Allegheny River Headwaters Watershed Conservation Plan

Allegheny River Headwaters Conservation Plan
Chapter 4. Biological Resources
the whitetail deer, black bear, bobcat, beaver, red fox, gray fox, raccoon, striped skunk, coyote, gray
squirrel, mink, muskrat, and river otter (McNab & Avers, 1994).
Whitetail Deer Management
Proper management of whitetail deer populations may help to keep the negative impacts associated
with this species to a minimum. In areas that are overpopulated with deer, forest regeneration may be
hindered, crops may be damaged, and resources may be scarce for other wildlife. Habitat destruction by
overabundant deer populations has had a serious impact on songbird populations, especially woodland
warblers. Many of the bird species affected are in decline. In addition, overabundant deer populations
pose a significant risk to the safety of motorists and damage to vehicles when roadway collisions occur.
Whitetail deer management at the state level is regulated in Pennsylvania through hunting permits
allocated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), and in New York through hunting permits
issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NY DEC).
Public land managers experiencing high density deer populations should incorporate considerations
into land and habitat management techniques. Food plots may be established to improve herd health and
decrease the animals’ dependency on natural areas. Public and private landowners may enroll in a
program through PGC or NY DEC called the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which
provides additional permits to hunt antlerless deer on registered properties to help reduce deer populations
(PA DCNR 1 ; NY DEC 2 ).
Beaver
Beavers are North America’s largest rodent and the state animal of New York. Once trapped to
extirpation throughout the region for their prized furs, reintroductions to the area occurred in the early
1900s. Those parent populations reproduced and expanded their territory, which now includes the
headwaters of the Allegheny River.
These small mammals are capable of extraordinary feats, like downing trees several feet in diameter,
though they more commonly use smaller trees and saplings for food and the construction of their lodges
and dams. By damming small streams, beavers create wetlands, thus providing habitat for a variety of
other species. Sometimes their incessant behavior of damming to hush the sound of running water may
lead to problems, especially when they clog drainage pipes used to regulate water levels in reservoirs and
lakes or impact roadways. Beaver-proof cages can be
constructed around drainage pipes to deter this behavior.
Reptiles and Amphibians
While amphibian and reptile populations are most diverse
in warmer climates, the wetlands habitats within the
Allegheny River headwaters region attribute to a high level of
herpetological diversity, despite harsher winters, during which
these cold-blooded animals hibernate in order to survive.
Amphibians depend on moisture to stay alive, while some
reptiles are able to tolerate dryer conditions.
Beaver lodge
Amphibian and reptile species within the region include
the red-backed salamander, spotted salamander, marbled salamander, northern dusky salamander, redspotted
newt, mudpuppy, northern green frog, northern leopard frog, timber rattlesnake, eastern smooth
green snake, wood turtle, and northern coal skink (McNab & Avers, 1994). Many amphibians can be
studied as indicators of water quality. Additionally, many terrestrial salamanders depend on the vernal
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