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You are here: Home / Archives for book review

January 14, 2019 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Book Review: Among the Pigeons

Book Review: Among the Pigeons: Why Our Cats Belong Indoors by John L. Read. Mile End, South Australia:Wakefield Press, 2019. Pre-Press.” Expected publication 2019.

 

As the habitat for many creatures has been fragmented by human activity, the introduction of protected, fed, and indiscriminate predator, the house cat, has greatly multiplied the threat to the survival of many native species. John L. Read is a trained ecologist who hails from Australia, a continent that has struggled mightily with the negative environmental impacts of non-native animals like the house cat.

I learned of Read through a social media page of people dedicated to fighting the scourge of free-range cats. Read was kind enough to send me a pre-publication version of his book, Among the Pigeons. My comments will be on this pre-publication version.

House cats are everywhere as seen by the tracks on this vehicle window. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.
House cats are everywhere as seen by the tracks on this vehicle window. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel.

Among the Pigeons belongs to that genre of books that can be entitled as narrative science. It’s a scientific book in that Read has done yeoman’s work sifting the published literature. He deftly and smartly weaves that information throughout the books, 300 plus pages. But the book is narrative in that Read tells stories, lots of stories from his personal visits around the world with people involved with cats. He discusses meetings with people from Australia, Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Africa, Spain and Pacific Islanders. Throughout, Read avoids creating straw men or demonizing people who have different views about cats than himself. But nor does he let them off the hook for the consequences and impacts of their actions and choices, and sometimes lack of action. In this way, the book also delves into the social-cultural aspects of the cat debate. He rightly understands that facts don’t change people who don’t have the moral fiber to integrate those facts into changing their behavior.   

If the book sounds complex, it’s because the subject he is dealing with is. Frankly, I found myself quite depressed at times. Read tries to soften the blow but the news is not good, though there are glimpses of hope. I particularly appreciated learning about the research being done in finding new methods to control free-range cats in the field. As a professional in the wildlife control industry, I do think he was a bit too negative on the efficacy of traditional controls. I understand that agents have had difficulty catching the last few cats in various locations, thereby casting doubt on the benefits of traditional methods (e.g. hunting, trapping). I just wonder if part of the problem is the rules governing control methods were too restrictive. I have said, hunting is easy, legal hunting is hard. Readers should not take my slight criticism here as a reason to avoid this profound book.

If you want to learn more about the impacts of cats, how people are working to manage the problem (or not) and insight into the psycho-social complexity of the problem, then this book is for you. You can learn more at Johnlread.com

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

Filed Under: book review, cats Tagged With: book review, cats, house cats

September 10, 2014 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Coexisting with Furbearers

Coexisting with Local Furbearers. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Coexisting with Local Furbearers. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Book Review: Coexisting with Local Furbearers: Good Practices in Management and Intervention by Gaétan Fournier. Quebec, Canada: Fédération des Trappeurs Gestionnaires du Québec, 2014. 248 pp.

Canada has had a long fur trapping tradition and coexisting with furbearers. With about 1/10th the population of the U.S. and about twice the land area, it’s a veritable trapping paradise. But even Canadians encounter conflicts with wildlife which need to be resolved.
This text is designed to train fur trappers in how to prevent and manage the conflicts caused by fur bearers. The guiding principle behind the book is to reduce the killing of valuable furbearing species outside the trapping season through the use of non-lethal techniques and targeted removals.
The book has 8 chapters: Introduction, managing human/wildlife conflicts, mandatory steps for professional operations, managing nuisance furbearing animals, the dilemma of translocation, repellents and their limitations, disposing of animal remains, and conclusion. , the bulk of the book falls under Chapter 4, managing nuisance furbearing animals. There readers will find detailed information on the biology, non-lethal control methods, lethal control methods, diseases, and other concerns, for beaver, muskrat, river otter, mink, squirrels, weasels, raccoon, skunk, red fox, coyote, wolf, and black bear. Note the information tends to center on damage issues affecting rural, livestock, infrastructure, and non-building settings. If you are looking for instructions on running a business in Columbus, OH, this is not the book for you.

Fournier included several appendices to cover important topics, such as diseases, selective trapping, attractants (i.e. baits/lures), and specialist equipment. Appendices contain important information that may not be expected given their placement in the appendices.
I had the privilege and pleasure to be a technical editor for this publication, so forgive me if I gush a bit about this book. It is smartly illustrated with beautiful color images and superb line drawings. Trappers interested in research-based wildlife control should get a copy of this text. I am confident that readers will improve their understanding of wildlife biology and techniques used to manage their damage.

To obtain a copy, send an e-mail containing your complete address, quantity desired to: [email protected] FTGQ will send a PayPal invoice that will inform you about the price of the book and the shipping fees (all in Canadian dollars).

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP®
https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com

Filed Under: book review Tagged With: book review, Coexisting with Furbearers, Fournier, furbearers, Quebec, Stephen M. Vantassel, trapping, wildlife

August 7, 2014 by Stephen M. Vantassel

New Age DP Coon Trapping Methods and More! By Leroy Renno

Book review: New Age DP Coon Trapping Methods and More! By Leroy Renno. Mifflintown, PA: Juniata Valley Trapper Supply, 2013. 64 pages. $11.95.

DP Traps. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
DP Traps. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

With the rise in the use of encapsulated-foot traps, also known as dog-proof traps (i.e. DP traps), it was good to see a book discussing the ins and outs of their use. Mr. Renno hails from Pennsylvania and has years of experience with these traps which he shares in this easy to read book.

Mr. Renno begins by a quick review of raccoon behavior. He discusses the raccoon’s intelligence, reproduction, and weather-based activity in order to set the stage for explaining the use of DPs to catch raccoons. Next, Mr. Renno describes the fundamental elements of the DP traps. Though he has only used the Coon Dagger, Duke DP, Sterling Griz, and the Trapmaster (RC Best Modified), readers should know that the information is applicable to all the various types of DPs on the market today. I appreciated Mr. Renno’s candor in explaining that though designed for raccoons, DPs can and do capture other animals. He rightly cautions readers not to get overly confident about the species specificness of these traps, particularly around built up areas as the trapper will likely be in a for an unwanted surprise. I was surprised to see that Renno doesn’t believe that these traps need to have a push-pull trigger. Readers should hear him out before rejecting his comments.

After describing how to prepare your new traps for the line, Renno discusses the three ways he uses to anchor the traps. Having used DPs this season on my own trapline, I would emphasize the importance of making sure your quicklinks are wrenched tight, should you decide to use them at all. In my opinion, split rings are a more reliable choice to secure DPs to cables.

The last section of the book details Renno’s fur handling techniques, which he claims will increase your fur check by 20%. In surprisingly brief terms, Renno takes you through his process from equipment to skinning, to fleshing, to stretching, to damage repair. Images, though black and white, are clear and helpful in illustrating his points.
It was Renno’s description of the various sets used for DP traps that I found the most significant. Sets are critical because the DP has to be properly mounted/placed into the ground in order to provide the resistance necessary for a raccoon to fire the trap. He shows how to make sets in water and frozen ground. Nor does Renno overlook the difficult question of baiting. He discusses his baiting choices as well as methods for protecting your bait from the ubiquitous mice that are available to steal it.
In sum, Mr. Renno has provided trappers with important information on how to incorporate DP traps into your trapline. I think readers will appreciate his humility and brevity with words.

Copies of the book are available for $15.00 ppd from the author. Make checks payable to Juniata Valley Trapper Supply and mail to 251 Maple Lane Mifflintown, PA 17059. Otherwise call 717-463-3624 and pay with a credit card.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a Certified Wildlife Control Operator (CWCP®) who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

Filed Under: book review, raccoons Tagged With: book review, dp, raccoons, Stephen M. Vantassel, trapping, traps

April 21, 2014 by Stephen M. Vantassel

One Square Mile by Ed Schneider

One Square Mile. By Ed Schneider.

Book Review: Auburn, Kansas: Kansas Trapline Products, 2012. 86 pages. $15.00.

One Square Mile is not your typical book on trapping predators. Schneider doesn’t delve very deeply in the traditional topics, such as set making, lure choice, and equipment selection. Of course, he mentions those elements but only to the extent needed to discuss the primary purpose of this book, namely how to understand coyote travel and dispersal routes as they pertain to choosing locations for your sets. In other words, One Square Mile is the opposite of most trapping books. Where other books discuss the details of trapping predators, such as set choice, this text reviews the big picture.

Stephen M. Vantassel with a coyote.
Stephen M. Vantassel with a coyote. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Schneider guides readers into considering this “big picture” approach in two ways. First, he provides some very helpful tips on how to read maps to determine how to maximize your scouting time. I have trouble understanding how to read land from a macro point of view. But this text helped me get a better handle on reading maps as well as underscoring the importance of reading those maps BEFORE going to the location to scout for sign.
The second way Schneider helps readers see the “big picture” is by reminding readers the importance of understanding coyote behavior as it relates to the trapping process. He explains that too often trappers fail to catch the appropriate number of coyotes because they didn’t modify their trapping methods or they pulled traps too soon. For example, Schneider thinks that trappers rely too heavily on the dirt hole set and thus miss coyotes who have gotten educated enough to avoid dirt holes. Schneider is careful to explain that he doesn’t have magic answers. He completely understands that your location has to have coyotes in order to catch them. His point is simply to suggest that trappers have to step back and determine whether the decline in catches is due to reduced population, trap wise coyotes, or misplaced traps.

In fact, it was Schneider’s ability to encourage trappers to re-evaluate their trapping practices that made the book such an interesting read. He was like a trapping counselor gently guiding the reader to think more deeply about your trapping activities. Please note, that the text does cover snaring, bobcats, and equipment, again from that big picture perspective.

The book uses a spiral binding for the 8.5 x 11 inch sheets. Images are in full color. The text and layout would have benefited from some editing. At times, Schneider speaks so highly of the instructors he has studied under that it can have the feel of an extended advertisement. I must say that it is refreshing to read an author speak so highly of others rather than tooting his/her own horn.

If you are in a trapping rut and/or need to get a fresh perspective, then this book is likely for you. You can obtain your copy by sending $15.00 plus $3.00 shipping to Kansas Trapline Products 250 Washington St. Auburn, KS 66402. Telephone 660-641-3682660-641-3682 or e-mail [email protected] for further information.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

 

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Filed Under: book review, coyote Tagged With: book review, coyotes, Ed Schneider, one square mile, Stephen M. Vantassel, trapping

November 15, 2013 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Review: Behavior of North American Mammals by Elbroch & Rinehart

Elbroch, M., & Rinehart, K. (2011). Behavior of North American Mammals. Peterson Reference Guide New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 378 pp.

Behavior of Mammals by M. Elbroch and K. Rinehart.
Behavior of Mammals by M. Elbroch and K. Rinehart.

Nature guides fall into two categories, guides for identification and guides to behavior. Identification guides focus on brief facts concerning animals, such as identifying marks, size, range, mating periods, and litter size. In contrast, behavioral guides delve into the complex way animals interact with their environment and other species. As the title suggests, Behavior of North American Mammals falls into the second category. Elbroch and Rinehart do a masterful job sifting the literature and summarizing it in a form that is readable and backed by research.

In case you forgot your high school biology, mammals are animals with a spine that have hair on their bodies and give birth to live young. In other words, all the animals that trappers seek for their fur are mammals. The authors organize the mammals according to their scientific orders. Several orders only have one species, such as Didelphimorphia which only has opossum listed. Orders listing with more species, such as Rodentia, are broken down into families. All the species are discussed using the same 8 categories: activity and movement, food and foraging, habitat and home range, communication, courtship and mating, development and dispersal of young, interactions among the species, and interactions with other species.

This text will help fill in the gaps in understanding, which will make you a more informed trapper. I also think that it will affirm insights trappers have already observed in their work as lay naturalists. As can be expected, the authors cover a lot of species that trappers don’t handle. However, I believe that trappers can benefit from learning more about prey species that furbearers feed upon. Greater sensitivity to the prey behavior can only improve scouting and trap placement because where prey exist, predators exist.

The book has a few minor issues readers about which readers should be mindful. First, the authors are trying to synthesize a vast amount of information for a national audience. While they handle this complex task with care, at times, their findings may not be applicable for all locations where the species is found. It is important to remember they have to generalize and that some information may not be applicable to species behavior in your part of the country. Second, the authors discussion of mammals is not complete. To my dismay, pocket gophers are not discussed, but moles are.

The text is beautifully illustrated with crisp color photos and line drawings. Technical terms are explained so readers don’t have to have a dictionary handy. I am confident that readers interested in research-based information about the mammals around us will find this text a worthwhile buy.

The book is available through major book distributors, such as Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and local bookstores with nature sections. It retails for $35 dollars but used copies can be purchase for $9.23, plus shipping.

About the Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.

If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

 

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: behavior of north american mammals, book review, Elbroch, mammal behavior, review, Rinehart, Vantassel

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