DAVID HAMMOND HIRTH


Address:
School of Natural Resources  
University of Vermont 531 Weed Road
Burlington, VT 05405  Hinesburg, VT 05461
Telephone: (802) 656-3009  Telephone: (802) 482-3573
FAX: (802) 656-2623 EMAIL: d2hirth@together.net
EMAIL: dhirth@snr.uvm.edu SS# : 007-40-3115


Personal Data:
Date of Birth - 23 December 1942. Place of birth - Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Married, two children, five grandchildren.
Research Interests:
Behavioral ecology with primary interest in ungulates. Impact of forest management practices on wildlife populations. Population genetics. Research experience with white-tailed deer, fallow deer, song birds, coyotes, foxes, and black bears.
Education:
B.A. Bowdoin College. 1964. Major, Biology; Minor, Chemistry.
M.S. University of Massachusetts. 1966. Wildlife Management.
Ph.D. University of Michigan. 1973. Resource Ecology.
Certified Wildlife Biologist
Professional Experience:
University of Vermont. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Program, School of Natural Resources.
Associate Professor, 1979-present. Chair of Program, 1982-1993, 1995-present.
University of Florida. Wildlife Ecology Program, School of Forest Resources and Conservation. Assistant Professor, 1973-1979. Associate Professor, 1979.
University of Michigan. Resource Ecology Program, School of Natural Resources. Instructor, 1972-1973.
The Choate School, Wallingford, Connecticut. Teacher. Biology and Chemistry (10th-12th grades). 1966-1968.
University Level Courses Taught:
Wildlife Ecology (NR 410). University of Michigan. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Big Game and Range Management (NR 458). University of Michigan. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Biological Principles of Forest Resources Management (FNR 3011). University of Florida. Undergraduate credit.
Techniques in Wildlife Ecology (FRC 354). University of Florida. Undergraduate credit.
Wildlife Resources of Upland Environments (WIS 4541). University of Florida. Undergraduate credit.
Behavioral Principles of Wildlife Management (WIS 6454). University of Florida. Graduate credit.
Forest Ecology (FOR 120). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit. Taught with Dr. John R. Donnelly.
Wildlife Behavior (WFB 275). University of Vermont. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Terrestrial Wildlife (WFB 273). University of Vermont. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Terrestrial Wildlife Laboratory (WFB 274). University of Vermont. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Field Ornithology (WFB 131). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit.
Wildlife Habitat and Population Measurements (WFB 150). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit. Taught with Dr. David E. Capen.
Florida Ecology Field Trip (WFB 176). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit.
Texas Wildlife Field Trip (WFB 177). University of Vermont. Undergraduate Credit.
Wetlands Wildlife (WFB 271). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit.
Wetlands Ecology and Marsh Management Laboratory (WFB 272). University of Vermont. Undergraduate and graduate credit.
Lola Aiken Scholars Seminar (NR 185). University of Vermont. Undergraduate credit.
Graduate Committees Directed:
University of Florida
1. James L. Schortemeyer. Thesis title: Population dynamics and chemical control of reproduction in feral pigeons, Columba livia. M.S. 1976.
2. Linda C. McEwan. Thesis title: Nest site selection and productivity of the southern bald eagle. M.S. 1977.
3. Terry L. Zinn. Thesis title: Community ecology of Florida bats with emphasis on Myotis austroriparius. M.S. 1977.
4. William H. Murdich. Thesis title: Feeding ecology of five species of herons in a north-central Florida marsh. M.S. 1978.
5.  Anne M. Ramsay. Program area: environmental education. M.F.R.C. 1978.
6. Carolee A. Parmer. Program area: environmental education. M.F.R.C. 1978.
7. Jacqueline J. Belwood. Thesis title: Feeding ecology of an insectivorous bat community in Wayne County, Indiana, with emphasis on the endangered Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis. M.S. 1979.
8. Anne E. Shapiro. Thesis title: Status and breeding ecology of the feral budgerigar in Florida. M.S. 1979.
University of Vermont
1.  Mark E. Scott. Thesis title: Seasonal use of clearcuts by white-tailed deer in Vermont. M.S. 1982.
2.  Scot J. Williamson. Thesis title: Evaluation of even-aged reproduction cuts as deer habitat in Vermont. M.S. 1983.
3. Rebecca A. Herbig. Project title: Application of GIS technology to the HEP layers model. M.S. (Natural Resource Planning). 1987.
4.  David K. Person. Thesis title: Home range, activity, habitat use, and food habits of eastern coyotes in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. M.S. 1988.
5.  Margaret W. Thompson. Thesis title: A quantitative analysis of deer yards in the central Green Mountains of Vermont. M.S. 1988.
6.  Moira A. Ingle. Thesis title: Ecology of red foxes and gray foxes and spatial relationships with coyotes in an agricultural region of Vermont. M.S. 1990.
7.  Carol A. Cady. Thesis title: Seasonal changes in feeding behavior of meadow voles. M.S.(Zoology). 1990.
8.  Elizabeth M. Glenn. Thesis title: Use of wetlands by black bears in southern Vermont. M.S. 1993.
9.  Faith M. Smith. Thesis title: Small mammal species abundance and composition in clearcuts in the White Mountain National Forest: a comparison between commercial and whole tree harvest clearcuts. M.S. expected 1997.
10.  Alexander C. Weinhagen. Thesis title: Habitat selection by black-backed woodpeckers in northeastern Vermont. M.S. 1998.
11.  Patryce Avsharian. Thesis title: Correlates of breeding success in male lek-breeding fallow deer (Dama dama). M.S. 1998.
12.  Emily E. Sprong. Thesis title: Impact of foraging by white-tailed deer on nesting songbird populations. M.S. expected 2000.
13.  Christina M. Scharf. Thesis title: Impact of moose bark stripping on mountain ash in Vermont. M.S. 1999.
14.  Ky B. Koitzsch. Thesis title: Application of a moose habitat-suitability index model to wildlife management units in Vermont. M.S. 2000.
15.  Joseph M. A. Petty. Thesis topic: Genetics of black bears in Vermont: application of non­invasive genetic techniques. M.S. expected 2001.
16.  Susan E. Kissel. Thesis topic: Edge effects on diurnal raptors in the northern Green Mountain National Forest. M.S. 2001.
17.  Jan Janecka. Thesis topic: Population genetics of a south Texas population of bobcats. M.S. expected 2002.
18.  Cynthia Fleming. Project topic: Habitat management for bobolinks in western Colorado. M.S. (Field Naturalist Program) 2001.
19.  Nathaniel Merrill. Thesis topic: Population genetics of Vermont bears. M.S. expected 2003.
20.  Peter Dombrowski. Thesis topic: undecided. M.S. expected 2003.
Member of the following thesis committees (University of Vermont):
1. Douglas B. Inkley. M.S. 1980.
2. Douglas E. Runde. M.S. 1981.
3. Steven G. Parren. M.S. 1981.
4. Frank R. Thompson, III. M.S. 1982.
5. Lisa K. Klein. M.S. (Natural Resources Planning). 1982.
6. Richard A. Lent. M.S. 1983.
7. Paul Rennert. M.S. (Zoology). 1985.
8. Diane Tessaglia. M.S. 1985.
9. Kathleen McGrath. M.S. 1985.
10. Robert Henke. M.S. 1985.
11. David T. Brown. Ph.D. (McGill University). 1986.
12. Diane P. Jay. M.S. 1986.
13. Steven Ressel. M.S. (Zoology). 1986.
14. Yves Garant. M.S. (McGill University). 1987.
15. Christopher J. E. Welsh. M.S. 1987.
16. Arnold H. Boer. Ph.D. (University of New Brunswick). 1987.
17. William B. Kappleman. M.S. 1991.
18. Richard B. Chipman. M.S. 1993.
19. Laura S. Deming. M.S. 1993.
20. Lars Botzojoms. M.S. (Natural Resources Planning). 1991.
21. Daniel R. Coker. M.S. 1994.
22. Eveleen C. Cecchini. M.S. (Natural Resources Planning) 1996.
23. Margaret R. Fowle. M.S. 1997.
24. Erin K. Talmadge. M.S. 1999.
25. Sean W. MacFaden. M.S. 1998.
26. DeVida A. Johnson. M.S. expected 1999.
27. John M. Robison. M.S. (Field Naturalist Program) 1999.
28. Zoe L. Richards. M.S. 2000.
29. Ray R. Williams. III M.S. (Forestry) 2000.
30. Daniel Stahler. M.S. (Biology) 2000.
31. Paul Hapeman. Ph.D. (Biology) expected 2004.
Research at the University of Vermont:
1. Impact of timber management on white-tailed deer in Vermont. Part 1 - Even-aged management, 1980-1985. Part 2 - Selection cutting, 1988-1991. Funded by McIntire­Stennis.
2. Ecology and behavior of coyotes and foxes in the Champlain Valley of Vermont. 1985-88. Funded by Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Amount of funding = $55,000.
3. Time budget analysis of breeding and post-breeding behavior in male white-tailed deer. 1987-89. Partially supported by Welder Wildlife Foundation.
4. Impact of ski area development on black bears in southern Vermont. 1990-1993. Funded by Stratton Corporation and U.S. Forest Service through Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Amount of funding = $120,000.
5. Breeding behavior in a Texas population of fallow deer (Dama dama). Sabbatical research, 1993-1994.
6. Influence of experience on maternal success in farm-raised fallow deer (Dama dama). Sabbatical research, 1993-1994.
7. Nest site selection in black-backed woodpeckers in northeastern Vermont. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Amount of funding = $10,000.
8. Population genetics of black bears in Vermont. Co-P.I., Dr. C. William Kilpatrick, Department of Biology. UCRS funding = $5,000. SUGR/FAME = $3,000.
9. Population ecology of bobcats at the Welder Wildlife Refuge in south Texas: a genetic analysis. Co-P.I., Dr. C. William Kilpatrick, Department of Biology. Welder Wildlife Foundation. Amount of funding = $23,000
10. Populations genetics of bobcats in Vermont. Co-PI, Dr. C. William Kilpatrick, Department of Biology. Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Amount of funding: $8,000.
University Service:
University Committees - Admissions Committee, 1983-86, 1994-1998. Chair 1985-86. Executive Council, 1985-86. Nominating Committee, 1989-1993. Kroepsch-Maurice/Instructional Incentives Grant Committee, 1994-1999. Academic Affairs, 1986-87, 1999-present.
 
School of Natural Resources Committees - School Affairs Committee, 1980-83. Honors and Studies Committee, 1985-88, 1996-1999, Chair 1998-1999. Faculty Standards Committee, 1991-1993. Curriculum Committee, 1983-85, 1990-1993, 1999-present. Chair 1992-1993.
 
Other Committees - Ecology Search Committee, Department of Zoology, 1979. Enrichment Opportunities Committee, 1986-87. Academic Honesty Policy Review Committee, 1986-87. Presidential Search Committee, Member of Faculty Panel, 1989-1990. Search Committee for Temporary Wildlife/Fisheries Faculty, Chair. 1989, 1990, 1991. Academic Honesty Panel, 1991-1993. Water Resources Search Committee, 1991. Class of 1941 Lecture Committee, 1992-1993. Assistant UVM Commencement Marshall, 1992-present. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, 1992-present. Fisheries Biology Search Committee, Chair, 1995-1996. Chief Marshall, SNR Commencement, 1996-present.
 
Search Committee for CIT/SNR computer specialist, 1999. Search Committee for Assistant to the Dean, School of Natural Resources, 2001.
Papers Presented:
Hirth, D. H. 1964. The acoustical analysis of some familiar bird songs. Eastern New England Biological Conference, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H., and F. Greeley. 1967. Dispersal and flocking of marked young robins (Turdus m. migratorius). Annual meeting of American Ornithologists' Union, Duluth, Minnesota, USA.
 
Brown, B. A., and D. H. Hirth. 1978. Breeding behavior of white-tailed deer. Welder Wildlife Foundation Symposium, Corpus Christi, Texas, USA.
 
Harris, L. D., and D. H. Hirth. 1981. Patterns and processes in forest bird communities of the southeastern coastal plain. Southeastern Coastal and Estuarine Birds Conference. Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina, Georgetown, South Carolina, USA.
 
McCullough, D. R., and D. H. Hirth. 1982. Evaluation of the Petersen estimate (Lincoln index) on the George Reserve deer herd. Poster session. North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, Portland, Oregon, USA.
 
Scott, M. E., and D. H. Hirth. 1983. Seasonal use of clearcuts by white-tailed deer in Vermont. Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference, West Dover, Vermont, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1989. Management of white-tailed deer in the Northeast. 1989 Forest Resources Issues Conference., Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1994. Lek breeding in a Texas population of fallow deer (Dama dama). Northeast Regional Animal Behavior Society Conference, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA.
 
McCullough, D. R., P. Beier, and D. H. Hirth. 1997. Fine-scale sexual segregation in white-tailed deer. 4th Annual Conference of The Wildlife Society, Snow Mass, Colorado, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1997. Lek breeding in fallow deer. Bowdoin College Science Symposium, Brunswick, Maine, USA.
 
Scharf, C. M., and D. H. Hirth. 1999. Impact of moose bark stripping on mountain ash in Vermont. 35th North American Moose Conference, Grand Portage, Minnesota, USA.
Publications:
Hirth, D. H. 1966. An ecological study of the robin in Amherst, Massachusetts. Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Masssachusetts.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1966. Bird damage research. Fruit Notes (Massachusetts Cooperative Extension Service) 44:2-4.
 
Hirth, D. H., A. E. Hester, and F. Greeley. 1969. Dispersal and flocking of marked young robins (Turdus m. migratorius). Bird-Banding 40:208-215.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1973. Social behavior of white-tailed deer in relation to habitat. Dissertation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
 
Crowe, D. R., and D. H. Hirth. 1975. Outdoor recreation and wildlife. Pages 173-178 in J. B. Pierce, editor. Agricultural Growth In an Urban Age. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H., and D. R. McCullough. 1977. Evolution of alarm signals in ungulates with special reference to white-tailed deer. American Naturalist 111:31-42.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1977. Observations of loss of antler velvet in white-tailed deer. Southwestern Naturalist 27:278-280.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1977. Social behavior of white-tailed deer in relation to habitat. Wildlife Monographs 53:1-55.
 
Hirth, D. H., and W. R. Marion. 1979. Bird communities of a south Florida flatwoods. Florida Scientist 42:142-151.
 
McEwan, L. C., and D. H. Hirth. 1979. Southern bald eagle productivity and nest site selection. Journal of Wildlife Management 43:585-594.
 
Harris, L. D., D. H. Hirth, and W. R. Marion. 1979. The development of silvicultural systems for wildlife. Pages 65-81 in C. Shilling and J. Tolliver, editors. 28th Annual Louisiana State University Forestry Symposium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
 
McEwan, L. C., and D. H. Hirth. 1980. Food habitats of bald eagles in north-central Florida. Condor 82:229-231.
 
Brown, B. A., and D. H. Hirth. 1980. Breeding behavior of white-tailed deer. Pages 83-95 in D. L. Drawe, editor. Proceedings of First Welder Wildlife Foundation Symposium, Sinton, Texas, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1982. Multiple wildlife values of deer wintering areas. Pages 77-84 in J. A. Bissonette, editor. Deer winter habitat management. Maine Agricultural Experiment Station Miscellaneous Publication 679, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA.
 
Marchinton, R. L., and D. H. Hirth. 1984. Behavior. Pages 129-168 in L. K. Halls, editor. White-tailed deer: ecology and management. Wildlife Management Institute, and Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Shapiro, A. E., and D. H. Hirth. 1984. Status of the feral budgerigar in Florida. Journal of Field Ornithology 55:214-219.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1985. Mother-young behavior in white-tailed deer. Southwestern Naturalist 30:279-302.
 
Williamson, S. J., and D. H. Hirth. 1985. An evaluation of edge use by white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 13:252-257.
 
McCullough, D. R., and D. H. Hirth. 1988. Evaluation of the Petersen-Lincoln estimator for a white-tailed deer population. Journal of Wildlife Management 52:534-544.
 
McCullough, D. R., D. H. Hirth, and S. J. Newhouse. 1989. Resource partitioning in white­tailed deer. Journal of Wildlife Management 53:277-283.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1989. Management of white-tailed deer in the Northeast. Pages 84-89 in J. C. Finley and M. C. Brittingham, editors. Proceedings of the 1989 Forest Resources Issues Conference. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H., and D. W. Macdonald. 1991. Summary of social structure and behavior sessions. In B. Bobek, editor. Proceedings of the 18th Congress of the International Union of Game Biologists, Krakow, Poland.
 
Person, D. K., and D. H. Hirth. 1991. Home range and habitat use of coyotes in a farm region of Vermont. Journal of Wildlife Management 55:433-441.
 
Hirth, D. H., L. D. Harris, and R. F. Noss. 1991. Avian community dynamics in a peninsular Florida longleaf pine forest. Florida Field Naturalist. 19:33-48.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1992. Wildlife management. Pages 105-106 in The College Board. Guide to 150 popular college majors. College Entrance Examination Board, New York, New York, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1994. Doe behavior during the breeding season. Pages 122-128 in Deer. D. Gerlach, S. Atwater, and J. Schnell, editors. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1994. Mother-young behavior in white-tailed deer. Pages 129-135 in Deer. D. Gerlach, S. Atwater, and J. Schnell, editors. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1997. Lek breeding in a Texas population of fallow deer (Dama dama). American Midland Naturalist. 138:276-289.
 
Hirth, D. H. 1999. Behavioral ecology. Pages 175-191 in Large mammals of North America. P.
R. Krausman and S. Demarais, editors. Prentice-Hall, New York, New York, USA.
(Winner of Outstanding Edited Book of 2000 award by The Wildlife Society)
 
Scharf, C. M., and D. H. Hirth. 2000. Impact of moose bark stripping on mountain ash in Vermont. Alces 36:41-52.
 
Hirth, D. H., J. M. A. Petty, and C. W. Kilpatrick. In review. Black bear genetics and apple trees in the Northeast. Canadian Field-Naturalist.
Community Activities:
Natural Resources and Conservation Committee, Town of Shelburne, Vermont. Member, 1979­1985; Chairman, 1980-1985.
Cliff Island Association for Athletics and Conservation Education. Vice President, Board of Trustees, 1979-1990. Member, Board of Trustees, 1991-present. Responsible for a community environmental education program for Cliff Island, Maine. Conservation Commission, Town of Hinesburg, Vermont. 1992-present.

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