Reviews & Endorsements
Reviews Deer Management for Forest Landowners and Managers “…does a nice job in presenting … the need to combine scientific understanding with political/social demands (the human dimension) when finding and working toward solutions to address natural resources challenges. It makes clear that political pressures rather than scientific fact often profoundly influence natural resource decisions, particularly by administrators of local, state, and national agencies.” And it “… does a good job illustrating the complexity of devising and implementing a program to reduce and control deer density. The book provides …extensive reference to published sources to lay out a scientific basis for different recommendations and hypothesis ...explained in ways that folks lacking a wildlife science background can understand and appreciate.The argument for a holistic and integrative approach to bring the deer herd and habitat into a sustainable balance makes sense as a long-term approach for forest landowners and their managers. The case studies help to show the need for such a comprehensive approach, as well as illustrating the complexity of any program that might succeed. They provide realistic assessments of the possible outcomes (including having limited effects), and the long time frames for realizing even partial success. And they demonstrate how managers need to integrate scientific “fact” with consideration of human dimensions when making decisions about what to do and how to accomplish the goals. In these ways, the case studies add considerably to the book and the arguments for integrated management." Ralph D. Nyland Deer Management for Forest Landowners and Managers provides an overview of the complexities of managing overabundant white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in forested landscapes… It provides readers with the basics of managing deer in a complex environment…and highlights the topics of deer biology and ecology, human dimensions, planning and assessment, communicating with stakeholders, and specific case examples to illustrate the authors' points of addressing these complex management challenges. This book would be beneficial to students, land managers, and biologists with an interest in understanding the complexities of deer management and how others (the case histories) navigated a variety of deer management challenges. Communicating with and Educating Stakeholders was one of my favorite chapters because of the in-depth discussion on developing an effective communication program and the dissemination of the management plan through a variety of media outlets (e.g., websites, social media)… while taking into account and understanding stakeholder perspectives and desires. Excerpted from the review for The Wildlife Society Endorsements If you’re a forest landowner serious about managing your deer and woods then this book is for you. The authors share many careers worth of experience successfully managing forests, and they provide it in a how, who, when, where and how much/how long format. The manager summaries, detailed information, specific examples, and case histories take a complex subject and break it down into easily accomplished segments. We know more today about managing forests in deer country than ever before and this book provides forest landowners and managers the foundation to successfully reach their goals. Kip Adams When managing forests for deer there are a myriad of ecological and human factors to consider and all interact to determine deer density and impacts. There are habitat variables (e.g. deer found in many forest types), hunter variables (and there are many), landowner variables (private, state, federal), manager variables (forest, private landowners, hunter that lease, and hunters that own land), just to mention a few. Dr. deCalesta covers the basics of deer ecology and silviculture and their relationships in depth. This book is an extensive resource for deer and timber management as well as all aspects of human dimensions. However, it is also a hands-on manual (see chapters 11,12, 13, 21, and the case studies), with an extensive review of all important background literature. As such, it will hold an important place in the library of a diverse readership. Dr. David Samuel There is perhaps no one better qualified to speak to the issue of integrating deer and forest management than the authors in this book. The questions of how best to accomplish deer management objectives in the context of silviculture, and achieve the stocking goals of regenerating a forest after harvest in the face of some of the largest deer populations in recorded history have been on the minds of wildlife biologists and foresters for more than 60 years. This book provides the definitive answers. It belongs on the reading list of every forest landowner. William F. Porter The regeneration of native forest plants is essential, though thwarted by the widespread and substantial impacts by deer. Deer Management for Forest Landowners and Managers captures the wealth of knowledge of the editors and authors who understand deer as hunters, ecologists, managers and scientists. This book provides a necessary leap forward in the who and how of deer and forest management. Peter Smallidge This book is a thorough synthesis of Dr. deCalesta's outstanding career in forest and wildlife ecology, in which the white-tailed deer is truly a keystone species. It's a must read for landowners, deer and forest managers, and those studying forest ecology. Merlin Benner, President Deer Management for Forest Landowners and Managers is a comprehensive tour of the toolbox available to land managers, all the while recognizing the critical role of hunters. The authors provide perspectives ranging from deer research to practical constraints of small property management, complete with case studies, and thus provide a valuable resource for all of us practitioners. Robin Wildermuth There is a kind of ancient truth that the success or failure of conservation is ultimately rooted in human nature. As such it’s become a paradox of our time that one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories in the history of North America is increasing viewed as one of our greatest failures. Who would have thought 100 years ago that an animal seen almost mystical in nature as the white-tailed deer would come to be viewed as a pest, extracting such a cost to society as well as to the very forest habitats they need to survive. This book is a road map to restoring deer to their long-time place of balance, serving the common good for people and nature. Allen Pursell, Director of Forest Conservation,
|
||