Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

While teaching a course entitled Vertebrate Pest Control, I scanned local newspapers for articles relevant to the course. A wide range of news items dealing with animals in nuisance and pest situations was found as were articles, photographs, and cartoons which were useful in demonstrating principles of vertebrate pest control and in providing discussions of means to deal with animals in pest situations.

In 1977, a 5 page questionnaire was developed and sent to hatchery managers in I I southeastern states to characterize the status of current hatchery education programs. The survey indicated that approximately 1.4 million people visited the 55 hatcheries providing a unique opportunity to communicate directly with a large segment of the general public. A majority of the managers (98%) recognized the importance of public education and most (7 I%) felt that their current programs were in need of improvement. The programs relied heavily on self-guided tours, guided tours, an array of audiovisual aids, and publications. Although most managers (72%) felt they could justify increased budgetary allotments for educational program improvement, they did not expect increased funding.

Marketing of resource management programs to the general public often poses problems to information officers. Too often the public is uncaring and apathetic about resource programs unless the programs involve controversial problems. To better educate the public about resource management and to spur int,erest and participation in such programs, the information staff at Land Between The Lakes has developed a series of guidelines by which activities hav,e been marketed. Staff has been successful in marketing resource programs and in generating interest to attract satisfactory attendance.

Collective bargaining rights were granted by law to public employees of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the General Assembly, Act No. 195, effective October 17, 1970. The Act established rights to public employees to organize and bargain collectively through selected representatives; defining public employees to include employees of non'profit organizations and institutions; providing compulsory mediation and factfinding, for collective bargaining impasses; defining the scope of collective bargaining; establishing unfair employee and employer practices; prohibiting strikes for certain public employees, permitting strikes under limited conditions; providing penalties for violations; and establishing procedures for implementing.

America's heritage is borne not only on the genius of its people, but on its creatures of the forest and streams. All too often these wildlife species will disappear unnoticed and we are then the losers. "A New Horizon" reminds us that now, and not tomorrow, is the time to take notice of the needs of wildlife.

The present federal wildlife import/export control program consists of designated ports of entry for imports, import declarations, package marking requirements, inspection and clearance of imported animals, parts, products, documentation, and records. Future control over imports and exports will be strengthened if new regulations designating ports for export, a licensing provision for wildlife importers and exporters, and a new export declaration requirement is instituted. Adequate enforcement of wildlife importing and exporting is dependent on state, federal, and international cooperation.

A 2-phase procedure for scaling the importance of enforcement objectives and developing seriousness scores for violations of wildlife and natural resource laws is presented. During the first phase, 6 first-order wildlife law enforcement objectives were developed by the authors anil submitted to enforcement personnel of the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries for pair,ed comparisons scaling. An interval scale of importance was established for the 6 objectives. Responses from a sample of 10 individuals indicated that enforcement personnel were consistent when making paired comparison judgments. A significant (P

Virginia adopted regulations governing falconry October 1, 1976. The procedure for obtaining a joint Federal/State falconry permit for Virginia is outlined. To date 23 falconers hold permits in the State.

As wildlife law enforcement practitioners, situations are frequently encountered in which identification of blood and tissue is required or otherwise desirable. A simplified technique has been developed for determining the species composing a blood or tissue sample through the use of immunological techniques. Using proper procedures and a minimum of equipment, positive identification of blood and tissue can be obtained within at 24 hour period. Testing procedures are straightforward and uncompleted. However, a thorough understanding of the basic principles of blood and tissue examination is necessary especially for courtroom application.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission responded to a need by instigating a program of hunter participation in the enforcement of game laws. The program named S P 0 R T (stands for "Sportsmen Policing Our Ranks Together"), has encouraged clubs and individuals to report game law infractions. Some game protectors report that as much as 30% of their reported violations have resulted from their promotion of SPORT.

Using hunting accident report forms filled out by Virginia game wardens from July 1961 to June 1977, we analyzed the conditions related to 972 hunting casualties. Virginia statistics are compared with data for the United States for 1970. All data were reported on National Rifle Association (NRA) Uniform Hunter Casualty Report forms. Approximately half Of the accidents in Virginia were caused by judgment errors. About 20% involved lack of skill. Fifteen percent occurred when safety rules and state laws were violated. Approximately' 3% were due to defective firearms. National accident statistics were roughly equivalent to Virginia statistics. In Virginia, 47% of the accidents occurred when hunters sought big game, primarily whitetail deer. However, Virginia hunters spent 28% of their time big game hunting. The preponderance of accidents involved people under 25, years of age and having less than 5 years experience.

Virginia's Hunter Safety program began as a voluntary effort of game wardens in the field and has always depended heavily on law enforcement personnel. Wardens were among the first instructors trained and have been involved in training the majority of the 192,000 safe hunters graduated to date. The recent creation of an Assistant Supervisor for Education in each of the 6 districts has given the hunter safety program a big boost. These people facilitate the flow of equipment and materials in the district. The training is usually offered as a part of the Physical Education Program. Field experience indicates the program is having a positive effect. Graduates of the course are usually courteous and law abiding, a far cry from the trouble makers often encountered. It provides a golden opportunity for law enforcement officers to relate to young and old alike. Getting into the school system with the safety message also opens doors for other school programs in the conservation field.

The well-being of any species of wildlife should be detenuined by scientific methods of observation. The ESSA -is charged with the I1esponsibility of insuring that the government's decisions concerning import and export of certain species of animals and plants are scientifically sound.

Pine planting sites prepared by burning yielded 120 kg/ha of browse fruits thethird growing season after site treatment. Control plots yielded 74, KG-bladed plots 57,and chopped plots 41 kg/ha, Blackberries, American beautyberry, sumac, Sebastian bush,muscadine grape, blueberries, and southern wax-myrtle were the principal species. Mostfruit was available in summer and fall, but some persisted through winter and spring.Fruit production was related to the number and average height of the fruiting browse species.

The Delmarva Wildlife Work Group's procedure for wildlife habitat evaluation refined a procedure for comprehensible and sound development of data collection and analysis. This effort created an accepted format for communications between individual biologists and other professions. Work group consensus of particular wildlife habitat values including a quantity of land use, interspersion and management conditions were much more applicable than individual interpretations. This procedure permits predictionof future wildlife habitat values on lands with various planned activities versus unplanned activities. Application of the procedure involved 150 volunteer participants collecting dataon 19,425 km2 at 60,000 sites.The Delmarva Peninsula is experiencing a growing conflict between agricultural, fish and wildlife, and environmental interests. An important goal of the Delmarva River Basins Survey has been to help resolve these conflicts and enhance the complementary situations.

The average distance moved between captures (d) in a 10 x 10 live trap grid with 15.2-m spacing was determined for eight species of rodents in South Texas during January-July 1975 and 1976. Large samples yielded fairly precise estimates of d for cotton rats (Sigmodon hisPidus) (25.8 ± 0.58 m), deer mice (Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus) (33.2 ± 2.50 m), fulvous harvest mice (Reithrodontomys tulvescens) (36.3 ± 1.92 m), and gray wood rats (Neotoma micropus) (20.7 ± 1.61 m). Generally, movements of adults were larger than those of juveniles and movements of males were larger than those of females. The data indicated a need to stratify the estimated area of trap grid influence by habitat for cotton rats and by yearly rainfall for gray wood rats for more accurate density estimates. The present data may be useful to other workers for determining the area of influence for lines or grids of traps.

Twelve plant species occurring in the understory of young pine plantations in the South Carolina Coastal Plain were analyzed for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium and crude protein. Nutrient content of foliar samples from unfertilized and fertilized sites showed no significant difference for most elements. Forage production on fertilized sites was three times greater than unfertilized sites.

Nesting ecology of the American alligator (Alligator mississipiensis) was investi. gated on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge between 1972 and 1976. Nesting occurre~ during late June and early July. Egg counts were taken in 55 nests. Average clutch Size was 30 eggs ± 12-44. Of 110 nests studied, 90 percent were destroyed before hatching. Predation accounted for 96 percent of the nest loss with black bear (Ursus americanus) being the major nest predator. Hatching success of eggs in successful nests was estimated to be 70 percent.

Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) eggs were collected at four intervals during incubation and subjected to a single submergence to test the effects of flooding on hatchability. Treatments consisted of a 2-hour, 6-hour, l2-hour, and 48-hour submergence. Hatching success was significantly related to duration of immersion. Throughout incubation, eggs were not affected by 2 hours of flooding, but 48 hours of submergence produced total mortality.

Three hundred and fourteen large alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) collected in the marshes of southwest Louisiana in conjunction with 1972 and 1973 autumn hunting seasons were examined for food contents. Foods were categorized by year and by marsh type. Vertebrates were the most important foods consumed, of which mammals comprised the largest percentage by weight. Arthropods and fish were important foods in the more saline areas. Thirteen percent of the adult females contained alligator eggs or egg shells in their stomach.

Yearling male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) at Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, had bony protuberances covered with hair in place of bone antlers. The testes were subfunctional but did contain type-A spermatogonia. The seminal vesicles were not producing seminal plasma. These abnormal deer had significantly smaller body and endocrine gland weights than normal yearling male deer. Since these abnormalities were not observed in older male deer, we considered the condition to be transitory. MorfQver we believe that the abnormalities were caused by a hormone deficiency between the anterior pituitary and the testes. Malnutrition brought on by chronic overuse of forage plants was a contributing influence.

The foods of 172 armadillos from the recently established Florida population wer,e compared with foods of the native population as reported by various authors. Some differences were observed, but the foods of armadillos in Florida were quite similar to those reported for the species from its native U.S. range. Seasonal variation in the consumption of Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Myriapoda, and Annelida were noted.

Habitat types and structural features of the habitat were correlated with bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) whistle counts along 133 random transects in Texas. The probable biological significance of these parameters was ascertained by their interrelationships and from the literature. Bobwhite whistle counts were correlated with habitat types that provided adequate food, cover, nest sites, and song posts. If a habitat parameter provided one or more of these requisites and was limited or in excess, it was usually significantly correlated with bobwhite whistle counts. Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) habitats were important nesting sites for bobwhite within 7 of 9 ecological areas in which they occurred. Habitat parameters correlated with bobwhite densities differed between eco· logical areas and therefoI'e, bobwhite breeding habitat should be managed by ecological area.

From 1973 through 1976, 2,066 clapper rails (Rallus longirostris) were banded at eight locations on the Georgia coast, using an airboat and night-lighting technique. Banding success was high with a maximum 2-hour catch of 87 rails, and an average banding rate of approximately 16 birds per hour. Most rails were banded during the preseason period with migration-winter banding limited by winter tide conditions. Band recoveries of Georgia clapper rails (R. t. waynei) suggested significantly more movement than was previously recorded in the literature. A direct recovery rate of 0.63 percent was determined.

Waterfowl populations were monitored at Lake Wales, Florida, over a three· year period to determine factors associated with their abundance and aggregations. Monthly water level, water temperature, aquatic vegetation percent cover and percent frequency of occurrence, and chlorophyll a data were correlated and regressed. Significant models were derived to describe variation in total waterfowl, ring-necked ducks, canvasbacks and American coots. Interactions of introductions of two exotic species. grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) and hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle) with waterfowl populations were discussed. A decline in numbers of some waterfowl species was attributed to changes in hydrilla abundance as a result of the combined effects of grass carp, water level and other factors.

A public opinion survey designed to measure human attitudes toward wild alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and alligator management was carried out. Most \\92%) l"1orida residents view the alligator as a valuable species, but 73% felt that large alligators are dangerous. There was variation in the degree of danger attributed to alligators by various socioeconomic groups. Opinions about management strategies were more variable than for the other topics examined. In urban areas, 52% felt that wildlife officers should capture large alligators, a sizable group (50%) favored commercial harvest and sport hunting in wild areas, and 25% favored complete protection in wild areas.

Over 2,400 first-year band recoveries of 144,800 northern banded wood ducks (Aix sponsa) were examined to identify the source of northern migrants harvested during 1950 through 1968 hunting seasons in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas. Harvest trends for the seven-state area revealed that 20 percent of the northern migrants was derived from Eastern Canada and Atlantic Flyway production areas. However, 80 percent of the northern birds was obtained from two Mississippi Flyway production areas. Individual state derivation patterns of northern adults and immatures are discussed in detail.

Twenty-six native forage species were collected during each season of the year on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area in the central portion of the Texas Rio Grande Plam and analyzed for percentage content of crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD). Average values for all species during spring. summer. fall and winter were: CP 18.4, 15.4, 16.6 and 17.1; P 0.23, 0.18, 0.19 and 0.19 DMD 61.7, 56.2. 53.3 and 61.1. Average CP of shrubs and forbs was 14 or greater during all seasons of the year, grasses varied from 12.5 in summer to 14.4 in winter, and Opuntia lindheimeri ranged from a low of 5.4 in winter to 13.3 in spring. P content varied from a low of 0.08 in O. lindheimeri during summer to a high of 0.33 for forbs in winter. Forbs were higher than other plant classes in P during all seasons of the year. O. lindheimeri had the highest DMD (> 86.8) of all plants tested.

Blood samples from white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) were taken in three locations in south Texas to establish metabolic profiles and nutritional status and to determine the correlations of body condition, location, season, sex, age, reproductive status, stress and hemolysis with hematological values for this species. The parameters we measured included glucose, prorein, albumin, globulin, AIG ratio, creatinine, cholesterol, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, uric acid, urea (BUN), total lipids, free fatty acids, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells and white blood cells. The means of these parameters were related to 17 factors which we felt might have some correlation with the values. Two of the most important factors affecting normal blood values were hemolysis and stress.

A total of 146 bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) was collected during the winters of 1972-73 and 1973-74, from 2 study areas in Tennessee and 1 area in Florida. Body weight, levels of body fat, burden of gastrointestinal helminths, and adrenal weights were determined. Quail from the Tennessee areas were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than those from the Florida area. Fat was extracted using a Soxhlet ether extraction apparatus, and was expressed as a percentage of oven-dry body weight. Percentage body fat differed significantly (P < 0.05) among all areas, being greatest in east Tennessee (13.7%) and least in Florida (10.4%). Infection rates of gastrointestinal helminths varied among areas and years, with birds from east Tennessee showing markedly lower infection rates (59.5%) than birds from the other two areas (100%). The overall rate of cestode infection (19.3%) was much lower than the rate of nematode infection (88.3%).

Since the early 1960's, over 4,500 wild hogs (Sus scrota) have been relocated through Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission trapping operations. The trap now used by the Florida Commission is described. It is basically an open-top, sectional trap consisting of 4 separable panels with a multiple-capture root-door in one panel.

Average diurnal range sizes for 10 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns indicate an increase from 3.3 ha at 1 week of age to 52.0 ha at 12 weeks of age. Distance between successive die! locations increased with age, but total daytime movements did not increase with age, therefore increasing diurnal range size appears to result from increasing nocturnal movements as fawns grow older. Partial cause for large diurnal ranges of fawns in the Wichita Mountains is believed to be the open prairie habitat, but other ecological and behavioral factors may also influence diurnal range size.

Historical documents concerning occurrence, distribution and abundance of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in West Texas are full of information pertinent to wildlife managers. These sources indicate the decline of pronghorn was directly caused by human settlement of antelope range. These data show that pre-settlement antelope populations in the Panhandle and Permian Basin were greater than those in the TransPecos District. Development of surface water seems to have favored the reestablishment of populations in the Trans-Pecos, whereas intensive agriculture is limiting the return of antelope in the Panhandle and Permian Basin.

A self-service daily recreational permit was developed and tested on 6 Wildlife Management Areas in Mississippi during the 1976-77 season. The permit system provides data on hunter usage and harvest by species and day of the season, the effective area served by management units, and an indication of economic importance of recreational opportunities. The utility of the system is illustrated with data for deer hunting on the Issaquena Wildlife Management Area. These data should aid greatly in the formulation of management decisions and allocation of agency resources.

Introduced Rocky Mountain elk (Ceruus canadensis nelsom) were studied in the Guadalupe Mountain National Park in the summer of 1976. This population was stable at about 100 animals, with sex and age ratios closest to those of the Tule elk. Animals utilized all 4 major habitats in the higher elevations of the Park. Movement between 3 elk aggregations were related to the availability of surface water and the carrying capacity of the area. Sixty-two % of the mortalities were closely associated with temporary pools which may substantiate the importance of water in limiting elk numbers.

Food habits of white·tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were studied on a 526·ha mixed forest-grassland site at Blossom Point, on the coastal plain of Maryland. The rumen contents of 2 deer shot per month for a year and a winter browse survey were used to define seasonal variations in plant species utilization. Mushrooms and the fruits of dwarf sumac (Rhus copallina) and oaks (Quercus spp.) were utilized in the fall. In winter, a large portion of the diet was Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana), honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), and rushes. In the spring, a shift to herbaceous material occurred, although red maple (Acer rubrum) flowers, rushes, and Virginia pine were browsed moderately. During the summer. honeysuckle and blackberries (Rubus spp.) were the most important food species, comprising 45% of the summer diet. Deer have a profound impact on the growth of waxmyrtle (Myrica cerifera) since 60% of the branches were browsed in winter.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were collected from swamp and upland areas on the Savannah River Plant in South Carolina; the genetic variability of females was 9.8 and 8.5%, respectively, for the 2 areas. Reproductive rates (92-93 fawns/ 100 females) were essentially the same in the 2 areas. Deer in both populations, age> 2 yr, bred earlier and showed less variance in conception dates than younger deer, and swamp deer bred earlier than upland deer. In the swamp. deer with 2 fetuses had significantly higher levels of genetic variability than those with I fetus, and the trend although not significant was the same in the uplands.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (N = 1341) were collected from 7 locations in Georgia and South Carolina. Sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was analyzed using starch-gel electrophoresis. Four types of prenatal selection, Female Gametic Selection, Random Mating, Male Reproductive Selection and Female Sexual Selection, were analyzed for this locus using genotype frequency data including mothers and offspring. Spatial and temporal heterog;eneity were analyzed for the Savannah River Plant (SRP) herd. Pooled genotype frequencies for SDH were essentially the same over 3 years but varied between hunt compartments on the SRP and between the sampling areas across the southeast. All populations were mating at random in respect to the individual genotypes. However, evidence was found for the importance of social structure and intrauterine events in determining the genetic structure of the herds.

Wintering Lesser Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens) were analyzed for lead and mercury residues and lead shot ingestion. Lead shot ingestion paralleled assimilation of lead residues. Snow geese collected in rice-growing areas had significantly (P < 0.01) more lead residues than marsh area geese. This was attributed to different soil finnness, feeding habits, and hunting practices in the 2 areas. Recent deposits of lead apparently played a major role in lead shot ingestion because lead residues and shot ingestion were greatest during the hunting season. Mercury residues significantly (P < 0.05) declined over the wintering season.

The relationship between the number of individuals marked to cost and accuracy of Lincoln Index estimates for a wild population of Key deer (Odocoileus vir· ginianus clavium) of known size was examined. Data indicated that when 50% of the population was marked. there was a greater chance for an accurate estimate; also the cost to trap and mark deer was lowest.

Results of over 250 interviews and 600 mail questionnaires indicate that over 40'10 of north central Florida adults are hunters. This is a significantly larger proportion than buy licenses. There were no significant socioeconomic or demographic differences between hunters, nonhunters and antihunters except that males dominated the hunter group. Hunters appear to be more knowledgeable about wildlife than either the nonhunters or antihunters. Over one-half of present antihunters hunted in the past. Motivations for hunting are varied but simple enjoyment of the out-of-doors seems to be of primary importance while attaining a bag limit ranks very low. Quail (Colinus virginianus) and dove (Zenaidura macroura) were hunted more than any other species and were also listed as the primary game species sought by most hunters.

Literature addressing the concept of edge effect on wildlife species, as defined by Leopold (1933), is scanty, contradictory, and inconclusive. To investigate the presence of an edge effect on a breeding bird community in north Florida, 2 types of edge, cypress/ clearcut and cypress/planted pine, were studied. Within the 20 m wide edges, the number of breeding bird species and individuals of a species were no greater than in respective bordering habitats for both edge types studied. However, density of species and individuals within the edge were significantly greater (P < 0.01) for both types of edge, indicating an edge effect. A species replacement phenomenon was observed which further distinguished the edge from the interiors of adjoining habitats.

A computer technique (IMGRID) is available that produoes quantitative interpretable maps for land management planning. Information from a variety of natural resource documents and field surveys is restructured into a computer compatible format. The computer is used to manipulate data and print the results and their geographical location on computer-generated maps. These maps are useful in a planning process that attempts to match resource management objectives with land capability. Computerassisted resouroe management techniques are flexible and allow the wildlife manager to make operational presC]:iption management decisions from quantified site specific data.

Cumulative monthly browsing by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on unprotected apical leaders of oak (Quercus spp.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) seedlings in plantations in Southwest Alabama exceeded 100% per year. Growth of unprotected seedlings of all species was significantly less (P < .01) than mean growth attained in seedlings subjected to 6 protective treatments with polypropylene mesh tubing. Mortality in unprotected sweegum seedlings was greated than in protected seedlings (P < .05). Mortality of oak was unaffected by protection. All treatments protected seedlings from browsing deer but some interfered with normal growth due to shading or physical restriction. Sweetgum seedlings attained the greatest growth when protected by ultraviolet green polypropylene mesh tubing 7.3 cm dia. Oaks grew best when protected by 12.7 cm dia. black polypropylene tubes.

Several collar materials (nylon webbing, nylon-covered rubber tubing, nylon webbing lined with nutria fur, boltaron hard plastic, latex tubing, and a nylon harness) and 2 transmitter weights (60 and 120 g) were comparatively tested for potential use as radio transmitter units for nutria (Myocastor coypus). Most collar materials caused dermatitis, abrasions, or lesion around the neck and the animals continuously worked their way out of the nylon harness. The only combination which did not cause any adverse physiological reaction was the nylon-covered rubber tubing collar with a 60 g dummy transmitter. The tubing collars were attached with a tightness approximately 14% greater than neck circumference; this expansion allowed normal feeding and grooming yet prevented the animals from getting their front paws caught between the collar and neck.

Spring drawdown was evaluated as a waterfowl management practice in a floating fresh marsh in southcentral Louisiana. Water depths were fluctuated in a shallow marsh impoundment for the study. The impoundment produced more waterfowl food plants than the control area and less water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) , a pest plant in the area. There was a direct relationship between the vegetative coverage and composition of the impounded area and the species of seeds present in the top 5 em of soil within the impounded area. Winter usage of the impoundment by ducks and American coots (Fulica americana) was 9 times and 4 times greater than winter usage of the control area, respectively.