Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Conservation rangers are increasingly coming into contact with violations involving alcohol and drugs. Arrests for hunting or operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs have become priorities for enforcement efforts. Arrests are also being made for other alcohol and drug violations on Department-controlled properties such as parks, public fishing areas and wildlife management areas as well as other properties. Increased training to detect these activities has produced very good results.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is the state agency in Tennessee charged with the enforcement of all wildlife, fishing, and boating laws of the state. These duties include, but are not limited to, the protection of all fish and wildlife (including mussels), and the investigation of boating accidents. As a matter of necessity, the TWRA has for the past several years used the services of Agency employees trained as scuba divers to aid in investigations that involve searching the lakes and rivers of the state for a multitude of reasons related to both law enforcement, and biological investigations. In the past, Agency divers have dove on boating accident sites. They have searched rivers at the request of other law enforcement Agencies looking for stolen property or evidence related to a criminal investigation. They have searched for drowning victims (both accidental and homicide related). And they have searched for lost equipment from both Agency boats and others.

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hunting has gained popularity as turkey populations have risen. Consequently, there is a greater chance that illegal turkey hunting will impact turkey populations. Our objectives were to determine the extent of illegal turkey hunting in Mississippi and identify potential violators. We conducted a mail survey of turkey hunters (N = 4,026) who hunted in Mississippi during the 1994 spring gobbler-only season. A response rate of 55% was obtained. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the probability of a hunter violating a regulation. We entered 20 independent variables into the model and 6 significantly predicted turkey hunting violations.

Wildlife enforcement trainers must be constantly on the lookout for better equipment for enforcement personnel and more effective methods of training individuals in the use of that equipment. For the past 15 years, the Law Enforcement Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has issued to its officers the patrol rifle, a piece of equipment which has only recently received serious national consideration as a viable alternative to more traditional weapons in the law enforcement defense arsenal. The relative virtues of the compact semi-automatic rifle versus the handgun and/or the police shotgun are discussed here, along with an innovative method of training field personnel of agencies that have to deal with logistical and budgetary considerations. Training issues and methods are explained, and a video used for this block of instruction is reviewed, followed by a discussion of the pro's and con's of this method of administering firearms instruction.

The goal of this study was to assess the law enforcement needs of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Data were obtained from several state agencies and a mail-out survey to Texas game wardens. Game wardens (N = 397) and their captains (N = 33) returned 685 of 690 mailed questionnaires (99% response rate). All 254 counties were represented. A regression model explained 78% of the total variation in the distribution of game wardens and estimated a statewide excess of 16 game wardens. In contrast, the game wardens indicated that 160 more game wardens were needed. Differences between the model estimates and wardens' perceptions were attributed to a lack of data (e.g., number of anglers, boaters, or campers), incomplete data (e.g., number of hunters for dove, pheasant, and waterfowl), and unreliable data (e.g., number of deer, quail and turkey hunters, and game harvests) for each county.

I examined spring and fall electrofishing catch rates of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in 12 Texas reservoirs from 1986 to 1992 to assess the relative importance of spatial and temporal variation and to evaluate the relation between electrofishing catch rates and future angler catch. East Texas reservoirs were characterized by relatively greater temporal (i.e., annual) variation in electrofishing catch rates, whereas west Texas reservoirs tended to exhibit greater spatial variation. Reservoirs in east Texas shared a common temporal pattern in electrofishing catch rates. Conversely, there were marked differences in catch rates among west Texas reservoirs that remained relatively stable across years. The relation between electrofishing catch rate and angling success was poorer than expected. Spring electrofishing yielded most of the significant correlations with future angler catch, particularly in east Texas reservoirs.

Habitat use and movements associated with changes in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and hydrology for 20 radio-tagged largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) were studied in the Kissimmee River, Florida, in 1992 and 1993. River channel littoral vegetation, smartweed (Polygonum hydropiperoides) and spatterdock {Nuphar luteum), were habitat types bass most commonly used. Bass maintained home areas in remnant channels and the C-38 canal that had DO >2 ppm throughout the year. During summer when DO dropped slowly over several weeks, bass were frequently located in waters with DO between 1 and 2 ppm. Daily movements, which averaged <100 m in more than half of the location samples, were greatest when previous location DOs were <1 ppm during summer and <2 ppm during fall. Daily movements >1 km from June through October were coincidental to acute decreases in DO <2 ppm at previous location sites.

We developed a modified index of biotic integrity (IBI) for the Tallapoosa River system based on small-bodied fishes. The modified IBI comprised 9 metrics in 4 categories: (1) species richness and composition, (2) indicator species, (3) trophic function, and (4) abundance. We used distribution records and collection data from 1990-1995 to derive expected values for metrics. The IBI was most sensitive to changes in percentage of insectivorous cyprinids, percentage of intolerant species, fish abundance, and number of darter species, and least sensitive to total species richness. IBI scores generally were lower at sites experiencing more severe flow fluctuations as a result of hydropeaking dam operation. We recommend that the IBI be further tested, refined, and used as part of long-term monitoring programs in regulated southeastern river systems.

A fish community index of biotic integrity (IBI) was used to compare 6 streams with minor anthropogenic impacts to 3 streams receiving source and non-point source effluents from gold mine operations in the Piedmont of South Carolina. IBI ratings for streams receiving gold mine effluent ranged from very poor to marginally fair, whereas those for the remaining 6 streams ranged from fair to good. The stream selected as a “candidate” reference stream rated consistently good, establishing a potential baseline for attainable conditions for the ecoregion. The IBI supplied biological data that were useful in identifying perturbations based on alterations occurring in fish communities. The results of this study suggest the IBI could be an excellent tool for monitoring the biological components of streams in the Piedmont ecosystem.

We located 22 potential striped bass (Morone saxatilis) thermal refuges created by groundwater inflows along the Flint River in southwestern Georgia. Line transect counts made by SCUBA divers June-October 1990 were used to develop striped bass abundance indices for 8 of the springs. Abundance differed among springs and was positively correlated with potassium concentration and distance upriver and negatively correlated with pH and dissolved oxygen concentration. Groundwater feeding the springs flows through conduits created by the dissolution of underlying limestone. Locations of these conduits, revealed by linear arrangements of surface depressions, can provide information for managers making decisions concerning conservation of habitats that serve as striped bass thermal refuges.

Fifteen radio-tagged striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were tracked to determine seasonal, inter-river distribution patterns, and habitat use in the vicinity of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Mississippi rivers from November 1992 to November 1993. All 4 river systems were used by study fish during 1 or more seasons. Two fish inhabited only 1 river during the entire survey, while 13 fish used up to 3 river systems. Inter-river movement occurred primarily during November-December (36%) and April-May (58%), which coincided with highest movement periods. Striped bass distribution was skewed toward tailwaters and study segments immediately downstream. General habitats annually included channel borders (47%), tailwaters (37%), and heated discharges (7%); however, specific habitats included open bottom substrates (29%), tailwater boils (28%), and woody debris and trees (24%).

Seven reaches of the lower Pearl River system were sampled with bottom set gill nets from 1992 through 1995. One hundred fifty-eight Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) were captured in 3 reaches. Mean fork length (FL) was 734 mm, and weight (W, g) to length (FL, mm) relation was: W = 1.786 x lO^CFL)3204. Mean weight loss during summer was 1.9 g/day. Ninety-two percent of Gulf sturgeon were captured in the West Middle River reach which is comprised of deep holes and little current. Radio telemetry indicated that the West Middle River was an important summer habitat for juveniles and subadults. Estimated mean summer population size in the West Middle River, determined from mark and recapture, ranged from 67 to 124 individuals, but low intra-year tag return indicated this may be part of a larger population. Annuli on pectoral fin rays were formed during May-July and 94% of fish aged were <6 years old.

Lake Norman is a 13,516-ha reservoir frequently devoid in late summer of the cool, well-oxygenated water preferred by mature striped bass {Morone saxatilis). Large summer striped bass kills, however, are rare. The objective of this study was to determine the summer temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in habitat used by striped bass in Lake Norman. We tagged 48 striped bass (2.2-7.8 kg) with temperaturesensing radio tags (40-50 MHz) during spring 1992 and 1993. Tag frequency, tag temperature, location, and a water column temperature/DO profile were recorded for each tag encounter. Mean tag temperatures (25.6 and 26.1 C) and associated mean DO concentrations (4.0 and 3.1 mg/liter) were similar for large (>4.5 kg) and small (<4.5 kg) striped bass in the warmest weeks of summer 1992. Habitat <28.0 C and containing >2.0 mg/liter DO was always present in most of Lake Norman both years.

A 3-year study was initiated in 1992 to characterize the St. Johns River freshwater commercial striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) gill net fishery and estimate bycatch. Each year in fresh water, an estimated 137 fishers using 84 boats fished 1,554 days and harvested 233,109 kg of striped mullet. Approximately 86% of the fishers used the strike technique exclusively, while 14% used both strike and set-net techniques. Striped mullet comprised 99% of the total catch by number. The average annual freshwater game fish bycatch ranged from 86 to 274 fish (< 1 % by number). The extremely low bycatch would obviously have no negative impact on game fish populations in a system as large as the St. Johns River.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is often used to induce spawning of fish. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved HCG for use in fish because they claim additional efficacy data are required. Efficacy of HCG for spawning walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), was evaluated at 3 hatcheries for 3 years. During the 1993-1995 spawning seasons, 17.5% (54 of 308) of female walleyes spawned after a single injection of HCG. Of 253 females receiving a second injection, 92.1 % spawned for an overall spawning success of 93.2%. For females, a HCG dose as low as 330 IU/kg in each injection was as satisfactory as higher doses. Fish from ponds had a significantly lower spawning rate (8.7%) than wild fish (30.6%) after a single injection of HCG, but there was no significant difference in spawning success for these groups after 2 injections.

During 1984-1992, adult shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) from the Savannah River were spawned and their offspring reared to various sizes prior to release in this river as part of a stock enhancement program. A total of 79,270 untagged and 18,213 tagged fish were released at various sites from river kilometer (rkm) 54 to 273. Mid and upriver stocking areas appeared to provide higher survival than downriver areas and stocking during November and December appeared more beneficial than during other months. However, regardless of stocking time or site, all stocked juveniles that were captured came from the same downriver nursery area (at the fresh-brackish water interface) used by wild fish. Stocked fish comprised at least 35.4% of juveniles captured and the low total number of juveniles captured suggests that the Savannah River population of shortnose sturgeon may be experiencing poor recruitment.

Production of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in 11 -ha Beaver Nursery Pond was estimated from 1990 to 1994 to determine numbers of fish stocked in Beaver Reservoir. In 1990, 2 rapid population sampling methods, seining a known area and SCUBA transects, were tested against a Petersen mark-and-recapture estimate. Both sampling methods provided population estimates that did not differ significantly from mark-and-recapture values, but both generated greater confidence intervals. Annual production in the nursery pond by late June varied between 57,000 and 164,733 fish/year, with a mean of about 97,500 ± 59,750 (confidence interval, CI); mean total length of the smallmouth bass produced was 50 mm. Smallmouth bass were usually released into the reservoir in late June to reduce cannibalism, but during 1993 and 1994 fish were retained in order to assess growth and population changes.

Genetically-marked Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) fingerlings with rare or unique genotypes were stocked into nursery ponds at Lake Conroe (8,484 ha) and Lake Gladewater (323 ha). Following grow-out, advancedsize individuals were stocked into respective reservoirs. We measured the contribution of stocked individuals to corresponding year classes in receiving reservoirs. Largemouth bass survival in nursery ponds at the end of the grow-out period was 15.6% at Lake Conroe and 20.9% at Lake Gladewater. A total of 2.8 fish/ha (mean total length = 138 mm) were stocked in Lake Conroe and 8.8 fish/ha (mean total length = 121 mm) were stocked in Lake Gladewater. Following reservoir stockings, largemouth bass populations were sampled with electrofishing gear in fall and spring and electrophoretic analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of stocked fish to corresponding year classes.

Electrical barriers were successful in blocking movements of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and largemouth bass (Micropertus salmoides) stocked in a 24-m long canal during simulated modes of pumped hydropower operation. Blockage rates were highest during nongeneration (95%-97%) and generation (94%-97%), and lowest during pumping (83%-84%). These results indicate an electrical barrier may be useful in blocking fish from migrating into areas around hydropower projects where they are vulnerable to being entrained.

Poor water quality upstream of the Carolina Power and Light Company (CP&L) Walters Hydroelectric Project (WHP) resulted in establishment of a mitigation fund in lieu of immediate water releases as a condition of a new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The negotiated agreement between state management agencies and CP&L includes provisions for future instream flow releases, but until that time, CP&L will make annual payments to the Pigeon River Fund (PRF). The PRF will grant money to nonprofit groups and government agencies for projects related to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat improvement, fishery management, and angler access outside the WHP boundaries. We suggest that agencies avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or eliminate projects over time before considering monetary compensation as mitigation.

We conducted a screener telephone survey of 5,209 anglers in Mississippi to recruit participants for a statewide, 5-year, longitudinal angler survey that will administer a total of 10 surveys (waves), 2 per year. Of these 5,209 anglers, 4,393 agreed to participate in future surveys. Of these 4,393 anglers, 52% responded to a mail survey and 76% participated in a telephone survey. Twenty-four demographic and fishing preference variables were selected from the initial screener survey to compare data from respondents and nonrespondents. A greater percentage of respondents to both surveys were generally Caucasian, married, in higher income brackets, and tended to be employed full-time. A greater percentage of respondents to both surveys fished more days and preferred to fish for black bass (Micropterus spp.) than did the original screener population.

Anglers who fished Lake Fork Reservoir June 1994-May 1995 were intercepted during creel surveys conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and asked to participate in a follow-up, self-administered mail survey. Anglers were asked questions about their fishing activity at Lake Fork, and their motivations, satisfaction, and expenditures on the trip they were intercepted. Lake Fork anglers could be characterized as high specialization anglers, indicating they had been fishing in fresh water for an average of 28 years, and fishing an average of 62 days in the previous year. Additionally, 34% of anglers belonged to a fishing club, and 57% indicated they participated in fishing tournaments. Lake Fork anglers had an average of $13,174 invested in fishing equipment, twice as much as the average black bass (Micropterus spp.) angler in Texas. About 89% of anglers targeted largemouth bass (M. salmoides) on their trip which lasted an average of 1.74 days.

This study examined factors which can affect the quality of fluorescent oxytetracycline (OTC) marks on walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) otoliths. A 1 -time exposure to a strong ultraviolet (UV) light source, such as is done when viewing under a UV microscope, significantly decreased mean OTC mark qualities from an initial value of 2.8 (3.0 is maximum and 0.0 is no mark) to <1.0 3 months following the initial examination. Mark intensity continued to decrease over time (<0.5 after 6 months, 0.3 after 12 months). Otoliths that were stored in an unlit environment consistently had higher intensity marks over time than those stored in a lighted environment. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was examined as a possible potentiator to improve OTC mark intensity. Otoliths that were marked by immersion in 200 ppm OTC and 0.81 % DMSO did not exhibit higher quality marks than those which were immersed only in 200 ppm OTC.

Diets, food selection, and factors affecting feeding success of small (5-9 mm total length, TL), medium (10-19 mm TL), and large (20-29 mm TL) larval and early juvenile gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) were examined in 2 large Missouri reservoirs. Diets and food selection shifted from mainly copepod nauplii and cyclopoids to rotifers and phytoplankton as fish grew. Mean length of ingested zooplankton rose slightly as gizzard shad grew from the small to medium length groups and then decreased for the large length group. Feeding success (feeding incidence and mean gut fullness) increased with fish size. Feeding incidences of small and medium gizzard shad were significantly higher at an upstream site than at a downstream site in 1 reservoir, but not in the other. Feeding incidence and, to a lesser degree, mean gut fullness of small and medium gizzard shad usually increased with food abundance, although correlations were weak.

Diet and telemetry studies were conducted in La Plata Reservoir, Puerto Rico, to investigate potential interactions between largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and butterfly peacocks {Cichla ocellaris). Partitioning of food resources between the 2 species was evident and consistent over several size classes. Interspecific differences were observed in home range size, diel movement, and habitat preference during telemetry studies conducted on adults for up to 250 days. Maximum activity for both species corresponded with periods of elevated food consumption. Although the current studies were restricted to 1 reservoir, low overlap in diet and habitat preference indicates ecological compatibility in tropical reservoir systems.