Test trials on the effectiveness of strips of film with phosphorescent pigments in the prevention of damage by game

Published source details Wölfel H. (1981) Testreihen zur Wirksamkeit von Leuchtbandfolien mit phosphoreszierenden Pigmenten bei der Wildschadensverhütung. Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft, 27, 168-174.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use scaring devices (eg. gas guns) and other deterrents to reduce persecution of native species Action Link
	Install non-electric fencing to exclude predators or herbivores and reduce human-wildlife conflict Action Link

Use scaring devices (eg. gas guns) and other deterrents to reduce persecution of native species

A replicated, controlled study from May to November 1997 of four grassland fields and one cultivated field with willow Salix spp. stools (coppiced willow stumps) in central Germany (Wölfel 1981) found that phosphorescent tape was more effective than normal yellow tape in deterring deer (Cervidae), but had no effect on wild boar Sus scrofa or brown hare Lepus europaeus. At the four grazing sites, areas surrounded by phosphorescent tape were avoided by red deer Cervus elaphus for four months and roe deer Capreolus capreolus for three weeks. Red deer entered areas fenced with yellow non-phosphorescent tape after one week and roe deer after just one day. All deer species kept out of an area of willow fenced with phosphorescent strips for three weeks, after that roe deer (but no red deer) tracks were found within the area. Soft PVC tape (40 cm-wide) was attached to 1.3 m iron posts at a height of 1 m. Four game grazing fields each had two 300 m² areas fenced off using phosphorescent strips and two with non-phosphorescent tape. After two months, all four areas were mowed and control and experimental fields swapped. Mammal presence was assessed using droppings and tracks.
Install non-electric fencing to exclude predators or herbivores and reduce human-wildlife conflict

A replicated, controlled study in 1997 of four grassland fields and one cultivated field in central Germany (Wölfel 1981) found that fencing with phosphorescent tape was more effective than fencing with normal yellow tape for deterring red deer Cervus elaphus and roe deer Capreolus capreolus, but had no effect on crossings by wild boar Sus scrofa or brown hare Lepus europaeus. At four grazing sites, areas surrounded by phosphorescent tape were avoided by red deer for four months and by roe deer for three weeks. Red deer entered areas fenced with yellow non-phosphorescent tape after one week and roe deer after one day. All deer species kept out of an area of willow fenced with phosphorescent strips for three weeks. After that, roe deer (but not red deer) tracks were found within the area. Wild boar and brown hare movements were not affected by tapes. PVC tape (4 cm wide) was attached 1 m high on 1.3-m iron posts. Four game grazing fields each had two 300-m² areas fenced off using phosphorescent strips and two with non-phosphorescent tape. After two months, all four areas were mown and the type of fencing was swapped. Mammal presence was assessed from droppings and tracks.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)