WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN NEW BRUNSWICK

WHY MANAGE WILDLIFE? Provincial MANDATE to manage populations of all wild species, their habitats and use, for the people of New Brunswick. Provincial GOAL to maintain populations at self- sustaining levels in their natural range. Various human values - Consumptive, aesthetic, ethical, recreational, economic, scientific Involves Public, User Groups, Private Industry, Government Managers, Law Makers.

WHY MANAGE WILDLIFE? DNR is responsible for: Monitoring the status of wildlife populations and their habitats. Ensuring that wildlife species do not become extinct or extirpated from New Brunswick due to human activities. Ensuring there is suitable habitat to support wildlife populations. Ensuring the conservation of sufficient habitat to support viable populations of wetland dependant wildlife species throughout the province.

Wildlife Values: Categories of Wildlife: 1.Game animals – deer, bear, moose… 2.Furbearing animals – beaver, fox… 3.Non-game animals – songbirds, mice… 4.Endangered species – plover, falcon… 5.Threatened species – Bicknell’s Thrush…

Wildlife Values: Classifications of Wildlife Values: 1.Recreational (hunting, food) 2.Commercial (outfitting, trapping) 3.Biological (naturalists) 4.Scientific (research) 5.Social (aesthetic pleasure)

Wildlife Management:

People Management: EDUCATION – People have more respect for Wildlife Management if they have a good understanding of the issues and concerns (through schools, groups, hunter education, etc.) ENFORCEMENT – Laws are used to ensure protection of wildlife, and penalize those who abuse wildlife resources.

Population Management: A population is a group of animals of the same species that occupy a particular area. Population dynamics means the changes that occur in a population over time.

Population Dynamics: Two major factors that affect the population dynamics of wildlife: Birth Rate Age at which breeding begins Number of births per year for each breeding female Number of young born per litter Death Rate Availability of food and cover Predation Weather; Human activities; and Disease and parasites.

Population Dynamics: EXAMPLE: RUFFED GROUSE April - 5 Male + 5 Female = 10 June - 10 chicks/hen = = 60 Aug - 50% Mortality on chicks (50*0.5) + 10 = 35 Jan - 60% Winter Mortality 35*0.6 = 15 (This is for an average spring and winter; Bad conditions may double the mortality rates.)

Game Management and Conservation: Game managers try to control wildlife populations. Breeding habitats (nests, colonies) are protected by laws. High breeding populations are maintained to maximize the reproductive potential of that population (Antlerless Deer Permits).

Hunting Quotas Reasons for setting quotas: -increase a population if the habitat is there to support it; -decrease a population if there are too many animals present for the available food supply; or -hold a population stable if conditions look just right.

Habitat: Five basic habitat needs of all living things: Food Cover Water Space Arrangement

Habitat: Food Needed by all animals to grow, reproduce, escape predators and survive. Wildlife Management conserves important feeding areas and increases the amount and quality of food available for wildlife. Winter food is often a limiting factor for many wildlife species.

Habitat: Cover Needed for shelter to hide in, raise young and protect from bad weather. Most common – dense vegetation. Often provides access to food. Water Needed by all animals. Usually obtained from food. May also be used for shelter, and obtaining food (ie. mink, beaver)

Habitat: Space Animals need space prevent competition for food and breeding sites, leading to malnutrition and spread of disease. Most animals are territorial and occupy their own “home range”. A given area will only support so many animals, no matter how much food, water or shelter is present. The arrangement of food, cover, water and space is important in determining the numbers and distribution of wildlife.

Carrying Capacity: The number of animals that an area will support without damage to the habitat or to the animals is called the “carrying capacity”. It is the task of the wildlife manager to control the number of animals at or below the carrying capacity. A limiting factor is the element controlling the carrying capacity.

Carrying Capacity: Many factors are involved in determining the carrying capacity of a habitat. The limiting factor is the “lowest hole in the bucket”.

Succession (Habitat Change): Succession is the orderly replacement of one biotic community with another. With each successional stage, habitat is changed. With changes in habitat comes change in the forms of wildlife using that particular habitat.

Wildlife Management Tools: 1.Research – the study of animals and their habitat. 2.Monitoring – involves estimating the number of animals present in an area on a yearly basis (“inventory”). 3.Population Objectives by Wildlife Management Zones – specific population targets by species individually identified for each WMZ. 4.Habitat Management– short and long term management to support population goals.

Wildlife Management Tools: 4.Hunting and Trapping – removes a portion of the population as directed by management goals. 5.Public Education – public understanding, acceptance and support is essential for successful wildlife management programs. 6.Compliance (laws) – creating and enforcing wildlife laws that are based on sound biological information which benefit wildlife and ensure public safety and support..