Solving Conflicts
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IDENTIFYING CAUSES OF DAMAGE
Browsing
Deer and elk - nipped stems show a rough shredded edge and a square or ragged break.
Rabbits - stems with a smooth knife-like cut that usually has a 45 degree angle edge.
Voles - narrow (1/16 inch) cris-crossed tooth marks on branch.
Pocket gophers - girdle tree roots, may gnaw bark above ground within snow drift.
Fox squirrels - strip bark from trees high above ground, primarily damage deciduous trees.
Porcupines - gnaw bark usually high above ground, wide incisor marks on exposed sapwood, primarily damage pine trees.
Beaver - damage results in cone shaped stumps of trees and freshly peeled sticks often laying in the water.
Rubbing
Deer and elk - remove velvet from antlers by rubbing on trees, rubbing removes bark from 1 1/2 inches to 3 feet above the ground.
Burrowing
Pocket gophers - burrow entrance closed 99.9% of the time. Mound about 3 inches high and 18 inches in diameter at the end of closed burrow, usually several mounds.
Voles - 1 to 1 1/2 inch open burrow, tunnels in grass, often several burrows.
Wyoming (Richardson's) ground squirrels - 2 inch open burrow, often several burrows.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrels - 1 1/2 inch open burrow, usually few burrows.
Additional information: Identification and Assessment of Wildlife Damage: An Overview, in Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage Handbook (contains a description of damage caused by a variety of animals).
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