven effective. A survey is underway to ascertain the efficacy of various measures. We are meeting this week, an indication that problems persist and continue to expand. Do we need to rethink or expand control strategies for swine and/or disease control (rhetorical question!)? The true question is WHEN we will change our strategies for this control. Will we wait for a crisis?
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
Bison conservation ranching on Blue Valley Ranch
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Kossler, John, speaker; Handyside, Perry, speaker; Richert, Josh, speaker; Schafer, Shawn, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
For 20 years, Blue Valley Ranch has been practicing conservation ranching in the Rocky Mountains of north-central Colorado with a focus on wildlife and agricultural production. An integrated resource management approach to land stewardship guides its planning process, and an adaptive management philosophy helps to make management decisions based on science and monitoring feedback. The ranch's vision of conserving wildlife habitat, building ecosystem resiliency, and producing quality livestock and forage crops is exemplified in the inclusion of the American bison (Bison bison) in its operation. As a native grazer, bison are a natural choice for raising a healthy food product on native ranges while practicing good land stewardship. Though hunted to near extinction in the late 19th century, bison have made a comeback in recent decades, due in large part to conservation-minded ranchers and private landowners. A clear understanding of their behavior and grazing ecology takes advantage of the bison's evolutionary history with the grasslands and shrublands of the western United States, and makes them a perfect fit for private lands conservation interested in supporting agriculture and healthy ecosystems.
Open Access
A legacy of ranching and conservation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Davis, Russell, speaker; Morgan, Ken, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Russell Davis, a rancher, has been at the forefront of private lands wildlife conservation for the past 12 years, beginning with his involvement in mountain plover research and continuing with short grass prairie conservation. His family was awarded the Landowner of the Year Award from Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Sand County Foundation Leopold Stewardship Award. Russell will be discussing his involvement with Colorado programs and his involvement with Partners for Conservation. Partners for Conservation is a private landowner organization which communicates and collaborates on conservation partnerships for working landscapes to benefit present and future generations. To date, the organization has 90 partners, representing 18 states and has hosted six Annual Private Lands/Partners Day conferences bringing together landowners and agency partners.
Open Access
Training wildlife biologists for work on private lands
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Brown, Mary Bomberger, speaker; Smith, Jennifer A., speaker; Powell, Larkin A., speaker; Calderazzo, John, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Conservation and management of wildlife on private lands in the United States is a critical component of the wildlife profession, although university curricula focus on public lands management. Wildlife biologists working on private lands are faced with a mutable landscape and pressures of alternative land uses that shift with changes in economics, regulatory regimes, and societal or cultural values. Loss of biodiversity can be lessened if wildlife biologists are better prepared to work in this challenging landscape. Colleges and universities are faced with training wildlife biologists to work on both public and private lands. Unfortunately, however, wildlife training programs often fail to integrate the management techniques, policy, economics, human dimensions, problem solving, and communication skills required by private lands professionals. Of 14 leading undergraduate wildlife programs that we identified, 36% required a policy class, 36% required a human dimensions class and 7% required an economics class; although most universities did offer interdisciplinary courses, participation was seldom mandatory. We suggest that students and current professionals need to be trained in the skills necessary to protect wildlife when working on privately owned lands. We highlight tools needed for effective private lands conservation such as economic incentives, education, and outreach, and we suggest ways in which they can be taught through modifications to current curriculum, short-courses, continuing education credits, certificate programs, internships, externships, and involvement of agency personnel in the classroom.
Open Access
SYSMAS: a handy software to manage by SMS & Web interface notifications on HWC & other wildlife events…
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Le Bel, Sébastien, speaker; Chavernac, David, speaker; Breck, Stewart, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Human-wildlife conflicts have drastically increased around conservation areas in Africa in recent decades, thus undermining the peaceful cohabitation of wildlife populations and rural human settlements. Mitigation packages include various reporting forms, which are often ineffective since the information conveyed is generally scattered and useless. The booming mobile phone sector and the popular use of text messages (SMS) have provided an opportunity to assess the impact of real-time communication systems in human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies. After preliminary tests conducted in Mozambique and Zimbabwe with FrontlineSMS, we improved the recording and transfer of raw information generated at field level with the development of an integrated system called SYSMAS. Apart from improving the quality of wildlife based information, SYSMAS was developed as a handy management tool informing in real time decision makers and easy to upload even without specific computer skills. This paper details how easy any human-wildlife conflict incident or wildlife event can be translated into a set of explanatory variables and captured on mobile phones with ad-hoc SMS models. According to local communication facilities, real-time sharing of the information could be achieved directly through a Web interface or via SMS; this last been more handy in remote African farmland. Once adopted, such a human-wildlife conflict early warning system could be deployed at low cost. The same approach could be promoted for the establishment of reporting systems on wildlife disease outbreaks.
Open Access
Congress for wildlife and livelihoods on private and communal lands: livestock, tourism, and spirit - final program and abstracts
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Wildlife Ranching Symposium, author; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, publisher
Open Access
Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse reintroduction to Middle Park
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Richert, Josh, speaker; Kossler, John, speaker; Riley, Terry, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
The Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) is the rarest of six sub-species of grouse that are endemic to sagebrush, shrubsteppe and mountain shrub communities of western North America. It currently occupies less than 10% of its historic range, including 3 counties in northwestern Colorado, due to habitat loss, energy development, changes in land management and urban expansion. CSTG populations had been documented in the Lower Blue River Basin of Middle Park in North-Central Colorado as recently as the mid-1950s, so a cooperative effort between Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and private landowner Blue Valley Ranch (BVR) sought to re-introduce the bird to this area. Trapping occurred from the Fall 2006 - Spring 2008 seasons in the Hayden and Craig areas of Northwestern Colorado. A total of 91 females and 58 males were released on Blue Valley Ranch from 2006 - 2008. Approximately 15 males and 27 females were deployed with VHF radio transmitters for monitoring. Habitat and nesting data were also collected for comparison with the trapping area. Since the release, two permanent leks have been established with high counts of 21 and 26 males in 2014, with two additional lek sites needing confirmation in 2015. The project has been successful in establishing a new population of CSTG on a private, 25,000 acre conservation ranch within their historical range, and CPW plans to augment the population with additional CSTG releases over the next 2-3 years in the Williams Fork Drainage, about 8 miles east of BVR.
Open Access
The Lesser Prairie-Chicken range-wide conservation plan
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Klute, David, speaker; Riley, Terry, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
The lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a prairie grouse endemic to the southern Great Plains where it occurs primarily on private land. In March 2014 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined the lesser prairie-chicken warranted listing as a Threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) developed the Lesser Prairie-chicken Range-wide Conservation Plan (range-wide plan) to set population and habitat goals, identify focal areas and connectivity zones required to sustain and expand lesser-prairie-chicken populations, and encourage coordination of habitat management activities both prior to and after the ESA listing. A novel aspect of the range-wide plan is a voluntary mitigation framework which (1) financially incentivizes avoidance and minimization of impacts from industry at broad and local spatial scales and (2) financially incentivizes the implementation of beneficial conservation practices by private landowners to offset impacts through the use of both short-term management contracts and permanent conservation easements. With the implementation of the Threatened listing, a special 4(d) rule provides incidental take coverage for activities conducted by participants in the range-wide plan. As of May 2014 over 6.2 million acres have been enrolled in the range-wide plan and associated Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). Enrollment fees of over $43 million have been committed to fund mitigation offsets in perpetuity for future impacts on enrolled acres. Contracts on private land in high-quality lesser prairie-chicken habitat are being implemented to offset impacts anticipated in 2014.
Open Access
The perception of the Millennial generation (Y-generation) consumer of game (wildlife) meat and game meat safety
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Bekker, J. L. (J. Leon), speaker; Renecker, Lyle, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
As in other parts of the world, one of the options for conservationists and game farmers is to channel the meat as a result of harvesting or hunting activities into the local and international food markets. Game meat is however foreign to many, especially urbanised consumers and therefore they tend not to try it as an alternative source of meat. On the other hand, younger consumers such as the millennial generation (Y generation) are seeking for healthier meat products that are free from hormones and other substances and that are more "natural". Game meat mostly provides for these requirements. According to most reports, Generation Y (Gen Y) was born between 1977 and 1994. This timeframe identifies millinial consumers between 19 and 36 years old in 2013. The millinial generation is expected to be as large and influential as the Baby Boomers, which was the generation prior to Gen Y. Information regarding the study was obtained through a desk top study and analysis of questionnaire responses from young South African meat consumers (millinials) with regards to the abovementioned topics. Millinials are the current and future consumer and have a role to play in meat choices. They are however more informed due to higher exposure to media. The research looked for insights in the millinial generations perception about hunting and the use of the meat as a source of meat and concerns regarding meat safety issues such as zoonotic diseases, microbiological contamination and meat inspection practices. The research revealed that consumers do have concerns, especially with regards to animal welfare, hunting practices, exposure to zoonotic diseases, and contamination of the meat by microorganisms and other biological, chemical and physical matter that may cause harm to the consumer. Millinials (Generation Y) are young meat consumers who are especially important for the industry because they offer an opportunity for growth in the industry. If their experience with game meat is positive, these younger consumers will develop a taste for game meat that are likely to last as over years. These younger consumers care more about brand name, quality (including safety) and will typically spend more money to purchase it. It is therefore important to understand their concerns and to use it to the benefit of the wildlife industry.
Open Access
Conservation of Greater Sage-grouse: challenges managing a landscape scale species
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Stiver, San, speaker; Riley, Terry, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Greater Sage-grouse are a western North American plains grouse that had a potential pre-European settlement distribution of approximately 1,200,483 km2, spanning 12 US states and three Canadian provinces. That distribution has declined to < 668,412 km2 in 11 states and two Canadian provinces. The Greater Sage-grouse was determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2010 to warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act, but were precluded because of higher conservation priorities. Concern for the species, by a host of conservation entities lead to a comprehensive range-wide conservation strategy which includes conservation efforts, monitoring, adaptive management, research and technology, communication and funding components. The strategy was based upon the need to manage Greater Sage-grouse from a range-wide perspective, spanning multiple jurisdictions and coordinating conservation efforts on a landscape scale. We will explore the biological, economic, temporal, and political challenges of managing this species and the sagebrush biome. Sage-grouse are a sagebrush obligate species; depending upon the plant for many of its life functions. Sage-grouse as individuals or populations require large tracts of sagebrush, often spanning jurisdictions and land ownership to meet their needs. Sagebrush is a very slow growing shrub that is vulnerable to wildfire and disturbance. Some species of sagebrush require decades to reach a preferred age class for sage-grouse. Resources important to Western States will necessarily be impacted by an ESA listing and the prospect of an ESA listing has the attention of politicians from the Administration, the Senate and House, Governors, State Legislatures and County Commissions.
Open Access
Toxicants and contraceptives for feral swine in the US
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Foster, Justin, speaker; VerCauteren, Kurt, speaker; Eckerly, Doug, speaker; Higginbotham, Billy, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
With partners, we and others are working to develop and register toxicants and contraceptives for feral swine in the US. Our toxicant efforts are focused on using sodium nitrite (SN) as the active ingredient. We are assessing and comparing the palatability, lethality, and general potential of promising formulations of SN in controlled, captive settings. We are also trialing a variety of swine-specific feeders. In this presentation we will provide an update and present our findings to date. We also lay out our path going forward toward the US and Australian registration of a SN-based toxicant for the control of feral swine. In a parallel effort we are also working to develop a species-specific contraceptive reagent for feral swine that can be delivered as a bait and cause permanent sterility. An update on this line of endeavor will also be provided.
Open Access
Zooming in on trophy hunter's spending
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Saayman, M., speaker; van der Merwe, P., speaker; van Hoven, Wouter, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
The purpose of this paper is to determine the determinants of trophy (international) hunters spending in South Africa. Hunters in South Africa can be divided into two categories namely biltong (primarily local hunters) and trophy (primarily foreign hunters) and hunting makes a significant contribution to the tourism industry and the economy in general. One of the key contributors or ingredients of economic impact studies is tourists (hunters) spending, and the 9000 international hunters spend approximately R1.2 billion in 2013 which can still be increased. The reason being that hunting lodges and game farmers are mostly located in rural provinces with high rates of unemployment. Therefore this research can help practitioners and marketers alike to focus their marketing and development activities and resources on these variables. The research was conducted by means of a structured web based questionnaire survey and this is the first time that the determinants have been identified in South Africa which has a vibrant hunting industry.
Open Access
Cervid field medicine & surgery
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Wagner, Douglas, speaker; Schafer, Shawn, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Cervid field medicine & surgery: Farmed Cervids present a challenge to manage and treat when disease is present. While these animals are in a farmed situation they are not domesticated and the stress placed upon them to handle and treat them when disease is present, is a factor that must be taken into consideration at all times. Cervids can show signs of Capture Myopathy and be clinically affected in as little as two minutes of a hard chase. The most common diseases that affect farmed Cervids are: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), Pneumonia, Enteric, Necrobacillosis and Parasitism. The common pathogens causing these diseases will be discussed and treatment options that have been used successfully for these pathogens. Surgery will discuss and focus on issues where surgical intervention is need, the most common reasons for surgical intervention are: Orthopedic (fractured long bones), Antler infection/removal, Soft tissue (traumatic injury repair, neonatal hernia, Ophthalmic (enucleation). Both Medicine and Surgery topics will focusing on practical approaches to identify problems early and treating them while minimizing stress. There are many different Chemical Immobilization protocols that have been used in the Cervid industry, none of these protocols have been standardized and there are no established labeled drugs for Chemical immobilization at this time. Advantages and disadvantages to each protocol will be discussed focusing on which protocols has been most effective dealing with compromised cervids.
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
From opposition to opportunity: managing prairie dogs in southern Utah
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014-09) Frey, Nicki, speaker; Wightman, Erica, speaker; Breck, Stewart, moderator; International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
Utah Prairie Dogs (Cymomys parvidens) have been listed, first as an endangered, then as a threatened species, under the Endangered Species Act since its inception in 1973. The species exists only in southern Utah, where approximately 75% of the land is managed by the Federal Government; however, it is estimated that 75% of the species' population occurs on private lands. Unfortunately, humans have had direct conflict with Utah prairie dogs since they first began agricultural practices in the area. We must find ways to create a benefit from Utah prairie dogs on private lands, in order to alleviate conflicts, to encourage species conservation, and to recover the species. One program, the Utah Prairie Dog Habitat Credit Exchange (HCE) has done just that. Created by a collaboration of experts working in wildlife biology, sociology, finance, and policy the HCE works with landowners to create conservation easement on parcels of their property where prairie dogs can do little harm. In return, landowners can manage prairie dogs elsewhere on their property AND receive monetary credit for their efforts. These credits are then sold to developers that need ‘take' for their property in order to develop their land. With this system, landowners have a bit of control over Utah prairie dogs on their land, get monetary compensation for protecting Utah prairie dogs on their land, the local towns have an avenue to continue to develop their land, and 'the ultimate goal' more Utah prairie dogs are protected across the landscape.

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