Long-term variation in white-tailed deer abundance shapes landscape-scale population dynamics of forest-breeding birds

Author links open overlay panel

Clark S.Rushing^af Ronald W.Rohrbaugh^bCameron J.Fiss^cChristopher S.Rosenberry^dAmanda D.Rodewald^eJeffery L.Larkin^cf

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117629

 [Comments and attributes from the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny contained within brackets]

Not long ago I received this report from Mary Hosmer of the Allegheny Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society. I thank Mary for sharing this report with the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

We, the RGS [Ruffed Grouse Society] volunteers, are concerned about conservation of all birds, not just grouse and woodcock. Here is a short summary of a research paper just published in Forest Ecology and Management 456 (2020) 117629. The paper is titled, Long-term Variation in White-tailed Deer Abundance Shapes Landscape-Scale Population Dynamics of Forest-Breeding Birds. Basically, the paper indicates that deer do have negative impacts to breeding bird populations in a small space and timeframe, particularly birds that feed and breed within 6 feet of the forest floor, but positive effects can also be associated with some other forest birds. The landscape scale effects of deer on birds are more difficult to sort out, and indicate that non-breeding habitats also have an impact. Here is the abstract.

In an article I wrote, "A couple of months back I presented my opinion in this publication and I labelled the article, “TROUBLE IN PARADISE”. I listed the difficulties cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare, turkey and ruffed grouse are having finding suitable nesting and escape cover on the Allegheny High Plateau and, possibly, in all the forests of Pennsylvania. In my article I declared, “Hard times for the magnificent snowshoe hare and other small game animals like the ruffed grouse and eastern cottontail rabbits are here, now, on the Allegheny and no one is doing anything about it”. Wild game everywhere is suffering from lack of suitable habitat whether it’s from over development caused by the persistent incursion of civilization or from modern farming practices.

I blamed the problem on the lack of suitable forest management. I also stated, “In the twentieth century, white-tailed deer emerged as one of the greatest threats to Pennsylvania’s forests. Pennsylvania’s deer population exploded devastating the state’s forests. Escape cover, nesting cover, and food sources became severely limited for the snowshoe hare as well as ruffed grouse, woodcock, cottontail, turkey and many non-game species including songbirds”.

Long-term variation in white-tailed deer abundance shapes landscape-scale population dynamics of forest-breeding birds

Author links open overlay panel Clark S.Rushing^afRonald W.Rohrbaugh^bCameron J.Fiss^cChristopher S.Rosenberry^dAmanda D.Rodewald^eJeffery L.Larkin^cf

Show more

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2019.117629

Bottom of Form

Abstract

Over-browsing by white-tailed deer impedes forest regeneration, alters floristic [relating to the study of the distribution of plants] and structural attributes of stands, and reduces biodiversity. Although numerous exclosure [an area from which unwanted animals are excluded] experiments have demonstrated negative impacts of deer on songbirds at small spatial scales [relating to or occupying space] the effects of deer on avian communities at large spatial and temporal scales [or the time period] [Spatial ecology studies the ultimate distributional or spatial unit occupied by a species] In a particular habitat shared by several species, each of the species is usually confined to its own microhabitat [a habitat which is of small or limited extent and which differs in character from some surrounding more extensive habitat]. or spatial niche because two species in the same general territory cannot usually occupy the same ecological niche for any significant length of time remains poorly understood. We integrated data from the Breeding Bird Survey with historic information on deer abundance in a multi-species hierarchical model to assess spatio-temporal relationships between deer and bird abundances across the state of Pennsylvania between 1981 and 2015.

Our results provide evidence of strong links between deer and both avian functional groups and individual species, depending upon the extent each relied upon particular forest strata. Specifically, species that forage or nest near the ground were more negatively affected by deer than canopy-associated species. Likewise, mature-forest species were more sensitive to deer than successional-forest species or habitat generalists. With only a few exceptions, species-level responses to deer were consistent with group-level effects. Given the diverse suite of spatio-temporal stressors impacting migratory songbirds throughout their annual cycle, it was not surprising that long-term population trends of focal species were not significantly associated with deer abundance. Our findings, however, provide evidence that deer play an important role in songbird community structure, as mediated by the reliance of individual species upon particular forest strata and, as such, should be considered within the context of forest bird conservation.

HARE HUNTER JARET ZIMMERMAN WELCOMED IN THE LOYAL ORDER

HARE HUNTER WELCOMED INTO THE LOYAL ORDER of the BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS OF THE ALLEGHENY

 

High HareMan (L) welcoming Jaret Zimmerman into the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

TO: All Members of the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, Hare Hunters, Beaglers, friends of the Allegheny, lovers of the great outdoors and all other interested parties

FROM: The Chief Executive High HareMan of the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny

SUBJECT: Hare Hunter Received into the Loyal Order

The High HareMan is honored to announce the welcoming of the Loyal Orders newest member, Mr. Jaret Zimmerman of Cranberry, Pennsylvania. Jaret is a graduate of Cranberry High School in Seneca, PA, a dedicated beagler, owning 4 beagles, and a longtime hare hunter and sportsman having hunted snowshoe hare in the Allegheny National Forest and on the Allegheny Plateau. In addition to hunting Pennsylvania for hare and cottontail Jaret is well traveled having hunted snowshoe hare on the Tug Hill Plateau of New York State, the Adirondack Mountains and the mountains of Maine.

Jaret and two of his beagles on the Allegheny.

The official ceremonies were held at a location high on the Allegheny Plateau deep in the Allegheny National Forest during the Extreme Hare Season of 2020. The formalities were held on January 5, 2020.

Mr. Jaret Zimmerman will now be afforded all the rights and privileges bestowed upon a member in good standing in the Loyal Order. He will automatically be granted access to all lands open to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. 

Membership in the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is not without effort, however, members are not solicited, petitioned or recruited. There are no application papers or fees; however, all candidates for membership are thoroughly vetted. No outlaws or poachers need apply. Fellow beaglers get special consideration and dispensation. Membership in the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is bestowed for life. Membership cannot be revoked.

We are the proud members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. We search the mountains, high swamps, clear-cuts and evergreen plantations of the Allegheny High Plateau with beagles for the elusive snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Headquartered in western Pennsylvania, high on the Allegheny Plateau, we are a band of outdoor men and women dedicated to the preservation of one of God’s greatest creations and one of Pennsylvania’s most elusive game animals, the majestic and magnificent varying hare.

Founded in 2002, we are a small, loosely organized, ever-expanding group of devoted beaglers, veteran snowshoe hare hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists and preservationists. We like to call ourselves “elite” mainly because we are the select few. Few are the beaglers who dare venture onto the Allegheny High Plateau in the bitter cold days of winter in search of the snowshoe hare making the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny a very exclusive group to be sure. There is no weather too severe or snow too deep to curtail our passion for the great outdoors. We love to get out into the elements, searching the Allegheny High Plateau for the elusive snowshoe hare, enjoying the thrill of the chase, while taking great pleasure in the beautiful beagle music as it rings across the scenic Allegheny.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are dedicated to conserving and preserving the magnificent and omnipotent snowshoe hare on the Allegheny Plateau. Our objective is to save this magnificent animal for future generations of Pennsylvanians to enjoy. We take great pride in our mission of conservation of the varying hare. The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are determined to preserve the thrill of the chase for future generations of beaglers.

HARE HUNTER INDUCTED

Official Emblem of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

Official Emblem of the ANF.

Official Emblem of the Hare Hunters of the Adirondack Mountains

DECEMBER 15, 2019

VETERAN HARE HUNTER INDUCTED INTO

LOYAL ORDER OF THE BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHENY

The High HareMan (left) welcomes Mr. Matthew Baker into The Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny and awards Matt with his official hare hunter cap and official Membership Emblem.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny take great pride in announcing:

Mr. Matthew Baker, of Lucinda, PA. has been officially inducted into the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

The official ceremonies were held at a location high on the Allegheny Plateau deep in the Big Woods on December 15, 2019. 

 

Matt will now be afforded all the rights and privileges bestowed upon a member in good standing in the Loyal Order. He will automatically be granted access to all lands open to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. 

Membership in the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is not effortless, however, members are not solicited, petitioned or recruited. There are no application papers or fees; however, all would-be members are well vetted. No outlaws or poachers need apply. Fellow beaglers get special consideration and dispensation. Membership in the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is bestowed for life. Membership cannot be revoked.

Mr. Baker, a life long hunter, sportsman and outdoors man, is a biology teacher and the head trap shooting coach at Keystone High School, Knox, PA.
  
He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Antler Club in Lucinda, vice-president of the local chapter of Trout Unlimited, a member of Ducks Unlimited and other organizations too numerous to mention.

Matt is the proud owner and handler of two very accomplished and special beagles named Geronimo (Mo) and Pocahontas (Poco). He is a veteran hare hunter having hunted hare on the Allegheny and the Adirondack Mountains of New York with his beagles.

The HighMan is proud to announce Matt has been named by the High HareMan to two very special positions within the Loyal Order.

Matt will now serve as Biologist to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. His official duties will include but not limited to advising the High HareMan and the Loyal Order on matters concerning early successional forests, forest growth, plant biology, invasive species and etc.

The High HareMan also is announcing the naming of Mr. Matthew Baker to the Board of Directors of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

We are the proud members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. We search the mountains, high swamps, clear-cuts and evergreen plantations of the Allegheny High Plateau with beagles for the elusive snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Headquartered in western Pennsylvania, high on the Allegheny Plateau, we are a band of outdoor men and women dedicated to the preservation of one of God’s greatest creations and one of Pennsylvania’s most elusive game animals, the majestic and magnificent varying hare.

Founded in 2002, we are a small, loosely organized, ever-expanding group of devoted beaglers, veteran snowshoe hare hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists and preservationists. We like to call ourselves “elite” mainly because we are the select few. Few are the beaglers who dare venture onto the Allegheny High Plateau in the bitter cold days of winter in search of the snowshoe hare making the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny a very exclusive group to be sure. There is no weather too severe or snow too deep to curtail our passion for the great outdoors. We love to get out into the elements, searching the Allegheny High Plateau for the elusive snowshoe hare, enjoying the thrill of the chase, while taking great pleasure in the beautiful beagle music as it rings across the scenic Allegheny.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are dedicated to conserving and preserving the magnificent and omnipotent snowshoe hare on the Allegheny Plateau. Our objective is to save this magnificent animal for future generations of Pennsylvanians to enjoy. We take great pride in our mission of conservation of the varying hare. The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny are determined to preserve the thrill of the chase for future generations of beaglers.

  

HARE HUNTERS TO CONDUCT RECLAMATION PROJECT

BIG WOODS HARE HUNTERS of the ALLEGHNEY SET TO COMMENCE PROJECT

The above sign marks the spot where the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny will conduct a habitat reclamation project to improve nesting and escape cover for eastern cottontail rabbits, ruffed grouse, pheasants, song birds and all small animals.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters want to thank Seneca Resources, a National Fuel Gas company for their cooperation.

Seneca Resources is the landowner of some 600 acres of previously clear-cut land in the Guitonville area of Forest County, PA.

After years of providing prime cover for small game the property is now in need of help in order to continue providing prime habitat for our small animals. The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny will attempt to provide such help.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny want to thank Mr. Eric Byers, Company Land Forester, for his technical help and cooperation.  

IN 1900, WHITETAIL DEER POPULATION WAS ONLY 500,000.