Why Eradication is costly

One of the first questions that arises when it is proposed to eradicate a species of deer from a defined area is why can’t we retain recreational hunters to do the job. Recreational hunting and eradication differ in numerous ways including the skills and tools used, the strategies employed and the fundamental objectives of each. Recreational hunters using common hunting methods (e.g. stalking, tree stand and blind hunting) are not effective in removing a target species from an island.

 If all the animals are to be removed it is crucial to not educate the target animal to the eradication method. Highly accurate shooting combined with knowledge of the target animals’ behavior, self control and effective decision-making tools are critical components required for successful eradication. As the target animal numbers decrease, they are increasing likely to take refuge in areas where the terrain is more challenging and areas with dense vegetation to avoid detection.

During an eradication operation, the general rule is that 90% of the hunting effort is required to remove the final 10% of the target population. The success of an eradication operation is therefore highly dependent on careful planning that considers how the final 10% will be removed.

Eradication projects are complex and multi-dimensional which require people with specialized expertise and knowledge of best practices in the field. Similar to any other endeavor in order to ensure a successful outcome it is necessary to retain people with the tools, knowledge and skills for the task at hand. Eradication of an invasive species is not a recreational activity and hence the costs associated.