Responses of Game and Nongame Wildlife to Predator Control in South Texas

Abstract

One hundred thirty-two coyotes, 27 opossums, 22 skunks, 18 bobcats, 15 raccoons, 12 badgers, and one gray fox were killed on a 1,550-ha area of mixed brush rangeland in South Texas during January-July 1975 and 1976 to determine the responses of herbivore and quail populations to predator control. When compared to an area without predator control, predator removal at this level had little discernible effect on density trends of bobwhite or scaled quail, rodents, or lagomorphs. However, fawn production per unit area was 70% greater in 1975 on the area with predator control and 43% greater in 1976. These data suggest that intensive short-term predator control on South Texas rangeland results in little or no adverse impact on range forage due to expanding populations of small herbivores. Productivity and populations of white-tailed deer may increase and harvests should be adjusted accordingly, as overuse of range forage could occur.