THE WILD VIEW
Sand Traps: The Nocturnal Guestbook
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t’s that time of year – shorter days and less time to the nights are cold, the sand will warm up to the days sun complete daylight tasks on the course. Often we will and retain that heat into the evening, attracting all kinds of have more to contend with in these days of shortened light, wildlife activity, both predator and prey. including wildlife. It’s fall, and we have already seen an This particular course is very diverse in wildlife activity. increase in Canada Goose populations We identified the coyote presence was across the province. Even on courses very strong on certain areas of the course. within city boundaries, the increase in We had to move them from their comfort Tools used during an goose traffic from rural areas due to zones to the areas where the racoons were assessment can be used hunting and less human traffic on their feasting on turf. Over the course of a ‘green’ buffet tables. But what about week, we pre-baited pork ribs on 4' stakes seasonally to determine other wildlife which take advantage of which were placed systematically along the the wildlife pressure a less daylight seasons. How do they adapt edge of the green space towards the area course will be exposed to on our sites, and how do we manage their of desired control. As predicted, the bait populations in order to keep a healthy and the possible direction was taken each day. The week also allowed balance? the application of grub killer to take effect Previously, I touched on assessments and for effective management. on grubs, ultimately removing the food how they are critical in an overall wildlife source. Upon the 5th night of control, we program. Tools used during an assessment set up more bait stations in the area, in can be used seasonally to determine the the event raccoons would also be attracted wildlife pressure a course will be exposed to pre-bait stations. To confirm our goal to and the possible direction for effective of attracting the predators, coyotes, to management. An effective, common sense the prey, raccoons, we installed field approach is visual monitoring of activity. cameras. The cameras showed that the Last year, on a regularily serviced course coyotes were very much in the area. Now located between Milton and Burlington, the monitoring of the damage would take a raccoon situation arose. The raccoons place to see if the coyote presence moved were turning over sections of turf on a the raccoons out. Observations showed fairway, causing issues for golfers and the both short-term and long-term results as turf department. In this instance, the question for the turf no further evidence of racoon activity was evident. More managers was how to deal with the problem. They knew importantly, no further damage the entire year following. they had hundreds of raccoons in the vast forested area The benefits of using this natural means of control, with on and around their course. To catch and release the few an integrated approach: culprits digging for grubs would only invite more to come • Allowed for successful results with no further turf in and feast where the others left off or the others would damage simply return to continue the damage. • Humane approach and results As a regular customer, we knew they had other wildlife • No time required for checking of trapping devices and activity on site, some predator, some competition for food disposal or relocation of trapped animals source. One obvious factor in control was to remove the • Most importantly, more time for turf staff to focus on food source, grubs, as soon as possible. The other needed other priorities that they do best. ■ control was to remove the predation on the grubs by the raccoons and prevent skunks from moving in and taking Michael von Kaitz, C.Q.C.S. / C.G.M.P. claim to this area and other areas of course as well. Owner / National Consultant We assessed the wildlife activity by simply monitoring The Wildlife Management Group Inc., areas where signs of wildlife activity could be seen – the Burlington, ON sand traps. An excellent source for monitoring wildlife, Phone: 1-888-557-5855 sand traps show wildlife activity by the tracks animals leave www.wildlifeteam.ca behind. In the spring and fall when the days are warm and Fall 2011 • Green is Beautiful 23