Conservation Corner: January 28, 2002

Beaver Control Program Should Be Funded
by James L. Cummins

Prior to 1850, beaver were found in every county in Mississippi, as well as the Southeast. This critter served as a source of income and food for early settlers. In the early 1900s heavy trapping and hunting led to the near extinction of beaver.

During the 1930s, at the direction of the Mississippi Legislature, the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission began restoration of beaver across the state. At that time, beaver populations were very low and pelts were bringing high prices. Land was cheap and there was virtually no market for timber. Beaver restoration was undertaken to restore, what was at the time, a valuable furbearer and source of income for economically-depressed farmers. The efforts were successful and were supported by the Legislature and landowners throughout the Magnolia State.

Conditions and circumstances of the next few decades changed the way the beaver was viewed. An improved economy, the movement of people from rural areas to towns and cities, the growing timber industry, the drastic decline in beaver pelt prices and the decrease in trapping contributed to the rapid expansion of beaver populations. Beaver damage increased and the beaver became a liability.

In a perfect world, beaver control would be through trapping at no cost to the state. However, the free market economic incentives are hit high enough to encourage beaver trapping to the extent required for control. Hence, efforts to create a better market for southern beaver pelts have been unsuccessful to date. Responding to constituent complaints and requests, the 1989 session of the Mississippi Legislature created the Mississippi Beaver Control Program to ensure the control of beaver damage.

The Beaver Control Assistance Program (BCAP), which is conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Wildlife Services program (formerly Animal Damage Control), has been essential in providing assistance with beaver damage to private, county and state-owned lands.

The Joint Budget Committee of the Mississippi Legislature has recommended the elimination of funding for BCAP, which will eliminate this cost-effective program. In 2000 Wildlife Services investigated an estimated $4.9 million in damages caused by beaver. This figure represents only those impacts verified by Wildlife Services and by no means represents the statewide impact. Therefore, for every $1 the Mississippi Legislature funds, $10 in benefits accrue. That cost-benefit ratio is rare.

The BCAP is a program very worthy of funding and should be continued by the Mississippi Legislature.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.