r,7n 



THE M il\TE\A\CE OF A GROUSE CROP 



Control of Buffers 



Another factor in the mainlenancf of jxroiise |)o])ulations involves the presence of suflB- 

 cient numbers of buffer species to provide an adequate reservoir of staple foods for the pred- 

 ators present. An ample suppl) of the.-c will ser\e as a guard against excessive predation. 

 Foxes, for example, have been found to tra\el more extensively and to spend more time 

 hunting when rabbits and mice were scarce. At such times their chances of encountering 

 grouse are increased. At the same time, an o\erabundance of these buflfer species may at- 

 tract undue numbers of predators. One must also bear in mind the danger that too man\ 

 buffers, which are mainly rodents, may damage essential vegetation. Just what j)opuiation 

 densities among these species are most desirable and how to determine them are still largely 

 problems for the future. 



In New York, the principal representatives of this group are tiie cottontail rabbit, varying 

 hare, red squirrel, chipmunk and the various mice, shrews and moles. Strictly speaking, with 

 respect to grouse, any other food of a predator is a buffer and, in the case of Cooper's and 

 sharp-shinned hawks, the many small woodland birds they prey upon must be considered 

 in this category. The present discussion, however, will be limited to the mammal forms. 



A number of methods of reducing rodent populations have been developed'", chiefly in 

 connection with various branches of agriculture. In addition to trapping they principally in- 

 volve certain poisons in a form which disintegrates and becomes harmless if not consumed 

 almost immediately*. \^'ith respect to field mice, the elimination of grass might also be 

 helpful. 



But in most cases the grouse manager will be concerned with maintaining the abundance 

 of buffers rather than decreasing them. Present knowledge of how to do this is limited. 

 Nevertheless a few suggestions can be made. Any appreciable cleaning-up of the under- 

 brush, rotting logs and forest-floor debris tends to make conditions less favorable for them. 

 The presence of slashings and other openings, as recommended for cover management, creates 

 a more ])roductive environment than woodland alone for rabbits and field mice which are 

 probably the most important buffers in New York. Although brushpiles are short lived they 

 have proven somewhat effective as shelter for rabbits. Woodchucks, through providing bur- 

 rows, are an aid. For mice, it is possible that cutting grass and leaving it in cocks or wind- 

 rows would help these rodents to winter. 



So little experimental work, however, has been done on buffer control that one must, in the 

 main, rely on his own ingenuity as he goes along. 



* For tlie Nurlheast tlie U. S. Finli iiiui -U iUllitc Service lias developed a phosphorus compound which, when mixed with cubed 

 apple, has proven very effective. 





