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Guide to Authors

Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series

Last Updated: March 9, 2017

Overview

Introduction The USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services’ Wildlife Damage Management 

Technical Series includes publications highlighting wildlife species or 

groups of wildlife species that cause damage to agriculture, property and 

natural resources, and/or impact human health and safety. The series also 

includes select topics, such as bird dispersal techniques, wildlife hazards at 

airports, and pesticide registration. Publications discuss the basic biology 

and ecology of the species, specific damage issues and conflicts, and 

current damage management tools and techniques to prevent and resolve 

conflicts.

The publications are written by Wildlife Services (WS) experts and 

university, Federal, state, non-governmental, and industry partners, and are 

free to the public for download from the WS website. The primary audience 

for the series includes state and federal wildlife biologists and managers; 

extension specialists; wildlife and pest control officers; wildlife students; 

municipal officials; and others involved in wildlife damage management.

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about

writing and submitting manuscripts for inclusion in the Wildlife Damage 

Management Technical Series (WDMTS).

 

In this document This document includes answers to the following questions:

Question See 

page

Who can submit a manuscript? 2

What topics will the series accept for publication? 2

Who reviews and edits the manuscripts? 2

How long does the review, editing and publication process take? 2

Is there a template I should use when preparing my submission? 3

What is the “Review and Clearance Checklist”? 3

How will I know when my manuscript is posted online? 3

Who do I contact for more information? 3
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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can 

submit?

Manuscripts included in the WDMTS are by invitation only. WS employees, as 

well as university, government, non-profit, industry, or other partners may be 

asked to prepare and submit a manuscript by the WDMTS Coordinating 

Committee. The Committee may also consider manuscripts or manuscript 

topics proposed by WS employees and others.

What topics 

are accepted?

The purpose of the WDMTS is to highlight wildlife species or groups of wildlife 

species that cause damage to agriculture, property, natural resources, and 

human health and safety. The series also includes select topics, such as bird 

dispersal techniques, wildlife hazards at airports, and pesticide registration, 

which provide valuable information for use in wildlife damage management. As 

such, accepted topics include wildlife species and issues related to humanwildlife conflicts and wildlife damage management. 

The WDMTS Coordinating Committee is open to topic suggestions.

Who reviews 

and edits?

Draft manuscripts are reviewed, edited and formatted by the WDMTS editor 

located at the WS National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

The manuscripts are also be peer-edited by selected reviewers. The process 

of peer editing, while not as rigorous as peer review typically practiced by 

scientific journals, permits more rapid review and publication of the 

manuscripts. Editorial liberties will be taken in those instances where improved 

clarity or modifications in style are needed. Authors may be contacted during 

the editing process and will have an opportunity to review the final draft of the 

manuscript before it is posted online.

How long does 

it take?

Manuscripts are reviewed and edited on a first come-first served basis. 

Authors will be provided an estimated publication date when the manuscript is 

first submitted to the WDMTS. Once a manuscript begins the editing/review 

process, it typically takes about 30-60 days to complete.

The following includes a list of tasks associated with the publication process.

Tasks

1. Author submits draft manuscript to WDMTS editor. Publication is added 

to queue (priority is given to the order received).

2. Editor and subject matter experts review draft. May require discussion 

with author(s).

3. Editor places text and photos into series’ template.

4. A review/clearance form and PDF proof are sent to the lead author for 

review and signature.

5. Any changes/concerns are addressed by the WDMTS editor and lead 

author.

6. Once all changes are made and the review/clearance form is signed, 

the publication is posted online.
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Frequently Asked Questions, continued

Is there a 

template?

A template is available to help guide authors in the development of 

their manuscripts (see Appendix). Each species manuscript should 

include the following sections. Section headings may vary for 

manuscripts highlighting general topics, such as bird dispersal 

techniques or wildlife at airports.

i. Human-Wildlife Conflicts (subsections may include 

Landscapes, Livestock, Fisheries, Human Health and Safety, 

Nuisance Problems, Natural Resources, Structures, etc.)

ii. Damage Identification

iii. Management Methods (subsections may include Habitat 

Modification, Exclusion, Frightening Devices, Repellents, 

Fertility Control, Toxicants, Trapping, Shooting, etc.)

iv. Economics

v. Species Overview (subsections include Identification, Physical 

Description, Range, Tracks and Signs, Voice and Sounds, 

Reproduction/Nesting, Mortality, Population Status, Habitat, 

Behavior, and Food Habits)

vi. Legal Status

vii. Acknowledgements/Photo Credits

viii. Glossary (maximum of 8)

ix. Key Words (maximum of 15)

x. Resources

What is the 

“Review and 

Clearance 

Checklist”?

The “Review and Clearance Checklist” must be completed and signed 

by the lead author before the manuscript is posted online. The 

checklist ensures the final draft has been reviewed and approved by all 

co-authors. 

How will I 

know it’s 

published 

online?

Authors will be notified via email when the final manuscript is posted 

online.

Who do I 

contact?

For more information, please contact the WDMTS editor Ms. Gail Keirn 

at gail.m.keirn@aphis.usda.gov or (970) 266-6007.
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Appendix: Template for WDMTS Manuscripts

Please submit the following information using Microsoft Word, Times New Roman 12-

point font. A separate file (or files) should be created for photos and captions. Photos 

should be sent as JPG, GIF, TIF or ESP files. For examples of published manuscripts, 

please visit the WDMTS webpage.

Title

(1st Author) First Name, Last Name

Title

Affiliation

City, State

(Subsequent Author(s)) First Name, Last Name

Title

Affiliation

City, State

Human-Wildlife Conflicts

This section highlights conflicts associated with the species of interest. Subsections can 

include (but are not limited to) topics such as damage/conflicts to Natural Resources, 

Agriculture, Human Health and Safety, Structures, Nuisance Problems, etc.)

Damage Identification

This section describes how to identify damage caused by the species of interest. Does 

the species leave behind visible signs? How do you distinguish this damage from 

damage that may be caused by other species?

Management Methods

This section highlights the importance of an integrated damage management approach. 

Please include subsections on the most practical and applicable methods available for 

the species of interest such as: Exclusion, Fertility Control, Frightening Devices, Habitat 

Modification, Nest Removal or Treatment, Repellents, Shooting, Toxicants, Trapping, 

Handling. If some methods, such as repellents, fertility control or toxicants are not 

applicable, please note that by stating “None are registered” or “None are available”.

Economics

This section highlights the economic impacts of the damage caused by the species of 

interest.

Species Overview

This section includes numerous subsections that highlight the biology, behavior and

ecology of the species of interest. Subsections include (but are not limited to) the 

following: Identification, Physical Description, Range (including map), Tracks and Sign, 
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Voice and Sounds, Reproduction, Mortality, Population Status, Habitat, Behavior, and 

Food Habits.

Legal Status

This section highlights state and/or federal laws regarding the legal status of the species 

of interest or its management.

Acknowledgements

List each photo/image included in the manuscript and its associated credit line. You 

may also include a brief statement thanking reviewers or others who assisted with the 

manuscript.

Glossary

This section includes a maximum of 8 words and their associated definitions.

Key Words

This section includes a maximum of 15 key words that reflect the general content of the 

manuscript, including common and Latin names of the species of interest. List the key 

words in alphabetical order.

Resources

This section includes an alphabetical list of citations or resources that were used to 

prepare the manuscript.

Appendix

The Appendix includes a summary table of the damage management methods for the 

species of interest. See example below.

Type of Control Available Management Options

Exclusion  Netting

 Wire lines

Fertility Control None available

Frightening Devices  Propane cannons

 Pyrotechnics

 Lasers

 Boats

Habitat Modification  Remove nest trees

 Spilt-pond aquaculture systems

Nest Removal or Treatment  Nest destruction

 Egg oiling

Repellents None registered

Shooting Qualified agency personnel my use .22- or .177-caliber rifles on 

nesting colonies

Toxicants None registered

Trapping  Modified No. 3, padded-jaw foothold trap

 New traps

 Swim-in traps