Hunting is more than just a hobby or a past time for many people. It is a way of life. Hunting is also an important part of conservation for natural areas and wildlife. The number of hunters in the U.S. has been in decline the last 5 decades. Since hunting season is here let’s talk about why hunting is important and how it benefits conservation efforts. I’m also going to talk about European hornets because I’ve gotten several calls about them recently.
In the early 1900s, wildlife populations were very low. Market hunting, over trapping, and invasive species pushed many native species of game to the brink of extinction. However, due to wildlife management many game species have had their populations brought back to flourishing. Most of the management is done by state agencies that rely heavily on sportsmen purchasing equipment and licenses to do their hunting. Even as the number of hunters in America continues to decline, hunters and anglers still contribute the most to conservation practices financially.
Hunters manage populations of wildlife that otherwise would be non-existent. Over-population of wildlife is a serious concern. Over-population of wildlife can lead to nutrition issues, disease, damaged ecosystems, and wildlife wandering into areas where they don’t need to be. Over-population of deer is damaging to forests because deer will feed on tree saplings. With no young trees to come up and replace old, dying trees forests will diminish and turn into pastureland. This in turn will affect the food chain and watersheds. Disease is a concern as well because diseases from wildlife can spread to domesticated animals as well.
The European hornet is really big. They can be an inch and half or larger. Sometimes they are confused with Giant Asian Hornets, because both are very large in size, but the giant Asian hornet has not been reported in the U.S. European hornets have black and yellow stripes, and sometimes a reddish color on their head.
They will defend their nest by stinging if anyone gets too close, and can sting repeatedly. They build large paper nests that are about 6 feet off the ground. Sometimes they will raid honeybee hives. A unique feature about them is that they will continue to work at night. Most hornets and wasps will decrease in activity at night, but that is not necessarily the case with these guys. They will be attracted to light at night. Usually they feed on large insects like grasshoppers, flies, and bees. If food becomes scarce they may move to fruit hanging on trees. They will also take bark from trees. If they take enough bark they will girdle a tree, which results in the tree dying.
If you encounter European hornets it’s best to have a pest management company handle them. They are difficult to remove if you can’t find the nest.
If you have questions about hunting season or European hornets contact your county Extension office or email me at Jacob.Williams@uga.edu. For more information on hunting you can also go to gadnr.org.
On September 26, Union County Extension is hosting a Radon Education Program at 5:30 in the Union County Civic Center. Call 706-439-6030 or Email me to RSVP.
The Towns-Union Master Gardeners are having their annual Fall Plant Sale on September 28 at the Union County Farmers Market. Stop by to get some perennial plants that are adapted to our climate.