Position on Wildlife Management

Sudbury Wildlife Expansion
Favorable: The great increase in deer, wild turkey, fisher cat, coyote and other bird and rodent populations may be the result of reduced levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons in soils, and a resulting improvement to invertebrate reproduction. An abundance of snails, worms, insects, crustaceans and arachnids support a food chain which includes larger mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. There are concerns that deer and coyote populations present actual and nuisance hazards. US Fish and Wildlife Department regularly patrols the perimeter of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and provides adequate control of wildlife resources. Deer population increases have been supported by an abundance of food in the form of acorns, certain ornamental shrubs, and the relative lack of predation, and limited hunting. Deer present a significant traffic hazard. Coyotes present a hazard to domestic cats, small dogs, and, rarely, small children. Sudbury residents should be encouraged to scare off coyotes with loud sounds and other measures to reduce acclimation of these animals to close human presence.

Radio Fences for the control of dogs
Unfavorable. Although these fences are effective to keep dogs within bounds, they also attract coyotes, invite coyote attacks, and produce painful shocks to pets if they cross the "border".

Limited access to beaver dam flood areas and roadways
Favorable. Water Row and other flooded areas are part of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge environment.