Predators impact prey through direct mortality and behavioral changes by the prey species to avoid predation.

Traditional predator research has focused on direct impacts of predation, but understanding the impacts of predation avoidance puts some research into perspective. When predation puts game species at risk and holds populations below management objectives, predation management may be warranted.

This seminar explores the mechanisms by which predators impact prey as well as management strategies that provide protection with minimal impacts to the predators — themselves often game species. This seminar is important to hunters who wish to engage their wildlife agencies on predation management as well as landowners who want to maximize their wildlife populations.