Economic Evaluation of Cattle and White-tailed Deer Response to Aerial Spraying of Mixed Brush

Abstract

The combined economic effects, based on returns for lease hunting of white-tailed deer in conjunction with lifestock production, were calculated following partial treatment (80% sprayed in alternating strips) and complete treatment of mixed brush in South Texas with aerial sprays of 2,4,5-T and picloram at 1 lb/acre. Both approaches were economically feasible based on a 10% discount rate over a 9-year projected treatment life, except when the brush was completely sprayed and cattle prices were $0.255/lb. However, when cattle prices were less than $0.495/lb, partial treatment by aerial spraying was preferred, in an economic sense, since returns from lease hunting where 20% of the brush was left untreated for wildlife habitat more than compensated for reduced cattle returns.