The new, single-dose birth control vaccine would neutralize sex hormones in the famously fertile and polygamous animals. It would result in infertility in both males and females. It's not something you want anyone or everyone to use, said Dale Garner, wildlife bureau chief at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. We want to make sure it's not used willy-nilly in the state. (Whitetail Deer doe and fawn by Pennsylvania Game Commission)

In order to do that, there's a bill before the state Legislature aimed at regulating wildlife contraceptives. The proposed legislation would also restrict the use of growth hormones in deer, as well as drugs for sedating animals or treating them for disease.

The contraceptive vaccine, called GonaCon, is being developed by researchers at the National Wildlife Research Center, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is expected to be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency in March, said Gail Keirn, a spokeswoman for the research center.

The EPA wouldn't likely approve the drug until... Read On

"Take a good look," says Casselman, manager of the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. "In five years, these trees won‘t be here."

Scientists expect the disease eventually will kill most of the state‘s beeches, changing the environment in ways as yet uncertain. For example, it could affect populations of bears and smaller mammals that feed on beech nuts—and that hunters enjoy pursuing.

Beech bark disease has been overshadowed by the Emerald Ash Borer, a murderous insect wreaking havoc on trees in... Read On

Unfortunately, they eat a lot at the front end and do unmentionable things at the back end, messing up lawns, driveways, walkways, parks, docks, etc. In short, they can be almost as much as a nuisance as deer eating you out of hedges and hibiscus.

Scares of avian bird flu, noise, lawn damage, agriculture destruction and traffic problems are just some of the additional concerns over geese.

Coupled with that is the fact that we now have a too-high nuisance population of resident Canada Geese. The best solution is to not let... Read On

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THE AMERICAN Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) is not a tree typically cultivated in back yards. However, this fast-growing tree has wildlife value, especially for those folks who adore American Goldfinches says Marlene Condon, Crozet, VA. The “buttonball” tree, as the sycamore is nicknamed because of its globular seed clusters, is common throughout the eastern half of the United States, growing in wet locations along streams, rivers, and flood plains. It is one of the largest... Read On