Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

We examined the usefulness of condition profiles, incorporating postmortem morphologic, physiologic, and dietary indices from fall-harvested deer and seasonal fecal indices of diet quality, for evaluating differences in habitat quality between adjacent populations of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This study was conducted on East Range (4.5% of 12,000 ha cultivated) and West Range (0.8% of 18,000 ha cultivated), Fort Sill Military Reservation, southwestern Oklahoma, from November 1987 to August 1989. Analysis of postmortem blood and digesta samples revealed that deer collected from East Range consumed higher quality diets than deer from West Range, where cultivation was lower. Seasonal analyses of fecal nitrogen and cell-wall constituents supported observed differences in postmortemsamples. Our study indicates that morphological indices were not sensitive to the apparent differences in habitat quality between the 2 ranges.

Antler measurements, weights, and estimated ages were collected from 529 male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested on the Campfield Hunt Club, Georgetown County, South Carolina, from 1984 to 1989. Yearlings (N = 216) were aged ≤17, 18, or ≥19 months of age according to premolar wear and replacement patterns. The 4-month hunting season was divided into 3 periods to test for differences in weight and antler development between the ≤17- and ≥19-month-old age groups. Mean number of points and mean weights of ≥19-month-old deer harvested during the first and second periods were greater (P < 0.05) than those of ≤ l7-month-old deer from any period. Mean antler spread of ≥19-month-old deer collected during the first period was greater than all ≤ 17-month-old deer.

We examined the relationships of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) to agricultural land uses in the Virginia Piedmont during 1986-1987. Bobwhite were censused and the associated habitat components quantified at 121 roadside census stations. Relative quail densities decreased (P < 0.05) from 1986 to 1987. A multiple regression model (R2 = 0.43) relating relative density of quail at stations to adjacent habitat found positive (P < 0.10) relationships for fallow croplands and other miscellaneous, uncommon cover types, and negative (P < 0.10) relationships for mown lawns and 3 variables describing dense, woody canopies. Management recommendations are to emphasize maximizing the number of different edges present and number of fallow fields in early successional stages. Cultivation of field borders and comers, waterways, and other idle areas should be discouraged.

We studied habitat selection by radio-tagged eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) hens with broods ≤30 days old in the fire-maintained pine (Pinus) forests of southwestern Georgia from 1988 to 1990. Habitat selectivity was determined for 14 hen-poult groups that were tracked for 1 week or more. Hens with young broods preferred (P ≤ 0.05) oldfields and woodlands grazed by cattle. Bonferonni confidence intervals for individual hen-poult groups with >20 locations revealed considerable variation among individuals. Individual brood hens showed preferences (P ≤ 0.05) for oldfields, hardwoods, annually burned pinelands, andl grazed woodlands. Insect abundance in intensively used brood areas was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater than in typical winter-burned pinelands where no brood use was detected.

We delineated the distribution of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) southeast of the range of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and estimated the total range-area and forested range-area within this expanse. All or portions of 11 states comprised a total range-area of 285,184.3 km2, 25.7% of the total land-area ofthose states. The percentage of each state occupied by ruffed grouse varied from 99.4% in West Virginia to 2.5% in each of South Carolina and Alabama. Approximately 67% of the species' range was forested.

During 5 February-1 April 1987 we released 13 (8 males:5 females) radio-equipped river otters (Lutra canadensis) into the West Fork River, Lewis County, West Virginia. Survival through 4 November 1987 was 56.7% (N = 75). After 10 months, dispersal extended 27.2 km upstream and 23.4 km downstream from the release site. Seasonal movements for the surviving otters varied from 7.1 km to 57.4 km for females (N = 2) and 11.1 km to 52.0 km for males (N = 5). Inter- and intrasexual ranges overlapped 0%-100% each season. Movements illustrated the importance of available refugia on the stream system in this restoration effort.

Two completely randomized design studies were conducted from May 1986 through June 1987 with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to determine seasonal mineral absorption patterns of guajillo (Acacia berlandieri) and a pelleted diet. The pelleted diet contained 0.56% phosphorus (P), 2.57% calcium (Ca), 0.31% magnesium (Mg), 2.25% sodium (Na), 1.63% potassium (K), 9.6 ppm copper (Cu), 45.0 ppm zinc (Zn), and 314.8 ppm iron (Fe). Calcium and P from the pelleted diet were absorbed in a 2:1 ratio. There were no seasonal differences in mineral absorption of the pelleted diet. The data indicate mineral absorption patterns of white-tailed deer eating a pelleted diet are not different from cattle. Mineral concentrations of guajillo varied seasonally. Absorption of P, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, and Fe from guajillo also varied seasonally. Phosphorus concentrations in guajillo followed active plant growth patterns but were below recommended levels for proper white-tailed deer growth.

Influences of nutrition, season, area, sex, and age on physiology were estimated for 82 adult (≥1 year old) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in the Big Cypress National Preserve (BCNP), Florida, between August 1984 and June 1986. Deer were examined for fat, kidney fat index (KFI), fecal diaminopimelic acid (DAPA), abomasal parasites (APC's), overall physical condition, in utero fecundity, and lactation. Absence of seasonal variations in fat levels and KFI values may reflect a reduced need for deer in southern Florida to store fat. Differences in DAPA concentrations, APC's, body weights, and productivity between herds suggested forage quality limited the population increase in 1 herd.

Year-round diet of coyotes (Canis latrans) was assessed from 292 fecal samples using frequency of occurrence of prey types and relative percent volume of prey types. By both measures, the most important food item for each season was rodents, except in the fall when volume of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianust in scats exceeded the volume of rodents. In most cases the 2 methods ranked prey groups identically. Five of the 7 differences between adjacent seasons identified by frequency of occurrence were corroborated by differences in volume. Lagomorphs also were important, and their remains occurred in > 16%of each season's samples. Coyotes utilized rodents, lagomorphs, white-tailed deer, and fruit most often, consistent with other southeastern studies of coyote food habits, although the composite annual average for white-tailed deer (37.6%) exceed all reported levels from southeastern studies.

Carcasses of 60 coyotes (Canis latrans) and 72 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) were collected from November 1986 to February 1987 in the Bluegrass and Knobs region of central Kentucky. Stomach content analysis revealed that diets were similar between the 2 species, with a Hom's index of overlap = 0.81. Coyotes consumed a small variety of relatively large prey items (i.e., items occurred at high frequencies in the stomachs); whereas red foxes ingested a large variety of small prey items. Major dietary items were small mammals (76% of red fox diets, 57% of coyote's) and cottontail rabbit (18% of red fox's, 22% of coyote's). Cattle were a major diet item for coyotes but not for red foxes (28% and 8%. respectively).

The fell-and-burn site preparation technique is an effective means of regenerating low-quality hardwood stands to pine-hardwood mixtures in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. In this region, pine-hardwood mixtures offer a compromise between the benefits of hardwood management to wildlife and the economic benefits of pine management. However, the fell-and-burn technique has not been tested in the Piedmont and other regions. This study compared the effects of several variations of the fell-and-burn technique on small mammal communities and wildlife habitat in the upper Piedmont of Georgia during the first year following treatment. Results indicate that high-severity fires may damage site quality. All site preparation treatments produced more forage biomass and richer, more populous small mammal communities than did unharvested controls. Unburned, felled sites supported more forage biomass and more species of small mammals.

We studied wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobbler habitat use and seasonal home range size by radio telemetry in an area dominated (45%) by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations (PP) in Kemper County, Mississippi, 1986-1988. In 1986, gobbler habitat use was more than expected for PP (fall) and pine-hardwood forests (spring). Use was less than expected for pine-hardwood forests (fall) and fields (summer). Use was as expected for PP, pine-hardwood, and hardwood forests and fields for the other seasons. In 1987, PP were used less than expected for all seasons. Use was more than expected for hardwood forests (spring and fall), pine-hardwood forests (summer and winter), and fields (spring). In spring and summer of 1988, use was as expected for PP for pine-hardwood and hardwood forests.

A questionnaire entitled "Spring Turkey and Other Hunting in Virginia: A Hunter Survey" was sent to 2,500 randomly selected Virginia resident hunting license holders, 440 of whom were spring turkey hunters. The questionnaire focused on 4 aspects of spring gobbler hunting: economics, season structure, aspects of enjoyment, and safety. This paper deals with the attitudes and opinions of Virginia's spring turkey hunters towards specific issues relating to safety during the spring season. Simple means or frequencies were computed for all responses to survey questions. Responses to questions were compared using the X2 test for independence. The average Virginia spring turkey hunter was male, 38 years old, and had hunted during the spring gobbler season for about 10 years. Most felt that the site they hunted on during their last trip of the 1990 spring season was not crowded. Over 45% had felt in danger of being shot at least once during their spring turkey hunting experiences.

We used the 1988, 1989, and 1991 annual mail surveys to Georgia hunters to compare attitudes of successful and unsuccessful deer hunters. All hunters rated seeing game and lack of crowding as the most important components of hunter satisfaction. Important factors contributing to a positive perception of hunting season quality included number of deer observed and harvest success. All hunters indicated the opportunity to hunt for trophies as more important than killing game; however, successful deer hunters rated trophy opportunity higher than did unsuccessful deer hunters. The presence of trophy deer ranked first among successful deer hunters and fourth among unsuccessful hunters, as factors encouraging use of wildlife management areas.

HSI and WHAG habitat evaluation procedures were used to determine habitat suitability indices for gray (Sciurus carolinensis) and fox (S. niger) squirrels on 6 areas in central Missouri. Results from both evaluation procedures indicated similar habitat conditions on all areas. However, Lincoln-Petersen mark-recapture estimates indicated densities of both species varied across areas. No correlations were found between suitability indices and squirrel densities for either procedure or species. WHAG indices were greater than HSI indices for the same areas with the exception of one area which had equal indices. These results suggest that conclusions regarding habitat suitability may depend more upon the assessment procedure used than habitat conditions. Our study evaluated the HSI and WHAG procedures over a narrow range of habitat conditions, but indicated both procedures should be studied more thoroughly before either can be used reliably.

Wildlife depredation of native pecans was evaluated during 1989 and 1990 using ground plots to estimate nut damage, and shuck to pecan ratios to estimate caching in peripheral areas of south-central Oklahoma native pecan groves adjacent to woodland. Total wildlife damage ranged from 28-447 kg/ha, which exceeded harvestable pecans (0-103 kg/ha) from the same areas. Caching comprised 59% (4-381 kg/ha) of the total damage attributable to wildlife. Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) nut damage ranged from 17-67 kg/ha, and exceeded that of all other wildlife combined. Fox squirrel nut damage, bird nut damage, caching, total wildlife damage, and harvested pecans did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between years. However, the ratio of damaged to harvested pecans was higher for all damage categories in the lower pecan production year of 1990. Significant differences were detected in fox squirrel nut damage and caching among groves within years (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively).

We attached radio transmitters to day-old American black duck (Anas rubripes) and mallard (A. platyrhynchos) ducklings and monitored duckling habitat use, brood movements, and survival rates for 30 days. Ducklings moved an average of 2.3 km within the first 24 hours and another 1.5 km thereafter. After the initial move, broods usually moved once more. No differences in initial movement distance, subsequent movement distance, or total number of movements were found between black duck and mallard broods. There was some evidence that broods in more human developed areas moved more than broods in less human-developed areas. Black duck duckling survival rates were greater than mallard survival rates in 1 of 2 study years.

To determine the applicability of the nightlighting technique for monitoring wood duck (Aix- sponsa) brood production on rivers in Tennessee, we compared results of day and night surveys on 8 rivers in spring 1990. Results of 32 day counts and 16 night counts showed that 112% more broods/km were seen at night (X = 0.55, SE = 0.022) than day (X = 0.26, SE = 0.20). The mean number of broods/km did not differ (P < 0.05) between replications for either night counts or day counts. There was a significant (P = 0.01) but weak (R = 0.61) relationship between the first day counts and night counts and no relationship (P = 0.50, R = 0.19) between the second day counts and night counts. We surveyed Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) personnel (N = 23) who participated in night and day surveys to determine their opinions of both techniques. As a control, questionnaires also were given to 20 other TWRA personnel who had conducted only daytime surveys.

Trapped European wild hogs (Sus scrofa) were immobilized with a combination of azaperone (AZ) and ketamine hydrochloride (KHCl). One capture dart containing AZ was followed in 4-26 minutes by an injection of KHCl with a hand-held syringe. It was our intent to inject each hog with 4.4 mg/kg of AZ and 6.6 mg/kg of KHCl. This drug combination was safe and effective. A mixture of KHCl and xylazine hydrochloride (XHCl) also was used. However, the KHCl-XHCl mixture required drug volumes > 10 ml to achieve chemical restraint for hogs >65 kg. During the time required to deliver a second or third injection, trap related injuries increased. Also, multiple darting caused additional trauma to the hogs. The AZ-KHCl combination reduced trap related injuries by eliminating multiple darting necessary to immobilize hogs >65 kg.

We investigated telemetry error using a dual yagi null-peak antenna system mounted on a pick-up truck. One-hundred transmitters were placed in known locations in forest and field habitats on the Remington Farms study area. Most (755 of 830) pairs of azimuths gave useable estimates of the transmitter location. The median error distance (distance from the estimated to known transmitter location) was 133m (N = 746, range = 2 - 1559 m). Error distance (ED) was closely related to 2 independent variables: the deviation of the intersection angle from 90° (DEY) and the mean distance from the receivers to the estimated location (RECDIST); these are variables that can be calculated in the field with a computer while radio locations are being taken. The model of ED = -9.19 DEV + 0.72 DEy2 + 0.21 RECDIST was highly significant (R2 = 0.82). Predicted error could be used as an objective criterion to reject telemetry locations with unacceptable error.

License plates were used as markers for capture-recapture estimates of vehicle numbers on a 12,547-ha study area. License plate numbers were recorded during random surveys. An attempt to estimate vehicle numbers, using open-population model JOLLY, failed due to problems with equal catchability caused by users leaving the area, then returning. Chapman's Lincoln-Peterson index provided acceptable estimates of vehicle numbers. Numbers of vehicles were calculated for each sample day, then extrapolated to the entire study period. Average number of people per vehicle, area of use, and use activity were calculated using information obtained from mail and personal interview questionnaires.

Gill-nets were used to live-capture otherwise elusive adult alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in coastal Georgia. In all of 55 cases, nuisance alligators > 1.8-m in length were successfully captured. Advantages of this technique include selective efficiency and effectiveness during daylight hours.

Mortality of Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) was examined from December 1979 through May 1991 in southwest Florida. Average annual mortality (17.2%) over a 4-year period (1987-1990) was similar to unhunted populations of mountain lions. Highway collisions caused 46.9% of documented mortality followed by natural causes (28.1%), illegal shooting (6.2%), and research activities (6.2%). Road mortality appears greater from November to January and more likely among male panthers and panthers residing adjacent to State Roads 29 and 84. Natural mortality, especially intraspecific aggression, was more prevalent than road mortality in radio collared panthers

Extent and types of damage caused by black bears (Ursus americanus) and landowner attitudes and perceptions of bears were determined by mail survey in Arkansas. Based on 1,353 returned surveys, monetary losses of livestock production attributed to bears appeared to be minimal, but honey production losses were more significant. Nevertheless, only 4.6% of the landowners stated that the damage was intolerable. Eighty-three percent of the respondents indicated that black bear populations should be increased or maintained at their present levels. Respondents that favored lower bear populations generally were those less knowledgeable about bears, with less education, and with lower incomes. A greater proportion of females also favored lower populations. More landowners that had experienced problems thought bears were a nuisance and that populations should be reduced or eliminated than did landowners without problem bears.

Seasonal and annual survival rates were determined for 130 radio-equipped eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers on Tallabala Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi, 1986-90. Annual survival rates varied from 0.390.54. Spring gobbler hunting (SGH) season survival rates within a year and annual survival rates for that year did not differ (P > 0.10). SGH survival rates were significantly lower than all other periods within each year, and no other differences were detected within years. Our data suggest that mortality during SGH season had a significant affect on gobbler survival; however, experimental testing is needed to determine whether hunting acts as an additive or compensatory mortality factor.

Reliable pre-season predictions for wild turkey harvests can be an important component of management plans where hunter and/or harvest quotas are used. Data collected in Florida from 1983-1989 included 9 demographic and 4 meteorological variables. Using regression analyses we identified those variables which were associated with spring turkey harvest and produced a "best" regression model for making preseason, spring harvest predictions from data collected during the previous year. Variables identified as most important included: harvest, total number of turkeys observed in late summer surveys, and rainfall during the spring harvest season. The regression model employing these independent variables accounted for 94% of the variation in the following year's harvest. Collection of such data is feasible under state wildlife agency fiscal and manpower constraints. Their use gives biologists additional information upon which to base management decisions.

We reevaluated the effects of hunting deer (Odocoileus virginianus) with dogs in 10 east Texas counties 5 years after the initial investigation in 1984. We mailed standardized questionnaires to rural boxholders, licensed hunters, and forest industry landowners. The numbers of landowners and hunters opposed to deer hunting using dogs increased (P < 0.05) from 1984 to 1989. However, there was no (P > 0.05) shift in hunter classification between years. The area available for hunting deer with dogs by landowner permission declined 69% and only 5% of the available deer range in the 10 dog-hunted counties was open for hunting deer with dogs. Hunter success and deer harvest rate decreased as percentage of county deer range open to dog hunting increased. As a result of these investigations, hunting deer using dogs in Texas was prohibited beginning with the 1990-91 hunting season.

Thirty-nine artificial den structures for raccoons (Procyon Lotor) were examined to determine structure condition and occupancy on 3 areas in central Kentucky. Thirty-four of the structures were 6 years old and 11 (32%) of these were considered habitable for raccoons. Five of the structures were 3 years old and all were considered habitable by raccoons. All 16 of the habitable structures exhibited some type of animal activity. Data suggest that weathered artificial den structures are used extensively by a variety of wildlife. Methods of increasing den structure longevity are discussed

Philosophies of fisheries management have evolved through time and have affected, and been affected by, traditional uses of various (different) fisheries. Because of historic differences in management and utilization of freshwater and saltwater fisheries, we expected to find differences among freshwater and saltwater anglers in their support for (attitudes toward) management regulations. Using results from a statewide questionnaire of anglers in Texas, basic social and demographic characteristics and attitudes toward management tools were compared for 3 groups of anglers: those who fish in fresh water only; those who fish in salt water only; and those who fish in both fresh and salt water. Significant group differences occurred for age, income, boat ownership, tournament participation, and years of previous experience. Angler attitudes toward management tools showed significant differences for 5 of the 7 regulatory measures that were compared.

The objective of this study was to determine if largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) electrofishing catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) varied within the traditional spring sampling season. Shoreline electrofishing for largemouth bass was conducted on Chowan River and Sutton Lake in 1990 and on Tuckertown Reservoir in 1989 and 1990. There were at least 6 sample stations per body of water. Each of the 3 study locations was sampled 3 times from March through June. The number of bass >200 mm captured and effort were recorded by sample station and date. Effort was measured in electroshock time at Chowan and Sutton and shoreline distance at Tuckertown. Friedman's nonparametric test was used to test for differences in CPUE among the 3 repeated samples (sample replicates) within each spring for each location. A significant difference was found only at Tuckertown in 1989.

Effects of changing harvest regulations on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides from a 254-mm minimum length limit and 10-fish daily bag limit to a slot length limit of 356-457 mm and later to a 5-fish daily bag limit were monitored on Calaveras and Monticello reservoirs, Texas. Electrofishing was used to monitor changes in size structure at both reservoirs and density as catch per unit of effort (CPUE) at Monticello Reservoir only. A creel survey was used to monitor angler harvest at Calaveras Reservoir. In both reservoirs, RSD 203-355 decreased while RSD 356-457 and RSD 457 increased. In Monticello Reservoir, electrofishing CPUE of largemouth bass 203-355 mm declined, while CPUE of largemouth bass 356-457 mm and ≥457 mm increased. However, the total CPUE of all stock-size largemouth bass remained similar to pre-slot length limit levels. Calaveras anglers responded to length limit changes by harvesting largemouth bass below the slot length limit.

Lake destratification was conducted from 1987 to 1989 at Beech Fork Lake, a 720-acre lake in West Virginia, to improve the fishery habitat. Improvements in the habitat was associated with increases in standing crop, harvest, catch, and recreational use. The economic benefits of the improvements were evaluated and compared to the cost of the destratification program. On an annual basis, the fishery benefits ranged from $5,676 for the harvest valuation method, to $30,000 for the catch valuation method, $100,282 for the fishermen use valuation method, and $726,660 for the standing crop valuation method. The benefit crop ratio ranged from 1 to 127 times the annual cost depending on the evaluation technique.

Completed-trip information was analyzed from 6 access-type creel census surveys in Georgia to evaluate the impact of statewide creel limits on restricting sport fish harvest. Interview data from 3 river surveys (1988) and 3 reservoir surveys (1 in 1985 and 2 in 1988) were analyzed to determine what percent of anglers caught the daily limit for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), crappie (Pomoxis spp.), and sunfish, and to determine what percent of anglers would be affected by various daily creel limits for these species and for catfish (lctalurus spp.), which currently have no creel limit. Results indicatedthat current Georgia daily creel limits do not significantly reduce sport fish harvest, as harvests of < 1% of anglers approached the creel limits for the 3 groups of fish studied. Access-type creel surveys can be of great value in monitoringor predicting the impact of altered creel limits of anglers as well as on fish populations.

Current Texas law allows the culture of exotic and native penaeid shrimp in private waters under provisions of a Texas shellfish culture license. Because of superior growth and survival characteristics exhibited under pond culture conditions, the Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) has emerged as the primary penaeid shrimp commercially cultured in Texas. Recently, shrimp believed to be Pacific white shrimp were collected by commercial shrimpers in the Brownsville, Texas, ship channel. These specimens were morphologically and biochemically compared to native northern white shrimp (P. setiferus) and to Pacific white shrimp from 2 sources: the Parita Gulf, near Panama City, Panama, and commercial rearing ponds, Palacios, Texas. Comparison of morphometric and meristic characteristics and soluble protein profiles isolated by isoelectric focusing confirmed the identification ofthese shrimp as Pacific white shrimp.

A renovation project on Lake Chicot, a 1,417-ha Arkansas oxbow lake, was undertaken to improve water quality and fisheries productivity negatively impacted by surrounding agricultural land and ensuing drainage. A 1920s levee and drainage project that added 90,653-ha of catchment area to the inflow of Lake Chicot also increased agricultural acreage from 10% to 80% of the lake's watershed. This resulted in a substantial increase in turbidity in the lake (from 40 to 400 NTU), negatively affecting the sportfish populations, especially the largemouth bass. In the late 1980s, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission initially aided lake water quality by drawing down the lake and seeding the exposed lake bottom. A fish population adjustment using rotenone was also conducted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to bring back a desirable lake fishery. In excess of 70,500 kg of fish, mostly shad, stunted catfish, carp and buffalo, were removed from the lake.

Sarcoplasmic proteins were isolated from skeletal muscle of 14 species of Gulf of Mexico sciaenids encompassing 11 genera utilizing isoelectric focusing (lEF). Individuals from the 11 genera were distinguishable. However, intrageneric comparisons (Cynoscion and Menticirrhus) were constrained by similar protein banding among congenerics and required a high resolution pH gradient (pH 4-5) to produce species-specific patterns. A graphical representation of differences in banding patterns among the 14 species was provided by densitometric tracings. Isoelectric focusing provided qualitative evidence of the biochemical relationships among and within the 11 genera surveyed. Although only 2 multi-species genera were surveyed, this study appears to confirm their status as congenerics. Protein profiles generated by IEF appear superior to conventional electrophoretic techniques for the identification of certain sciaenid species.

Angler survey data indicated that voluntary release rates for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) ranged from 8% to 85% for 11 Florida lakes surveyed during 1989 with a mean of 40%. Nine lakes surveyed during the past decade showed an increase in voluntary release, indicating the practice may be becoming more popular. Lake Tarpon anglers released 85% of their bass catch, and 97% of those anglers stated conservation was the reason for not keeping fish. No harvest of bass <30 em was documented at Lake Tarpon, which supports the notion that in Florida most anglers release smaller bass. However, the level of release of quality-size bass at Lake Tarpon was unprecedented. A major factor in this unusual occurrence was the lake's highly urbanized location.

A landlocked population of blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) was established in 1982 in Lake Theo, Texas, and persisted for 7 years. Analysis of scales provided inaccurate ages for fish older than age 1. Analysis of otoliths provided valid ages of blueback herring, but protracted formation of annuli on otoliths limited the use of otoliths for back-calculating lengths of these fish. Fish in this landlocked population attained maximum total lengths of 240 mm, lived 2 years, and spawned only once. The disappearance of blueback herring in Lake Theo was attributed to their short life cycle and production of weak year classes. Future use of blueback herring as a forage fish may require additional stocking to supplement weak or missing year classes to maintain the population.

Principal fisheries in riverine sections of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway below Aberdeen and Columbus dams are associated with tailwaters and bendways (original Tombigbee River channels cut off by the construction of navigation channels). Navigation channels contributed little to the fisheries. Approximately 80% of the anglers interviewed originated their trip from within the county where the respective dam was located. Blue catfish (lctalurus furcatus) dominated the harvest from the Aberdeen system while white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) dominated the harvest from the Columbus system. In the Aberdeen tailwater, catfish anglers prevailed while in the Columbus tailwater, anglers fished for crappie as welI as catfish. In both systems, most anglers in bendways were fishing for crappie. Within navigation channels, no pattern was apparent regarding fish preference by anglers.

The commercial trotline fishery in the Laguna Madre, Texas, was simulated using fishery-independent sampling data to estimate landings of black drum (Pogonias cromis). Simulation of a commercial fishery can provide landings estimates and more precise estimates of confidence intervals. It can also provide information (i.e., by catch) not available through self-reported systems.

Using results from on-site creel interviews, the use and fishing success of 16 bait types for 8 game fishes were studied for bay and pass saltwater sport-boat anglers in Texas. The success of catching at least 1 fish was evaluated using percentage of successful fishing parties by fish species, bay system, and bait type. For all fish species, the use of different baits was not proportional to the success of these baits in catching fish; however, we could not determine whether this was caused by ineffectiveness of the investigated bait or anglers not directing this bait toward the investigated fish. A logistic regression model fitting the effects of bay system and bait type for each fish species adequately described the odds of success for fishing parties.

Fishery surveys utilizing electrofishing and gill nets have documented natural reproduction of striped bass in 2 Maryland impoundments: Liberty and Piney Run reservoirs. Natural reproduction has occurred for 5 years, 1986 through 1990, in Liberty Reservoir; and for 3 years in Piney Run Reservoir, 1988 through 1990. It was initially thought that reproduction occurred in Liberty Reservoir because the relatively hard bottom and high dissolved oxygen levels allowed hatching of striped bass eggs that descended to the bottom. Recent discovery of natural reproduction in Piney Run Reservoir, a small eutrophic impoundment, supports the theory that striped bass eggs may float or remain suspended in the water column until hatching occurs in these impoundments.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were sampled during summer and winter in the St. Johns River, Florida, to determine effects of summertime thermal stress on fish condition. Regressions of log weight on log length for winter and summer fish had significantly different slopes (P < 0.001) indicating larger fish were less robust than smaller fish in summer as compared to winter. Data were arbitrarily separated into 3 size categories (small = <331 mm TL; medium = 331-500 mm TL; large = >500 mm TL) to investigate thermal related stress by size. No negative seasonal impacts could be detected for the small fish category. Although the seasonal slopes were not significantly different for either the medium or large fish categories, significant differences (P < 0.001) in line elevations indicated that summer fish weighed less for any given length than winter fish.

Twenty-four adult striped bass (66.8-84.6 cm; 4-7 years) from the McAlpine Pool of the Ohio River were fitted with internal radio transmitters and tracked from May 1989 through May 1990. Study fish were found to be very mobile, although seasonal movement patterns were predictable. Tagged striped bass utilized the tailwater and upper pool sections during the spring, summer, and fall. Little use was made of the lower McAlpine Pool sections by striped bass. Fish in the pool were most often located in water between 0 to 6 m (x = 92.1% all seasons). Twenty-four hour surveys determined that striped bass total daily movement ranged from 1.3 to 4.3 km (x = 2.1 km/fish), with movement per hour varying from 0 to .3 km/hour. Fifty-eight percent of the daily movement was during the day following by the crepuscular (23.7%) and night (18.3%) periods. Four striped bass (16.7%) were still active at the end of the study.

In recent years, a small scale bowfin (Amia calva) roe fishery in Louisiana has increased in both volume and value. To initiate an evaluation on the impacts of this fishery on bowfin populations, 3 study areas were selected to represent various ecosystems inhabited by bowfin. It was not possible to relate growth, size, and sexual maturity with age based on otolith samples. Length-frequency data suggested that 9-month-old fish ranged from 225-400 mm and 21-month-old bowfin may grow to 525 mm. Gonadosomatic indices showed a constant increase through February, and all females observed had spawned by early March. Gonadal development and length frequency data support the conclusion that most bowfin in Louisiana mature during their second winter. It appears that at least some bowfin mature before they become vulnerable to legal mesh (76 mm) gill nets.

This study was conducted to estimate the summer and winter hooking mortality of flathead catfish (pylodictis olivaris) caught on trotlines in the Colorado River and Kerrville Reservoir, Texas, and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) caught on trotlines in Livingston Reservoir, Texas. Water temperatures averaged 12.2 and 13.3 C, respectively, during February and March flathead catfish winter experiments, and 27 C during summer experiments. Water temperatures averaged 12.5 and 24 C, respectively, during winter and summer blue catfish experiments. Flathead catfish (range = 352-675 mm total length (TL)) were caught with sizes 7/0 and 8/0 single hooks baited with live green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), bluegill (L. macrochirus), and goldfish (Carassius auratus). Blue catfish (range = 165-655 mmTL) were caught with sizes 4/0 to 6/0 single hooks baited with pieces of shad (Dorosoma spp.) and goldfish.

We assessed trotline hooking mortality of channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) at Lake Palestine, Texas, from June through September 1989. Our objective was to estimate trotline hooking mortality of channel catfish using 3 hook types and identify factors relating to that mortality. Fish collected by trotline were confined for 72 hours in submerged cages. We examined relations between percent mortality and hook type, water temperature, and oxygen concentration using logistic analysis. A total of 214 channel catfish were collected by trotline; 40 (19%) were dead at the end of the 72 hour confinement period. Oxygen concentration was the only variable significantly related to mortality (P = 0.002). Our results indicate channel catfish have >80% chance of survival when caught on trotline and released, even under stressful conditions such as high water temperature, variable oxygen concentration, and confinement.