J. B. Wooding

Using radio collars on black bears (Ursus americanus) has greatly increased our knowledge of this species. Excessive body growth of collared bears can result in neck injuries from radio collars, however; therefore, techniques have been developed to resolve such problems. Three types of breakaway devices were used on black bear radio collars in Florida. Forty-eight collars (Telonics breakaway, TV = 10; surgical tubing breakaway, JV = 11; leather spacer breakaway, TV = 27) were placed on bears in the Apalachicola and Ocala National Forests. Collar life averaged 163 ± 22 (SE) days (TV = 4),...

We inspected 17 fox enclosures and interviewed 26 operators to collect information on enclosure characteristics and use in Florida. Size of enclosures (N = 26) ranged from 30 to 360 ha (¯x = 108 ha). Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote (Canis latrans) stocks were obtained from states in the southeast and midwest. Operators (54%) preferred coyotes exclusively or in combination with foxes: coyotes were admitted to be present in ≥35% of enclosures visited. Owners reported enclosure costs to be $40/ha. Fox enclosures provided a convenient recreational...