Landowner and permit-holder perceptions of wildlife damage around the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. A survey of INEEL neighbors about elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and depredation

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/658289· OSTI ID:658289

Roush, Jr, D E ^[1]; Beaver, D E ^[2]

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1. Environmental Science and Research Foundation, Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
2. Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States). Coll. of Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Sciences

Property-owners (N = 220) around the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) in southeastern Idaho were surveyed about depredation, control methods and economic issues related to use of the area by elk (Cervus elaphus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana). Depredation was defined as damage to privately-owned crops, forage, and fences and irrigation equipment by these animals. The focus on the three ungulate species was prompted by concerns that elk, which had recolonized the INEEL since 1984, were responsible for an inordinate amount of unprecedented damage to agricultural operations. As the INEEL is a US Department of Energy (DOE) reserve with little public hunting access, there have been calls for removal of elk from this land. This study`s objective was to quantify the wildlife damage occurring on agricultural operations adjacent to the INEEL and to characterize the damage attributed to each big game species. Responses from 70.2% of the target population indicate an evenness of opinion, by which the authors mean that various opinions were represented equitably, toward these animals and wildlife damage Total estimated wildlife damage in 1996 was between $140,000 and $180,000 It was attributed foremost to elk, although pronghorn antelope were viewed nearly as damaging. Respondents placed high values in big game animals and wished to see them continue to inhabit these lands. For managing depredation, adjusting hunting seasons was preferred.

• Research Organization: Environmental Science and Research Foundation Inc., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13268
• OSTI ID: 658289
• Report Number(s): ESRF--025; ON: DE98005880; BR: 400403209; 820101000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURE
DAMAGE
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
HABITAT
IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY
LAND USE
NUMERICAL DATA
WILD ANIMALS