Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Yearly food supplies influence black bear (Ursus americanus) harvest and nuisance behavior. During 1987-1990, gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) infestation in northwestern Virginia, especially in Shenandoah National Park (SNP), resulted in widespread defoliation, acorn failure, and subsequent alterations in bear behavior. We believed canopy opening and especially acorn failure would lead to increased hunter harvest and nuisance behavior in defoliated regions of Virginia. In the defoliated region of Virginia, 138 ± 12 bears/yr and 220 ± 12 bears/yr were harvested before (1980-1986) and during infestation, respectively (P = 0.03). In addition, proportion of females harvested in this region increased from 34% to 40% (P = 0.09). These increases may have resulted from increased bear movements in fall and, hence, greater bear susceptibility to hunting during infestation.

Black bear (Ursus americanus) distribution and habitat quantities were estimated for the Coastal Plain region of the southeastern United States. Bears are imperiled in the southeastern Coastal Plain primarily because of habitat loss. Accordingly, this paper focuses on bear habitat in the region. Resident bear populations are scattered across the Coastal Plain. They occupy an estimated 67,791 km2. The current distribution, a consequence of habitat loss, represents a 93% range reduction from historic levels. The greatest quantity of habitat supporting resident populations occurs in Florida (30,773 km2) and North Carolina (18,700 km2). Most (76%) bear habitat in the Coastal Plain is privately owned. Six of the 10 states in the region contain large blocks of forested areas (>200 km2) that are without bears; these are potential stocking sites. The largest block of potential range occurs in eastern Texas. Management implications of the distribution are discussed.

Developing black bear (Ursus americanus) conservation strategies for the southeastern United States is critical because of increasing habitat fragmentation. Ecological and demographic data collected from a black bear population in Great Dismal Swamp has provided insight into development of these strategies. One strategy is maintaining large, contiguous forest tracts with minimal human disturbance. Identification, maintenance, and enhancement of key habitat patches, such as pocosins and mesic islands, also are important. Remote sensing data can identify corridors among relatively disjunct bear populations that should be targeted for conservation. Population data also suggest the role of Great Dismal Swamp and other large tracts of occupied bear range in this region as reservoirs for black bear reproduction and dispersal into smaller, more fragmented habitats. Research on dispersal and gene flow is essential to determine the true degree of isolation among coastal populations.

A map of land cover derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper data was used to quantify land cover characteristics around Florida Breeding Bird Survey Routes. Abundances of 54 species of birds were compared with land cover characteristics. Approximately 15 species showed biologically meaningful correlations, and in some cases the variation explained by land cover characteristics was quite large (e.g., >40%). There were also several anomalous correlations. Although Landsat data can be used to identify the habitat features sought by some species, more detailed information is needed for many species of nongame birds. Developing standardized procedures for collecting and processing habitat information along Breeding Bird Survey routes should be a top priority.

We investigated the contents of 590 common barn-owl (Tyto albapranticola) pellets from 5 locations in the Georgia Piedmont and 1 in the Upper Coastal Plain. Five genera of rodents, 4 insectivores, 1 lagomorph, and at least 2 bird species were identified in the pellets. Hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) predominated in pellets at the Piedmont sites while least shrews (Cryptotisparva) were the most abundant prey species in pellets at the Coastal Plain site.

Feeding stations were established on a ranch in south Texas to determine seasonal seed preferences of visiting bird species. Seed preferences varied seasonally for most birds with black-oil sunflower, cracked corn, and milo accounting for the majority of seed consumed and for the greatest number of bird species attracted. If more than 1 type of seed is offered, then several feeders should be used to avoid competition between species and reduce wasted seeds.

We conducted extensive pitfall trapping surveys for soricids in the Blue Ridge and upper Piedmont portions of the Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia from 3 July 1993 to 3 January 1994. In 76,103 trapnights, we collected 1,456 specimens representing 15 species. Survey efforts resulted in establishing the southernmost North American collection localities for Sorex cinereus, S. fumeus, S. hoyi, Clethrionomys gapperi, and Peromyscus maniculatus. Sorex cinereus and C. gapperi are restricted to high elevation, mesic forest communities in the Blue Ridge, while S. longirostris, Cryptotis parva, Reithrodontomys humulis, and Peromyscus leucopus are restricted to the Upper Piedmont and lower elevations in the Blue Ridge. We report the first record of Cryptotis parva and new records of S. longirostris from the Blue Ridge. Sorex fumeus and Blarina brevicauda are widespread and abundant throughout the Blue Ridge and the Upper Piedmont.

The composition and diversity of redeveloping plant communities, along with associated small mammal and bird communities, were compared on hexazinone and mechanically-prepared sites at 2, 3, and 5 years post-treatment. Diversity of herbaceous vegetation was higher on the mechanically-prepared sites at 5 years post-treatment, while the diversity of woody vegetation did not differ in any of the age classes. Small mammals were sampled by removal trapping and birds by circular census plots. On the 2-year post-treatment sites, small mammal capture rates were greater on the mechanically-prepared areas than on the hexazinone sites. Capture rates and species composition did not differ between treatments on the 3- and 5-year post-treatment sites. Bird diversity was higher on the hexazinoneprepared sites at 2 and 3 years post-treatment and apparently was related to greater numbers of residual snags.

The need for Nuisance Wildlife Control (NWC) is changing with the increase in urban population in the United States. A survey of the states and territories of the United States in regard to NWC was assessed. A comprehensive model emerged for a system of private operators. The key elements are education, administrative oversight, sensitivity to animal welfare and human needs, and development of private enterprise while maintaining wildlife agency control.

As a result of agricultural, urban, and industrial development of native thorn-shrub communities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, < 1% of south Texas supports habitat for the endangered ocelot (Felis pardalis). We evaluated techniques that could facilitate restoration of ocelot habitat. Texas ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule), granjeno (Celtis pallidd), lotebush (Ziziphus obtusifolia), and whitebrush (Aloysia gratissima) seedlings were planted in 3 4-ha plots at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron County, Texas. Mean stem height did not differ (P > 0.05) among species for the clipped-weeded, clipped-nonweeded, and control treatments. All species of seedlings planted in 60-cm tall plastic shelters grew taller than seedlings planted in 30-cm plastic shelters (P < 0.01). Control granjeno seedlings had lower survival than the non-weeded 30-cm shelter and the weeded and non-weeded 60-cm shelter treatments (P < 0.01).

A survey in North Carolina was undertaken to determine the distribution and relative abundance of the Greensboro burrowing crayfish (Cambarus catagius). Public input was solicited for search locations and a methodology was devised to capture the species. The species was collected at 16 locations in North Carolina from Greensboro to Lexington and southeast to the Uwharrie National Forest. Many other observational data on the species, its habitat, and its relative abundance were also collected.

From 1986 through 1994, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has surveyed the state for freshwater mussel populations. To date, 215 extant populations of 27 state designated endangered, threatened, or special concern species have been documented, including 46 good, 49 fair, and 120 poor quality populations.

Unionid mussels were sampled in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, Tennessee and Kentucky, from July to October 1988 with a chain grid of 10 1-m2 quadrats. The chain grid was used to define 100-m2 areas along the stream bed by repeatedly moving the 10-m2 rectangle upstream. Within each 100-m2 area, 30 systematically selected quadrats were sampled to estimate density and size class distribution of mussel populations. Sampling variance within grids reflected the patchiness of mussel distribution and increased with substratum heterogeneity; number of mussels encountered per quadrat ranged from 0 to 29. Among sites, densities ranged from 1 to 8 mussels/m2. Across all sites, precision and estimates of species richness and density did not improve appreciably with sampling effort beyond 15 quadrats. Concurrent density estimates from quadrat and depletion sampling varied significantly among sites.

Streamside blacklight traps, aerial netting, and beating sheet samples of adult stoneflies were taken from streams of the Amite, Bayou Pierre, Buffalo and Homochitto River systems in the Homochitto National Forest of southwest Mississippi. Natchez (Alloperla natchez) and/or Chukcho (Haploperla chukcho) stoneflies, federal candidates for listing as threatened or endangered species, were found in 19 streams of the Homochitto River system, 3 streams of the Bayou Pierre system, and 1 stream of the Amite River system. Neither species was collected from tributaries of the Buffalo River. Occurrence of both species appears to be associated with stream order and canopy cover.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) recovery strategy is based on conservation biology principles. It implements landscape-scale management by identifying 26 habitat management areas (HMAs) totaling nearly 810,000 hectares. Within these designated HMAs, longer timber harvesting rotations will be established. Management intensity levels (MILs) will be established based on red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) population size. The smallest populations will receive the most intensive direct RCW management while being most restrictive regarding forest management. The combination of identifying HMAs and implementing longer timber harvesting rotations and appropriate MILs should overcome the effects of past fragmentation and demographic isolation. Prescribed burning regimes will mimic historical fire regimes of southern pine ecosystems.

Because managing pine habitats for red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) may result in reductions in habitat for certain neotropical migrant species, an apparent conflict exists between these species when managing stands of pine. However, other high priority species are likely to increase in areas managed for red-cockaded woodpeckers. The Partners in Flight prioritization scheme and research on bird-habitat relationships indicate that most high priority neotropical migrants in the East Gulf Coastal Plain are managed for best in bottomland hardwoods. In contrast, most high priority temperate migrant and resident bird species prosper in mature open pine habitat. Management conflict disappears when managing for red-cockaded woodpeckers and other pine associated species on a landscape scale. This process has ramifications for developing strategies to effectively conserve biodiversity in managed areas.

Hurricane Andrew, a Class 3 storm, entered St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, on 26 August 1992. Sixty-one (59%) of the state's bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest territories were within the storm path, and, following the hurricane, 18 of these were classified as destroyed. Aerial nest survey data for 4 nesting seasons (1990-1994) were used to evaluate the effect of Hurricane Andrew on bald eagle reproductive success in Louisiana. Mean annual production per active territory was 1.40 (range 1.20-1.66) and per successful nest was 1.66 (range 1.45-1.85). Productivity (young/active territory) for hurricane affected nests (HAN) did not differ from non-affected nests (NAN) for any year except 1993-94, when production was higher in the HAN. Production declined for all nests between 1991-92 and 1992-93, possibly as a result of severe winter weather. Hurricane Andrew probably had no short term effect on Louisiana's bald eagle population.

Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) numbers declined precipitously and the species was on the verge of extinction by 1971 when the population fell to 19 birds, leaving only 16 remaining in the wild. An extensive study of the species was undertaken in 1968 and intensive wild and captive management was initiated. Both wild and captive populations have fluctuated but have demonstrated a trend toward moderately increasing numbers over the ensuing 25 years. This recovery and the role and potential of the captive breeding strategy for enhancing the recovery of this species is addressed. The Rio Abajo Aviary, established in 1990 as a second captive breeding site, is examined with a look toward the future of the captive program and the Puerto Rican parrot.

Species composition and relative abundance of amphibians and reptiles were examined in 5 pitcher plant bogs and adjacent forests in eastern Texas. The herpetofaunal communities of the bogs and forests were compared and changes throughout a year were traced. Amphibians and reptiles were censused using drift fence arrays with funnel traps and 15-minute time-area searches. In the bogs, 407 individuals of 28 species were recorded; 468 individuals of 28 species were counted in the forests. More amphibian species and individuals were found in bogs (P < 0.050), and more reptile individuals (P < 0.050) were recorded in forests. Two amphibian and 5 reptile species comprised 87.1% of all individuals. The ground skink (Scincella lateralis) was the dominant species, representing 46.3% of all individuals.

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery and population structure at Victor Braunig Reservoir, Texas, were monitored from 1985 through 1992 following changes in harvest restrictions from 254-mm minimum length and 10 fish daily bag limits to 533-minimum length and 2 fish daily bag limits. Harvest rates were significantly reduced under the more restrictive limits and averaged 0.002 fish/angler-hour. Mean weight of harvested fish increased from 0.85 kg to 3.22 kg. Total catch rates ranged from 0.145 to 0.650 fish/angler-hour; the weighted mean annual catch rate during the study was 0.337 fish/angler-hour. Catch rates of fish ≥533 mm averaged 0.004 fish/angler-hour. Proportions of larger fish in the creel increased throughout the study. Electrofishing surveys showed increases in relative proportions of fish ≥381 mm, and relative abundance of fish ≥203 mm increased after 1989.

We evaluated the effects of changing harvest regulations from 15 fish/ day (no more than 5 fish ≥508 mm) to 15 fish/day (no more than 1 fish ≥508 mm) for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Texoma, Texas and Oklahoma. A stratified random creel survey was conducted for 2 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to determine striped bass harvest and directed angling pressure. Experimental gill nets were set at 15 stations each February for 3 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to estimate changes in the striped bass abundance and size structure. Overall striped bass harvest did not change (P > 0.05) after the regulation change, but, as expected, the harvest of striped bass ≥508 mm did decrease (P < 0.05), while directed angling pressure did not change (P > 0.05). There were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the striped bass abundance and numbers ≥508 mm after the regulation was implemented.

Release of largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) by anglers licensed under 2 size limits were evaluated based on tag returns. Clarks Hill, Richard B. Russell, and Hartwell reservoirs, forming the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina, have different largemouth bass size restrictions on each side of the lake. Georgia imposes a 305-mm minimum length limit, whereas South Carolina imposes no size limit. Georgia anglers released a significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) proportion of stock size (200-299 mm) bass than did South Carolina anglers. Georgia anglers also appeared to release a greater percentage of quality (300-379 mm) and preferred and larger (≥380 mm) size bass; however, no significanct differences (P ≤ 0.05) were detected. These results suggest that even a relatively small minimum length limit (305 mm) has a positive effect on angler release rates despite the popularity of voluntary catch and release.

To reduce mortality of crappie Pomoxis spp. caught from deep water in winter, beginning in 1991 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) replaced the statewide 254-mm minimum length limit for crappie with a mandatory harvest regulation during December through February on Lake Fork Reservoir. The special regulation required anglers to harvest the first 25 crappie, regardless of size, with no catch-and-release or culling. Anglers (364 parties, 750 anglers) seeking crappie were asked questions regarding their awareness, their acceptance and how they learned of the regulation during access point creel surveys, December through February, 1991-92 and 1992-93. A majority of the parties were aware (98.6%) and in favor (94.5%) of the regulation. The TPWD Texas Fishing Guide, local newspaper articles, and word-of-mouth were most often cited as the source of information. This study justifies efforts to educate the public regarding fishery management practices.

Lake Nacogdoches was opened to fishing in 1978 with 254-mm minimum size and 10-fish daily bag limits for black basses (Micropterus spp.). Heavy fishing pressure likely resulted in initial overharvest of largemouth bass during the first 3 weeks after opening. To restore the population, 406-mm minimum length and 3-fish daily bag limits were imposed in 1979. Under these regulations, the bass densities increased, but stockpiling just below the minimum length occurred within 5 years. An experimental 381-533 mm slot length limit was implemented in 1985 and then adjusted in 1988 to the statewide, 356-533 mm slot length limit to allow harvest of the stockpiled bass and increase the number of quality-sized bass in the population. The population structure exhibited a decrease in the number of bass below the slot limit and an increase in the number of bass in the protected slot within 2 years and has remained stable since that time.

We performed a hydroacoustic survey of fishes in Lake Moultrie, South Carolina, in May 1993. Pelagic fish densities were less than 70/ha with an average size of approximately 13 cm; densities of benthic fishes, most likely catfishes (Ictalurus spp.), were much higher, approximately 600/ha. Fish densities encountered in May were nearly 2 orders of magnitude less than either those reported in 32 years of fall rotenone surveys or in fall hydroacoustic surveys in upstream reservoirs. Confirmation of these low fish densities will require expanding sampling efforts. If validated, our findings may suggest a seasonal pelagic prey shortage, indicating a need for maximizing anadromous fish passage and close scrutiny of management activities including aquatic vegetation control, harvest restrictions, and stocking.