State Wildlife Management and Conservation /

For most people, ideas of wildlife management evoke thoughts of the federal government and the Endangered Species Act. However, management and conservation of wild animals is almost entirely conducted by the various state wildlife agencies. This book does an outstanding job of explaining the complicated history and operation of the state agencies that have the responsibility for protecting, managing, and when necessary, controlling game animals and non-game species. Presented as a series of essays, each of which was written by appropriate experts, the book recounts the history of state wildlife agencies, explains how they receive their funding and enforce their regulations, and presents descriptions of management techniques for big game animals, smaller game, fur-bearing mammals, migratory birds, non-game animals, nuisance animals, and wildlife diseases. The book also investigates how wildlife managers must interact with the general public to fulfill their missions. A final essay explores the future of state wildlife agencies. Each chapter is loaded with citations, and most contain case studies that would make this volume an excellent supplementary text for an introductory class in wildlife management. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates through faculty and professionals.--John L. Hunt, University of Arkansas--Monticello