Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An illegally introduced exotic fish species has now become a significant and extremely popular fishery in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCA's). The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) was accidentally introduced in the 1950s and became established in south Florida waterways. A gradual range expansion occurred; however, oscar populations remained low until the mid-1980s. For approximately 25 years, catches were infrequent and singular. Following an unexplained and accelerated population expansion, angler catches became more frequent and multiple. Recent peak season angler surveys in the Everglades have documented a substantial oscar fishery in terms of harvest and effort. The total number of oscar harvested in WCA-2A peaked at 11,583 in 1986-87, but dropped to 0 by the last year of the survey in that area (1989-90) for reasons which are unclear. During 3 consecutive surveys (1990-93) in WCA-3A, oscar was the number one species harvested.

Sportfishing in the turbulent waters downstream of Wilson and Wheeler dams on the Tennessee River is widely regarded as superior quality by anglers, sports writers, and fishery scientists. Access point creel surveys were conducted from February 1988 through January 1989 and January through December 1990 in the Wilson Dam and Wheeler Dam tailraces, respectively. The objectives of the surveys were to document fishing effort, catch, harvest, and other fishery characteristics, particularly for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), in popular tailrace areas in the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River. During the 1988 Wilson Dam tailrace survey, 280,948 angler-hours of effort were expended, of which 117,207 hours (42%) were directed at smallmouth bass. Catfish {Ictalurus spp.) were the most exploited group, representing 29% of the harvest by weight, and temperate basses (Morone spp.) and smallmouth bass combined for almost 50% of the harvest.

Equal numbers of tagged sunshine bass (Morone chrysops female X M. saxatilis male) and palmetto bass {Morone saxatilis female x M. chrysops male) were stocked in the Escambia River for 4 years to determine which striped bass hybrid was better suited for stocking based on tag returns. Total tag return rates after 4 years was 11.2% for sunshine bass and 10.1% for palmetto bass. Over 90% of all tag returns occurred during the first 9 months after stocking. There was no consistent difference found in return rates between palmetto and sunshine bass. Although not statistically significant for all year classes, return rates seemed to be related more to the size of fish at stocking rather than the types of striped bass hybrid stocked.

A roving creel survey was conducted on the Greers Ferry tailwater, Arkansas, from 1988 through 1992. Estimated angler use was high, averaging 295,319 angler hours and 1,006.5 angler hours per hectare annually. Estimated harvest of rainbow trout was high and consisted of mostly catchable size, stocked fish. Only 25% of rainbow trout caught were released. Catch of trophy size brown trout declined after the implementation of a 406-mm (16-inch) minimum length 2 fish per day creel limit in January 1990.

Removal of Dead Lake Dam in December 1987 reduced low pool elevation an additional 1.3 m, resulting in approximately 85 percent bottom exposure. Increased fluctuation provided short-term benefits to the sport fish community in the form of strong largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) year classes and improved water quality. Percent composition of dominant sport fish changed little after dam removal, but total fish species observed increased from 34 to 61 after dam removal. Increased elevation in the Apalachicola River resulted in reduced flow and depressed dissolved oxygen levels in Dead Lake. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) have been observed in limited numbers above Dead Lake since removal of the dam.

Mississippi Office of Pollution Control staff collected catfish from 69 sites from 1991-1994 for contaminant monitoring. Of these, 12 sites were sampled 5 or more times per year. Environmental conditions varied dramatically between site and season facilitating observations for effects of both intersite variability (e.g., water conductivity and manipulation of pulsator settings) and intrasite seasonal variability (e.g., water temperature and river stage). Flathead catfish {Pylodictis olivaris) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) were most susceptible to the gear in water temperatures >22 C, while channel catfish (/. punctatus) were efficiently collected from cooler waters. Flathead catfish were susceptible to low pulse frequencies and these frequencies were necessary to collect this species from preferred deep water habitats. Channel and blue catfish were collected over a wide range of pulse frequencies.

Gill netting (mesh sizes from 13 to 64 mm) and electrofishing were conducted in April and October 1987-1989, to compare their utility for providing precise estimates of relative abundance and size structure of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) populations in 2 Ozark impoundments. Catches of gizzard shad <120 mm were extremely variable for electrofishing and very low for gill netting and were excluded from further analysis. Electrofishing captured more gizzard shad ≥120 mm with less effort (68-339 fish/hour) than gill netting (2-48 fish/net day). However, neither method provided precise estimates of catch per unit effort (CPUE) for gizzard shad >120 mm; coefficients of variation ranged from 44% to 144% for electrofishing and 39% to 131% for gill netting. Sample sizes required for a CV8 (SE/mean) of 20% ranged from 5 to 52 for electrofishing runs and 5 to 43 sets for gill netting. There was no significant difference in CPUE between April and October for either gear.

A 2-phase study of 6 variations of hoop nets was conducted in 3 Louisiana lakes to determine if mesh size or the addition of escape rings could be used to regulate the catch of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in hoop nets. Commercial and recreational fishermen in Louisiana must abide by a 279.4-mm minimum total length restriction during a year long season. A total of 10,226 channel catfish were caught in 1,033 net days during both phases of the study. In Phase 1, 25.4-, 28.6-, and 31.8-mm (bar) mesh hoop nets were fished. For all channel catfish total lengths, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of the hoop nets in Phase 1 increased with the decrease in mesh size of the hoop nets. There was no significant difference in the CPUE of lengths >279.4 mm among all 3 mesh sizes. CPUE of lengths <279.4 mm for the 25.4-mm mesh net (6.6) was significantly greater than the 31.8-mm mesh net (0.2).

We evaluated microtag retention in fingerling striped bass (mean total length: 58.5 mm) that were tagged during routine hatchery operations. Striped bass were tagged vertically in the cheek muscle using a Northwest Marine Technology Mark IV tagging machine. Tags were implanted dorsal to ventral, approximately 2 mm deep. During each of 10 days of tagging, 24 tagged fish were randomly selected and placed into each of 4 865-liter circular tanks. At 11-13 weeks after tagging, retention averaged 92.4%. Most tag loss occurred in the first 2 weeks after tagging, and all occurred within 34 days.

The Trophic State Index (TSI) has been widely used to rank and classify lakes and has proven useful in limnological investigations, but it has not been widely used in fisheries investigations. Trophic State Index was developed from chlorophyll a (Chi a), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and Secchi disk (SD) transparency measurements for 69 Florida lakes. A combination of TSI parameters was used to develop multiple regression models to predict lake capacity for supporting sportfish biomass (kg/ha). The developed, predictive model could be used by other states with modifications to investigate fish biomass from trophic state information. Also, fish estimates predicted from the model would provide fishery managers feedback for future resource planning.

Small bluegills {Lepomis macrochirus) were collected weekly with unbaited minnow traps from stands of water lily (Nymphaea odorata), water shield (Brasenia schreberi), and pondweed {Potamogeton nodosus) located in Bluff Lake, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, during July-October 1990 (JV = 1 5 sample dates). Average stem density within macrophyte stands was 19.25 (SD = 2.31), 208.81 (SD = 12.92), and 866.50 (SD = 75.11) stems/m2 for water lily, water shield, and pondweed, respectively. Pondweed exhibited significantly higher surface coverage (proportion of sample plot covered on surface, mean = 0.93, SD = 0.03) than water lily (mean = 0.72, SD = 0.06) or water shield (mean = 0.76, SD = 0.06). Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for number of bluegill (fish/trap-night) and CPUE for weight of bluegill (g/trap-night) were significantly greater for samples from pondweed than for those from water lily or water shield.

Vegetated areas of the littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee were sampled with 0.8-ha block nets during fall 1989, 1990, and 1991 to estimate fish assemblages and standing crops in 5 vegetation communities common in Florida. Data were used in conjunction with economic impact data of known-cause fish kill events, Rule 17-11.01 (animal damage valuation), Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, to estimate monetary values of the fisheries of important Lake Okeechobee vegetation communities. Mean total impact values per hectare of vegetated area ranged from $44,626 for Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis) to $59,738 for hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). Replacement economic values made up at least 88.9% of the total impact value in the valuation of all vegetation types. Recreational values per hectare of vegetated area ranged from $447 for eel-grass (Vallisneria americana) to $5,378 for bulrush (Scirpus californicus and S. validus).

The age-size structure of gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) from Ft. Pierce, Florida, to Grand Isle, Louisiana, was examined. Otolith sections from 432 fish collected in 1991 to 1993 were used to compare 2 methods (direct proportion and regression) of back-calculation of size at age. The observed age range was 1 to 25 years and the size range was 236 to 764 mm total length. Differences were observed in back-calculated sizes at age between the 2 back-calculation methods, between sexes and geographic divisions. The back-calculated size at age was larger for ages 1 to 10 years from the direct proportion than from the regression method. Males were larger than females for ages 4 to 15 years using the direct proportion method, but only for ages 13 and 14 years using the regression method. Northern fish were larger at age than southern fish using both back-calculation methods.

A landowner shortcourse entitled "Wildlife and Forest Management for Profit and Recreation" was developed to teach South Carolina landowners the basics of forest management that can be used to improve wildlife habitat. Between 1991 and mid-1994, 9 shortcourses were held throughout the state. Over 260 landowners and resource managers attended who owned over 40,000 ha or managed over 190,000 ha of land, respectively. Ninety-one percent of the respondents rated the shortcourses favorably. In addition, shortcourse participants indicated that they believed the knowledge gained as a result of the shortcourse will help them earn a total of $2,282,500 on their lands in the future. Plans are being made to expand the shortcourse in response to clientele suggestions.

We investigated the usefulness of focus groups, an interview methodology, in human dimensions research. We used a focus group to interview people interested in wildlife conservation to determine the technique's efficacy in assessing public perception of wildlife habitat management on electric transmission line rights-of-way (ROWs). Most respondents had some basic knowledge of wildlife habitat needs and considered ROWs as potentially useful to wildlife. Respondents were concerned about the use of herbicides and generally preferred mechanical treatments. There was considerable distrust of information generated via government chemical approval processes, private company research, and popular media. While additional groups are needed to fully assess the range of attitudes this and other publics hold on this subject, our results suggest that focus groups can be an effective tool for baseline public perception of wildlife studies or as a precursor to quantitative surveys.

In the fall and spring of each year, the Talladega National Forest becomes a classroom for second and fifth grade students. Students hike a 2-mile trail stopping at 6 to 7 learning stations. Students receive instruction on wildlife management, fisheries management, botany, forestry, fire prevention, litter control, and outdoor ethics. The program is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Forest Service, Talladega and Sylacauga school systems, the Alabama Forestry Commission, and the Pinecrest Garden Club. Since 1989, over 4,000 students have attended the Talladega Open Air Classroom. This hands-on concept of environmental education is well received by students, teachers, parents and community volunteers.

Recreational fishing has been on a decline. This can be attributed to various reasons such as increasing numbers of single parent families, increased urbanization, and less leisure time. To help reverse this trend, the Sportfishing Promotion Council (SPC) is combining the marketing expertise of industry with the fishery management expertise of agencies into state-level partnerships that are successfully introducing more people to fishing and teaching about the conservation needs of aquatic habitats. Through programs such as youth fishing derbies, toll-free telephone systems, and mass media communications, the SPC is currently providing state agencies with increased public outreach capabilities and new methods of interacting directly with constituents. With funding provided by Sportfish Restoration funds and industry contributions, the SPC program is free to state agencies and 20 state partnerships have to date been assembled.

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (CEWC), comprised of Preaching Rock Wildlife Education Center (PRWEC), Marben Public Fishing Area (PFA), and Clybel Wildlife Management Area (WMA), is managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division to serve a variety of user groups, including students, hikers, teachers, anglers, hunters, birdwatchers, and others. The area contains 2,438 ha (6,023 acres) of land, 29 ponds, and a 2-ha (5-acre) rock outcrop. This paper outlines the site development plan for PRWEC and discusses programs and facilities that are to be developed. The mission of PRWEC is to educate Georgia's youth and adults about wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor skills to help them become wise stewards of the environment. Proposed youth education programs include a 3-day residential program, a wildlife outreach program, and a day-use program.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conducted a survey of students from 38 high schools (1,459 useable respondents) to ascertain the effects of the Conservation Education Program. Of the surveyed individuals, 15.7% had attended Department classes and camps, 55.3 % had attended Department classes only, and 29% had not attended any Department programs. The students were asked questions on the environment, attitudes toward outdoor recreation including hunting and fishing, and their own potential for supporting outdoor recreation. Results showed that students who had attended Department programs were significantly more interested in: environmental issues, participating in outdoor recreation, and encouraging their own children to participate in outdoor recreation.

In 1993, the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), National Trails Fund Act (NRTFA), Georgia Cooperative Extension Service (Georgia 4-H), Georgia Department of Natural Resource (DNR), Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), and United States Forest Service (USFS) combined forces to provide jobs for youth and maintain Georgia's recreational trail structure. Project Opportunity (PO) was designed to provide 14- and 21-year-old youth with much needed jobs. PO also provided youth with on-the-job training, job-seeking skills, knowledge about the environment, and remedial programs in mathematics and reading. PO had a positive impact on participants in terms of knowledge, attitude, and skill development, and 105 km of trails were maintained and augmented. Although PO was designed as a pilot program for youth in the North Georgia area, it can easily be modified to address the specific needs of groups in other areas of the United States.

In January 1992, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission purchased an 11-m trailer mounted aquarium for use in its Aquatic Resources Education Program. Although quite costly and very labor intensive, this project has proven to be one of the finest public relations tools anyone could have imagined. Over .5 million people per year have viewed the 13,250-1 display in its first 2 years of operation. The display is erected at fairs, schools, boat shows, town festivals, fishing seminars, clinics, etc. It is often stocked with 25 or 30 different species of fish, all indigenous to Arkansas waters. The Aquarium provides an excellent tool for teaching various fishing techniques, lure demonstrations, and fish behavior.

We studied seasonal movements of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in northeast Georgia in relation to agricultural food plots during years of varying oak (Quercus spp.) mast production. In total, 2,381 radio telemetry locations were collected from 12 does from 1987 through 1989. Fall and winter home ranges were larger (P < 0.1) during a high oak mast productivity year compared to a low productivity year. There were no differences (P > 0.1) in spring home range sizes under 3 different oak mast conditions. All radio-collared does had ranges which included 1 or more food plots. Most deer were located within 800 m of a food plot during all years and all seasons.

We evaluated standing crop, nutritional quality, and use of 3 legumes planted to provide forage during summer, which is a nutritional stress period for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in southern Texas. Average standing crop of lablab (Lablab purpureus) from 861 to 2,250 kg/ha exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) that of soybeans (Glycine max) and cowpeas (Vigna sinsensis). Phosphorus (P) of lablab and cowpeas exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) soybeans. Lablab crude protein was not different from cowpeas and soybean crude protein, but soybean was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than cowpea in 1990. In 1991, lablab and cowpea leaf crude protein was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than soybean during August and October. Percent use of cowpeas and soybeans exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) percent use of lablab in 1990. In 1991, lablab percent use was similar to that of cowpeas and soybeans during July-September and greater (P ≤ 0.05) than cowpeas in November.

Radio-collared white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; 7 males, 13 females) were tracked from 1984 to 1989 on the Marion County Wildlife Management Area in southern Mississippi. Alternating halves of the study area were planted with 66 0.1-ha and 20 0.4-ha cool-season and 20 0.4-ha summer agronomic forage plots. Mean annual production and utilization (air-dry) of cool-season forages were 1,904 kg/ha (SE = 59) and 1,107 kg/ha (SE = 41), respectively. Summer forage production and utilization were 664 kg/ha (SE = 50) and 586 kg/ha (SE = 48), respectively. Annual 95% convex polygon home ranges averaged 691 ha for 6 adult (≥ 3 years) bucks and 343 ha for 12 adult does. Significant (P < 0.05) seasonal differences in home range size were observed for does, but seasonal differences for bucks were not significant (P = 0.12). Significant movements both toward and away from the planted side of the study area were observed for some individual deer.

We compared production, utilization, and protein levels of 3 ladino clovers (Trifolium repens) in northeastern Georgia. Three 0.2-ha clover plots were planted side by side in 2 separate fields on Chestatee Wildlife Management Area. Samples were clipped, weighed, and analyzed monthly for a 26-month period beginning in April 1990. All clovers were utilized very heavily by deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other wildlife averaging 392 kg/ha per month dry weight totalling 10,210 kg/ha for the study. With data for both fields combined, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in wildlife (predominantly deer) usage among the 3 varieties: Regal (428 kg/ha/month), Imperial Whitetail Mix (383 kg/ha/month), or Osceola (367 kg/ha/ month). Overall use of all varieties was higher in a field (P < 0.01) with no other food plots were nearby.

Sixteen adult bobcats (11 females, 5 males) (Felis rufus) were monitored using radio-telemetry from 1 January 1989-31 December 1992 in Mississippi to determine habitat components influencing core use area (CUA) location and size. Male bobcat CUA size (x = 26.5 km2, SE = 6.1) was larger (P = 0.047) than females (x = 11.8 km2, SE = 2.8). Habitat components of bobcat CUA's did not differ (P > 0.10) by sex. There was a higher (P < 0.01) proportion of pine plantations and agricultural habitats in CUA's than in random areas. There was a lower (P = 0.06) proportion of hardwood stands in CUA's (x = 0.23: SE = 0.03) than in random areas (x = 0.36, SE = 0.04). Occurrence of creeks, roads, and pine stands were not significantly different (P > 0.10) between CUA's and random areas. We propose prey abundance influenced location of bobcat CUA's and thus home ranges on our study area.

Scent stations, passive hair-snaggers and howl surveys were evaluated as possible survey methods for monitoring relative abundance of coyotes (Canis latrans) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) prior to the reintroduction of red wolves (Canis rufus) from January 1990 to April 1991. Scent station nights (N = 198), passive hair-snaggers (N = 70), and howl surveys (N = 197) produced 1 (0.5%), 0 (0.0%), and 35 (17.8%) coyote responses, respectively. Scent stations and hair-snaggers proved ineffective for monitoring coyotes at current population levels. Howl surveys elicited responses from approximately 21 coyotes at 12 locations indicating the feasibility of designing and implementing a standardized survey to monitor the relative abundance of coyotes over time or from area to area. Twenty-seven responses were elicited from coyotes in the Cades Cove section of GSMNP for a coyote index of 22.9% and 8 responses from coyotes outside Cades Cove for a coyote index of 10.1%.

Nine bobcats (Felis rufus) trapped from the Coastal Plain of Georgia in fall 1989 were fed weighed amounts of cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus), eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinesis), domestic rabbits, a juvenile feral hog (Sus scrofa), and adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to develop correction factors to convert mass of prey remains in scats to an estimate of mass of prey consumed for different prey types. Dry matter digestibility increased with increasing prey size except for white-tailed deer. For prey under 4.5 kg, we developed a regression equation (r1 = 0.75, P < 0.0001) to estimate correction factors for different sizes of prey. With this information, percent biomass consumed of different prey species in bobcat diets can be estimated from remains in bobcat scats.

We examined 8 years of data concerning female bobcat (Felis rufus) reproductive characteristics and kitten growth parameters. Estrus in adults occurred in February and March, peaking in February, while yearlings cycled later (Mar to Jul). Two litters/female/year was the maximum observed, although 3 estrous cycles were observed within a single breeding season. Recycling occurred 12-14 days following kitten loss. Gestation length averaged 64 days, with parturition occurring between April and May. Litter size ranged from 1-5 kittens (x = 2.3), with a sex ratio of 1.24 M : 1 F. Mean birth mass of kittens was 150.27 g and the mean daily mass increment was 6.1 % to 34.4%. Patterns of tooth eruption and morphological characteristics relative to age are summarized.