Bruce D. Leopold

Multi-year studies in wildlife science and management can provide novel insights not detected in short-term investigations. Therefore, we continued a 2-year study by Stephens et al. (1998) to evaluate wood duck (Aix sponsa) reproduction in conventional and small nest boxes (i.e., approximately one-half conventional size) at Noxubee and Yazoo National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in Mississippi. Small nest boxes were designed to deter excessive dump nesting by wood ducks at these refuges. During 1994-1997, use of large boxes by wood ducks remained high (≥70%) at both study areas, but use of...

Squirrels (Sciuris spp.) are important game species; however, it is believed that southern fox squirrel (S. niger) populations in many regions are declining. Changes in forest management practices may have reduced habitat availability and diversity, thereby contributing to declining population trends. However, relationships among forest management practices, active management of wildlife habitats, and wildlife populations requires an understanding of relationships among forest communities and wildlife populations. We used linear regression to build predictive models of gray squirrel (S....

Nest success strongly influences wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproduction. Understanding selection of nesting habitats may provide information for management opportunities to increase turkey nest success. Therefore, we examined the landscape scale habitat selection of wild turkey hens during nesting. A logistic regression model with 89 nest locations and 89 random locations indicated an intercept term, elevation, and distances to mature pine burned ≤3 years ago and mature pine not burned within 3 years differed significantly (P<0.04) between used and random sites. Nest success was...

To facilitate recovery of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW), management priorities and practices on >800,000 ha of Forest Service land in the Southeastern United States have been realigned to restore the pine-grassland system to which the RCW is adapted. Management regimes for RCW involve fire and mechanical suppression of hardwood understory and midstory. As such, RCW management practices might be expected to alter plant communities and associated wildlife populations. We examined differences in vegetation composition and structure between mature pine stands managed for red-...

Effect of exploitation on sympatric southern squirrel populations has not been documented. Additionally, opportunities to study effects of harvest on unexploited populations are rare. Consequently, we investigated the effect of exploitation on a previously unharvested population of fox (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrels (S. carolinensis) on Twin Oaks Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi, from 1993-1998. We annually collected age, body morphometrics, color, sex, and species composition of harvested squirrels at voluntary check stations. A population decrease was documented for both species...

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) and coyotes (Canis latrans) are sympatric in many areas; however, this sympatry has evolved relatively recently in the southeastern United States with coyote range expansion. Where the 2 species are sympatric, habitat selection and diets of bobcats and coyotes may overlap. Knowledge of seasonal variation in prey selection is required to assess interspecific competition and understand factors facilitating coexistence between sympatric species, yet long-term (>5 years) information on sympatric diets is unavailable. We collected and analyzed 1,183 scats (591 bobcat,...

Scent-station surveys have been used to examine trends in felid and canid abundance throughout the Southeast. Scent station methods have been developed on the presumption that canids rely on olfactory stimuli and that bobcats (Lynx rufus) rely on sight and auditory stimuli. No studies have quantified the effects of various olfactory, auditory, and visual stimuli on scent-station visitation by bobcats and canids; however, such information could improve the effectiveness and ability of scent-station surveys. We established scent stations and track transects in intensively managed pine...

We radio-monitored 35 wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens during prenesting and nesting periods in central Mississippi, 1996-1997. Comparing microhabitat variables associated with prenesting areas (N = 35) and nest sites (N = 22) with random sites indicated that groundstory conditions, including grass and woody growth, were related to hen selection of both prenesting and nesting sites. Distance to nearest road, vertical vegetative cover, and basal area were not related to nest site location (P > 0.05). We recommend managers maintain habitats with abundant grasses within landscapes...

We studied fawn survival during 1995 on Davis Island, Mississippi, an island in the Mississippi River. Newborn fawns were captured using line searches or vaginal implant transmitters. We captured 20 fawns with 8 surviving to 6 months. Cause of fawn mortality included coyotes (3) and natural mortality (2). Additionally, six fawns lost their transmitters and one transmitter failed. Overall survival rate of fawns to 180 days was 0.72. Male and female survival to 180 days was 0.66 and 0.78 respectively. Our results suggest fawn survival is not adversely affected by early summer flooding.

We monitored 13 (6 female, 7 male) adult bobcats (Lynx rufus) using radiotelemetry and examined seasonal activity patterns using 9,217 observations from August 1989 - August 1990. Female bobcats were active 49% and males were active 60% of the diel period. Mean percentage activity during winter of males (x = 71%,SE = 4.0%) was greater (P < 0.01) than that of females (x + 44%, SE + 5%). Bobcats exhibited greatest activity during crepuscular and nocturnal periods. We detected a less defined bimodal crepuscular activity than previous studies. High diurnal activity makes bobcats susceptible...