Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management RIDEM’s Post

When most people think about deer management in Scotland, chances are that it is the majestic red deer stag on a Highland mountainside that springs most readily to mind. In many areas, however, it is Scotland’s other native deer species – roe deer - that poses an equally large challenge, particularly in our lowland and urban areas.   In today’s Herald, our Head of Wildlife Management Donald Fraser takes a look at the issues roe deer can pose in lowland and urban areas and what is being done by NatureScot and partners to address these challenges: https://lnkd.in/e-msTEqH   You can also find out more about how and why roe deer are managed in the lowlands in this short video featuring case studies in three very different natural habitats - Scotland’s rainforest on the west coast, woodland on the outskirts of Glasgow and farmland in Fife: https://lnkd.in/e_X_wV7K

In November, Coloradans will vote on Prop 127, which would prohibit the regulated hunting of mountain lions and bobcats. This proposition threatens to end a time-proven, successful, and highly regulated method of wildlife management that is critical to achieving ecosystem balance and providing quality opportunities for outdoor pursuits valued by so many Colorado residents. TRCP opposes Prop 127 because it ignores the expertise of state wildlife professionals and upends our system of science-based wildlife management. There are two opportunities to gather to oppose Prop 127 in October. The first is on October 10 at the Old Mesa County Courthouse on 544 Rood Ave, Grand Junction, CO, from noon to 2 p.m. The second is on October 18 on the West Stairs of the Colorado State Capitol on 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Be an informed voter: Read about the long history of successful species and ecosystem restoration and Colorado’s healthy wild cat populations in the link below. https://lnkd.in/g-sbkpEs

Overharvesting of wildlife can have devastating effects on ecosystems. However, in the absence of regulated hunting, predator species can grow unchecked, resulting in overpopulation and overconsumption of prey species such as deer, small mammals, and birds. In ecosystems where multiple predator species exist, removing the control that hunting provides could also allow these animals to outcompete smaller predators like coyotes and foxes. This could shift predator-prey dynamics resulting in ecological imbalance. Additionally, larger populations can increase the risk of spreading diseases, both within predator populations and to other wildlife or livestock. Read the Boone and Crockett Club article Assessing the Science Behind Opposition to Mountain Lion Hunting which addresses the importance of scrutinized, peer-reviewed research in decision-making: https://lnkd.in/gk3gq-sN. Conserving wildlife and natural resources while addressing broader human and economic needs is critical. Finding balance should always be a part of the goal. Collaboration is key. Science is necessary. Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership

🌡 As temps begin to rise during the summer months, it's important to remember the key role that water guzzlers play in keeping Texas Wildlife hydrated! Check out this helpful buyers guide: https://lnkd.in/gwAiUECq

Check out the latest issue of Kite Tales, the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail newsletter!

THE COVER OF THE LATEST BBC WILDLIFE MAGAZINE Despite a lot of dramatic old drawings and some history, the article by Derek Gow has remarkably little to say about the trailed topic which was "How bringing back wolves could heal our landscape". And some of what he does say is rather overstated: "sheep in their myriad millions shear the land bare" for instance....... Basically, he is advocating a significant reduction in deer numbers, and that, we know, can be simply and efficiently achieved by increasing the number of keepers on the ground, and establishing a real demand for venison to help pay for them. But the true cause for concern lies in one headline:" One study indicated that up to 18,857 square km. of the Scottish Highlands is already suitable for 50-94 wolf packs". That should cause alarm bells to ring all over the Highlands. I don't know whether this is someone's genuine aspiration, or whether we are meant, recoiling from this figure, to accept with relief some lower number, but its implications are clear enough. In Yellowstone, " as of January 2023, there are at least 108 wolves in the Park. Ten packs were noted". * If that's an average of around 10 per pack, 'someone' is envisaging from 500 wolves to nearly 1000 in the Highlands. And that would not adequately control the numbers of red deer we have. In Greater Yellowstone, (which is about twice the size of Scotland north of the Highland Boundary Fault), there are roughly 500 wolves which 'manage' around only 40, 000 elk. To manage our 500,000 red deer, on this basis you would therefore need at least 6000 wolves........ Time to accept that arguing that we need wolves for deer control in the Highlands, or throughout Britain, MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER. I am sorry to have to say it, but to suggest 50-94 wolf packs in the Highlands is ENVIRONMENTAL EXTREMISM. We should have nothing to do with it. * Internet figures, most from Yellowstone sources.

Just as the wildlife in your orchard changes from season to season, so do the management requirements. 🌸 Seasonality is important to so many aspects of orchard management, and sometimes knowing when to do which tasks can be confusing. With the best will in the world, we always forget some things. This guide aims to roughly plan your orcharding year, including everything when to graft, when to cut the sward and when to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. 🌳🍐 👉https://lnkd.in/edHJvqXM 📸National Trust

Opportunity to participate in nature, to sustainably harvest abundant resources from the natural world, cannot be taken for granted. The HOWL for Wildlife action center is one of the most powerful and effective tools for communicating hunters' values, your values, to decision makers. Conservation is not preservation; opportunity rarely comes back when it has been taken away... so today is a good day to express your support for successful conservation tools and scientifically informed wildlife mgmt.

NEW BLOG POST: One Person's Journey with the Oiled Wildlife Care Network This month marks the 30th year for the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. We asked five individuals to reflect on their journey contributing to the advancement of oiled wildlife response over the last 30 years, continuing our series is Dr. Rick Golightly

We can make a positive difference and correct the errors we have made as a species. Here is one example.