William G. Minser

Densities of male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were measured during 1976-1995 on 4 study sites in Tennessee, 2 in Kentucky, and 1 in Georgia using intensive counts of drumming males as the indicator of density to determine the impact of clearcutting in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The number of territorial males ranged from 0 to 4.0/100 ha over all study areas (1976-1995). Densities increased in response to clearcutting in Tennessee suggesting this forest management practice enhances habitat for the species. The number of breeding males on 1 area experiencing 12% clearcutting...

Disease eliminated American chestnut (Catenea dentata), mast production from most North America forests before objective data could be collected on its use by wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). This study evaluated wild turkey use of American chestnut, chestnut hybrids, and other selected hard mast. Feeding responses of free-ranging wild turkeys to American and Chinese chestnuts was compared to 22 other mast species during winters 1993 and 1994. Turkeys were presented measured amounts of mast during 20 feeding trials. Chestnuts were readily accepted as a food. There were no differences (P...

To better understand habitat features on rivers that are important to wood ducks (Aix sponsa), I measured brood density for sections of 12 rivers (329 km) in Tennessee nightlighting during spring 1990 and 1991. Sixteen habitat variables were evaluated for each river and the relationship to brood density was tested. Brood density ranged from 0 to 1.8/km (x = 0.7 on unchannelized rivers). No broods were found on 61 km of channelized rivers. Brood density was positively correlated to aquatic vegetation, mud flats, logs and limbs in the water, large overhanging trees, rapids, and islands and...

The Southeastern Section, The Wildlife Society (TWS), chartered 19 July 1948 has completed 39 years of operation. Thirty chapters within the Section have been chartered. Committee and other Section activities are described in this report. Information for this report was gathered from committee reports, executive board and annual business meeting minutes, Southeastern Section, TWS Newsletters, previous historical reports and Proceedings of Annual Conferences, Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.