Gene W. Wood

The Clemson beaver pond leveler (leveler) was developed as an instrument to suppress the adverse effects of beaver activity that results in flooding timberlands and agricultural crops and damage to road drainage and water-control structures. It has also proven to be useful in manipulating beaver pond levels for waterfowl habitat management. Nine case studies involving 25 test sites have shown the Leveler to be successful over a moderate range of conditions in the lower Coastal Plain and upper Piedmont regions. Based on the previous success scenarios, several public agencies and 1 corporate...

During a 19-month intensive control program 589 feral hogs (Sus scrofa) were removed from 4,500 ha of forest-marsh habitat in the lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Of 112 adult females removed, 66 were pregnant, 79 were lactating, and 44 of these were pregnant and lactating. Of 43 females in the 6-11 months age class, 34 had conceived at least 1 litter by the time of death and 9 had conceived twice. Litter size in 45 females was 5.0 ± 2.3. Cost per animal removed was $54. A substantial number of animals remained in the habitat after the program was terminated. Incidence rates for...

Periodic observations from 1976 through 1989 on an unhunted whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herd located in coastal South Carolina indicated that the population had likely incurred a major decline from a hemorrhagic disease (HD) outbreak, and another may be imminent. Weights of adult does were comparable to those of the hunted herd on the nearby Francis Marion National Forest. Conception rates were insensitive to the occurrence of HD or acorn mast failures. Among adult does collected in early February, femur marrow fat content was a better indicator of animal condition and the...

The 1982-85 South Carolina woodcock (Scolopax minor) wing survey yielded 683 wings with varying amounts of information on date and county of collection, type of hunting being done, and habitat where the bird was found. Age and sex information was obtained from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service on another 176 woodcock harvested in South Carolina as well as the total harvest in the eastern region for the 1982-85 period. The 1982-85 South Carolina harvests were composed of 19.7% adult males, 29.8% adult females, 23.5% immature males, and 27.0% immature females. Age...

Winter populations of American woodcock ( Philohela minor) in coastal South Carolina were concentrated in cypress-gum (Taxodium-Nyssa) swamps and flood plains and along the margins of ponds in pine (Pinus) stands and clearcuts. Flushing rates varied from 0 to 6 flushes per man-hour in the field based on 303.4 man-hours of hunting. The winter population began to increase in mid-December, was highest in mid-January, and was low by late-February. Age and sex ratios were largely skewed towards the immature female segment of the population. Earthworms made up 64% of the aggreate volume of 122...