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Field Engine Wildlife Research & Management

Publications

Our team's research interests span deer population management, movement ecology, tick-borne disease, island restoration, and invasive species eradication, grounded in peer-reviewed science and decades of fieldwork.

Field Engine is a research partner of White Buffalo, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to conserving native species and ecosystems. Together, we co-develop tools and methods, including the Pig Brig® Trap System, and conduct collaborative research across wildlife management, fertility control, and conservation.

Science-based approaches to managing overabundant deer in suburban communities, from surgical sterilization and immunocontraception to managed hunts and population modeling.

2026
Large-scale eradication of non-native ungulates in U.S. National Parks: case studies from Point Reyes and Santa Rosa Island, California
DeNicola, A. J., K. R. Faulkner, N. B. Gates, and J. R. Boulanger
Management of Biological Invasions (in press)
2025
Monitoring the effects of ovariectomy on seasonal movement behavior in suburban female white-tailed deer using internet of things-enabled devices
DeNicola, V., S. Mezzini, and F. Cagnacci
Wildlife Biology, e01512
2025
Effects of vasectomy on breeding-related movement and activity in free-ranging white-tailed deer
DeNicola, V., S. Mezzini, P. Bursać, P. Minasandra, and F. Cagnacci
Movement Ecology 13, 34
2021
Ovariectomy as a management technique for suburban deer populations
DeNicola, A. J. and V. L. DeNicola
Wildlife Society Bulletin 45:445–455
2020
Control and surveillance operations to prevent chronic wasting disease establishment in free-ranging white-tailed deer in Québec, Canada
Gagnier, G., I. Laurion, and A. J. DeNicola
Animals 10:283
2016
Immunocontraceptive vaccines or surgical sterilization for deer? A question of effort and efficacy
Evans, C. S., A. J. DeNicola, and R. J. Warren
Wildlife Society Bulletin 40:593–598
2015
Administering GonaCon™ to white-tailed deer via hand-injection versus syringe-dart
Evans, C. S., A. J. DeNicola, J. D. Eisemann, D. C. Eckery, and R. J. Warren
Human-Wildlife Interactions 9:265–272
2013
Evaluation of organized hunting as a management technique for overabundant white-tailed deer in suburban landscapes
Williams, S. C., A. J. DeNicola, T. Almendinger, and J. Maddock
Wildlife Society Bulletin 37:137–145
2012
Sterilization as an alternative deer control technique: a review
Boulanger, J. R., P. D. Curtis, E. G. Cooch, and A. J. DeNicola
Human-Wildlife Interactions 6:273–282
2011
Efficacy of GnRH immunocontraception of wild white-tailed deer in New Jersey
Gionfriddo, J. P., A. J. DeNicola, L. A. Miller, and K. A. Fagerstone
Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:142–148
2011
Health effects of GnRH immunocontraception of wild white-tailed deer in New Jersey
Gionfriddo, J. P., A. J. DeNicola, L. A. Miller, and K. A. Fagerstone
Wildlife Society Bulletin 35:149–160
2008
Sharpshooting suburban white-tailed deer reduces deer-vehicle collisions
DeNicola, A. J. and S. C. Williams
Human-Wildlife Conflicts 2:28–33
2008
Demographics of non-hunted white-tailed deer populations in suburban areas
DeNicola, A. J., D. Etter, and T. Almendinger
Human-Wildlife Conflicts 2:102–109
2001
Spatial movements in response to baiting female white-tailed deer
Williams, S. C. and A. J. DeNicola
Proceedings of the Ninth Wildlife Damage Management Conference
2000
Managing white-tailed deer in suburban environments: a technical guide
DeNicola, A. J., K. C. VerCauteren, P. D. Curtis, and S. E. Hygnstrom
Cornell Cooperative Extension. 52pp.
1998
Administration of pharmaceuticals and vaccines via remote delivery in biodegradable, needle-less implants
Kesler, D. J., D. T. Bechtol, and A. J. DeNicola
Large Animal Practice 19:22–27
1997
Nontraditional techniques for management of overabundant deer populations
DeNicola, A. J., S. J. Weber, C. A. Bridges, and J. L. Stokes
Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:496–499
1997
Dose determination and efficacy of remotely delivered norgestomet implants on contraception of white-tailed deer
DeNicola, A. J., D. J. Kesler, and R. K. Swihart
Zoo Biology 16:31–37
1997
Remotely delivered prostaglandin F2α implants terminate pregnancy in white-tailed deer
DeNicola, A. J., D. J. Kesler, and R. K. Swihart
Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:527–531
1997
Darting urban deer: techniques and technology
Kilpatrick, H. J., S. M. Spohr, and A. J. DeNicola
Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:542–545
1996
Effects of parturition on home-ranges and social affiliations of female white-tailed deer
Bertrand, M. R., A. J. DeNicola, S. R. Beissinger, and R. K. Swihart
Journal of Wildlife Management 60:899–909
1996
Ballistics of a bio bullet delivery system
DeNicola, A. J., D. J. Kesler, and R. K. Swihart
Wildlife Society Bulletin 24:301–305
1996
The effect of remotely delivered gonadotropin formulations on reproductive function of white-tailed deer
DeNicola, A. J., R. K. Swihart, and D. J. Kesler
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy 22:847–850
1996
Comparison of standard and transmitter-equipped darts for capturing white-tailed deer
Kilpatrick, H. J., A. J. DeNicola, and M. E. Ellingwood
Wildlife Society Bulletin 24:306–310
1995
Modeling the impacts of contraceptives on populations of white-tailed deer
Swihart, R. K. and A. J. DeNicola
Pages 151–163 in J. McAninch, ed. Urban Deer—A Manageable Resource?

Investigating the relationship between deer, ticks, and disease, and developing new delivery methods for acaricides to reduce tick-borne pathogen risk.

2026
Oral delivery of the systemic acaricide moxidectin to a confined Odocoileus virginianus herd parasitized by Ixodes scapularis
Brown, J. E., M. A. Linske, A. J. DeNicola, V. L. DeNicola, J. R. Boulanger, C. Tamez, S. C. Williams, and K. Poh
Journal of Medical Entomology 63:tjag022
2023
Resource selection by New York City deer reveals the effective interface between wildlife, zoonotic hazards and humans
VanAcker, M. C., V. L. DeNicola, A. J. DeNicola, S. G. Aucoin, R. Simon, K. L. Toal, M. A. Diuk-Wasser, and F. Cagnacci
Ecology Letters 26(12):2029–2042
2023
Experimental oral delivery of the systemic acaricide moxidectin to free-ranging white-tailed deer parasitized by Amblyomma americanum
Williams, S. C., M. A. Linske, A. J. DeNicola, V. L. DeNicola, J. R. Boulanger, and P. Olafson
Journal of Medical Entomology
2019
Emergence of Haemaphysalis longicornis on Staten Island, NY
Tufts, D. M., M. C. VanAcker, M. P. Fernandez, A. DeNicola, A. Egizi, and M. Diuk-Wasser
Emerging Infectious Diseases 25:792–796
2018
Survey for select pathogens in Philippine deer
Mehrpad, S., C. A. Cleveland, A. J. DeNicola, J. P. Dubey, and M. J. Yabsley
Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 11:36–40
2009
Acaricidal treatment of white-tailed deer to control Ixodes scapularis in a New York Lyme disease-endemic community
Daniels, T. J., R. C. Falco, E. E. McHugh, J. Vellozzi, T. Boccia, A. J. DeNicola, et al.
Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 9:381–387
2006
Topical treatment of white-tailed deer with an acaricide for the control of Ixodes scapularis in a Connecticut Lyme borreliosis hyperendemic community
Stafford, K. C. III, A. J. DeNicola, J. M. Pound, J. A. Miller, and J. E. George
Vector Borne Zoonotic Diseases 9:371–379
2003
Reduced abundance of Ixodes scapularis and the tick parasitoid Ixodiphagus hookeri with reduction of white-tailed deer
Stafford, K. C. III, A. J. DeNicola, and H. J. Kilpatrick
Journal of Medical Entomology 40:642–652
1996
Presence of Ixodiphagus hookeri
Stafford, K. C. III, A. J. DeNicola, and L. A. Magnarelli
Journal of Medical Entomology 33:183–188
1995
Borrelia burgdorferi in an urban environment: white-tailed deer with infected ticks and antibodies
Magnarelli, L. A., A. J. DeNicola, K. C. Stafford III, and J. F. Anderson
Journal of Clinical Microbiology 33:541–544

Understanding how animals move, respond to management, and interact with human landscapes using GPS, IoT biologging, and accelerometry.

2026
Interacting effects of human presence and landscape modification on birds and mammals
Oliver, R. Y., S. W. Yanco, ... V. DeNicola, ... et al. (89 authors)
Science 392(6800):879–884
2025
Are your data too coarse for speed estimation? Diffusion rates as an alternative measure of animal movement
DeNicola, V. L., S. Mezzini, F. Cagnacci, and C. H. Fleming
bioRxiv
2025
Understanding mammal avoidance of human settlements
Potts, J. R., L. Börger, M. A. Tucker, F. Ossi, S. W. Yanco, ... V. DeNicola, ... et al.
Authorea (preprint)
2023
Behavioral responses of terrestrial mammals to COVID-19 lockdowns
Tucker, M. A., A. M. Schipper, ... V. DeNicola, ... et al. (175 authors)
Science 380(6649):1059–1064
2020
A comprehensive framework for handling location error in animal tracking data
Fleming, C. H., J. Drescher-Lehman, M. J. Noonan, T. S. B. Akre, D. J. Brown, M. M. Cochrane, N. Dejid, V. DeNicola, C. S. DePerno, J. N. Dunlop, et al.
bioRxiv
2008
Behavioral responses of white-tailed deer subjected to lethal management
Williams, S. C., A. J. DeNicola, and I. M. Ortega
Canadian Journal of Zoology 86:1358–1366
2005
Home range increase of lactating female white-tailed deer following herd reduction
Williams, S. C. and A. J. DeNicola
Northeast Wildlife 57:29–38
1998
Nutritional condition and fertility of white-tailed deer from areas with contrasting histories of hunting
Swihart, R. K., H. P. Weeks Jr., A. L. Easter-Pilcher, and A. J. DeNicola
Canadian Journal of Zoology 76:1932–1941
1997
Public involvement, science, management, and the overabundance of deer: can we avoid a hostage crisis?
Swihart, R. K. and A. J. DeNicola
Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:382–387
1995
Ecology of urban and suburban white-tailed deer
Swihart, R. K., P. M. Picone, A. J. DeNicola, and L. Cornicelli
Pages 35–44 in J. McAninch, ed. Urban Deer—A Manageable Resource?

Population dynamics, trapping efficacy, baiting strategies, and disease surveillance for feral swine, informing practical management across landscapes.

2026
Short-distance detectability in camera trap surveys: implications for population assessment
Focardi, S., I. Maglia, P. Pontiggia, and B. Franzetti
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 198(5):473
2025
Testing wild boar traps to evaluate the actual efficiency and animal welfare
Pontiggia, P., S. Focardi, A. Monaco, B. Franzetti, and V. DeNicola
Suiform Soundings – IUCN SSC Wild Pig, Peccary, and Hippo Specialist Groups 23(1):5–15
2012
Modeling population growth of feral swine, Sus scrofa, in Texas
Mellish, J. M., S. A. Sumrall, T. A. Campbell, W. H. Neill, B. Higginbotham, and R. R. Lopez
Southwestern Naturalist

Developing and evaluating best practices for humane wildlife management under field conditions.

2021
Animal welfare testing for shooting and darting free-ranging wildlife: a review and recommendations
Hampton, J. O., J. M. Arnemo, R. Barnsley, ... A. J. DeNicola, et al.
Wildlife Research 48:577–589
2020
Assessment of lead-free .22 LR bullets for shooting European rabbits
Hampton, J. O., D. M. Forsyth, and A. J. DeNicola
Wildlife Society Bulletin 44:760–765
2019
Assessment of humaneness using gunshot targeting the brain and cervical spine for cervid depopulation under field conditions
DeNicola, A. J., D. S. Miller, V. L. DeNicola, R. E. Meyer, and J. M. Gambino
PLOS ONE 14(2):e0213200
1997
Capture-induced stress in white-tailed deer
DeNicola, A. J. and R. K. Swihart
Wildlife Society Bulletin 25:500–503

Multi-stakeholder planning, novel tools, and adaptive management for removing invasive vertebrates from islands, from community engagement and regulatory navigation to operational innovation in the field.

2022
Invasive rodent eradication on islands: assessment and mitigation of human exposure to rodenticides
Castaño, P. A., C. Hanson, K. J. Campbell, ... S. R. Siers
Biological Invasions
2022
Managing non-target wildlife mortality whilst using rodenticides to eradicate invasive rodents on islands
Castaño, P. A., C. Hanson, K. J. Campbell, G. S. Baxter, ... N. D. Holmes
Biological Invasions
2020
Feasibility of a successful rat eradication on Wake Atoll following initial partial failure
Hanson, C., K. R. Rex, P. J. Kappes, and S. R. Siers
29th Vertebrate Pest Conference
2020
If at first you don't eradicate: remediating rat eradication failure on Wake Atoll
Kappes, P. J., S. R. Siers, K. R. Rex, and C. Hanson
29th Vertebrate Pest Conference
2019
Rhesus macaque eradication to restore the ecological integrity of Desecheo NWR, Puerto Rico
Hanson, C., T. Hall, A. J. DeNicola, S. Silander, B. S. Keitt, and K. J. Campbell
Island Invasives: Scaling Up to Meet the Challenge. IUCN SSC No. 62
2018
Introduced non-hominid primates impact biodiversity and livelihoods: management priorities
Jones, H. P., K. J. Campbell, A. Burke, ... C. Hanson, ... R. A. Mittermeier
Biological Invasions
2017
Resurgence of Harrisia portoricensis on Desecheo Island after the removal of invasive vertebrates
Figuerola-Hernández, C., K. J. Swinnerton, N. D. Holmes, C. Hanson, ... D. A. Croll
Endangered Species Research
2015
Feral cat eradication in the presence of endemic San Nicolas Island foxes
Hanson, C., W. J. Jolley, G. Smith, ... K. J. Campbell
Biological Invasions
2014
The Wake Island rodent eradication: part success, part failure, but wholly instructive
Griffiths, R., A. S. Wegmann, C. Hanson, ... N. Torr
Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference
2014
Eradication of wild turkey from Santa Cruz Island, California
Morrison, S. A., A. J. DeNicola, K. Walker, et al.
Oryx 50:121–127
2013
Floreana Island ecological restoration: rodent and cat eradication feasibility analysis
Hanson, C. and K. J. Campbell
Technical Report, v6.1
2011
Review of feral cat eradications on islands
Campbell, K. J., G. Harper, C. Hanson, ... S. Robinson
Book chapter
2011
A review of small Indian mongoose management and eradications on islands
Barun, A., C. Hanson, K. J. Campbell, and D. Simberloff
Book chapter

Broader ecological research and international field projects, from disease surveillance in wild pigs on Guam to Mongolian argali sheep ecology.

2019
Rickettsia species in ticks collected from wild pigs and Philippine deer on Guam
Cleveland, C. A., L. Swanepoel, E. K. Box, A. DeNicola, and M. J. Yabsley
Acta Tropica 194:89–92
2017
Survey for select pathogens in wild pigs from Guam, Marianna Islands, USA
Cleveland, C. A., A. DeNicola, J. P. Dubey, D. E. Hill, R. D. Berghaus, and M. J. Yabsley
Veterinary Microbiology 205:22–25
2009
Argali lamb morphometric measurements and survivorship in Mongolia
Reading, R. P., D. Kenny, S. Amgalanbaatar, A. J. DeNicola, and G. Wingard
Mammalia 73:98–104
2008
Successful field capture techniques for free-ranging argali sheep in Mongolia
Kenny, D. E., A. J. DeNicola, S. Amgalanbaatar, Z. Namshir, G. Wingard, and R. P. Reading
Zoo Biology 27:137–144
2008
Dinosaur evolution: student response to dinosaur ramblings
Parker, I. D., E. K. Lyons, M. M. Licona, A. K. Scoggin, S. A. Sumrall, and A. E. Sutton
Journal of Wildlife Management 72:1453–1455
2007
Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica) home ranges in Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Mongolia: preliminary findings
Reading, R. P., S. Amgalanbaatar, D. Kenny, A. J. DeNicola, and E. Tuguldur
Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences 5:29–36
2006
Den site selection of lactating female raccoons following removal and exclusion from suburban residences
O'Donnell, M. A. and A. J. DeNicola
Wildlife Society Bulletin 34:366–370
2005
Ecology of argali in Ikh Nartiin Chuluu, Dornogobi Aimag
Reading, R. P., S. Amgalanbaatar, G. J. Wingard, D. Kenny, and A. DeNicola
Erforschung Biologischer Resourcen der Mongolei 9:77–89
2003
Argali ecology in Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve: preliminary findings
Reading, R. P., S. Amgalanbaatar, D. Kenny, Yo. Onon, Z. Namshir, and A. DeNicola
Mongolian Journal of Biological Sciences 1:3–14