KERRVILLE A comprehensive symposium on how wildlife and game managers may use predator controls is being planned here for next April.
The symposium, dubbed “The Role of Predator Control as a Tool in Game Management: A Compendium of Texas Experiences,” is sponsored by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board, the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service and USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services.
It is set for April 18-19 in the YO Ranch Hotel and Conference Center.
Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension wildlife specialist at San Angelo and a program coordinator, said the session will touch on every aspect Texans are likely to encounter relating to the wildlife management-predator control question.
“Our main objective here is to summarize the state of the science relative to the use of predator control as a tool in managing economically important game populations,” Rollins said. “We also expect this symposium to act as an open forum for information exchange on predator and wildlife conflicts.
“Predators and their management have always been a contentious topic,” he said. “It’s controversial enough when the issue involves coyotes eating domestic sheep, but what about the natural’ role that such predators play in the ecology of deer and game birds?
“This symposium has special significance to ranchers, other landowners, hunters and wildlife managers,” Rollins said.
Rollins said the issue of predator management for wildlife has become more topical in recent years, especially with the increasing economic importance of such species as white-tailed deer and bobwhite quail. The symposium will focus on predator impacts on deer, quail and turkey populations, with emphasis on Texas situations.
Continuing education units from The Wildlife Society and Texas Department of Agriculture will be available, but the total number and specific categories have not yet been determined.
Pre-registration fees are $75 per person until April 1; $100 thereafter and at the door. Student rates are $25 and $35. Registration includes three meals, a copy of the symposium proceedings and refreshments.
Limited exhibit space is available at a cost of $250 per booth (includes one registration). Contact Mike McDougall (830) 232-6673 for more trade show details and to reserve space. Deadline for reserving exhibit booth space also is April 1.
For further information concerning the symposium contact Rollins at (915) 653-4576 or e-mail him at:d-rollins@tamu.edu. Check http://texnat.tamu.edu. for program updates.
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