Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Three hoop net configurations were fished simultaneously to compare catch efficacy for bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) and smallmouth buffalo (/. bubalus) in 3 tributaries of the Yazoo River, Mississippi. Nets were small standard (4.3 m long with 1.1-m diameter hoops and 3.8-cm bar mesh), small commercial (4.3 m long with 1.1-m diameter hoops and 7.6-cm bar mesh), and large commercial (5.0 m long with 1.5-m diameter hoops and 7.6-cm bar mesh) hoop nets. Large commercial nets are the principal gear of commercial, artisanal, and subsistence fishers exploiting the resource. Small standard nets are typically used for agency-sponsored stock assessments. For bigmouth buffalo, mean ranked catch per unit of effort (MRCPUE kg/net-night) was not significantly different among gears for commercial-length fish (> 410 mm, total length (TL)) or fish of all lengths.

We investigated the effect of sampling site access on estimates of fish abundance in 2 eastern Oklahoma streams. Centrarchid species were sampled by electrofishing at public and remote access sites on Baron Fork Creek in northeastern Oklahoma and Glover River in southeastern Oklahoma. We verified differences in recreational use and habitat between access types in both streams. Recreational use was generally higher at public than remote access areas in each stream. Public areas in Glover River had higher fish densities, were deeper, and had more instream cover than remote areas. However, mean density of fish, mean depth, and frequency of cover types at public and remote areas in Baron Fork Creek were not significantly different. Although we did not observe a consistent trend in fish abundance between streams at public and remote access sites, our findings indicate that accessibility sampling from public access areas may yield biased estimates of population size.

We conducted a study of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) movements in the Yockanookany River, Mississippi, a river subjected to a long-reach decoupling of the river channel from its respective floodplain. We collected 40 channel catfish and surgically implanted radio-transmitters. Fish were tracked during 2 periods—March-June 1994 and November 1994-June 1995. Most fish moved ≤5 km. During elevated flows, radio-tagged fish in the river moved to or remained in the river section coupled with the floodplain. Four fish moved from the river channel into an oxbow lake when it was coupled with the river by high water. While we recognize the importance of addressing floodplain river ecosystems at a landscape and system level of resolution, and absolutely support management at this scale, our study indicates that 5-km channel sections should be considered the minimum management unit for channel catfish in small Mississippi rivers.

Radio-telemetry was used to evaluate the movements of 11 adult largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) from November 1995 through May 1996. A significant offshore migration occurred during the day throughout much of the winter. Seasonally, fish shifted offshore during cold water temperatures; a significant inverse correlation existed between distance offshore and water temperature. During high water levels some fish moved inshore to use inundated terrestrial habitat, even at water temperatures as low as 6 C. Although fish tended to move less during colder weather, most fish remained active throughout the study; average movement between weekly tracking sessions was 298 m during the winter (17 Dec-20 Mar). Ten of 11 fish exhibited distinct home ranges, while 1 fish exhibited inter-embayment mobility and no home range. Four fish redistributed themselves to new home ranges in late fall, but returned to their prior home ranges by early spring.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers were used to distinguish 2 Morone hybrid reciprocal crosses, palmetto bass (Morone saxatilis female x M. chrysops male) and sunshine bass (M. chrysops female x M. saxatilis male), in Lake Seminole and the Apalachicola River, Florida. Individual sunshine bass survived to age 6 and weighed up to 5.9 kg, representing the oldest and largest specimens of this hybrid cross collected from a wild natural system. Hybrids moved downstream >125 km, through 2 dams, to the Apalachicola River. Palmetto bass demonstrated a greater tendency than sunshine bass to emigrate from Lake Seminole to the Apalachicola River. Movement differences are discussed and related to inheritance of maternal spawning traits which may effect hybrid fisheries within or below reservoirs.

Although threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) have been widely introduced as forage fish, little is known about their natural history in tropical reservoirs. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis of threadfin shad from Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico, indicated that most spawning occurred from January to June and again in October, but some spawning occurred year-round, except from mid-August to mid-September. Aging of sagittal otoliths indicated that total length (TL) increased with age (r2 = 0.36). Maximum length was 86 mm TL (N = 2,002) and maximum age was 141 days (N = 124). Hatch date distribution corroborated GSI data regarding spawning periodicity. Diet analysis indicated that detritus and insects were the primary foods. Inconsistencies in threadfin shad dynamics among reservoirs suggest that system-level approaches should be employed in predator-prey management when threadfin shad comprise an important part of the prey base.

The feeding dynamics of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were studied from March 1992 to December 1994 in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico. Early piscivory by juvenile bass was aided by constant, but qualitatively variable, availability of fish prey items including threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), mozambique tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), redbreast tilapia (T. rendalli), and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus). Threadfin shad was the primary food item for juvenile bass, supplemented by bluegills and tilapias when abundant. Insectivory was high in situations of low fish prey abundance and was accompanied by an increased occurrence of empty stomachs. Two temporal sub-cohorts (early and late) showed different food utilization. Insect consumption by early-hatched bass in Lucchetti Reservoir was consistently higher than for late-hatched bass; piscivory was lower for early-hatched bass than for late-hatched bass.

The validity of otolith ageing in Puerto Rico was examined using known-age largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Lucchetti Reservoir. Age-0 largemouth bass were tagged with binary-coded wire microtags and stocked into the reservoir on 6 separate events between April 1992 and May 1996. Fish were collected throughout the study at ages 1-3 and otoliths and microtags were removed from tagged bass. Of 36 age-1 and older tagged bass recovered, 50% had no discernible otolith rings (read as age 0). Observed ages of all otoliths agreed with true ages only 14% of the time, and often differed by 2 years. Thus, we concluded that observed opaque bands were not annuli and this ageing technique is invalid for tropical largemouth bass. Length-at-age keys and length-frequency distributions were developed as alternative techniques for age determination, and these methods proved effective for Lucchetti Reservoir.

Daily angler logs were used to obtain lengths of 696 angler-caught largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) during January-May 1993 from Farm 13 Reservoir, Florida (2,600 ha), where a no-harvest rule was in effect. Sixty-three percent of these fish were caught by 2 fishing guides (and their clients) and 37% were caught by 19 other parties of anglers that fished without a guide. Angler-caught largemouth bass ranged from 254 to 648 mm total length (TL) with modal peaks at 381- and 457-mm length groups. By extrapolating angler log data into the catch estimate from an ongoing creel survey, we estimated 96 trophy largemouth bass (>635 mm) were caught by anglers from December 1992 through May 1993. Seventy percent of the largemouth bass were caught with live bait (golden shiners, Notemigonus chrysoleucas). Anglers fishing with golden shiners tended to catch larger bass than anglers using artificial lures.

Angler exploitation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on the Conway and Winter Park chains of lakes, was evaluated using reward tags. An estimated 57% and 56% of the largemouth bass in the Conway and Winter Park chains, respectively, were caught by anglers during a 1-year period from 1991 to 1992. Annual exploitation rates were adjusted for tagging mortality and tag loss by 13% and 50%, respectively, for small Hallprint dart tags and 18% and 7%, respectively, for large Hallprint dart tags. Angler non-reporting of tagged fish was assigned a value of 20% based on a previous study. Since anglers on both chains voluntarily released a high percentage (72%) of the tagged largemouth bass they caught, annual exploitation rates (u) were 17% on the Conway chain of lakes and 16% on the Winter Park chain of lakes. Total annual mortality estimates (A) for largemouth bass during the study were 52% for the Conway chain and 50% for the Winter Park chain.

The relation between catch and effort is examined in the context of recreational fisheries. The concept of limited entry as a means of increasing angler catch rates is developed, empirical data demonstrating the catch-effort relationship are presented and ramifications of limited entry in fisheries management are discussed. Limited entry may have a place in the future of freshwater fisheries management.

Briery Creek Lake was stocked with both the Florida and northern subspecies of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus and M. s. salmoides, respectively) at a ratio of 3 Florida to 1 northern bass following impoundment in 1986. Progeny of these stockings in the 1989 and 1990 year classes were sampled in October as age-0 and again the following May and electrophoretically assayed to assign phenotypes for comparison of overwinter survival, first-year growth, and relative weight. Subspecies as well as intergrade (F1 and Fx) phenotypes were present in both year classes. First-generation hybrids dominated the 1989 cohort, but Fx and F1 bass were equally prominent in the 1990 year class. Approximately 50% of examined alleles were of Florida bass origin in both year classes. Differential overwinter mortality occurred among phenotypes in both year classes, with the percentage of the Florida subspecies declining by two-thirds while intergrade bass proportionally increased.

Changes in substrate and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) catch rates in Howard Creek, a southern Blue Ridge escarpment stream were evaluated before and during sedimentation resulting from construction of a pumped-storage hydroelectric project. As substrate quality declined from road and dam construction, both y-o-y and adult rainbow trout catch rates declined. The decline in y-o-y catch rates preceded the decline of adult catch rates. The substrate component best correlated (r= —0.96 and —0.88) with declining y-o-y and adult rainbow trout catch rates was the very fine sand fraction. Accumulation of fine sediments in Howard Creek impacted spawning success of rainbow trout and lack of recruitment resulted in declining adult rainbow trout catch rates.

Discharge of selenium (Se)-contaminated water into Belews Lake, North Carolina, resulted in a significant decline in fish diversity and biomass. However, fish populations in this cooling reservoir slowly recovered during a 10-year period from this contamination once Se inputs into the lake ceased. During this period, Se concentrations in skeletal muscle of fish declined, number of taxa increased from 7 to 22, and estimated fish biomass increased from 5.67 to 79.66 kg/ha.

We used infrared-triggered cameras to estimate white-tailed deer population size. The camera estimate simplifies analysis of photographs obtained from these cameras and provides an estimate similar to that generated using the models with program CAPTURE. Four surveys of an enclosed property in northeastern Mississippi generated counts of 16, 31, 40, and 14 antlered white-tailed deer using the camera estimate at different camera densities and at different time periods. Indentifying individuals by antler characteristics and analyzing the data using program CAPTURE estimated the population of bucks for the same 4 surveys of the same property to be 13 (95%CI= 12-27), 30 (95% CI = 20-169), 22 (95% CI = 21-41), and 11 (95% CI = 8-27) respectively. All camera estimates fell within the 95% confidence interval for program CAPTURE when models correcting for heterogeneity of capture and bias due to time and behavior were employed.

We evaluated wildlife responses on a small-scale study to determine possible forest management alternatives for large-scale application on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Pellet-group counts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus elaphus), and eastern cottontails (Sylvilaqus floridanus), and cervid frequency of browse use were used to determine use of oak-pine sites subjected to an array of management prescriptions including timber harvest, prescribed fire, and traditional food plots. We found that sites subjected to timber harvest were used to a greater extent than unharvested sites. Use of food plots was similar to harvested and burned sites for elk and deer but not for cottontails. Use of burned treatments was unrelated to burn frequency. Pellet-group counts and browse utilization frequency measured different aspects of habitat use and thereby treatment use.

Density-dependent population models likely are inappropriate for whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) in southern Texas due to variable precipitation. We used a tame-deer technique to estimate carrying capacity and correlated results with precipitation and forage biomass. Carrying capacity estimates using digestible energy (DE) consumed by 12 deer were determined using 2 treatments (supplemented and non-supplemented) during 7 trials. Deer were placed in 14 0.33-ha randomly-located enclosures between May 1990 and May 1991. Mean estimates were 0.62 deer/ha/year (SE = 0.27) for non-supplemented enclosures and 1.00 deer/ha/year (SE = 0.57) for supplemented enclosures. Low estimates occurred during summer and high estimates occurred during spring. Precipitation (cm) and forage biomass (kg/ha) were estimated for each trial.

We recorded plant community characteristics in an 18-year-old, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exclosure in the Lower Coastal Plain of Mississippi during summer 1996. The 0.4-ha exclosure was constructed in 1977 within upland pine (Pinus spp.) forest of the Leaf River Wildlife Management Area in Perry County, Mississippi. Surveys at the time of exclosure construction revealed that similar plant cover and species richness existed inside and outside of the exclosure. Surveys were conducted during 1996 along 8 37-m transects located inside and outside the exclosure. Forest canopy did not differ between exclosure and control sites. Exclosure habitat supported 59 plant species and unprotected control sites contained 43 plant species. Density and coverage of midstory vegetation were greater (/• < 0.0001) in exclosed sites than control sites.

We describe a new, non-destructive procedure for visually estimating forage biomass based on volumetric cover. The accuracy of this procedure was tested against actual dry biomass by clipping and weighing 41 plots of wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Visual estimates of forage biomass were significantly related (P ≤ 0.001) to actual biomass determine by clipping (r2 = 0.925; y = 16.36 + 2.52 X, where y = dry biomass and X = volumetric cover). We developed this procedure to apply 3 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) habitat suitability index (HSI) models to a suburban development. The 3 traditional HSI models evaluated did not include several variables unique to developed areas that could affect deer habitat quality. Therefore, the models may need to be modified before they can be applicable in developed areas.

Recent declines in deer densities in some areas of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, have prompted concerns regarding the impact of coyote (Canis latrans) predation. We determined the food habits of coyotes from analysis of 166 scats collected on Eglin AFB from November 1994 to October 1996. We compared the frequency of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) remains found in scats collected in high- and low-deer density areas during the deer fawning season to evaluate impacts of coyotes on white-tailed deer. Important coyote foods (by frequency of occurrence) were shrub/vine fruit (80%), beetles (55%), persimmon (27%), and deer (15%). Deer occurred most often (29%) during the fawning season. There was no difference in the frequency of deer remains found in scats collected in high- and low-deer density areas. The dominance of soft mast in the diet illustrates the important role that soft mast can play in the diet of coyotes.

Traditionally, reducing game-bird nest depredation has involved lethal means of predator control. We evaluated a non-lethal alternative, conditioned taste aversion (CTA), in Tom Green County, Texas. Simulated nests were constructed and baited with 3 eggs injected with lithium chloride, an aversive chemical. Simulated nests were constructed along the perimeter of a 40-ha pasture. A 21-day treatment phase was conducted with depredated nests being rebaited daily with treated eggs. A 28-day posttreatment phase involved establishing 24 non-treated nests in both the treated pasture and a control pasture. The study was replicated over 2 sites: the Management, Instruction, and Research Center (MIRC) and Stone Ranch (SR). There was no difference in nest survival between treatment and control pastures at MIRC (F = 5.0; 1, 3 df; P = 0.1). At SR, nest survival was higher in the treated pasture (F = 11.64; 1, 3 dfi P = 0.03).

Detailed knowledge of a species' biology and ecology is required before sitespecific management programs can be implemented. Therefore, we examined seasonal changes in food habits, nutritional status, and reproduction in a sample of 54 feral hogs (Sits scrofa) collected over a 2-year period from Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia. Seasonal variations in food habits probably were related to changes in food availability. Differences in seasonal rainfall patterns between years appeared to be related to dietary changes. No significant seasonal changes in body mass, fat indices, or crude protein in stomach contents were evident, which indicated that hogs on this subtropical island may not undergo pronounced seasonal variations in nutritional status.

Existing landcover maps offer an inexpensive opportunity to conduct largescale habitat assessments for black bears (Ursus americanus), but because cover classes used in these maps may have been developed without consideration for bears, inferring bear food and cover distribution from these maps may be difficult. We evaluated the information content of a habitat map that we constructed using National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data for a composite home range of 21 radio-tagged adult black bears in coastal Louisiana. Habitat types having potentially different food and cover resources for bears and recognizable from NWI data were deciduous broadleaf forest, bald cypress forest, mixed deciduous broadleaf and bald cypress forest, scrub-shrub wetlands, brackish and fresh marsh, deciduous broadleaf forest spoil, upland hardwood forest, and agriculture. We compared measurements taken from 113 plots in 77 stands distributed among 7 habitat types.

We studied use of a new, less expensive design of wildlife crossing to determine the acceptance of the structure by wildlife. We documented wildlife use of 2 precast concrete wildlife crossings from 27 March 1995 to 30 June 1996 on State Road (SR) 29 in southwest Florida. Two additional crossings of a different design were monitored on Interstate (I)-75 for comparison. Over 1,000 photographs were taken of >20 species of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans using those 4 wildlife crossings. The SR 29 structures were utilized by Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi), black bears (Ursus americanus), bobcats (Felis rufus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and 17 other species. Panther use of the 1-75 wildlife crossings increased over time. The new design of wildlife crossing on SR 29 allowed safe passage of many species of wildlife, including panthers.

We evaluated a habitat suitability (HSI) model developed for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) wintering in the Lower Mississippi Valley by comparing mallard densities obtained from aerial surveys with habitat suitability indices derived from satellite imagery for 25, 256-km2 sampling units. Regression models that related mallard densities to habitat suitability indices accounted for only 29% of the variability in the data and the 95% confidence interval of predicted mallard densities included zero for most habitat suitability indices evaluated. Thus, we conclude that the published HSI model is a poor predictor of wintering mallard density in the Lower Mississippi Valley. We suggest model revision to allow users to remotely obtain model inputs for habitat characteristics at landscape scales. Further, we suggest the model be revised to consider yearly variation in habitat and flood conditions that better reflect the ability of an area to support wintering mallards.

An understanding of the mechanisms by which northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations respond to old-field habitat management is important to evaluate efficacy of these practices. We examined reproductive strategies and success of 114 radio-marked bobwhite on a managed wildlife area in east-central Mississippi during 1994—1996. Fifteen female and 5 male bobwhite incubated 23 nests. Male-incubated nests, female-incubated first nests, and female-incubated renests contributed 21.7%, 65.2%, and 13.0% to total nesting effort, respectively. Female-incubated first nests and male-incubated nests each accounted for 44% of successful nests. Of birds alive on 15 April (40 female and 74 male), 37.5% of females and 6.8% of males attempted ≥1 nest, whereas 12.5% of females and 5.4% of males were successful. Female nest initiation peaked in mid-May prior to the onset of male nesting.

We estimated interval (Dec-Feb) recovery and survival rates of marked northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to determine effects of radiomarking and supplemental feeding on the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in western Oklahoma from 1991 to 1996. We also estimated unretrieved harvest (crippling loss) reported by hunters and compared it to unretrieved harvest of radiomarked bobwhites to determined accuracy of hunter information. We banded 308 and radiomarked 296 bobwhites. Interval survival and recovery rates were estimated using the computer program MARK. Recovery rates of banded bobwhites (0.39) differed (χ2 = 5.03, P = 0.03) from radiomarked bobwhites (0.30). Estimated interval survival rates differed (χ2 = 42.1, P < 0.01) between banded (0.19) and radiomarked bobwhites (0.56). In our study, radiomarking bobwhites had an apparent positive influence on survival.

Call counts for a number of gamebirds (e.g., northern bobwhite [Colinus virginianus] and wild turkey [Meleagris gallopavo]) have been used to index population levels and trends and to document species presence or absence. Call counts for wild turkeys have been used for these purposes, but gobbling activity has not been related quantitatively to population size, reproduction, weather, male age structure, or hunting variables. Consequently, we examined these factors as they affected gobbling activity on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Bienville National Forest, in central Mississippi, from 1984 to 1995. Using multiple linear regression, we determined that within-year gobbling activity was related to hunter effort, days into call count period, wind velocity, year, and dewpoint. Among years, gobbling activity was related to hunter effort and hunter success.

A persistent shortcoming of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) management programs is the inconsistency in survey techniques. One approach to standardize turkey population monitoring is to use cameras and infrared sensors. The 7 primary assumptions associated with using cameras and infrared sensors to monitor turkey populations can be grouped into those pertaining to baiting and those associated with sampling design. Because none of these assumptions have been tested, our objective is to outline an experimental design appropriate for determining which theoretical assumptions are practically valid. We recommend that testing these assumptions be a priority for additional research on using camera and infrared sensors for monitoring wild turkey population(s).

Most researchers arbitrarily delineate study areas even though a quantitative estimate of study area size can be generated from capture and subsequent locations of radio-equipped animals. Arbitrary delineation may result in biased estimates of density. Density is often determined with capture-mark-recapture designs that do not include locational data from radio-equipped animals. We used logistic regression to determine probability of recapture of radio-equipped wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens based on pre-sample distances from bait sites for hens using and not using baited sites. We then used the posterior probability function from logistic regression analogously to the detection function from variable circular plot methods.

To gain a better understanding of the roles of public and private hunting areas in the harvest dynamics of an eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopava var. sylvestris) population, we conducted a banding study in southeastern Louisiana from 1989-1997. Physical measurements were collected on birds at capture and harvest. During spring gobbler seasons, 137 of 199 banded gobblers were recovered through hunting. For the 1991-1994 seasons, we observed higher hunting pressure and more effort to bag a gobbler on public (0.22 hunter-days/ha and 40.7 hunter-days/bird) than on private land (0.13 hunter-days/ha and 15.6 hunter-days/bird). We captured a higher proportion of juvenile gobblers on a public area than on surrounding private land (P = 0.024), but found only weak evidence (P = 0.073) that hunters on the public land harvested a greater proportion of juveniles. The direct recovery rate for juveniles was 23% (SE = 3.7) and for adults was 70% (SE = 5.5).

Quality management for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is becoming increasingly popular in the southeastern United States, yet surprisingly little information has been published that describes quality or trophy management strategies in detail. The quality deer program at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (McAAP) is unique because it maintains high hunter opportunity while producing high-quality white-tailed deer. Several strategies have been incorporated into the management program to help maintain its unique characteristics. The first is a regulation that limits hunters to traditional archery equipment (recurve or longbow), thereby reducing hunter success and providing bucks with greater opportunity to reach maturity. The second is a centrally located, 4,500-ha refuge that receives little hunting pressure and increases the proportion of mature bucks in the population.

We compared antler characteristics and body mass at 4.5 years of age (adult) of 140 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reared in a captive herd at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (Hunt, Texas) from 1973 to 1990. Each yearling (1.5 years old) was classified as spike- (N = 43) or fork-antlered (N = 97), and its live body mass recorded. Fork-antlered yearlings were further partitioned into 3-5 points (N = 33) and ≥6 points (N = 64) subclasses based on the number of antler points ≥2.54 cm in length. All deer were reared in 1.62-ha enclosures and maintained on a 16% crude protein diet ad libitum. In ensuing years, antlers were removed and live body mass recorded. At 4.5 years, the gross Boone and Crockett (GBC) score of each buck was measured. The average GBC score of adult deer that were fork-antlered yearlings (127.8 ± 2.0 SE) was greater (P <0.001) than those of spike-antlered yearlings (89.9 ± 2.8).

Home range size is an important component of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) ecology. We estimated 95% convex polygon home ranges for gobblers and hens within biological seasons in central Mississippi. Mean home range size of gobblers (N = 97) varied from 607.1 ha (subadults during spring) to 809.9 ha (subadults during fall/winter). Mean home range size of hens (N = 127) varied from 97.2 ha (early brood) to 541.9 ha (fall/winter). Male home range size did not differ among seasons (P >0.05). However, gobblers tended to have larger home range sizes than hens, which likely reflected sexual dimorphism of turkeys and movements of gobblers to associate with hens during spring. Home ranges for hens were smallest during the early brood period (P<0.003). Home ranges on our area were larger than reported from other comparable Southeastern studies.

Wildlife management is the interaction of wildlife populations, habitats, and people. The eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is an important wildlife resource. However, quantitative data on the human dimensions of wild turkey management are scarce. Therefore, we surveyed 2,143 Mississippi turkey hunters by mail to determine characteristics of this group, examine attitudes towards regulations and management issues, and determine how hunter characteristics influenced attitudes. We received responses from 1,524 participants (71.1%). The average respondent was male, a Mississippi resident, 39 years old, had completed at least some college education, and had hunted turkeys for 13 years. Respondents hunting on private land reported higher harvest rates (0.73) and hunter success (0.44) than public land hunters (0.38 and 0.27, respectively). Attitudes towards 17 questions dealing with turkey hunting regulations or pertinent management issues were reported.

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) has ecological, aesthetic, recreational, and economic values. Gross expenditures of hunters have been used to estimate economic value of game species. We examined the economic impact and associated values of the wild turkey in Mississippi. Expenditures of wild turkey hunters were obtained from a mail survey (N = 2,143, 69.6% response to economic section) and were used in an input-output model to determine economic impacts for the state. There were 39,775 hunters engaged in 334,856 activity-days in 1993. Wild turkey hunters spent an estimated $14.8 million or $44.27 per hunter day in 1993. Total sale impacts were $16.7 million. The value-added component of the economic impact totaled $10.4 million and supported 385 jobs. We also examined the structure of the economy in relation to the wild turkey.

Past research suggests nesting habitat limits survival and growth of some eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. However, information on nest-site selection is primarily on established populations with limited data on restocked birds. Our objectives were to assess nest-site characteristics of relocated birds and determine causes of nest failure in the Post Oak Savannah of eastern Texas. Radio-tagged wild turkey hens (N = 48) were relocated to 4 areas in winter 1994. We compared understory and ground cover characteristics between 22 nest sites of radio-tagged turkeys and 22 random sites. Furthermore, we measured Euclidean distance to transition zones (“edges”) and presence/absence of protective barriers (“guard object”) at nest and random sites. Important nest-site characteristics were lateral cover, height of vegetation, and protective barriers. Mammalian predation was the major cause of nest failure.

Habitat use of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) broods (1993: N= 7; 1994: N = 9) in western Tennessee were monitored for up to 2 months following hatching to determine preferred habitats during this critical period. Based on availability within their home ranges, hens and their broods selected bottomland hardwoods over other habitat types during weeks 1-4 (P < 0.001). Older broods (4-6 weeks) selected upland hardwood, upland pine, bottomland hardwood, and open habitats in that order over other habitat types (P < 0.001). Intensive monitoring of 6 broods in 1995 verified that telemetry data accurately reflected habitat use. Invertebrate biomass was lower in bottomland forests than in open habitats (P = 0.02), but apparently was adequate to meet the needs of developing poults.

We investigated attributes of 5 colony sites of endangered least terns (Sterna antillarum athalassos) nesting on the Arkansas River from Tulsa to Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1992 and 1993. We tested hypotheses that least terns selected areas to nest with the lowest amount and height of vegetation and nested near driftwood or similar debris. River flows prior to the nesting season in May 1993 scoured all sandbars, removing vegetation and increasing abundance of driftwood. Attributes of colony sites of nesting least terns varied substantially from one location to another. Distances from nests and random points to vegetation and driftwood varied among colony sites. Occurrence of driftwood at colony sites increased after floods in 1993, and least tern nests at 4 of 5 colony sites were significantly closer to driftwood than were random points inside a colony.

We field-tested the Reproductive Index (RI) of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model in the southcentral Great Plains with the aid of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. From January 1993 through May 1994, populations of great blue herons in 18 rookeries located throughout Oklahoma were monitored, and GIS was used to evaluate data on rookery habitat structure and surrounding landscape features. Eighteen rookeries were classified as potential nest sites and RI ratings were determined for each rookery according to model criteria. The RI identified only 3 (17%) of the 18 rookeries as suitable habitat for reproduction. After modifying the RI using habitat and landscape data from the 18 rookeries in Oklahoma, the RI more reliably characterized the habitat suitability of rookeries in the southcentral Great Plains.

Vegetation and soils were sampled 1 month prior to and 1 year after a pipeline was constructed in a Texas coastal marsh. Submerged aquatic (SAV) and emergent vegetation (EV) were sampled to detect changes in taxa frequencies and percent cover within 3 pipeline corridor treatments (soil deposit/borrow, pipeline ditch, construction equipment) and a control. Taxon richness was not significantly altered by pipeline construction within EV plots. However, pipeline construction decreased total vegetative coverage of EV plots within all 3 pipeline treatments. A 33% (2.3 ha) decrease in EV coverage was calculated within a 30.4-m strip along the pipeline ditch using pre- and post-construction aerial photographs and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Similarly, data from EV quadrats indicated a 49% (2.2 ha) loss within the 19.8-m wide construction corridor. No analyses were performed on SAV data because these plants were only present during pre-construction sampling.

Habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of biodiversity and has 3 components: habitat loss, patch isolation, and patch size. We tested the effects of forest-clearing size on small mammal populations in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. These clearings act as islands for many species of small mammals, particularly old-field mice (Peromyscus polionotus) and cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). We live-trapped small mammals in 3 size classes of clearcuts (small <6 ha, medium 10-15 ha, and large >25 ha) on the Savannah River Site and compared relative density and diversity of small mammal species among the patch size classes. Peromyscus polionotus were captured on all grids and were the only species captured on small grids; P. polionotus relative density did not vary significantly among patch sizes. In contrast, S.

The "Making Tracks" partnership program was initiated in 1986 with the joint signing of a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). In 1997 alone, through the challenge cost share program, 89 projects were funded for $746,000 in 26 states. The amount of NWTF money available for partnership projects is growing at 20% per year. This partnership is also international as the NWTF and USFS cooperated with many agencies and individuals in Mexico and the United States to help restore the Gould's subspecies of wild turkey to historic range in Arizona. The partnership also includes hosting J.A.K.E.S. (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics, and Sportsmanship) youth events across the nation. The partnership has also initiated funding for increased prescribed burning projects in the Southeast in 1996 and across the nation in 1998 (proposed).

Participants of youth shooting sports events held at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in southern Texas reflected the racial makeup of the region including a high percentage of Hispanics in attendance. Thirteen percent of participants indicated that they had never fired a gun prior to attendance of these events. Of those who had shot in the past, 61% did not currently participate in shooting activities other than hunting while 70% indicated that they hunt. Of those participants who stated that they hunt, only 40% had a current hunting license and 34% had the State required hunter education training. Shotgun events were the most popular shooting activity. Ninety five percent of attending students stated they would like to continue to participate in recreational shooting activities. Shooting events are an ideal way to encourage the participation of minorities and other non-traditional user groups in shooting sports.

The key to communicating a pro-hunting message is knowing what not to say and what not to do. This paper outlines 12 of the most common mistakes made when trying to communicate a pro-hunting message in a debate with someone staunchly opposed to hunting or in an interview with a reporter. With practice, each pitfall is easily avoidable. The necessary first step to avoiding them, however, is to be aware of them. In other words, by being able to recognize the "pits," the pro-hunting debater will be better able to sidestep them and to achieve his/her goal of communicating a positive message about hunting.

Great challenges face wildlife and fish conservation in North America. Fundamental changes that are moving rapidly through our society are mirrored to a certain extent by a virtual epidemic of reorganizations within conservation agencies continentwide. These attempts appear too often as cosmetic alterations that do not deal with the fundamental problems, and despite our good intentions, we have not been able to reduce sufficiently the distance between challenge and response. I suggest that we must rediscover our own history and reaffirm our own principles and commitments to successfully surmount the obstacles in our way.

The development of the conservation movement in the United States and particularly the role of the state fish and wildlife agencies is one of the greatest conservation statements in world history. During the 20th century, our leaders have shown great foresight and vision in stewarding our country's fish and wildlife resources. It would be easy to say we are solid, we have the track record to prove our mettle—to accept the "do nothing alternative"—the business-as-usual approach. It is, ironically, our stellar record that today may be our biggest liability. We've done so well that we are sometimes tempted to stand pat. We must work together to see that new expectations of leadership evolve and that these new expectations become the new yardstick by which we are evaluated. Standards that will encourage the dynamic and responsive leadership that will be required in the future.

In this paper, I address 2 main questions. First, what do hunters expect in terms of conservation leadership? Second, to whom do hunters look for conservation leadership? Various hunters think about leadership in different ways. All hunters think of conservation leadership in terms of making sure they can continue to do whatever it is that they absolutely need to do to think of themselves as hunters—not to go hunting, but to be hunters.

The National Wild Turkey Federation was founded 25 years ago and has now grown to 150,000 members. Our mission is to conserve the wild turkey and preserve the turkey hunting tradition. The NWTF leadership is comprised of chapter volunteers and technical committee representatives from each state wildlife agency working together and coordinated by NWTF staff. The NWTF has developed a close working relationship with government wildlife agencies thanks, in part, to our successful Super Fund program which raises money through our banquets and funnels these dollars to conservation projects. This past fiscal year, $5.25 million were generated through the Super Fund program and National Projects and spent on conservation projects throughout the country. The NWTF has also spent over $71 million in cooperator dollars since 1985 on conservation projects. Agency leadership is critical in charting our course as an organization.

Clearly there is a recognized need for leadership in conservation. One of the great challenges facing our professional agencies and conservation groups is to decide who comprises the constituency we seek to lead. In short, what is our constituency? In many jurisdictions only a fraction of the public is even aware that a specific state agency for wildlife conservation exists. Even a large majority of hunters, long recognized as perhaps the constituency, do not look to professional agencies for leadership . . . at least not with respect to issues dealing specifically with hunting. One of the more important points to arise from our discussions was that successful conservation leadership must entail providing those who might be led with a sense of ownership and empowerment. Furthermore, this notion was conjoined to an important corollary, that individuals and organizations so empowered can become effective leaders themselves.