T. Wayne Schwertner

An understanding of spatial and temporal dynamics of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations is essential in setting management goals. In central Texas, raccoon (Procyon lotor) populations have increased in recent years, causing concern that they may be limiting Rio Grande wild turkey (M. g. intermedia) production. We used two long-term data sets in central Texas to explore the relationship between raccoon abundance and Rio Grande wild turkey production at the regional, county, and local scale. We found no evidence that natural variation in raccoon abundance was associated with Rio...

Brood counts are used frequently by state conservation agencies to estimate wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) recruitment. We performed power analyses for 25 years of Rio Grande Wild Turkey (M. g. intermedia; RGWT) brood-count data from five ecological regions of Texas in order to determine if these data had sufficient (1-b ?0.80) power to detect inter-annual and long-term changes in turkey production of 10%-20%, which we considered biologically meaningful. We then analyzed the data to determine trends in production. The analyses showed that a minimum annual sample of 200-500 turkey-group...

Chemical immobilization often is the most effective method for capturing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Numerous chemical immobilization agents are available. We compared the efficacy and physiological effects of 2 white-tailed deer immobilizing agents: medetomidine-ketamine (M-K) antagonized with atipamezole, and xylazine-Telazol (X-T) antagonized with tolazoline. Mean induction time was longer and more variable for M-K. Mean reversal time and total down time was longer and more variable for X-T. Mean blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) in subjects treated with M-K was lower...

Mason Mountain WMA was established as Texas' first financially self-sufficient wildlife management area. While maintaining the ecological health of Mason Mountain WMA is top priority, several programs have been initiated to generate revenue to fund Area operations. The Texas Exotic Safari, a lottery-type hunt for African big game, netted $33,762 in its first year of operation. Other public hunting activities generated a profit of $ 114,000. Grazing rights to Mason Mountain WMA are leased for $10,152 per year and exotic wildlife sales brought in $129,000 between January 1997 and April 1998...