Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Historically, degradation of water quality from mining activity in the Monongahela River Basin adversely affected fish populations in the mainstem river. Improvement of water quality since 1971 has resulted in positive changes in fish populations. We assessed changes in the fishery by analyzing rotenone samples in relation to changes in water quality. Before 1970, pH ranged between 3.8 and 5.8 and alkalinity between 0.0 and 2.0 mg/1. After 1980, mean annual pH ranged from 7.0 to 7.3 and alkalinity ranged from 8.7 to 12.9 mg/1. From 1973 to 1990, mean fish biomass increased in nearly every sample from 41 to 355 kg/ha, Fish diversity also increased. The increase in biomass was significantly correlated with mean alkalinity, but not with mean annual river discharge or mean annual pH.

Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags were placed in 15,344 triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (200-280 mm total length) and length, weight, and tag-code data recorded for each fish at rates of 206 to 350 fish per hour. Only 43 fish (0.28%) died within 48 hours post-tagging. Survival of tagged (N = 122) and untagged (N = 131) groups of fish held in ponds 83 to 115 days post-tagging was >90% and near equal, except for 1 tagged and 1 untagged group where a columnaris disease outbreak occurred; survival in those groups was 68.0% and 69.1%, respectively. All tags were retained in the fish and functioned properly after 83-85 days in ponds. After 1 group of fish (N = 29) had been in a pond for 225 days, tag responses were found for all but 1 fish. The techniques used for tag placement and data recording utilized equipment generally available at most fisheries laboratories.

Trends in the abundance of young-of-year largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and water level fluctuations from 1976 to 1988 in Grand Lake were evaluated to assess recruitment strength before (1976-1981) and after (1982-1988) a change in reservoir operations. Significantly positive relationships between abundance of young-of- year largemouth bass and days of littoral flooding during spawning and nursery seasons, drawdown during revegetation season in the previous calendar year, combinations thereof, and water levels during these seasons indicated recruitment of largemouth bass was influenced by water level fluctuations. Implementation of a new operating rule curve in 1982 seemed to affect recruitment only indirectly by minimizing drawdown during late summer, thereby decreasing the exposure of shoreline areas of the reservoir for revegetation during the latter part of the growing season.

Success and cost effectiveness of stocking larval vs. fingerling hybrid striped bass (o Marone chrysops X o M. saxatilis) were evaluated at Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas. Stocking success was evaluated using gill net catch rates of age-2 hybrids, mean length of hybrids at age 2, and relative annual mortality of stocked individuals. Hatchery production and stocking cost of larvae and fingerlings were compared. There was no significant difference between gill net catch rates of age-2 hybrids stocked as larvae vs. fingerlings. However, age-2 hybrids from larval stockings were significantly larger than those from fingerling stockings. Relative annual mortality of stocked larvae was significantly higher than for fingerlings. Stocking costs for larvae were less than half those for fingerlings.

The impact of changing the hybrid striped bass (white bass Morone chrysops o x striped bass M. saxatilis o; WBxSB) stocking strategy on 2 Texas reservoirs was evaluated. Stocking of WBxSB in lakes Arlington and Graham was increased from 20 fingerlings (25-76 mm TL)/ha and 112 fry (6 mm TL)/ha biennially, respectively, to approximately 50 fingerlings/ha annually. Annual fall or winter gill net surveys were conducted to monitor densities of WBxSB and gizzard (Dorosoma cepedianum) and threadfin (D. petenense) shad. Spring creel surveys were conducted to evaluate angler utilization of WBxSB. Scales from WBxSB collected in 1987 were aged to determine year class strength at each lake. Gill net catch rates of WBxSB increased significantly after fingerling stocking rate and frequency were increased. Catch rates of gizzard and threadfin shad did not change significantly.

Stream habitat and large woody debris (LWD) loadings were inventoried in 2 southern Appalachian wilderness streams by the basinwide visual estimation technique. Little Santeetlah Creek, in a wilderness watershed that has never been harvested, contained 4 times as much wood and nearly twice as many habitat units (e.g., pools and riffles) as did Lost Cove Creek in a forested watershed, typical of the southern Appalachians, that was clearcut 80 years ago. Where stream widths were similar, pools and riffles in Little Santeetlah were smaller and more numerous than in Lost Cove Creek. Naturally occurring LWD influenced the structure and configuration of habitat in southern Appalachian Mountain streams.

Food habits of rainbow trout were studied at 3 locations for 1 year on the Center Hill Dam tailwater in central Tennessee. Staple food items consisted of isopods (Lirceus sp.) and chironomids. Seasonal food items from Center Hill Reservoir (threadfin shad and Daphnia sp.) were highly utilized and contributed nearly 60% to the total volume of food items taken. Occurrence of algae in rainbow trout stomachs was common and appeared to be related to seasonal forage base. Condition of rainbow trout did not significantly change with season, but was usually significantly higher closer to the dam.

Nineteen adult walleyes were implanted with ultrasonic transmitters and tracked for 2 years at Meredith Reservoir, Texas, to determine specific behavioral characteristics. During the spawning period tagged walleyes established an activity pattern consisting of 3 phases: pre-staging, movement to within 5.5 km of the dam; staging, movement to within 2.2 km of the dam; and spawning on the rip-rap of the dam. Individual walleye established home range areas ranging in size from 141 to 2,517 ha. Fish were located most frequently in water ≤8 m deep within 100 m of shore. Most locations were along brushy or rocky shorelines.

I used a normal-skew model to calculate length-specific selection curves for white bass caught in gill nets in 55 Texas reservoirs. I used these selection curves to adjust 2 size-structure indices, proportional stock density (PSD), and relative stock density (RSD) for gill net mesh-size selectivity. Differences between adjusted and unadjusted values of PSD and RSD were small (0.6 and 2.0, respectively) when the unadjusted values were extreme (i.e., ≤10 or ≥91). When unadjusted values of PSD and RSD were between 10 and 91, mean absolute differences between adjusted and unadjusted values were 5.6 and 6.7, respectively. There were no obvious patterns to the differences between adjusted and unadjusted values of PSD and RSD.

During a 2-year period, 250,000 Florida largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked among the endemic northern largemouth bass population of Tradinghouse Creek Reservoir (1985 = 185/ha, 1986 = 123/ha). We used electrophoresis to estimate proportions of Florida, northern, and Florida x northern intergrade largemouth bass within pre-stocking, stocking-year, and post-stocking year cohorts. Ages of largemouth bass were determined by examination of whole otoliths. The proportion of Florida phenotypes within the stocking-year cohort was not increased when the stocking rate was more than 50/ha greater. Stocked Florida phenotypes comprised 6% and 25% of the 1985 and 1986 cohorts, respectively, at age 1. Implementing a less restrictive harvest regulation accelerated introgression of the Florida genome by providing sizerelated, selective harvest of larger, northern largemouth bass.

The author encourages wildlife law enforcement officers to develop and maintain a cooperative rapport with convicted offenders in an effort to increase the number of informants and cooperators as an aid to cause compliance with regulations.

As a result of Fair Labor and Standards Act requirements, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) supervisors became concerned about time lost from game wardens responding to reports of violations from sportsmen in which no violation existed. From this concern a cooperative program was initiated with the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (GCCA) in which a select group of their membership was trained in how to recognize and report violations to game wardens. This program has drastically reduced time lost from game wardens responding to erroneous reports of violations and has significantly increased the ratio of apprehensions and seizures of illegal equipment.

The Japanese cultured pearl industry has caused the demand for the freshwater mussel shell to increase throughout the Southeast. With the market value of the resource increasing, enforcement officers must use varied enforcement techniques to apprehend law violators.

A basic guide is provided for safety, setup, and use of deer decoys to assist the wildlife officer in apprehending night deer hunters.

The enforcement of wildlife laws becomes more complex and complicated each day and requires the wildlife officer to use every available tool to perform his job. Wildlife forensic techniques provide scientific methods to supplement the wildlife officer's work in the field. Wildlife forensic techniques provide methods necessary to answer law enforcement problems which remained unanswered in the past but have been answered today, and to solve tomorrow's problems with answers which do not exist today. Wildlife forensics is not a panacea for the wildlife officer, however, it is another tool in his arsenal against the poacher. The science of wildlife forensics is similar to air travel. Yesterday's wildlife officer flew a propeller driven plane. Today's wildlife officer has moved into the jet age. Tomorrow's wildlife officer will enter the space age.

Bloodhounds used as mantrailers canbe an invaluable instrument in wildlife law enforcement. The human body consists of approximately 60 trillion cells which are constantly dying and being sloughed off at the rate of about 50 million cells per second. These dead cells are acted on by bacteria which causes them to give off a gaseous odor. Each odor is slightly different, creating a unique, individual, human odor which may determine the fate of a wildlife law violator.

The author describes the development of this State's program to investigate crimes dealing with hazardous waste disposal. Particular emphasis is placed on the pitfalls and advantages of a hybrid positionas used in this state. As illustrated in the summary, it is not beyond the scope of state wildlife enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute these crimes that do vast amounts of damage to the natural resources. In many cases, an act of hazardous waste disposal can do more damage to an ecosystem and its natural resources than an entire family or even generations of poachers.

This paper provides a mercury database for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from 80 major lakes and streams in Florida. Elevated levels (≥0.5 mg/kg) were recorded for 51 systems requiring health advisories to be issued for> 800,000 ha of aquatic resources. Significant mercury contamination was also found in other animals.

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were sampled in 2 southeast Louisiana lakes for 3 years to determine if these populations were stunted based on age structure, growth rate, and length at maturity. Mean total length at age II for Lake Maurepas and Lac Des Allemands catfish were 262 mm and 256 mm, respectively, which compared favorably to other commercially fished populations in other areas in the lower Mississippi drainage. Channel catfish in Lake Maurepas exhibited a reduced length and age at maturity when compared to other areas. These characteristics may be due to physicochemical characteristics of the lake, an abundance of forage, or overfishing, which could select for early maturity as a survival mechanism.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) held at lO.7 and 26.7 C in insulated fiberglass tanks were treated with rotenone and inspected daily to determine days-tosurfacing and change in body weight. Fish held at lO.7 C surfaced in 3-12 days, whereas fish held at 26.7 C surfaced within 24 hours. Fish at each temperature gained weight after death. Analysis of weight gain in fish held at 10.7 C produced no significant relationship between weight-gain and period of submergence for fish submerged 7 or more days. Weight gain was an exponential function of total length in fish held at lO.7 C and a logarithmic function of total length in fish held at 26.7 C.

Ultrasonic transmitters were surgically implanted in a total of 30 saugeye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum x S. canadense) in 1987 and 1988. Horizontal distribution, movement, distance from shore, depth, and habitat were determined during tracking of each fish. Saugeye were located ≤65 m from shore most frequently during all seasons except summer. Saugeye preferred open shore areas, and frequented submerged timber only during fall 1988 and winter 1989 when prey items may have been limited. Saugeye preferred depths of 0-3 m except in summer 1988 and summer and fall 1989, when no depth preference was evident. Saugeye moved to a cove near the dam during late winter and early spring, which appeared to be a prespawning activity. Approximately 33% of tagged saugeye were not located in the lake during the 1988 spawning period, and 1989 tracking revealed upstream spawning movement in the Little River.

Abundance and, to a lesser degree, size distributions (in 1 of 2 sample years) of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were influenced by the presence of submerged aquatic vegetation in Flat Top Lake, West Virginia. Relative abundance and size distributions of adult largemouth bass (≥200 mm in length) were compared among high, intermediate, and low densities of submerged aquatic vegetation in September-October 1986. Largemouth bass were more abundant at high and intermediate vegetation densities than at low densities, but no differences in size distribution were noted among vegetation levels. In June and August 1987, the relative abundance and size distributions of all sizes of largemouth bass were compared between high and low vegetation densities. High vegetation contained significantly greater numbers of largemouth bass. Largemouth bass lengths were smaller in high vegetation samples, primarily due to a higher proportion of age-O fish in these areas.

Abundance and, to a lesser degree, size distributions (in 1 of 2 sample years) of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were influenced by the presence of submerged aquatic vegetation in Flat Top Lake, West Virginia. Relative abundance and size distributions of adult largemouth bass (≥200 mm in length) were compared among high, intermediate, and low densities of submerged aquatic vegetation in September-October 1986. Largemouth bass were more abundant at high and intermediate vegetation densities than at low densities, but no differences in size distribution were noted among vegetation levels. In June and August 1987, the relative abundance and size distributions of all sizes of largemouth bass were compared between high and low vegetation densities. High vegetation contained significantly greater numbers of largemouth bass. Largemouth bass lengths were smaller in high vegetation samples, primarily due to a higher proportion of age-O fish in these areas.

Nine-day-old hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) were stocked into fertilized O.04-ha freshwater ponds at 3 densities with 3 replications each and fed a 55% crude protein feed at 0.45 kg/day/pond divided equally into 4 daily feedings for 33 days. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences for average weight gain or survival among the densities: 123,500 fishlha, 1.2 g, 57.4%; 247,000 fishlha, 0.7 g, 41.2%; and 370,500 fish/ha, 0.8 g, 31.8%. Fingerlings averaging 0.75 g were subsequently stocked into 0.04-ha fresh water (alkalinity ca. 100 mglliter, hardness 42 mg/liter as CaC03) ponds at 37,050/ha and 74, loo/ha (3 replications each). Brackish water (4-5 ppt) O.I-ha ponds were stocked with fingerlings averaging either 0.6 g or 1.4 g (3 replications each) at 9,880/ha. Fish were fed a 38% crude protein feed at 5% of body weight and were sampled monthly for 5 months.

Mobile hydroacoustic surveys of 11 stations in J. Strom Thurmond (JST) Lake from February 1986 to October 1988 provided data to aid in identifying critical areas, times, and water release regimes for fish relative to proposed pumpback of water from JST Lake to Richard B. Russell (RIiIR) Lake. Mean relative biomass (volts2/m2 ) usually was significantly higher in the tailrace (0-450 m below RBR Dam) than in the tailwater (1-7 kmbelow RBR Dam), tributary, or lake areas in spring and summer; whereas in fall and winter, biomass was often lower than or did not differ from that in other areas. Highest numbers of fish occurred in the tailrace from May through September, probably because ofblockage of upstream spawning migrations in spring and attraction to cold, oxygenated water released from RBR Dam in summer. Mean relative biomass in the tailwater 1-7 km below RBR Dam either was lower than that in warm-water tributaries and lake areas, or means did not differ significantly.

Density, biomass, and species composition of fish 6 em total length (TL) were determined in 4 aquatic plant communities in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, with 0.08-ha block nets and Wegener Rings (0.004 ha). Wegener Rings were placed within block nets prior to rotenone application. In Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis), mean density and biomass estimates derived with the 2 gears were not significantly different. In eel-grass (Vallisineria americana) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) , mean density estimates derived with Wegener Rings were significantly higher than those derived with block nets, but mean biomass estimates were similar. In yellow water-lily (Nymphaea mexicana) , Wegener Rings provided significantly higher estimates of both mean density and biomass. Gear comparisons within sample sites revealed that at the highest fish densities encountered in each vegetation type, Wegener Rings provided significantly higher density estimates than block nets.

Data from August samples of fish in quarter (900 arc) hauls of a 15.2- X 1.8m bag seine were analyzed to determine effectiveness of seining for detecting species presence, forecasting future relative abundance of larger length classes of the same species, and assessing the value of seining as an indicator of prey availability for piscivores in Kansas reservoirs. The data set contained 98 reservoir-years of samples from 24 impoundments with 2-7 years of data per reservoir. The median number of hauls per reservoir and year was 19; the range was 10-30. Bag seines effectively sampled only small fish, most < 140 mm. Presence was accurately detected in 100% of the reservoir-years sampled for gizzard shad and ranged from 90% to 97% for minnows, white bass, lepomid sunfishes, and freshwater drum. Presence was detected correctly from 80% to 90% ofthe time for red shiner, largemouth bass, channel catfish, brook silverside, and bluegill but <80% of the time for other species.

We investigated the relation among estimates of abundance and size structure of white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) determined with electrofishing, trapnetting, and rotenone sampling in 4 Mississippi lakes in 1987-1989. We also examined the relations between angler harvest and estimates provided by each gear to determine whether estimates made by sampling could be used to index angling success. Electrofishing yielded 4 fish/man-hour in fall and 6 in spring, and trapnetting yielded 24 fish/manhour in fall and 9 in spring; rotenone sampling during summer yielded 8 fish/man-hour. Estimates of abundance of fish ≥20 cm long were usually correlated among gears and between seasons, but those of fish <20 cm long were not. These correlations suggest that any of these gears could be used to monitor trends in abundance of white crappie ≥20 cm long, but each would give different trends in abundance of fish <20 cm long.

Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) x sauger (S. canadense) hybrids (saugeye) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) ≥350 mm total length were sampled in 1988 and 1989 to determine food habits and diet overlap. Shad (Dorosoma spp.) were the most important prey of both largemouth bass and saugeye. Both predators were opportunistic, eating a variety of prey items. Although diet overlap was high, competition for food was not apparent and would not be likely to occur unless forage became limited.

Food and growth of age-O hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) were examined during June-November 1988-1989 in Ross Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi. Shads (Dorosoma spp.), especially threadfin shad (D. petenense), made up about 70%-90% of the diet by weight. Other fish made up about 3%-20% of the diet and were eaten primarily by hybrids < 150 mm total length. Invertebrates constituted a small percentage of the diet, and were eaten mostly by fish <100 mm and not by those> 150 mm. By November, the length of age-O fish averaged 241 mm in 1988 and 227 mm in 1989. Differences in growth between years might have been caused by differences in availability and consumption of shads. Widening of hybrid length-frequency distributions in August-September coincided with reduction of shad consumption and increased incidence of empty stomachs in fish < 100 mm long, suggesting reduced availability of suitable-sized prey for smaller hybrids toward the end of the summer.

The ability of shad populations to impact the density and composition of zooplankton populations has led to the suggestion that planktivorous shad may compete with young-of-year bass for plankton food resources and influence bass recruitment. We studied the feeding dynamics of concurrent year classes of threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) , gizzard shad (D. cepedianum) , and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a North Carolina reservoir to determine the nature of feeding interactions among the species. Shad planktivory was found to be confined to a brief period early in the growing season coincidental with peak zooplankton densities, after which both shad species shifted to detritivory. Only limited correlations between shad diets and zooplankton dynamics were identified. Patterns of feeding and growth in young-ofyear bass showed no indication that plankton resources were limiting cohort development.

Stomach contents of 434 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoidesfloridanus) were collected with clear acrylic tubes. Sixty-four percent of the bass contained food. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in percent recovery of food items by weight occurred among 3 biologists for the 6 size groups studied. Greater than 80% recovery by weight of all food was obtained with acrylic tubes in 6 size groups of bass ranging from 100 to 590mm TL. Seven percent of bass that yielded no food when sampled with tubes actually contained food. Appropriate tube size was important in efficient food extraction. Largemouth bass > 120 mm can be tubed easily and efficiently. Although considered an easy and efficient technique for largemouth bass> 120 mm TL, limitations involving fish size, prey size, and incomplete recovery should be considered when interpreting food habit data obtained by acrylic tubes.

We inspected 17 fox enclosures and interviewed 26 operators to collect information on enclosure characteristics and use in Florida. Size of enclosures (N = 26) ranged from 30 to 360 ha (¯x = 108 ha). Red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and coyote (Canis latrans) stocks were obtained from states in the southeast and midwest. Operators (54%) preferred coyotes exclusively or in combination with foxes: coyotes were admitted to be present in ≥35% of enclosures visited. Owners reported enclosure costs to be $40/ha. Fox enclosures provided a convenient recreational opportunity for houndsmen in an increasingly urban landscape.

We examined the influence of acorn abundance on fall and winter diets and on nutritional and reproductive status of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Southern Appalachians from 1983 to 1988. When acorns were abundant, they dominated the diet; when they were scarce, leaves of broadleaf evergreen species, primarily rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum), largely replaced acorns in the diet. When acorn production was poor, kidney fat indices in winter were significantly lower for most sex and age classes. Also, reproductive rates of yearling does were significantly lower, and conception dates were significantly later when acorns were scarce. Reproductive rates of adults were not appreciably affected by acorn abundance. Because acorn abundance is largely independent of deer density, the important role of acorns in deer nutrition presents special problems in deer management.

Gosling survival of a resident flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) was studied on a 2,750-ha reservoir in Fairfield County, South Carolina, in 1987. The brood-rearing season began in early April and ended in early June. A final count of all goslings on the reservoir 4 weeks after the last nest hatched yielded a gosling survival rate of 4.4%. Only 6 (15%) of 40 goslings from 10 broods equipped with radiotransmitters survived to 8 weeks of age. Gosling survival was estimated as 21.2% ± 0.15% (95% CL), using the Kaplan-Meier survival estimator that censors disappearances and 4.0% ± 0.04% (95% CL) assuming disappearances as deaths. Primary predators included red fox (Vulpes vulpes), crow (Corvus spp.) and unknown avian.

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens were monitored by telemetry from January 1987 through August 1988 in Kemper County, Mississippi. Thirty-nine of 52 hens reached incubation. Nesting success was 46% in 1987 and 36% in 1988. In 1987, all 12 located nests were in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations. Eleven hens nested in 17- to 19-year-old plantations; I hen nested in a 9-year-old plantation. In 1988,21 located nests were in plantations and I hen was in a mature pine-hardwood forest. Most hens (81 %) nested in plantations age 13-20 years old. Plantations used for nesting had been commercially thinned an average of 4 years (3-6 years) and had been control burned an average of 3 years (1-7 years) before being used. Hens with 1- to 14-dayold poults used mostly plantations (81 %) 14-20 years old in both 1987 and 1988. These plantations had been thinned and burned 3-4 years prior.

During late winter 1988 and 1989, 18 radio-marked eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) hens released into Natchez Trace State Park, Forest and Wildlife Management Area (Natchez Trace), and 20 radio-marked Natchez Trace (resident) hens released at the capture site were monitored continuously throughout the nesting and brooding season. Introduced turkeys experienced greater mortality than residents, especially during the 30-day period following release (P <0.05). Introduced birds displayed more frequent and greater daily movements than resident hens. Spring home ranges of introduced hens were larger (P = 0.02) than residents. During the initial nesting season, released birds had fewer nesting attempts, renesting attempts, nests to completion, and lower recruitment rates than resident hens (P <0.05).

During autumn 1985, we investigated waterbird use of Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) ponds and use of natural ponds in an adjacent impoundment in Maryland. Dabbling ducks used ponds with dense widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima) more than ponds with sparse or no widgeongrass (P <0.01). Wading birds and shorebirds used the natural ponds more than the OMWM ponds (P <0.01), mainly because the OMWM ponds had vertical sides and were too deep (¯x = 0.42 m) to allow foraging. Pond surface areas were positively correlated with numbers of birds (P <0.05) and inversely correlated with densities of birds (P <0.01).

We determined immediate impacts of clearcutting on breeding bird communities of a tidally-influenced bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)-tupelo (Nyssa spp.) wetland located in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Baldwin County, Alabama, April-June 1987. Seventeen of 45 species detected in first-year clearcuts, forestclearcut edges, and 70-year-old reference stands demonstrated significant (P <0.05) differences in abundance across habitat type. Three species preferred forest interior, 5 preferred edge, 7 preferred interior and edge over clearcut, and 1 preferred clearcut and edge (P <0.05). Species richness (S) from known sample size decreased from edge (36) to forest interior (27) to clearcut (21). Twice as many detections were made in a clearcut with snags retained, as in a more complete clearcut.

We marked fawns and adult white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on 2 south Texas areas during 1986-88. Deer sighted on repeated helicopter flights were evaluated to determine if the age ratio of sightings matched the known ratio of marked fawns-to-adults in the populations. There was a trend toward undercounting fawns on each area.

Wood duck (Aix sponsa) broods were counted 15 of 19 years (1973-90) using the night-float technique on a 1O.8-km segment of the Holston River, eastern Tennessee. Broods were counted 9 years before and 6 years after the initiation of September hunting seasons. Mean harvest (¯x = 26,797, SE = 2,130) of wood ducks in Tennessee after September hunting began was 279% higher (t = 7.50, P = 0.0001, df = 14) than the mean harvest (¯x = 9,604, SE = 845) before September hunting. The adjusted mean number of broods (¯x = 7.25, SE = 1.25) observed following initiation of September hunting was significantly (F (1,8) = 16.78, P = 0.00035) less (52%) than the adjusted mean (¯x = 15.22, SE = 1.49) observed prior to September seasons. These results suggest a negative relationship between numbers of broods observed and September hunting.

We sampled forage and browse and made spotlight counts to study seasonal use of clearcuts and food plots by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in the Southern Appalachians. Browse production was greater in clearcuts than in adjacent forest. Deer used clearcuts most intensively during the summer when green leaves and herbs were abundant. Use of clearcuts was very low in winter. Browsing intensity was higher in clearcuts than in the forest in summer but not in winter. However, less than 4% of all twigs were browsed even in clearcuts in summer. Food plots, especially those containing clover-grass mixtures, were used most intensively in early spring when plant growth was rapid. They also appeared to be an important source of nutritious forage in winter, especially when acorns were in short supply. However, forage biomass in food plots was reduced significantly by unfavorable weather conditions, including extreme cold and drought.

Participants in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Virginia were surveyed to determine their acceptance of the wildlife management options available. The resulting data were subjected to statistical analysis through logit models to enable prediction of desire to improve wildlife habitat and actual implementation of habitat improvement. The analysis indicated that landowners who retired >16.2 ha or who farmed >40.5 ha were most likely to incorporate wildlife management practices. We suggest that wildlife agencies utilize survey research data to better target their private landowner outreach programs.

Ninety-three feral hogs (Sus serofa) collected from July 1978 through June 1979 on the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Refuge in Glades County, Florida, were examined for physical condition, food habits, and reproductive status. Wild hog food habits were determined largely by food availability and nutritional requirements, which changed seasonally. Hogs collected on the study area were in better condition with regard to internal fat during fall and winter but appeared to be under greater stress during these periods as determined by adrenal weights. Farrowing peaks occurred after availability of acorn mast in the fall and "spring green-up." We hypothesize that sustained yield of wild hogs may best be achieved through late summer and early fall harvest.

Six slash-disposal treatments were applied to 24 O.05-ha plots in a mixed hardwood forest in northern West Virginia to determine white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use of small fuelwood cuts. Fuelwood harvest resulted in an increase in woody stems during the first year following cutting, but there was no significant effect by type of slash-disposal treatment on number of stems that regenerated. Deer use, as evidenced by pellet groups, differed among treatment plots, yet no consistent preference for specific treatments was detected. All treatment plots, except improvement cut plots, received higher deer use than did control plots.

Crops from adult male northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) were collected May-July 1985 (N = 43) and April-June 1986 (N = 45). Woody plant, legume, and grass seeds accounted for >90% of the total crop volume in both years, but the relative proportions of seed types varied significantly (X2 = 66.38, P <0.005) between years. This was partly due to differences in plant fruiting chronology and seed availability during sample periods, as rye (Secale cereale) was unavailable to most quail collected in 1986. Rye, red bay (Persea borbonia), acorns (Quercus spp.), shrub lespedeza (Le~pedeza bicolor), and red maple (Acer rubrum) seeds were important summer food items. Animal matter contributed 7%-8% to the crop volume each year and was comprised of a variety of beetles, true bugs, ants, and grasshoppers. Management practices should be implemented to increase the variety of native seed- and fruitproducing plants in order to develop a dependable food base between seasons and years.

We monitored 122 radio-equipped wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area (TWMA), Mississippi, during all seasons, 1986-89. Gobblers that had ≥50% of telemetry locations off the area were considered off TWMA. Percent off of the area was greater (P <0.1) in spring than summer 1986. An average of 34% of gobblers was off TWMA during the spring hunting period, 1986-89. We detected no difference in harvest rates between gobblers on and off TWMA. Managers should consider harvest on adjacent private lands when planning for public hunting areas.

Range size and dynamics of black bears (Ursus americanus) were determined in Great Dismal Swamp (GDS), an 850-km2 forested wetland straddling the eastern border of Virginia and North Carolina. Male ranges were larger (P < 0.05) than female ranges annually and seasonally. Median range sizes were 21.4 km2 for adult females (N = 11),33.1 km2 for subadult females (N = 7), and 79.0 km2 for males (N = 10). Extensive fall movements inflated female ranges. Range shifts were maximal from late summer to early fall and early fall to late fall, averaging 4.4 ± 0.7 km (N = 14) and 4.4 ± 0.8 km (N = 17), respectively. Annual and seasonal overlap were extensive within and between sexes, with female range overlap increasing from spring to early fall. Range use and territoriality among female bears were influenced by spatial and temporal distribution of food.

The mean maximum distance moved (MMDM) of a southern fox squirrel (Sciurus niger niger) population during a l2-day trapping period was compared between radiotelemetry and capture location data. MMDMs derived from capture locations averaged 51% less than MMDMs derived from telemetric locations. In addition, tests of MMDMs based on capture locations failed to detect a difference between sexes, whereas MMDMs based on telemetric locations indicated a significant difference. Density estimates of the fox squirrel population were calculated using MMDM/2 as an estimate of boundary-strip width (W) to compensate for "edge effect." A combined density estimate based on capture locations was 27% larger than the estimate based on telemetric locations. Because MMDMs derived from capture locations depend on the number of recaptures and are a function of trap spacing, W is often underestimated, resulting in positively biased density estimates.