Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Priorities regarding Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife vertebrate damage control research are in most cases based on actual need. Need is influenced by economic, political, legislative, and biological incentives. These incentives affect private industry, state and local governments, academia, and the federal government but in different ways. The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife has 24 percent of its wildlife research budget invested in vertebrate damage control research. Its programs deal with predators, birds, and small mammals and research programs are problem oriented. Priorities are generally developed within the organization and are usually determined by biological need.