CROP DEPREDATION BY WILDLIFE IN NORTHCENTRAL INDIANA
Abstract: Perceptions of agricultural producers concerning crop depredation may influence wildlife management decisions. We quantified the amount, type, and temporal pattern of damage to corn (Zea maize) and soybeans (Glycine max) by wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus v...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2005-01-01
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| Series: | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2328-5540.2005.tb00293.x |
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| Summary: | Abstract: Perceptions of agricultural producers concerning crop depredation may influence wildlife management decisions. We quantified the amount, type, and temporal pattern of damage to corn (Zea maize) and soybeans (Glycine max) by wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and other vertebrates in the agricultural region of northcentral Indiana. Using stratified random sampling, we conducted depredation surveys of 160 fields (100 corn and 60 soybean) ranging in size from 1 to 125 ha from May through October in 2003 and 2004. We recorded 582,515 depredation events (73,100 to corn and 509,415 to soybeans). We defined a “depredation event” as any damage to a single plant caused by wildlife. Raccoons and white‐tailed deer were responsible for >97% of the damage to corn (87% and 10%, respectively), whereas white‐tailed deer (61%) and groundhogs (Marmota monax; 38%) were responsible for nearly all damage to soybean plants. Small rodents, birds, canids, and all other vertebrates had very little effect on corn and soybean production in our study area. Although turkeys were relatively common on the study area and turkey sign was evident in several fields, no depredation events were attributed to wild turkey. We assessed landowner perceptions concerning crop depredation by wildlife with mail and telephone surveys. Seventy‐eight percent of landowners reported having ≥1 crop type damaged by wildlife within the previous 12 months; however, their perceptions regarding the species responsible for monetary losses to corn and soybeans did not correspond closely with our field survey data. |
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| ISSN: | 2328-5540 |