Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulates an experimental alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) egg collection program which requires the return of a portion of juvenile alligators to ensure recruitment and maintain populations. An extensive tag and release program of farm-released juvenile alligators was evaluated by analysis of later harvest of recaptured sub-adult and adult alligators. Results suggest fairly high survival rates of farm-released alligators. The minimum known alive method estimated survival to be 85.3% to 4 years post-release.

Manatee/human interactions were observed at a freshwater spring in Crystal River, Florida, in January and February 1997 to evaluate the contrasting needs of manatees, an endangered species, with the values of tourists and the tourist industry. Tourists interested in swimming with manatees heavily used the site, and in some instances, the tourists displaced manatees. A temporary sanctuary, off-limits to humans, was created at the spring during the 1997-1998 winter season.

We tested the efficacy of an aluminum wick herbicide applicator, the Weed Sweep®, for control of hardwood and pine saplings, 1994-1996. We compared spring and fall applications in 1 trial and, in a second trial, tested 2 herbicide mixes: glyphosate mixed with either trichlopyr or imazapyr. Herbicides plots had 78% fewer sapling stems/ha than control plots (P < 0.006). May applications of glyphosate/imazapyr provided greater control of hardwoods but lower control of pines than September applications (P < 0.05). Also, glyphosate/imazapyr provided greater control of hardwoods than glyphosate/trichlopyr (P < 0.05). Percent ground cover by forbs, grass, and legumes and total number of species in the ground story did not differ between treatment and control plots. Our results indicate that a higher rate may be needed to achieve more consistent control of slower growing genera, such as Carya and Quercus.

We radio-monitored 35 wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens during prenesting and nesting periods in central Mississippi, 1996-1997. Comparing microhabitat variables associated with prenesting areas (N = 35) and nest sites (N = 22) with random sites indicated that groundstory conditions, including grass and woody growth, were related to hen selection of both prenesting and nesting sites. Distance to nearest road, vertical vegetative cover, and basal area were not related to nest site location (P > 0.05). We recommend managers maintain habitats with abundant grasses within landscapes managed for wild turkeys. Research addressing depredation of hens during reproductive periods should incorporate and quantify microhabitat conditions.

Morning-drive, evening-drive, and night spotlight surveys for deer (Odicoleus virginianus and 0. hemionus) were conducted each quarter on 3 National Park Service (NPS) areas in Texas and New Mexico from January 1987 to March 1988. Spotlight surveys resulted in a larger number of deer seen on all 3 sites. Spotlight surveys had significantly (P = 0.002) greater precision than morning or evening surveys. Increasing beyond 3 the number of consecutive days surveys were conducted did not significantly improve the precision of morning surveys (P = 0.328) or spotlight surveys (P = 0.719). A power analysis, generated for spotlight-survey data, indicated an increased probability of detecting differences in deer densities with increased survey effort. Weekly surveys are recommended.

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 over a 13-year period increased 443% from 0.7 males to 3.1 males/100 ha compared to a stable population on an adjacent unharvested control area (R2 = 0.8654; P = 0.001). Populations did not fluctuate cyclically on any of the study areas.

From June-August 1977, we compared the relative efficiency of airboat nightlighting and rocket netting for capturing mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) along the Texas coast. We expended 151 rocket net hours in 15 rocket net shot attempts and captured 568 mottled ducks. Age class distribution of captured mottled ducks was 79% hatch-year and 21% after-hatch-year. The largest individual rocket net capture, using a double net, was 116 mottled ducks (60 hatch-year, 56 after-hatch-year). In addition to mottled ducks, 69 fulvous whistling ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor) and 34 black-bellied whistling ducks (D. autumnalis) were captured during rocket netting. We expended 56 airboat hours during 24 nightlighting trips and captured 581 mottled ducks. Age class distribution of captured mottled ducks was 53% locals, 29% hatch-year, and 18% after-hatch-year. The largest nightlighting capture was 101 mottled ducks (61 locals, 34 hatch-year, 6 after-hatch-year).

The T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) is a 1,566-ha freshwater wetland restoration project developed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (Commission) in east central Florida. The land was historically floodplain marsh, but was drained beginning in the 1950s and thereafter managed as improved pasture for cattle production. The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) purchased the land in 1988 for $6.3 million, and leased it to the Commission to restore wetland habitat and provide public recreation. Based on conceptual input from the Commission, the District prepared engineering design and project construction plans. The Commission, Ducks Unlimited, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council provided $1,340,500 to restore and enhance wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife, develop the WMA's office and maintenance facilities, and purchase management equipment.

In 1997, a statewide inventory in Mississippi estimated the number and area of beaver (Castor canadensis) impoundments ≥0.4 ha in size. Data were compared with an identical survey performed in 1977. Number and area of impoundments in 1997 (1,783 and 11,728 ha, respectively) decreased from 1977 (2,739 and 28,768 ha, respectively). Landowners were mailed a questionnaire concerning the effectiveness of various methods for killing and disposing of beavers. Beaver meat and pelts were discarded by 87.8% of the landowners. Of the 9,332 beaver known to be killed in 1996 statewide, 67% were killed by USDA Wildlife Services personnel. Only 16% and 18% of landowners, respectively, fished their impoundments or managed them for waterfowl.

We used controlled experiments to assess the preferences and food value of a selection of native and agricultural plant seeds for mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). Foods used in experiments were browntop millet, cracked corn, black-oil sunflower, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), deertongue (Panicum clandestinum), pokeberry (Phytolaca americana), and croton (Croton spp.). Browntop millet and black-oil sunflower were eaten significantly more than all other seeds. Cracked corn consumption was less than expected based on results from previous studies. Although consumption was comparatively low, switchgrass was the most preferred native plant. Planting a combination of switchgrass and browntop millet or sunflower is suggested as a strategy for establishing a native plant stand while holding birds on a site.

A drift-fence survey of the herpetofauna of steephead ravines was conducted over 216 trapping days from 6 June 1995 to 6 June 1996 along first- and second-order streams in the Ochlockonee River, Florida, drainage and along first-and third-order streams in the Apalachicola River, Florida, drainage. Six drift-fence arrays in Apalachicola ravines had 1,223 captures of 34 species, whereas 6 arrays in the Ochlockonee ravine had 2,283 captures of 31 species. In the Ochlockonee ravine, more anurans were captured along the second-order than the first-order stream. In Apalachicola ravines, more Apalachicola dusky salamanders (Desmognathus apalachicolae) and turtles were captured along the third-order stream, whereas more southeastern slimy salamanders (Plethodon grobmani) and broadhead skinks (Eumeces laticeps) were captured along first-order streams.

Telephone interview surveys of the general population of Tennessee residents were used to determine the extent to which hunters leased land for hunting. About 7% of hunters leased land in Tennessee, with the average lease consisting of about 631 acres at a total cost of $1,500. Average per acre costs in Tennessee were about $3.56 per acre. Hunters who lease were more likely to have higher incomes, live in rural areas, and be more dissatisfied with wildlife management than those who do not lease. Hunters very interested in leasing, but not currently leasing, shared some of the characteristics of current lessees.

We investigated the effect of quail feeders on cause-specific mortality of 910 radio-marked northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Research was conducted from 1 October 1991 through 1 October 1996 on the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in western Oklahoma. Thirty-two feeders filled with milo were located near the center of every 8.1 haonthe283.3-ha(1.6km X 1.8 km) treatment area. The unfed area was 283.3 ha (1.6 km X 1.8 km). Treatments were separated by a 194.3-ha (1.2 km X 1.8 km) buffer area. Four-hundred-seventy-seven mortalities occurred on the control treatment and 433 mortalities on the feeder treatment. Avian and mammalian predators and hunting were the primary mortality agents. Direct mortality due to weather was low and no birds died from disease. Avian and hunting mortalities pooled over years different among months (P < 0.05).

As a result of declining hunting opportunities, many fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Vulpes vulpes) and coyote (Canis latrans) hunters in the Southeast now practice their sport inside fenced enclosures of tracts of land commonly referred to as “fox pens.” A mail survey in 1997 of each southeastern state's furbearer project was used to determine the status of fox and coyote hunting enclosures in the southeastern United States. Thirty-three questions were asked, 6 of which pertained to enclosures status, 14 to regulations, 3 to operations, 3 to health concerns, and 7 to state agency attitudes. The survey revealed that a minimum of 466 fox and coyote hunting enclosures were in operation in the Southeast. Only Maryland reported no enclosures. Respondents ranked concerns over public health implications and native wildlife health implications of enclosures highest. While numerous concerns were listed, each respondent recognized benefits of fox and coyote hunting enclosures.

We monitored bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting effort and success in Florida annually before, during, and after years when eggs were removed from selected pairs. Complete clutches were taken to promote renesting. Clutches were collected after >2 weeks of natural incubation. Incubation of collected eggs was continued artificially and resultant young were reared in captivity in Oklahoma. At 11-12 weeks, young were released at established hack sites in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina. The goal of the project was to increase the nesting population in the southeast without adversely impacting annual production in Florida. From 1985-1992, 275 eagles were released. In 1991, the first nest resulting from the hacking effort was documented in Mississippi. Increases in nesting eagles in the other states have occurred and were perhaps, in part, a consequence of these releases.

Relocated (N = 76) eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were released into the Post Oak Savannah of Texas in winters 1994 and 1995. Before release, each bird was fitted with a radio transmitter and numbered leg band. Mortality and reproduction were monitored through 1996 to determine survival and reproduction. First-year annual survival rates for gobblers and hens was 0.286 and 0.484, respectively. One of 4 study areas lost all gobblers within the first year. Mammalian predation (63.4%) was the primary cause of mortality. High post-release mortality was attributed to habitat unfamiliarity. Poult survival 2 weeks post-hatch was 0, resulting in the lowest reproductive success reported for this subspecies. Low reproductive success is attributable to unsuitable nesting and brooding habitat.

We studied fawn survival during 1995 on Davis Island, Mississippi, an island in the Mississippi River. Newborn fawns were captured using line searches or vaginal implant transmitters. We captured 20 fawns with 8 surviving to 6 months. Cause of fawn mortality included coyotes (3) and natural mortality (2). Additionally, six fawns lost their transmitters and one transmitter failed. Overall survival rate of fawns to 180 days was 0.72. Male and female survival to 180 days was 0.66 and 0.78 respectively. Our results suggest fawn survival is not adversely affected by early summer flooding.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt lease programs in the southern United States were evaluated for the 1994 calendar year. Results were compared with earlier similar surveys. Respondents owned 9,198,217 ha and leased 5,935,935 ha (64.5%) to hunt clubs and individuals. Estimated revenues generated from lease fees were about $40 million based on an average annual fee of $6.82 per hectare. Ninety-one percent of the respondents reported that they considered income from leases in their economic analyses and investment decisions which indicates an increasing awareness of the economic value of leasing. Utilization of the leased lands by lessees has increased over the last 5 years.

We examined aspects of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter quail) population dynamics in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests on the Vernon Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, located in west central Louisiana. We used sex, age, and weight data from 246 birds captured a total of 404 times during 9 February-20 June 1991-1993 in baited traps to describe population characteristics. We used data from 128 (106 F:22 M) birds trapped, radio tagged, and monitored during 3 field seasons to describe productivity and survival of these birds during March through August. The best-fit linear-logistic model (G2 = 7.42, 5 df, P = 0.1912) indicated that proportions of second year (SY) birds captured during spring depended on year; but sex ratios of captured birds were independent of year. Thus, we estimated that the breeding population contained 42.4 ± 3 .

A preliminary survey was conducted to determine fee-hunting and wildlife management activities of private landowners in Mississippi. A total of 613 respondents reported ownership of land in parcels of ≥ 16.4 ha. Four hundred and forty-five respondents allowed hunting on their land, whereas 71 landowners collected fees for hunting privileges. Game species pursued on fee hunting lands included deer, waterfowl, turkey, quail, dove, and “other” game. Respondents reported expenditures of overhead items (e.g., manager/caretaker, liability insurance, hunter access) on fee hunting lands. Wildlife management activities reported by landowners included vegetation management, such as mowing, disking and burning; establishment of food and cover plantings, blind and tree stand installation and maintenance; and waterfowl management. Annual expenditures for wildlife management activities averaged $2,057 per respondent.

The introductory level fish and wildlife conservation course at Mississippi State University has an enrollment of over 100 students each semester. Students in the class generally exhibit a diversity of attitudes about fish and wildlife conservation that range from anti-hunting to consumptive and extractive use advocates. Finding common ground among these students is challenging, but essential for the creation of an interactive, learning environment that focuses on sustainable use of natural resources. Ecological principles of fish and wildlife conservation are linked to current issues through class discussions. The class offers a setting in which wildlife and fisheries science majors can discover the diversity of stakeholders and issues that influence natural resource conservation while learning basic ecological and conservation principles. Discussion topics and methods used in this class are presented.

Amid the phenomenal population growth taking place in Florida and other southeastern states, an increase in human encounters with wild alligators is inevitable. Unfortunately, such encounters have yielded a proportional increase in confrontations between humans and alligators and, during the past 11 years, a dramatic increase in human injuries and fatalities inflicted by alligators. In partnership with a nonprofit organization and a public relations firm, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission addressed the problem with extremely limited funds.

This report summarizes results from Phase One of an on-going evaluation of the Aquatic Resource Education Programs (AREPs) in the Southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands (for the purposes of the comparative analyses of this study, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will be referred to as a “state”). This phase, which concluded in July 1998, involved performing an evaluability assessment of the program, including the generation of sub-components for each of 3 AREP goals (awareness, appreciation, participation). There were 4 activities in this phase: collecting and reading each of the state proposals, generating a matrix that identifies program subcomponents for each state and relates them to the 3 AREP goals, identifying commonalities across the state program sub-components, and defining generic sub-components for the AREP goals.

The Wildlife Conservation Workshop was developed by the South Carolina Chapter of The Wildlife Society to provide K-12 teachers with hands on experiences and research results related to wildlife management. Because education programs such as this workshop generally have limited resources, prioritization of curriculum improvement efforts is essential. This paper demonstrates how to improve an on-going program based on open-ended critiques.

The value of tracking and foot impression evidence has been highly underrated during investigations in the past. This oversight has been due to the lack of training in finding and following tracks and knowing the value of foot impressions as conclusive evidence. Today, however, there exist instruction and technological advances which can promote the use of foot impressions to the forefront of investigative concerns. Foot impression evidence may be as conclusive as DNA and finger prints when processed properly. The ability to find, age, and follow tracks are skills all of us are capable of performing to some degree. Where there are people, there are tracks, both indoors and out. Tracking knowledge will enhance an officer's awareness, investigation, search and rescue abilities, and self confidence, and can be as conclusive as any other evidence available today.

The Internet has become a global communication tool with immense potential. The power and capabilities of the Internet are now available and being used by the wildlife law enforcement officers of the world. Wildlife law enforcement personnel can share information and cooperate in interstate investigations. Features such as a Game Warden List help individuals keep in touch and discuss issues among themselves. The Game Warden's Place website offers a number of services useful to-the profession, including links to other sites. Wildlife agencies and personnel can and should use this new technology to its fullest potential as they enter the 21st century

Continued urban development and concurrent increases in population have created new challenges and opportunities for conservation agencies. These challenges stretch the traditional role of conservation agencies and their respective enforcement staff. To meet these challenges, agencies must develop innovative programs that generate new customers and public support for their mission while meeting the needs of their traditional customers. One such approach is developing partnerships with community groups. In May 1997, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission's Division of Law Enforcement embarked on a project to evaluate the possibilities of community-oriented policing work. The project, entitled “Water Watch,” is a partnership designed to benefit both the community and the agency.

Law enforcement special response dive teams have been utilized for many reasons in the past such as body recovery, underwater investigations, and evidence recovery. Arkansas's Search and Recovery Dive Team has increased emphasis on the sport of spearfishing in large impoundments of water in response to expansion of the sport's popularity, survey results, violations, and sportsmen contacts. Complaints consisted of taking fish species protected by slot limits, spearfishing activities before season, wasting wildlife (leaving illegally taken fish on the bottom), taking over the legal limit, and spearfishing beyond the legal distance from a dive flag. Past enforcement efforts have been limited to the use of conventional boating patrols and long hours of surveillance, but these efforts are time consuming and labor intensive for the number of sportsmen contacted.

Many states share bordering waters often separated by an invisible state line. This line is viewed by some residents of each state as a way to elude the game wardens of each respective state. As law enforcement officers, we had to terminate pursuit or watch helplessly as a drunken boater or game law violator operated just across the line on the opposite bank. Lack of law enforcement created a dangerous environment for all persons. Frustration among law enforcement officers and lawlessness among boaters are often the case on bordering waters. Such was the case on the bordering waters of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana prior to May 1996, when Operation Bordersafe was instituted. The method used by Texas and Louisiana will be explained, followed by a description of the planning process, and a discussion pertaining to the important role that the press and public relations plays in the success of such a project.

In October 1996, investigators of the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission confirmed the existence of a major black market operation dealing in protected wildlife in South Florida. The suspects conducting this operation were dependent on local poachers to supply illegally taken game. The animals purchased by the suspects were resold at highly inflated prices to outlets in Florida and New York. Covert investigators, in an operation dubbed Operation Brooklyn, infiltrated the enterprise and identified the suppliers and retail buyers of wildlife. The suspects came to trust the investigators so much that investigators accompanied the suspects in a business trip to New York to sell Florida wildlife. After 14 months of investigation, Operation Brooklyn was brought to closure with the arrests of 9 suspects on 40 charges: 14 felonies and 26 misdemeanors.

Past research has shown that feelings of shame and embarrassment act as deterrents to criminal activity such as drunk driving. This research compares responses of 2 groups of hunters to questions about shame, embarrassment, the certainty of getting caught in a wildlife violation, and the impact of legal sanctions for wildlife violations. Oklahoma hunters who reported they would experience high levels of shame and embarrassment if they committed a hunting violation said they would be less likely to commit a hunting violation in the future (P < 0.01). There was no significant relationship between any of 5 traditional legal sanctions and hunters' likelihood of committing a future violation.

Trace metal analysis of commercially produced broadheads was conducted to determine the background level of copper and lead contained on the surface of the broadhead following manufacturing. The level of copper and lead from these broadheads was then compared to known copper and lead values from white-tailed deer to determine if inserting a broadhead into the wound tract would influence the quantitative analysis of the wound tract. Although inserting a broadhead into a firearm wound orifice post-mortem changes the morphological appearance of the wound orifice, it does not influence the analysis of the wound tract when analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Firearm wounds can be differentiated from arrow wounds quantitatively, using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, without concern of broadhead interference affecting the results.

Blood “in flight” produces bloodstains in a predictable, consistent, and reproducible manner. At crime scenes investigators or analysts able to read bloodstains can with a high degree of certainty, reconstruct those forceful actions which caused the stain. Thus, those in specialized investigations trained in bloodstain pattern analysis can deduce the particulars of a crime perpetrated against humans or wildlife. Death investigators around the world—whether homicide detectives, law enforcement officers evaluating hunting accidents, or game wardens investigating wildlife crimes—may enhance the probability for success if they employ the established forensic discipline of bloodstain pattern analysis. Currently, only elite investigators drawing on every available means to crack a case implement this forensic discipline.

Traditionally family and/or friends spent time together in the outdoors fishing. It was healthy, provided fine table fare, and provided a catalyst for communication. Good conservationists emerged from their understanding of the natural world, and anglers have been leaders. Anglers paid, and continued to pay, for conservation through license fees and excise taxes. The natural affinity between fishing and the traditional family experience provided a steady pool of new angling recruits. No marketing was required. Today the trend is quite different from that traditional experience. Fishing participation growth has ceased. Anglers and professional fisheries managers must continue investing time, money, and energy in aquatic resource conservation. We must market and promote fishing within the culture of our citizenry.

This paper has 3 major sections. The first is an overview of marketing. The second section focuses on some key finding on fishing participation and anglers' attitudes toward fishing, while the third section presents the implications of this research to marketing and promoting fishing. Marketing is a deliberate and orderly step-by-step process that begins with people (markets) and ends with products, services, programs, and strategies. Several major variables related to fishing participation are explored, including lack of time and competing interests, angler demographics, single-parent households and participation by gender. The paper concludes with specific recommendations to promote fishing and increase fishing participation.

Marketing yesterday involved delivering products to customers. Today the world is changing rapidly and the way we market to consumers has changed dramatically as well. Now, we sell fun. Zebco and Quantum have begun marketing fishing as fun in order to compete with the many choices available for spending leisure time and money. Market survey information suggest the Baby Boomers are prime candidates for marketing fishing. We can be successful, not in selling the fish, but in selling the splash—fun of fishing.

Although fishing has been around for thousands of years, many people in today's civilized world have little concept of how or why to fish. For those of us in the industry, finding ways to answer the most basic questions about fishing and reduce or remove barriers to fishing has long since eluded us. Why go fishing? What makes fishing fun? Is fishing safe? How do I fish? Where do I fish? How much does it cost? What do I do with the fish when I catch it? In order to create new anglers/customers/license holders, we must address how to provide answers to these and other questions posed by non-anglers. These factors and barriers, along with practical recommendations, will be discussed.

Angling media outlets join fishery management agencies, tourism promoters, and the fishing tackle industry in having a vested interest in maintaining or increasing angling participation. Media outlets, including print, television, videotape, radio, and the Internet, need an audience to buy their services, and the market is increasingly competitive. To promote angling, and at the same time succeed financially, various media must simultaneously appeal to specialized groups of anglers by providing up-to-date and technically accurate information, recruit non-anglers to the sport of fishing, and encourage increased participation and specialization among anglers. One role of the angling media is to act as an intermediary between anglers and fisheries management agencies, angling experts, and the fishing tackle industry. Communication, coordination, and mutual understanding of roles will enhance this process and keep angling among the foremost outdoor experiences.

Faced with declines in participation and license revenue, combined with increasing difficulty in securing general revenue funds, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission leadership concluded that changes in the way the entire agency conducted itself appeared to be the only long term solution to the problem. Marketing principles were instituted agency-wide as a primary management tool. Marketing at the Commission would be a function everyone participated in, not just a promotional department. Problem solving, customer recognition, and orientation have become the guiding force of the agency. Promotional programs have been put into place based on an increased understanding of all stakeholders' wants and needs.

Biologists and administrators have been marketing hunting and fishing opportunities ever since the first person asked “How is the fishing?” or “Where can I hunt?” In today's technological world we tend to lose sight of the fact that anglers and hunters are our critical customers and they depend upon us to manage and market these opportunities. During recent discussions about Federal Aid to Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration outreach, the concept of marketing recreational hunting and fishing has been raised to a new level. Does that mean that we are going to do more marketing than in the past? Probably not. It means biologists and administrators will be participating more in the marketing process. If we are to succeed in the future we have to refocus on customer service and what most of our customers want is information.

Everybody has an opinion why fishing license sales have declined from 1990-1995 and most are quick to identify the cause and offer recommendations on how to stimulate interest in sportfishing. Unfortunately, most of these views are based on limited local experience and narrow perspectives. The sportfishing community needs a national strategic outreach plan prepared by a cross-section of stakeholders. The plan should examine the trend of fishing license sales, reasons for angler desertion, projections, and opportunities for angler recruitment. It should also develop objectives and strategies for increasing angling participation. A proposal is provided identifying how this plan can be achieved.

Monthly electrofishing samples for saugeye (walleye x sauger hybrids; Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense) were collected on 3 reservoirs during spring and fall, 1996. Sampling was stratified by day type (day and night) and habitat type (bass-cove and saugeye-main-lake shoreline and points). CPUE (N fish/hour) was calculated for 4 size classes and compared for each sampling stratum. Precision of the estimates was calculated and sampling recommendations made. Differences in seasonal catch rates were inconsistent among reservoirs and size classes. CPUEs of night samples were higher for size class A (≤ 310 mm; age 0) on all reservoirs. However, no clear diel pattern in catch rates of size classes B (311-400 mm; age 1), C (401-456 mm), or D (≥ 457 mm) was observed. Habitat type had little effect on CPUE and its associated precision. Precision of most samples was poor.

Baited hoop nets and low-frequency DC electrofishing were compared to determine which method would provide numbers of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) to sufficiently describe population characteristics using the least effort in 2 South Texas rivers. Catfish were collected with both gear types, July-August, 1995-1996. Electrofishing resulted in 11.4 fish/man-hour of effort, while hoop netting resulted in 0.1 fish/man-hour. Size of fish collected ranged from 42 to 865 mm with electrofishing and from 320 to 398 mm with hoop netting. Low-frequency DC electrofishing provides an efficient method for collecting blue catfish in South Texas rivers during summer.

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) stock characteristics of a small floodplain river were compared from samples collected in 1994-1996 from 3 different hoop configurations (large hoop net (LH): 4.3 long with 7 1.07-m diameter hoops and 3.81-cm bar mesh netting; small hoop net (SH): 1.3 m long with 4 0.51-m diameter hoops and 3.81-cm bar mesh netting; and small hoop net (SM): 1.3 m long with 4 .0.51-m diameter hoops and 2.54-cm bar mesh netting). Channel catfish were fully-recruited at 35cm total length (TL) in LH and SH configurations and 30 cm TL in the SM configuration. The SM configuration collected 2.5 times more channel catfish than LH and SH configurations combined. Length-frequency distributions of the fully-recruited component of the catch (fish > 35 cm TL) were similar (P > 0.05) among hoop net configurations. Mean TL and mean weight differences among configurations were reduced after correcting for differences in bar mesh size.