Wildlife Management Practices

Monitoring Wildlife Populations: Wildlife managers continuously monitor the birth rate and death rate of various species and the condition of their habitat. This provides the data needed to set hunting regulations and determine if other wildlife management practices are needed to conserve wildlife species.

birth rate: The ratio of number of young born to females of a species to total population of that species over one year

death rate: The ratio of number of deaths in a species to total population of that species spanning one year

Habitat Improvement: As succession occurs, the change in habitat affects the type and number of wildlife the habitat can support. Wildlife managers may cut down or burn forested areas to promote new growth and slow down the process of succession. This practice enables them to increase the production of certain wildlife species.

succession: Natural progression of vegetation and wildlife populations in an area; for example, as trees grow and form a canopy, shrubs and grasses will disappear along with the wildlife that use them as cover.

Hunting Regulations: Hunting regulations protect habitat and preserve animal populations. Regulations include setting daily and seasonal time limits, bag limits, and legal methods for taking wildlife.

Hunting: Hunting is an effective wildlife management tool. Hunting practices help managers keep animal populations in balance with their habitat.

Predator Control: In rare instances, overpopulated predators must be reduced to enable some wildlife populations to establish stable populations, particularly threatened or endangered species. Missouri works with licensed trappers to reduce most predator population.

predator: Animal that kills other animals for food.

Artificial Stocking: Restocking of game animals has been successful in many parts of the nation. Trapping animals in areas where they are abundant and releasing them in other areas of suitable habitat is an example of restocking.

Controlling or Preventing Disease and Its Spread: Disease can have a devastating effect on wildlife. Avian cholera, for example, poses a serious threat, especially to ducks and geese on crowded wintering grounds. Once avian cholera occurs, managers must work to prevent its spread by gathering and burning waterfowl carcasses daily.

Management Funds/Programs: In addition to Pittman-Robertson funds, many states have initiated programs that help finance conservation efforts. The MDC has a 1/8 of 1% sales tax that is earmarked for conservation.