Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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.