Jeanne C. Jones

Area searches and pitfall trap methods are commonly used to quantify presence or abundance of reptile and amphibian species. However, most studies do not use both methods simultaneously. We compared these methods with respect to detectability of herpetofauna species and detection rates for individual species on public lands in east central Mississippi. We conducted area searches along 300 m2 belt transects measuring 50 x 6 m at distances of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 m from first and second order streams. Pitfall traps were placed along transects at 0, 50, and 100 m from streams. Transects...

We conducted a study of recreational fishing and economic activities of charter boat operators along Mississippi's Gulf Coast to determine their local and statewide economic impact in 2001. Mail questionnaires received (N = 36) from charter boat operators included information on sport fish species pursued, locations fished, number of trips and number of clientele entertained, gross revenues collected, expenditures incurred, and number of employees hired in 2001. Sport fish species or species groups that were most pursued in descending order of preference were sea trout (Cynoscion spp.),...

Prescribed burning is an often used and economical management tool to manage for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus). Although prescribed fire creates and maintains early successional plant communities that benefit cottontails, short-term effects (direct and indirect) of prescribed burning on cottontails are unclear. To document cottontail response to fire, we examined pre- and post-burn home range (HR) and core area (CA) size, post-burn movement rates, and post-burn survival and cause-specific mortality rates for 10 cottontails (...

Despite numerous museum records and published range maps, gaps exist in current knowledge of the abundance and distribution of many amphibian species. Furthermore, because of the unique life histories among amphibians, several techniques conducted across several diurnal and seasonal time scales are needed to detect species presence. We conducted surveys at fixed points within forests on a military land base in east-central Mississippi to quantify amphibian richness using anuran call counts and time-constrained area searches, 1998-2000. Concomitantly, we completely enclosed 3 ephemeral...

The introductory level fish and wildlife conservation course at Mississippi State University has an enrollment of over 100 students each semester. Students in the class generally exhibit a diversity of attitudes about fish and wildlife conservation that range from anti-hunting to consumptive and extractive use advocates. Finding common ground among these students is challenging, but essential for the creation of an interactive, learning environment that focuses on sustainable use of natural resources. Ecological principles of fish and wildlife conservation are linked to current issues...

A preliminary survey was conducted to determine fee-hunting and wildlife management activities of private landowners in Mississippi. A total of 613 respondents reported ownership of land in parcels of ≥ 16.4 ha. Four hundred and forty-five respondents allowed hunting on their land, whereas 71 landowners collected fees for hunting privileges. Game species pursued on fee hunting lands included deer, waterfowl, turkey, quail, dove, and “other” game. Respondents reported expenditures of overhead items (e.g., manager/caretaker, liability insurance, hunter access) on fee hunting lands. Wildlife...

In 1997, a statewide inventory in Mississippi estimated the number and area of beaver (Castor canadensis) impoundments ≥0.4 ha in size. Data were compared with an identical survey performed in 1977. Number and area of impoundments in 1997 (1,783 and 11,728 ha, respectively) decreased from 1977 (2,739 and 28,768 ha, respectively). Landowners were mailed a questionnaire concerning the effectiveness of various methods for killing and disposing of beavers. Beaver meat and pelts were discarded by 87.8% of the landowners. Of the 9,332 beaver known to be killed in 1996 statewide, 67% were killed...

We recorded plant community characteristics in an 18-year-old, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exclosure in the Lower Coastal Plain of Mississippi during summer 1996. The 0.4-ha exclosure was constructed in 1977 within upland pine (Pinus spp.) forest of the Leaf River Wildlife Management Area in Perry County, Mississippi. Surveys at the time of exclosure construction revealed that similar plant cover and species richness existed inside and outside of the exclosure. Surveys were conducted during 1996 along 8 37-m transects located inside and outside the exclosure. Forest canopy...

A vegetation and soil study was conducted on upland disposal sites of a 4,425- ha management area in Mississippi. This area comprised disposal sites managed for northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). The soil and subsoil materials of these disposal areas originated from vertical cuts of geological strata up to 54 m and contained acidic overburden. Soil samples were collected at 0- to 10-cm and >10- to 20-cm depths on 35 disposal areas. Soil pH values in 0- to 10-cm depths were not related to depths to overburden. Soil pH levels in >10- to 20-cm depths were related to overburden...

Although numerous studies have been conducted on food habits of the Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), there is a paucity of information on food items taken by quail on severely-disturbed land bases. To collect more information, crop content analysis was conducted on 1,015 hunter-harvested northern bobwhites from 1982 to 1992. Quail were collected from disposal areas created by the deposition of spoil material during construction of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. These disposal areas are classified as severely-disturbed due to edaphic and pedogenic conditions. Vegetative cover was...