Black Bear

 
The American black bear is the most widely distributed bear in North America to its current population levels, International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the black bear as of “least concern” regarding threats to its existence.

There are as many as 16 different subspecies of Black bear listed in North America, with some such as Florida and Mexican black bears listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Many subspecies are regulated as game mammals, and are hunted in limited regions within states such as California. Black bears are primarily omnivorous, feeding largely on vegetable matter, nuts, berries and insects. They are known, however, to be predators of young ungulates such as fawns of deer, and calves of elk and moose. Black bears are also known predators of bald eagle nests, and have been recorded raiding cave nests of California condors and killing condor chicks.

Hunt for Truth is investigating black bear predation on California condors, especially in the context of future condor reintroduction sites as in Yurok tribal lands in Northern California, and in Oregon’s Columbia River Valley.

Black bear have also been known to scavenge available carrion. As such, environmental activists contend that the potential for lead poisoning from hunter’s game left in the field may call for additional lead ammunition bans. Hunt for Truth is currently investigating allegations of poisoning and mortality related to secondary ingestion of lead shot and lead bullet fragments contained in carrion.

Grizzly Bear

The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribili), is a large land omnivore currently occupying portions of the Northern Rockies within the lower 48 states, Canada and significant portions of Alaska.

Male grizzlies in the lower 48 contiguous states can reach average weights up to 600 pounds, while occasionally growing to as much as 1,000 pounds. Female grizzlies can reach average weights of up to 350 pounds. When standing on their hind legs, grizzlies can reach heights greater than 8 feet. A sprinting grizzly bears can achieve land speeds up to 45 miles an hour over varying distances.

As an apex predator, grizzlies utilize a wide variety of food sources. These include wild ungulates (moose, elk and deer), buffalo, fish, livestock (cattle, horses, and sheep), black bears, carrion, insects, and a wide variety of vegetable matter (white pine nuts and grasses).

Grizzly bears normally can live an average of 25 years or more in the wild, with specimens in captivity living as long as 40 years.

Grizzly bears are solitary other than during breeding season, and can utilize home ranges estimated as large as 187 square miles for females, and 505 square miles for males. Grizzly bears will defend food, territory and “personal space” to varying degrees, which in turn can cause fatal interactions with humans.

Grizzly bears were listed as threatened under the ESA on July 28, 1975 for the lower 48 states. Grizzly bear Recovery Zones are identified in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington State, and the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, totaling at least 38,700 square miles of important habitat. Additional reintroduction zones are being considered in Colorado and the Bitterroot Zone in Idaho and Montana. Currently there are no critical habitat designations for the Grizzly bear.

On March 22, 2007, a Distinct Population Segment of grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park Recovery Zone was delisted as a recovered population, no longer meeting the definition requirements for a threatened listing under the ESA. That delisting was later vacated in a Montana Federal District Court on September 21, 2009. While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is appealing that ruling, the Yellowstone Distinct Population Segment remains designated as threatened.

Due to the grizzly bears reliance on carrion as a food source, certain researchers have inferred that grizzlies are threatened by ingestion of lead ammunition fragments from gut piles and game lost by hunters. Recently, however, a 2011 study undertaken by Craighead Beringia South and the University of Montana found that grizzly bears in Greater Yellowstone, where hunting is prohibited, had high blood-lead levels that were not linked to lead ammunition. The high blood-lead levels noted in the study and the conspicuous absence of a causal link between the blood-lead levels and hunters’ lead ammunition, directly indicate an alternative source of lead in the environment. Hunt for Truth continues to review studies addressing blood-lead levels in grizzly bears and other wildlife species for any objective and credible evidence allegedly linking lead poisoning to lead ammunition.

Eagle

California Condor

Coyotes

Urban Coyote Intrusions 

Urban coyote populations have risen dramatically during the last decade, most prominently in Illinois, Colorado, and California, where a rising frequency of attacks on domestic pets and children have communities frightened. Given the coyote’s ability to reproduce at exponential rates, and the lack of predators that feed on coyotes, their incursions into urban communities create dangerous long-term consequences that are not being adequately addressed by cities or state fish & game authorities. In many urban areas coyotes have become habituated to seeing man’s pets and man himself as a food source, which has resulted in countless scary encounters.

Contact the Fish & Game Commission 

The California Fish & Game Commission is currently being lobbied by animal-rights groups like the Humane Society and Project Coyote to give state-wide protected status to California’s coyote populations so that coyote populations will soar. Allowing this to happen could have catastrophic results for cities and towns.

Without active management, this growing and dangerous rapidly repopulating predator will continue to overrun our neighborhoods.

Click on the button below and send a message to the California Fish & Game Commission stating that you want something done about the increasing threat of urban coyote attacks on pets and children, and that you want the Commission to adopt a predator management plan that considers the local impact of increased coyote and other predator populations. Tell the commissioners to reject the misguided approaches being pushed by Humane Society and Project Coyote.

Also, encourage your local officials to stand on the side of the safety of their community and control coyote populations. Tell your local officials to let the Commission know the coyote intrusion problem needs to be solved by less coyotes, not more! Let the Commission know that you want a solution to the coyote problem now.

So-called “animal activist” groups such as the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and Project Coyote have marketed the concept of accepting these levels of harm to pets and children as a natural consequence of Mother Nature. Both groups have worked to overturn the current protocols in place with the North American Wildlife Management Model. In place of this model that has served the U.S.’s human-wildlife balance so well for well over 100 years, they advocate that urban communities should “co-exist” with this dangerous predator by keeping their children and pets indoors, and chase after packs of coyotes banging on pots and pans.

Both HSUS and Project Coyote have aggressively promoted this type of wishful thinking, with the sophomoric approach of “coyote hazing”.  Numerous peer-reviewed studies have shown that such “hazing” has been unsuccessful as a long-term solution: “Once coyotes have begun acting boldly or aggressively around humans, it is unlikely that any attempts at hazing can be applied with sufficient consistency or intensity to reverse coyote habituation.”[1] Nevertheless, these groups continue to push this fallacy, trying to pass it off as legitimate wildlife management policy that state fish & game authorities should adopt. And, they try to convince communities suffering from coyote issues that it is the only option. 

Published peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated that most attacks have followed increasingly bold urban coyote behaviors such as sightings during daylight hours, attacks on pets on leashes, chasing of joggers and bicyclists, as well as mid-day sightings in and around children’s play areas.[2] This is not indicative of an animal that would be deterred by mere “hazing.” And those same studies show that coyotes demonstrating such behavior are likely too far beyond being susceptible to “hazing.”

In a 2007 study entitled “A Review of Successful Urban Coyote Management Programs implemented to prevent or reduce attacks on Humans and Pets in Southern California,” trapping was found to be the most effective way to remove coyotes and re-instilling their fear of humans. In other cases, permanent removal was the only option when dealing with highly dangerous and threatening coyotes.[3]

[1] Baker, Rex O., (2007) A Review of Successful Urban Coyote Management Programs Implemented to Prevent or Reduce Attacks on Humans and Pets in Southern California, Wildlife Damage
Management Conferences — Proceedings. Paper 58

[2] Timm, R. M., Baker, R. O., Bennett, J. R., & Coolahan, C. C. (2004) Coyote Attacks: An Increasing Suburban Problem, Proceedings of the Twenty-First Vertebrate Pest Conference, 1.

[3] Timm, R. M., & Baker, R. O. (2007) A History of Urban Coyote Problems, Wildlife Damage Management Conferences – Proceedings, 76

View the full size and sources cited here: Coyote-Facts-Sheet

Migratory Birds

Migratory birds are those birds listed as protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) (MBTA).

Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that some 836 species of birds are protected under the MBTA, of which 78 species are listed as endangered and 14 species are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). An additional 144 MBTA species are listed on the Birds of Conservation Concern watch list, where populations are said to be declining precipitously.

Species protected under the MBTA include commonly hunted waterfowl, a wide variety of raptors, vultures, the California condor, crows, ravens, grackles, American woodcock and a large variety of seabirds.

Various causes of mortality to migratory birds include predation, disease, habitat loss and such anthropogenic causes as collisions with man-made structures (tall buildings, power poles, wind power turbines), poisoning (oil spills, pesticides), predation by feral cats, and “by catch” where sea birds are entangled in fishing nets and long lines.

Increased loss of habitat for migratory birds, notably waterfowl, due to pollution of soils, riparian environments, and aquifers can complicate environmental policy in the U.S. For example, the proposed construction of unlined wetland “ponds” in the Imperial Valley of California, where phosphate and selenium saturation of the soil within the mitigatory wetlands is estimated to occur in as little as 4-5 years. Contamination could result in violations of the “strict liability” language of the MBTA, which is currently being evaluated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and various environmental groups.

On December 19, 2010, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service banned lead ammunition for all take of migratory birds under the Depredation Order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies in order to prevent alleged toxicity hazards to other wildlife. There is concern that the MBTA can be used like the ESA to promulgate more hunting and recreational shooting restrictions, including the use of lead ammunition.

Hunt for Truth is currently evaluating allegations regarding lead poisoning in migratory birds and upland game due to the ingestion of lead ammunition.

Mourning Dove

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) are widely distributed members of the Columbidae dove family. Current populations in North America are estimated at roughly 350 million birds.

Mourning doves are relatively small, weighing up to 6 ounces in the wild, with overall lengths and wingspans up to 17-18 inches. Mourning doves feed primarily on seeds found on the ground, and are capable of drinking brackish water that is otherwise non-potable to other species.

Mourning doves are especially fecund, capable of laying eggs in clutches of one to three as many as two to six batches per breeding season.

Mourning doves can achieve speeds up to 45 miles per hour and possess great maneuverability, making them a challenging game to hunt. Mourning doves are one of the most widely hunted game species in North America, with some 20 million birds taken annually.

Other forms of mortality to mourning doves include native and feral animal predation, and diseases like trichomoniasis that spreads through the use of birdbaths and bird feeders in urban and suburban settings. Mourning doves are also potential vectors for West Nile Virus and avian influenza.

Mourning doves are regulated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), where hunting seasons and bag limits are set in the various states where dove hunting is permitted under the oversight and consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Environmental activists and researchers have widely promoted lead ammunition bans for hunting migratory upland game, claiming that mourning doves routinely mistake lead shot for seed. Mourning dove hunting, however, tends to occur in restricted or fixed locations within small areas that are very attractive to this species (i.e. cultivated fields, fence-rows, water sources), and may not be representative of the manner in which other upland game species are hunted.

While some studies claim that there is evidence that mourning doves ingest spent lead shot believing it to be a food source, it was determined that although large amounts of shot were deposited in localized hunting areas, only a very small proportion of that shot may actually be available to feeding doves. Additionally, lead ingestion studies claiming that lead shot can cause poisoning in doves have been proven to be flawed because the methodology of unnatural force feeding of the birds does not replicate natural feeding conditions in the wild. Hunt for Truth is reviewing the numerous studies with claims related to the ingestion of lead ammunition for objective evidence of lead poisoning in mourning doves.

Raven

Common raven (Corvus corax) are members of the crow family and are widely distributed in Northern Canada, the Western United States, Alaska, portions of Western Mexico and the Appalachian mountains east of the Mississippi River.

Due to their range and habits, the common raven is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918).

Raven can reach lengths up to 27 inches long, and wingspans of about 4 feet. Raven can also achieve weights up to 5 pounds. In appearance, raven are shiny black like crows, but have a humped shaped beak and are more solitary and territorial than crows.

Raven are extremely adaptable, and have successfully exploited human development more than a large number of species. Raven take advantage of landfills and road kill for a food source, as well as being a known predator of endangered species such as juvenile desert tortoises, eggs of California condors, and the young of Marbled murrelets and Least terns. Raven will arrive “on scene” to road kill carcasses and other domestic and wildlife carrion hours before larger scavengers, such as vultures and California condors.

Raven are known for not only raiding landfills, but foraging carrion left behind by both hunters and apex predators. Researchers in Wyoming have allegedly linked lead projectile fragment ingestion by raven to gutpiles left in the field by hunters. These same researchers consider raven as “surrogates” for lead fragment ingestion by species listed under the Endangered Species Act, such as grizzly bears and the formerly listed Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf-Distinct Population Segment in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and parts of Utah, Washington and Oregon.

Hunt for Truth is monitoring raven management and control plans for any indication of objective evidence that ingestion of lead ammunition by ravens is the cause of lead poisoning.

Trumpeter Swan

The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is a member of the Anatidae family and is the largest waterfowl in North America.

Trumpeter swan can achieve lengths of up to 62 inches long, wingspans of almost 7 feet and weigh as much as 37-38 pounds. Trumpeter swan can be long-lived, living up to 24 years in the wild and 32 years in captivity. Trumpeter swan start reproduction at ages of 3-4 years, and form relatively permanent pair bonds.

Trumpeter swan have good reproductive potential, capable of laying clutches of up to 8-9 eggs per breeding season. Trumpeter swan are generally “dabbling” feeders in pond and lake environments, though they are also thought to feed in agricultural fields adjacent to water areas.

Trumpeter swan were once widely distributed throughout major portions of North America, but were hunted heavily both for meat and for the millenary trades in the 19th Century. In 1908, trumpeter swan fell under the protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), and populations have rebounded within core habitats in Alaska, western Canada and portions of Washington State. Trumpeter swan have also migrated as far south as Arkansas since population levels began increasing.

Trumpeter swan were once considered candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act, but discovery of additional swan populations in Alaska caused them to be removed from listing. Trumpeter swan can be listed as protected under a number of state regulations.

Environmental activist have long alleged that trumpeter swan are poisoned by lead shot found in the sediments around waterfowl hunting areas. Researchers maintain that the trumpeter swan’s long neck and feeding habits cause them to pick up and ingest residual lead shot in shallow sediments.

Hunt for Truth is currently reviewing documentation regarding claims that lead ammunition from upland game hunting is resulting in lead poisoning in trumpeter swan.

Waterfowl

Lead poisoning in waterfowl is extremely unique and is exclusive to certain species of ducks, swans and geese. While lead ammunition used for hunting waterfowl was banned in 1992, this was predominantly due to the aquatic environment in which the animals reside, and the unusual manner in which the species eat.

Waterfowl generally congregate in and around bodies of water, where lead shot can accumulate in the sediments of water bodies that are heavily hunted. The accumulation of shot can become problematic because of the non-selective way in which waterfowl feed. By sticking their head underwater and blindly sifting through sediments for seeds, bugs, etc., waterfowl can unintentionally ingest large amounts of shot.

The ingestion of shot is further compounded by the waterfowl’s unusual digestive physiology. Waterfowl have a very specialized gizzard that acts as a mechanical “grinder” to break down food items by muscular contraction and grinding of food against the sand/rocks within the gizzard. Waterfowl also consume harder food items like mollusks and hard shelled seeds to assist in the digestion of food. Within the gizzard of waterfowl, food is combined with sand, rocks, and, if swallowed, shot, which causes the lead to be ground down over a long period of time and become bioavailable to some extent.

Waterfowl present a unique circumstance not found in upland hunting. The combination of these unusual events in which a high concentration of lead shot accumulates in an aquatic environment, coupled with the non-specific feeding habits of waterfowl and the unparalleled processing and digestion of food makes waterfowl unique.

However, these circumstances, while unique to waterfowl are not an issue in non-aquatic situations, (ie upland game hunting practices), because lead shot is dispersed over a large area and embeds in the soil where it is not readily available for ingestion by wildlife. Furthermore, upland game birds do not commonly ingest lead shot. In those rare instances where upland birds do ingest lead shot, they do so while ingesting food items which stimulate the digestive process which causes the bolus of food to be rapidly swept out of the stomach, without a significant absorption of lead.

Wolves

The Mexican Wolf

Mexican wolves (Canis lupis bailey), is a subspecies of wolf native to Arizona, New Mexico and Northern Mexico.

Mexican wolves can reach shoulder heights as much as 32 inches, grow as long from nose to tip of tail as 5 ½ feet, and can weigh as much as 80 pounds. Mexican wolves can live as long as 15 years in captivity.

Mexican wolves prey primarily on wild ungulates (deer, elk, and antelope) as well as opportunistically feeding on small mammals, rodents, and possibly livestock such as sheep and cattle. As such, sustainable use policies in Mexican wolf habitat can lead to reduced hunting quotas for big game species, so as to assure that there is sufficient game for the recovery of the Mexican wolf population across its historical range.

Currently only 50 or so Mexican wolves are thought to exist in the wild, predominantly in Eastern Arizona and Western New Mexico.

The Mexican wolf is currently listed as endangered, under the Endangered Species Act and is the subject of a captive breeding program involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a variety of non-governmental program partners carrying out captive breeding in the United States. A recent reintroduction of Mexican wolves from Mexico may allow increased numbers of Mexican wolves to be released in a manner not subject to U.S. public comment and input as required under the National Environmental Policy Act.  Livestock and hunting interests may need to be concerned with the additional effects of these wolves “dispersing” from Mexico on wild ungulate and livestock populations.

The “purity” of the Mexican wolf strain has been questioned at times, with Mexican wolves found in captivity to have a percentage of domestic dog genes. A number of Mexican wolves within the Mexican wolf captive breeding program have been euthanized because of hybridization with domestic dogs.

Like the gray wolf, the Mexican wolf has been known to scavenge, and environmental activists contend that the potential for lead poisoning from hunter’s game left in the field calls for additional lead ammunition bans.  Hunt for Truth is monitoring the Mexican wolf recovery program and its participants.