Solving Conflicts
CSU
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IDENTIFYING CAUSES OF DAMAGE
Browsing
Deer and elk - nipped stems show a rough shredded edge and a square or ragged break.
Rabbits - stems with a smooth knife-like cut that usually has a 45 degree angle edge.
Voles - narrow (1/16 inch) cris-crossed tooth marks on branch.
Pocket gophers - girdle tree roots, may gnaw bark above ground within snow drift.
Fox squirrels - strip bark from trees high above ground, primarily damage deciduous trees.
Porcupines - gnaw bark usually high above ground, wide incisor marks on exposed sapwood, primarily damage pine trees.
Beaver - damage results in cone shaped stumps of trees and freshly peeled sticks often laying in the water.
Rubbing
Deer and elk - remove velvet from antlers by rubbing on trees, rubbing removes bark from 1 1/2 inches to 3 feet above the ground.
Burrowing
Pocket gophers - burrow entrance closed 99.9% of the time. Mound about 3 inches high and 18 inches in diameter at the end of closed burrow, usually several mounds.
Voles - 1 to 1 1/2 inch open burrow, tunnels in grass, often several burrows.
Wyoming (Richardson's) ground squirrels - 2 inch open burrow, often several burrows.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels - 1 1/2 inch open burrow, usually few burrows.
Additional information: Identification and Assessment of Wildlife Damage: An Overview, in Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook (contains a description of damage caused by a variety of animals).
Procedures for Evaluating Predation on Livestock and Wildlife (contains descriptions and photos of coyote, dog, fox, cougar, bobcat, bear, hog, eagle, and snake predation).
Interpreting Evidence of Depredation of Duck Nests in the Prairie Pothole Region (contains extensive information on identifying predators that kill waterfowl and depredate nests). |
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