Bruce D. Leopold

We developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) based habitat model for female bobcats (Lynx rufus) and subjected the model to internal-validation, cross-validation, and validation using independent data. The model predicted probability of an area being used by female bobcats increased (P <0.001) as slope and distance to mature pine stands increased. Probability of an area being used by female bobcats decreased (P <0.001) with increasing distance to sapling stands, mature hardwood stands, paved roads, maintenance roads, and creeks. Forest type (non-forested, pine dominated, or...

Home range size is an important component of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) ecology. We estimated 95% convex polygon home ranges for gobblers and hens within biological seasons in central Mississippi. Mean home range size of gobblers (N = 97) varied from 607.1 ha (subadults during spring) to 809.9 ha (subadults during fall/winter). Mean home range size of hens (N = 127) varied from 97.2 ha (early brood) to 541.9 ha (fall/winter). Male home range size did not differ among seasons (P >0.05). However, gobblers tended to have larger home range sizes than hens, which likely reflected...

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting has gained popularity as turkey populations have risen. Consequently, there is a greater chance that illegal turkey hunting will impact turkey populations. Our objectives were to determine the extent of illegal turkey hunting in Mississippi and identify potential violators. We conducted a mail survey of turkey hunters (N = 4,026) who hunted in Mississippi during the 1994 spring gobbler-only season. A response rate of 55% was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of a hunter violating a regulation. We entered 20...

Call counts for a number of gamebirds (e.g., northern bobwhite [Colinus virginianus] and wild turkey [Meleagris gallopavo]) have been used to index population levels and trends and to document species presence or absence. Call counts for wild turkeys have been used for these purposes, but gobbling activity has not been related quantitatively to population size, reproduction, weather, male age structure, or hunting variables. Consequently, we examined these factors as they affected gobbling activity on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Bienville National Forest, in central Mississippi,...

Wildlife management is the interaction of wildlife populations, habitats, and people. The eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is an important wildlife resource. However, quantitative data on the human dimensions of wild turkey management are scarce. Therefore, we surveyed 2,143 Mississippi turkey hunters by mail to determine characteristics of this group, examine attitudes towards regulations and management issues, and determine how hunter characteristics influenced attitudes. We received responses from 1,524 participants (71.1%). The average respondent was male, a...

Most researchers arbitrarily delineate study areas even though a quantitative estimate of study area size can be generated from capture and subsequent locations of radio-equipped animals. Arbitrary delineation may result in biased estimates of density. Density is often determined with capture-mark-recapture designs that do not include locational data from radio-equipped animals. We used logistic regression to determine probability of recapture of radio-equipped wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens based on pre-sample distances from bait sites for hens using and not using baited sites. We...

We studied wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobbler habitat use and seasonal home range size by radio telemetry in an area dominated (45%) by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations (PP) in Kemper County, Mississippi, 1986-1988. In 1986, gobbler habitat use was more than expected for PP (fall) and pine-hardwood forests (spring). Use was less than expected for pine-hardwood forests (fall) and fields (summer). Use was as expected for PP, pine-hardwood, and hardwood forests and fields for the other seasons. In 1987, PP were used less than expected for all seasons. Use was more than expected...

Significal1t (P<0.05) correlation coefficients were obtained by relating various forest characteristics to amounts of selected (succulent, new-growth) forage from plants utilized by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus I'ir!{inianus) in mixed pine-hardwood forests. Forage from forbs and grasses was inversely related to most characteristics pertaining to basal area, age, dbh, height, and number of layers. Forage from vines was not significantly correlated with any forest characteristic. Forage from woody plants was directly related to hardwood density, age, dbh, and basal area. Stepwise...