Edward P. Hill

A Comparison of Attractants Used for Carnivore Track Surveys

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...

Woodcock Utilization of Bottomland Hardwoods in the Mississippi Delta

Flush counts (N = 182) of American woodcock (Scolopax minor) wintering in the Delta region of Mississippi from 1981 to 1982 demonstrated that regeneration stands were used as diurnal coverts more often than other seral stages of bottomland hardwoods. Significant numbers of woodcock also utilized mature stands. Few birds were found in pole stands or cottonwood (Populus deltoides) plantations. Management suggestions and research needs are discussed.

Coyote Food Habits in Mississippi and Alabama

Food habits of coyotes (Canis latrans) from the upper coastal plain province of Alabama and Mississippi were determined from scats (N =211) and stomachs (N = 100) collected from December 1980 through April 1984. Frequency of occurrence of major food items found in scats and stomachs for all seasons were rodents (43.1 %), fruit (38.6%), rabbits (34.7%), insects (29.9%), white-tailed deer (28.0%), and birds (22.5%). Seasonally, rabbits and rodents occurred most frequently in spring; rodents, insects, and birds in summer; fruit, primarily persimmons, in fall; and deer and rodents in winter....

Activity and Movements of Coyotes in Mississippi and Alabama

Daily activity, home-range size, and seasonal and dispersal movements of 13 coyotes (Canis latrans) were studied in eastern Mississippi and western Alabama using telemetry techniques. Coyotes were most active and traveled the greatest distances between 1800 hours and 0600 hours. The highest movement rates occurred near sunset and sunrise. Mean distances traveled during 12-hour full-night periods were greatest for adult females (9.5 km) followed by adult males (8.6 km) and juveniles (5.6 km). Average distance traveled by all coyotes during full-night periods was shortest during fall (5.3 km...

Waterfowl Use Of Strip Mine Ponds In Alabama

Waterfowl use of 23 coal strip mine ponds in Alabama was investigated from January 1976 to December 1977. Nine of the ponds were 5 years old at the time of the study, 10 were 15 years old and 4 were 25 years old. Visual observations were made on a monthly or bi-weekly basis to determine waterfowl usage. Vegetation, cover, and food prod uction on 10 of the ponds (three 5-year-old ponds, four 15-year-old ponds, and three 25-year old ponds) were investigated to evaluate pond potential as waterfowl habitat. Older ponds were positively correlated (P<'O I) with increased waterfowl use....

Winter Food Habits Of River Otters From Alabama And Georgia

Food habits of river otters (Lutra canadensis) in Alabama and Georgia were studied using 315 digestive tracts from otters taken by trappers during the 1973-74 through 1976-77 trapping seasons. Additionally, 12 scats were collected during and immediately following the 1975-76 trapping season. Fish occurred in 83.2% of the digestive tracts and in 91.7% of the scats. Fishes of the following families were found in the frequency percentages indicated; Centrarchidae, 53.6%; Castomidae, 12.1%; Ictaluridae, 10.5%; Amiidae and Aphredoderidae, 8.2%; Cyprinidae, 6.3%; Esocidae, 5.1 %; Clupeidae, 1.6...

An Evaluation Of Polypropylene Mesh Tubing As A Deer Browse Deterrent For Southern Hardwood Seedlings

Cumulative monthly browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on unprotected apical leaders of oak (Quercus spp.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) seedlings in plantations in Southwest Alabama exceeded 100% per year. Growth of unprotected seedlings of all species was significantly less (P < .01) than mean growth attained in seedlings subjected to 6 protective treatments with polypropylene mesh tubing. Mortality in unprotected sweegum seedlings was greated than in protected seedlings (P < .05). Mortality of oak was unaffected by protection. All treatments protected...

Pesticide Residues in Beaver and River Otter From Alabama

Tissue samples from beaver and river otter taken by trappers mostly from southeastern Alabama during January through March 1973 and 1974 were subjected to pesticide residue analyses. Residues found were Mirex, p.p' DDT, p.p 'DDE, p.p 'DDD, Heptachlor epoxide, Endrin, Dieldrin, Toxaphene and PCB as Aroclar 1260. The occurrence of Mirex in 14 of 19 river otter taken in 1974 may have resulted from large area aerial application of Mirex for fire ant control. Composite samples of beaver from the Chattahoochee River contained 31 times more total residues than composite samples from other areas...