In bovine tuberculosis eradication efforts in Michigan, which action exemplifies population management?

• A. Vaccinating deer
• B. Culling all deer nationwide
• C. Recruiting hunters to kill deer
• D. Building fences around farms

Answer: (C)

Population management means adjusting the size of a wildlife population to reduce disease transmission to livestock. Recruiting hunters to kill deer directly lowers deer numbers in the area, reducing density and contact opportunities with cattle, which helps limit bovine tuberculosis spread. This is why this option is the best example of population management in the Michigan eradication effort.

Vaccinating deer changes susceptibility or infection within the population but doesn’t reduce overall deer numbers. Building fences around farms acts as a barrier to prevent contact, not to manage the deer population size. Culling all deer nationwide is impractical and not targeted to the specific area needing control.