Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Relocated eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have been increasing in northern Post Oak Savannah (POS) of Texas. However, it has been difficult to establish populations in the southern POS where mortality is high and reproductive success low. It has been proposed that high spring precipitation and high carnivore numbers account for poor population viability in the southern POS. We found that spring precipitation (1994-1995 nesting seasons) was not above the historic average (1950-1993), nor did unusually high rainfall events occur. These data suggest that spring precipitation might not account for low reproductive success of relocated wild turkeys in southern POS. Furthermore, carnivore indices for northern and southern counties (spotlight census data—7,658 km, 1980-1994) were 74 carnivores/100 km and 51 carnivores/100 km, respectively. We also reject the hypothesis that carnivore numbers were greater in the southern POS than in the northern POS.

To effectively manage a white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population in an agricultural area, information regarding habitat use and selection is needed to aid in reducing crop damage. We gathered data on deer use of clover (Trifolium repens) and soybean (Glycine max [L.]) fields at Chesapeake Farms, Maryland. We surveyed soybean and clover fields to test the hypothesis that deer distribute themselves proportionally to availability of soybeans and clover fields. Clover patch height and mass were also measured to quantify the amount of use by deer. Deer density in clover fields was always higher than in soybean fields in both years of the study (1997 and 1998). Browsing by deer significantly reduced clover patch height and mass. Our data suggested that active selection of crops by deer did not occur.

In 1995, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) established policy and rules for handling of nuisance wildlife by Wildlife Damage Control Agents (WDCA). The policy required a 1 -day long training session, culminating in an open book, certification examination. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (NCCES) conducted the training and administered the examination. The certification-training program covered principles of wildlife damage management, wildlife laws and regulations, humane handling of animals and euthanasia, human health risks from exposure to wildlife, professional ethics, and sources of technical information. Between October 1995 and March 1999, 6 certification-training sessions were held and 240 WDCAs were certified, with agents in 56 of 100 counties. The Wildlife Division of NCWRC administered the program.

Poult survival is an important factor in the dynamics of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. We captured wild turkeys in western Virginia and monitored radio-tagged hens (N=26) to determine the effect of brood habitat, brood movements and brood range size on poult survival. Poult survival to 21 days post-hatch averaged 0.203 (SE=0.05) during 1992 and 0.418 (SE=0.11) during 1993 (T= 1.37, P>0.10). No correlations were detected (P≥0.10) between macrohabitat and forest cover type variables and poult survival. Poult survival was correlated with the percentage of brood habitat composed of herbaceous understory vegetation (P=0.058). Poult survival was also examined in relation to a simple brood habitat classification system; however, no correlations were detected (P≥0.10).

To study the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) in the mountains of Virginia, we monitored 349 nest boxes at 26 sites from October 1985 to May 1996. The northern flying squirrel was captured 112 times at 6 of these sites; 78 individuals were ear-tagged, 11 neonates were not ear-tagged, and 6 escaped. Twelve northern flying squirrels were recaptured at least once. Most of the individuals (84.8%) were captured at 3 sites in Grayson and Smyth counties. The remaining individuals were captured at a fourth site in Grayson County and 2 sites in Highland County. The northern flying squirrel is now documented from 7 sites in 3 Virginia counties. The northern flying squirrel occupied 28 of the 349 nest boxes. The mean number of squirrels/occupied box was 2.1 (range= 1-5). The sex ratio of adult squirrels was 1.4 males/female. The juvenile to adult female ratio was 1.2 young/adult female during the breeding season.

The return of elk to eastern Kentucky in 1997 followed an absence of more than 150 years. This restoration was made possible by combining the financial, human resource, and land assets of several public and private organizations, as well as landscape changes that appear to have created suitable elk habitat. The impetus for the return of elk was based in part on the anticipation that the new herd would be accessible to the public for hunting and viewing. Pre- and post-release outreach included assessing public opinion which was mostly supportive of elk restoration and interacting with agencies from neighboring states. Release protocols were built upon previous elk restoration efforts in the eastern U.S. where success rates were highly variable. Adaptive management practices have been followed to reduce mortality among transported elk. Overall mortality in 1998 was 42% but declined to 4% in 1999.

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) are an important species in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests. We estimated fox squirrel density within 6 minimally disturbed longleaf pine strands, examined association between fox and gray squirrels (S. carolinensis), and measured habitat variables at fox and gray squirrel capture sites. Fox squirrel density estimates ranged from 12-19 squirrels/km2 among study areas. Fox squirrel capture sites had higher pine basal area, higher total basal area, higher herbaceous groundcover, and lower woody groundcover than other sites. Gray squirrel capture sites had higher hardwood, oak, and total basal areas; lower pine basal area, higher woody groundcover, and less herbaceous groundcover than other sites. A strong negative association between fox and gray squirrel capture sites appeared related to species-specific habitat preferences. Fox squirrel capture sites had higher pine and lower hardwood basal areas than gray squirrel capture sites.

We examined stomach contents from 219 American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) collected from 4 Florida lakes. Fish, mostly shad (Dorosoma spp.), bowfin (Amia calva), and gar (Lepisosteus spp.) occurred in 55.3% of the stomachs and was the most important food group (57.5%) by volume. Apple snails (Pomacea paludosa) and crayfish (Procambarus spp.) were important invertebrate prey (66.7% occurrence and 6.6% by volume). Of the 195 stomachs having a dominant food type (>50% of the total food volume), most (72%) contained one food type exceeding 90% of the total food volume. The predominant food type differed by lake (P< 0.001), sex (P= 0.056), and size (P< 0.001) of the alligator. In general, the dominant food type changed from invertebrate to vertebrate with an increase in alligator size. Alligator length-weight relationships (condition) were examined for variation associated with diet.

To determine the characteristics of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunters in Texas, and their attitudes and preferences concerning turkey hunting and management, we developed and mailed a self-administered questionnaire to a sample of licensed turkey hunters in Texas and members of the Texas Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). We sampled 3,500 turkey stamp purchasers and 2,345 members of the Texas Chapter of the NWTF. We received questionnaires from 1,300 (37%) of the turkey stamp purchasers and 748 (32%) of the members of the Texas Chapter of the NWTF. We refer to turkey stamp purchasers and Texas Chapter of the NWTF as nonmembers and members, respectively. For all questions, we compared the Texas Chapter of the NWTF member responses to responses from nonmembers who bought license and turkey stamps.

Squirrels (Sciuris spp.) are important game species; however, it is believed that southern fox squirrel (S. niger) populations in many regions are declining. Changes in forest management practices may have reduced habitat availability and diversity, thereby contributing to declining population trends. However, relationships among forest management practices, active management of wildlife habitats, and wildlife populations requires an understanding of relationships among forest communities and wildlife populations. We used linear regression to build predictive models of gray squirrel (S. carolinensis) and fox squirrel relative abundance based on winter and summer habitat conditions. Relative abundance of gray squirrels was greatest in older hardwood stands containing high basal areas, regardless of season. Southern fox squirrel abundance also was correlated with percentage hardwood, indicating the importance of the hardwood component to southern fox squirrels.

Because estimates of small mammal species richness and diversity are strongly influenced by sampling methodology, 2 or more trap types are often used in studies of small mammal communities. However, in most cases, all traps are placed at ground level. In contrast, we used Sherman live traps placed at 1.5 m in trees in addition to Sherman live traps and Mosby box traps placed on the ground to sample small mammals in pine stands in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. To determine the importance of placing traps in trees, we compared estimates of small mammal (primarily rodent) species richness and diversity based on data from all traps (ground and tree) with estimates based on data from ground traps only. Estimates of species richness based on data from ground traps only did not differ from estimates based on data from all traps.

We evaluated the proximity to development of 2 representative groups of colonial waterbirds present in Maryland's coastal plain, active in 1985 through 1988, to determine the influence of land and water development on the distribution of waterbird nest sites. Thirty of 38 known common tern (Sterna hirundo) and Forster's tern (S. forsteri) colonies were located on marsh islands. All 23 great blue heron (Ardea herodias) colonies were located in forested areas usually along shorelines. The distance to and quantity of various man-made structures (e.g., buildings, roads, piers, agricultural areas) within 1 km of each colony were quantified from aerial photographs. Similar measurements were taken from randomly selected sites of potential nesting habitat. Development around the colonies was compared to the random sites using /-tests. Most of the 8 variables in the analysis were useful in differentiating between colony and random sites.

Nest success strongly influences wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproduction. Understanding selection of nesting habitats may provide information for management opportunities to increase turkey nest success. Therefore, we examined the landscape scale habitat selection of wild turkey hens during nesting. A logistic regression model with 89 nest locations and 89 random locations indicated an intercept term, elevation, and distances to mature pine burned ≤3 years ago and mature pine not burned within 3 years differed significantly (P<0.04) between used and random sites. Nest success was higher in mature pine stands (36.1%) than in regeneration stands (P=0.04; 11.1%), but no difference in nest success was detected between bottomland (18.8%) and upland habitats (34.8%; P=0.214). Distance to edge did not influence nest success.

Of 550 rabbit heads collected from 35 counties in central and eastern Kentucky, 73 (13.3%) were identified as Appalachian cottontails (Sylvilagus obscurus). These collections document the Appalachian cottontail in 20 counties covering a large part of Kentucky and suggest Appalachian cottontails exist throughout the Cumberland Mountains and Cumberland Plateau of the Eastern Coal Field and in portions of the Outer Bluegrass and Knobs physiographic regions. Appalachian cottontails and eastern cottontails (S. floridanus) often were found living sympatrically in early-successional forests. Appalachian cottontails were documented in lower elevations (260 m) and in a wider variety of habitat types than previously believed.

Current recommendations for subpopulation management for mid-continent sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) are based on tentative evidence that suggests geographic separation of crane concentrations during migration and winter and possible variation in demographic characteristics between these groups. We determined distribution, abundance, subspecific composition, and annual recruitment of the Gulf Coast subpopulation of mid-continent sandhill cranes because little information was available on most demographic characteristics of this subpopulation. Based on aerial line transect surveys conducted along the Texas Coast during winter, subpopulation abundance was 120,072 cranes (SD = 31,845) during 1996-1997 and 121,057 cranes (SD = 31,521) during 1997-1998. Winter age ratios (percent hatch-year cranes) along the Texas Gulf Coast ranged from 9.5% (SE=0.52, N=3,239 cranes) to 10.8% (SE=0.61, N=2,570 cranes), indicating that annual recruitment was lower than previously reported.

Although surface mining may affect wildlife communities adversely, the degree of impact depends upon the extent of mining activity and the reclamation efforts employed. We compared breeding bird and small mammal communities on sites of different successional stages in 1995 and 1996 to evaluate the wildlife value of the reclamation prescriptions currently used on kaolin surface mines in east-central Georgia. Sites were grouped according to tree ages during the first year of the study (age class I, 2-4 years; age class II, 5-7 years; and age class III, 8-11 years). Avian abundance in 1995 was greatest in age classes I and II. In 1996, avian abundance was more than twice as great in age class I than in the 2 other age classes. Species richness in both years was greater in age class II. Avian diversity was greater in the 2 oldest age classes in 1995, but was not different among classes in 1996. Cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) were the most common small mammals captured.

As the environment continues to change, so does conservation law enforcement. Today's conservation ranger has a diversified list of duties and serves more than just the hunter and fisher. In order to protect the environment, enforceable environmental laws are necessary to insure the safety of the habitat which we share with our wildlife. Georgia's Waste Control Law, Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) 16-7- 50 (5 Apr 1993), gave Georgia's 40,000 law enforcement officers statutes to meet this need. As we enter the new millennium, we will see the increasing importance of protecting the environment. As political awareness aims at polluters, we too should be on the front line waging war against crimes that destroy the environment that wildlife and mankind depend on. The following outlines the creation and implementation of a law designed to stop the people that commit these crimes.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission began a study in 1987 to determine the possibility of creating a canine program especially designed to meet the demands of wildlife law enforcement. As a result of this study, the Commission began a pilot program in 1988 to evaluate the use of canines in the field. Due to the success of this pilot program, the decision was made to expand in October 1995. Through proper training and deployment, the Commission's canine program has become a successful and innovative law enforcement approach directed toward the detection and apprehension of wildlife law violators.

Geographic information systems (GIS) have become a commonly used technology in nearly all aspects of wildlife management except wildlife law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies in large municipalities have also been using GIS extensively to provide better and more efficient enforcement. All states in the Southeast have wildlife violation data in some database that can very quickly and easily link to available county spatial data. Pictorial examination of these data by county on a state-wide basis provides chiefs and supervisors an effective and easy way to evaluate existing programs. Having conservation officers plot specific locations of violations provides individual officers and district administrators a clear picture of an officer's work habits and “sphere of influence.” Results of this examination into the use of GIS in wildlife law enforcement show that GIS can be easily integrated into existing programs and provide a large benefit to both officers and administrators.

A 2-part study (multiple mark-recapture and telemetry) was used to estimate the size of the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) population and their habitat use in the Ogeechee River, Georgia. The mark-recapture study was conducted from July 1993 to December 1994 and used the modified Schnabel model for estimating population size. Sixty-two shortnose sturgeon were marked; 17 were recaptured at least once. Seventy-eight percent of the marked fish were older juveniles and adults [>56.0 cm fork length (FL)]. Estimated population size was 266 (95% CL 236-300) in 1993 and 72 (95% CL 57-91) in 1994. CPUE declined 6-fold from 1993 to 1994. The telemetry study was conducted from June 1994 to June 1995. Radio and ultrasonic transmitters were used to monitor the movements of 20 adults and 1 juvenile shortnose sturgeon. Tagged fish never left the river system and used specific regions of the river during summer, fall/spring, and winter.

The objective of this study was to document changes in catch rates (fish/hour) and size structure of the redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) populations in the Black and Lumber rivers, North Carolina, over a 4-year period following implementation of a 12-fish daily creel limit. Using boat-mounted electrofishing gear, 123, 122, 94, and 59 redbreast sunfish were collected from the Black River from 1994 through 1997. Numbers of redbreast sunfish collected from the Lumber River during the same years were 257, 252, 164, and 183. Mean CPUE for Black River redbreast sunfish was 18, 19, 16, and 7 fish/hour from 1994 through 1997. Lumber River redbreast sunfish were captured at rates of 35, 33, 27, and 23 fish/hour from 1994 through 1997. Proportional stock density (PSD) values for redbreast sunfish in the Black River exceeded 25 all 4 years of the study while PSD values for Lumber River redbreast sunfish exceeded 45.

Electrofishing the littoral zone of Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico, from 1992 through 1997 indicated dynamic changes in fish community structure, despite consistent annual water level regimes. Nine species of fish, including 2 cichlids, 2 centrarchids, and 2 ictalurids, were collected. Relative abundance varied significantly over seasons and years for most species. One species, the bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor), may have become extirpated during the period and 1 new species, armored catfish (Liposarcus multiradiatus), became established. Adult largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) varied nearly 3-fold in density and 1.5-fold in biomass over 5 years, as estimated by mark-recapture. Despite annual variability in community structure and prey base composition, relative weights of adult largemouth bass were consistently close to 100.

Triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (N = 125, 50.8-98.6 cm total length [TL]) were implanted with radio tags and released into 5 reservoirs (25 fish each in Dunlap, McQueeney, Placid, H4, and H5) on the Guadalupe River, Texas. These fish were located periodically to determine specific movement patterns in and among the series of riverine reservoirs and the Guadalupe River system to provide an evaluation of their use and safety as an aquatic vegetation control tool. All grass carp survived tag placement surgery and stocking into assigned reservoirs. However, beginning 7 months after release, stationary radio tags (no longer implanted in a fish and lying on the bottom due to tag loss and fish mortality) were located. Ultimately, 60 stationary tags were recovered and placed into other grass carp for release where each tag was found. Grass carp emigration from home reservoirs occurred throughout the study. Emigration was always observed in a downstream direction.

As anglers become more specialized in their pursuits, management agencies need to develop specialized programs to accommodate the needs and desires of these groups to keep them as active participants and license buyers. Black bass (Micropterus spp.) tournament anglers are among a state fishery agency's constituents. To accommodate this group, regulation exemptions could be granted that allow tournament contestants to temporarily retain more than their legal daily creel limit or possess fish within a restricted slot length limit until after the weigh-in. I provide examples from 3 state agencies that considered, but did not provide tournament exemptions, and 2 agencies that developed successful exemption programs.

Following 6 years under a 356-mm minimum length limit regulation, poorly-structured largemouth bass populations at 5 Texas reservoirs were placed under an experimental 356- to 457-mm slot length limit in September 1993. The limit was designed to target angler harvest at the relatively abundant sub-slot fish and to increase angler catch rates within the protected length range. Largemouth bass populations were monitored at each reservoir by electrofishing at 4—8 shoreline stations in 1989-1992 (pre-change) and in 1995-1996 (post-change). A general linear model statistical procedure was used to determine any significant changes (P = 0.05) in the CPUE or RSD for fish below (203-355 mm), within (356-456 mm), or above the slot (≥457 mm) following implementation of the limit. Pre- and post-change Wr of fish below and within the slot as well as mean lengths of age groups at capture also were compared.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biological impacts and cost effectiveness of a low intensity supplemental feeding program on a wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) population. Using volunteers to distribute feed at predetermined amounts and frequencies, wild trout population densities, standing crops, and length-frequencies were monitored for 18 months on Looking Glass Creek near Brevard, North Carolina. A priori success criteria included an increase of 60 fish/km >254 mm and a cost to produce each trout >254 mm <$5.00. Both densities and standing crops of rainbow trout >100 mm increased significantly following 18 months of feeding. The number of rainbow trout >254 mm increased by an estimated 110 fish/km after 6 months and to 315/km after 18 months, excluding harvested fish. Each fish was estimated to cost $3.44 to produce.

Triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were stocked at densities of 25 (low), 50 (medium), and 75 (high) fish/vegetated hectare into 9 0.16- to 2.83-ha Texas panhandle ponds to evaluate stocking densities that may reduce, but not eradicate, submersed aquatic macrophytes. Prior to stocking, the ponds had 50%-100% areal coverage of macrophytes. The macrophyte communities included Chara sp., Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Najas guadalupensis, and Potamogeton spp. The high stocking density eliminated macrophytes in ≤ 13 months. Low stocking densities did not reduce areal coverage of aquatic vegetation 2 or 5 years after stocking. Triploid grass carp stocked at medium densities reduced areal coverage of macrophytes by 27% after 2 years and 42% after 5 years. Our results indicate that triploid grass carp can reduce macrophytes without eradicating them and percentage areal coverage is an effective basis for prescribing stocking rate.

Scale pattern analysis was used to differentiate between stocked and wild age-0 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in New Mart Lake, Texas. Scale samples were collected from wild (intergrade) and stocked (Florida) largemouth bass during spring 1995. Stocked fish were tagged with coded wire tags to ensure proper identification. During fall 1995, 88 age-0 wild and stocked largemouth bass were collected by electrofishing. Using linear discriminant function analysis, correct classification for the 71 wild fish was 97%, while correct classification for the 17 stocked fish ranged from 53% to 82%. Scale pattern analysis is an alternative technique for evaluating largemouth bass stocking programs.

Fisheries managers need to minimize sampling effort required to provide statistically reliable data for cost effective monitoring and assessment. Shoreline electrofishing methods used to estimate abundance and size structure of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) may be affected by seasonal variability of littoral habitat use by these species. A fixed standard of 3 15-minute electrofishing samples did not provide CPUE estimates that we considered precise enough to consistently use for management decisions on 4 50- to 119-ha Kentucky impoundments. Due to intra-reservoir variability that resulted in occasional over-sampling and, more commonly, under-sampling, we proposed dynamic sample-size protocols that are unique to each system and derived from reservoir-specific variability.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission initiated a fall crappie (Pomoxis spp.) trap net-based stock assessment program in 1986. Since 1986, declining catch rates have forced increased effort to meet sample size requirements. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of trap net design on crappie capture rates and size selectivity. In March and April 1998, 5 trap nets each of 3 mesh sizes (13, 19, and 25 mm bar measure) were set overnight (24 hours) for 4 consecutive nights on 3 piedmont North Carolina reservoirs. Catch rates of crappie approximately doubled with each increase in mesh size and were significantly (P < 0.05) different among all mesh sizes. Similar results were found for crappie <250 and ≥ 250 mm total length (TL). Differences in the pooled length frequencies of the catch were found among mesh sizes; however stock length fish (≥130 mm) were vulnerable to each mesh size and the size range of crappies collected appeared similar among meshes.

Electrofishing was conducted twice monthly from June to October 1995 on Lake Ponca Reservoir and May to October 1996 on Fort Gibson Reservoir to evaluate how temporal and environmental factors such as time of sampling, water temperature, water depth, and differing habitat types affect sampling efficiency for flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). Relationships among catch data and concurrent temporal and environmental data were determined by multiple regression analysis. For each reservoir, models were generated for O/f (numbers of individuals netted/3 minutes of electrofishing), C/f (numbers of individuals netted/3 minutes of electrofishing), C/fH (numbers of individuals ≥510 mm total length netted/3 minutes of electrofishing), and C/fR. (numbers of individuals <200 mm total length netted/3 minutes of electrofishing) which were statistically significant.

We analyzed the efficacy of alizarin complexone (AC) immersion for creating visible fluorescent marks on otoliths of Mozambique tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) and compared the success of processing the otoliths as whole mounts and sections. We immersed 51 tilapia in a buffered 21 C aerated bath of 100 mg/liter AC for 15 hours, and no mortality resulted from marking procedures. Otoliths were removed on days 1, 10, 20, 30, and 60 following marking. Whole ground mounts showed visible rings only 84% of the time, many of which were faint or incomplete. Sectioning revealed visible rings 98% of the time and appeared to be the better examination technique. There was no mark loss over time, and marks on whole ground otoliths became more visible with time (day 1-20 had 60% visibility; day 30-60 had 95% visibility) which was believed to be a result of mark proximity to otolith edge.

Recent nationwide trends showing stable or declining fishing license sales and participation should challenge resource agencies and the fishing tackle industry to question the wisdom of doing business as usual. A special fisheries session at the 1997 Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies was devoted to addressing a marketing and outreach approach to the problem. Speakers included representatives from 2 state fisheries agencies, the fishing tackle industry, a market research group, the outdoor media, and a national bass fishing organization.

The Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (SFBPC) was asked by the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recommend a strategy that will increase recreational boating and fishing participation and help to instill a conservation ethic through increased emphasis on effective education and outreach programs. This request was made in order to be able to rapidly and effectively implement the provisions of the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) which provides a minimum of $36 million over a 5-year period for marketing recreational fishing and boating.

The Recreation Roundtable and its annual survey provide very important information for administrators and staff to use in developing and refining fisheries marketing programs. It is clear that outdoor recreation is still very important in the United States and that parents want their children to have the same enjoyment and appreciation of nature as they had when they were growing up. Fishing meets all of the motivational needs of outdoor recreationists—fun, relaxing, stress release, experiencing nature, and exercise. With a well-developed marketing program that provides information on how and where to go fishing, it is quite possible for fishing to move from the fifth most popular outdoor activity, measured by the 1998 Recreation Roundtable Report at 22% participation, up to the next tier with picnicking, swimming, and driving for pleasure (all in the 30% range). According to the 1998 Roundtable report, only walking for fitness and recreation was more popular, scoring 47%.

National trends have indicated a decline in fishing license sales, which are a principle source of funding for fisheries conservation efforts at the state level. Moreover, fishing enthusiasts have historically been the most outspoken proponents for active fisheries management and aquatic habitat protection programs. Thus many state fisheries agencies are now talking about the need to market fishing in a manner more typical of commercial agencies. A survey was done in 1996 of all state fisheries agencies to determine what they were doing in the realm of fisheries marketing. Those results were presented at the 1996 American Sportfishing Association meeting. The survey was then replicated in 1998 for presentation at this meeting. The conclusion is that most states recognize the problem and consider marketing to be part of the solution; however, to date most have been slow in implementing marketing plans. A few examples of proactive marketing are cited.

As a management agency, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has successfully improved the quality of the state's fisheries resource. It has also actively promoted use of the resource. However, fishing license sales have been static recently and considering the competition for the public's discretionary time, a new promotional campaign has been jointly developed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, and Cranford Johnson Robinson Woods/Blackwood Martin (an advertising firm) to more effectively and widely market the fishing opportunities of Arkansas. The centerpiece of the Fish Arkansas Campaign is a 76-page four-color, magazine-style, fishing guide that will be distributed free from government and commercial facilities. The guide will contain information on fishing and family vacations in Arkansas. It will be advertised in local, regional, and national media. The campaign is scheduled to run for 3 years and will cost $230,000.

Faced with continuing declines in license sales, Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) opted to identify areas of declining sales within the state and focus on developing tactics designed to increase participation and license sales in specific counties. Counties were identified based on historic sales trends and a test program was developed to see if a concerted effort in a tighter geography would be more productive than generic programs instituted statewide. Two counties with declining license sales and 1 county with growing license sales were selected for the initial phase. Regional staff was asked to participate in a strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and then participate in developing communications and promotional tactics designed to increase license sales in the specific counties. Tactics have been developed and implementation is beginning.

We estimated seasonal and annual survival and cause-specific mortality of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) on an intensively managed plantation in Georgia. During 1992-1997, we radio-marked 813 bobwhite and determined causes and temporal patterns of mortality. Annual survival (0.201) did not differ between sexes and was higher than that reported for other populations throughout the Southeast. Yearly variation in annual survival was primarily associated with variation in overwinter mortality. Seasonal survival did not differ between sexes and mortality was equitably distributed throughout the year with fall-spring survival (0.472) similar to spring-fall survival (0.438). Mammalian (0.353) and avian (0.269) predators were the primary sources of mortality. Mean harvest rate on this area was low (0.051). Both overwinter and breeding season survival were higher on our study area than that reported for other populations throughout the Southeast.

We monitored 13 (6 female, 7 male) adult bobcats (Lynx rufus) using radiotelemetry and examined seasonal activity patterns using 9,217 observations from August 1989 - August 1990. Female bobcats were active 49% and males were active 60% of the diel period. Mean percentage activity during winter of males (x = 71%,SE = 4.0%) was greater (P < 0.01) than that of females (x + 44%, SE + 5%). Bobcats exhibited greatest activity during crepuscular and nocturnal periods. We detected a less defined bimodal crepuscular activity than previous studies. High diurnal activity makes bobcats susceptible to incidental harvest during sport hunting seasons. We recommend managers consider influence of activity on harvest patterns when designing harvest limits on bobcat populations.

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. All profits and interest are retained by Mason Mountain WMA. The eventual goal is to generate enough revenue through exotic animal based programs to support the management of the native ecosystem once the exotics have been removed. Valuable economic lessons have been learned which can be applied to other Agency programs in order to reduce pressure on overburdened budgets.

A free-standing, portable drop net was developed and used in the capture of 82 Florida Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium). The net was efficient, easy to set, inexpensive, and non-invasive (e.g., no blasting caps, no destruction of private property). Of 82 trapping attempts, 74 (90%) resulted in the capture of at least 1 deer, 3 (4%) resulted in net malfunction (e.g., net hung), and 5 (6%) resulted in deer escaping. The net can be used to trap deer and other animals in urban areas and can be effective in other areas where wildlife are susceptible to baiting.

During 1987-1996, 9,598 wood ducks (Aix sponsa) were banded, and 358 bands were recovered and reported during the hunting season. Males survived at an estimated annual ration of 0.585 (SE = 0.028) and females at 0.406 (SE = 0.040). Analysis of capture-recapture data from box-nesting female wood ducks resulted in a mean survival rate estimate of 0.490 (SE = 0.012), which was higher than that estimated for females from preseason banding (P = 0.045). Band recovery rates averaged 0.021 (SE = 0.002) for males and 0.018 (SE = 0.002) for females, suggesting that harvest rates were relatively low. The preseason age-ratio (an estimate of recruitment) during 1989- 1996 averaged 1.18 (SE = 0.18) young per adult, which is comparable to other reported estimates for wood ducks. We found no evidence that the Florida population of female wood ducks either declined or increased over the study period.

Sensitivity to reductions in habitat area are widely accepted as a factor in the declines of many mature-forest passerines. Although evidence from a number of sources shows significant declines among many Neotropical migratory (NTMB) and temperate migrant (TMR) early-successional birds, little information exists regarding the potential for area-sensitivity in those species. Here we report the results of research on habitat-area considerations of birds in clearcut habitats in some upland forests in South Carolina. Using single, fixed-radius point counts in each clearcut, we measured avian community composition in 21 piedmont clearcuts (0.5-13 ha) and 28 (4-25 ha) mountain clearcuts. Analysis by simple linear regression showed that estimates of richness and relative abundance for NTMBs, edge-interior species and shrub-scrub species varied positively with increasing clearcut size in piedmont sites (P ≤0.05).

We developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) based habitat model for female bobcats (Lynx rufus) and subjected the model to internal-validation, cross-validation, and validation using independent data. The model predicted probability of an area being used by female bobcats increased (P <0.001) as slope and distance to mature pine stands increased. Probability of an area being used by female bobcats decreased (P <0.001) with increasing distance to sapling stands, mature hardwood stands, paved roads, maintenance roads, and creeks. Forest type (non-forested, pine dominated, or hardwood dominated) also influenced (P <0.001) probability of use. Internal- and cross-validation indicated the model performed relatively well (75.5% and 73% correct classification, respectively). However, when the model was tested with an independent data set, predicted values were only slightly better than random (57.5% correct classification).

We captured and affixed radio collars to 80 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during 1995-1997 to ascertain the wounding rate and proportion of deer that die from hunter-inflicted wounds. Our study population was hunted only with traditional archery equipment (recurve and longbows). Of the 22 deer shot by archers, 11 were recovered by the hunter, resulting in a 50% wounding rate (deer shot but not recovered). Only 3 (14%) of the 22 deer shot by hunters died and were not recovered. Based upon demographic and harvest statistics, these estimates indicate that approximately 4% of adult males in the population die from archery related wounds annually and are never recovered.