R. Montague Whiting, Jr.

Although winter foods of mallards (Anas platyrhyncos) and wood ducks (Aix sponsa) have been documented in several studies, no such research has been conducted in natural bottomland hardwood forests in eastern Texas. We collected 40 mallards and 38 wood ducks and sampled available foods in eastern Texas during winters 1987-1988 and 1988-89 to study food habits and preferences. Acorns from four oak species comprised >89% and >99% of the diets of mallards and wood ducks, respectively. Nuttall oak (Quercus texana) acorns made up >67% of the diet of each species both years. Program...

We assessed survival and reproduction of Georgia and Iowa eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) relocated to the Pineywoods of Texas. Using approximately equal numbers from each state, 12 females and 3 males were radio tagged and released at each of 4 sites in February 1994. In February 1995, 8 resident females were captured, radio tagged, and released on a disjunct study area intensively managed for wildlife. Radio tracking of the turkeys began immediately after release and continued until 30 June 1996. We found no differences in annual, first-year after release, spring-...

This study examined species composition and relative abundance of birds in the Post Oak Region of Texas during winter and spring 1993. A grazed and an ungrazed site were established in each of 4 habitat types: forests, woodlands, upland pastures, and wet meadows. Habitat characteristics of the study sites were evaluated using plot and point methods. Birds were surveyed using time-area circular plot methods with 4 plots per study site. Highest numbers of bird species and individuals were recorded in the woodlands during winter and wet meadows during spring. As a result of flocking birds,...

Interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data to characterize waterfowl hunters and harvest on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in east Texas during the 1986-87 season. Interviewed hunters and those submitting questionnaires averaged 0.94 and 1.31 ducks per trip, respectively (P = 0.003). Hunters per party, hours per trip, shots per trip, and shots per duck bagged averaged 2.19, 2.96, 5.63, and 5.07, respectively. These values and ducks harvested per trip (1.18) varied significantly across the season (P < 0.050). Based on interviews, an estimated 7,971 ducks were bagged...

The strip transect and fixed-area circular plot methods of sampling birds were compared in 4 even-age pine-hardwood stands (seedling, sapling, pole and sawtimber tree-size classes) during winter and spring of 2 years. During spring the circular plot method resulted in more species and more individuals than the transect method. Most differences were significant (P > 0.05). Winter samples showed the same pattern, however most differences were not significant (P >0.05). For selected species and species assemblages, fixed-area circular plots generally resulted in higher numbers during...