Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The food habits of common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus) and purple gallinules (Porphyrula martinica) on a north-central Florida lake were studied through monthly analysis of gizzard contents from May 1981 through April 1982. Common moorhens consumed an average volume of 93% plant and 7% animal food, whereas purple gallinules consumed an average volume of 71% plant and 29% animal food. The major foods of the common moorhen were leaves and stems of Hydrilla verticillata, seeds of Polygonum spp., and snails, Planorbella spp. The major foods of purple gallinules were seeds of Nuphar luteum and Polygonum spp. and insects of the family Chrysomelidae.

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) nests were located on the Texas A&M University Campus from February-October 1981. Mortality differed between the various stages of the nesting cycle, and in different months within each stage. The number of days in which wind speed exceeded 27.6 km/h (15 kts) each month explained 34% of the variability (P =0.10) associated with total nesting mortality. Mean monthly temperature was positively correlated (P < 0.10) with mortality occurring during the 1st nestling week and negatively correlated during the 2nd week after hatching. Loss of nestlings was correlated (P < 0.05) with an index to blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) production and total monthly rainfall (P =0.10).

Seasonality of nesting by mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in north-central Florida was investigated in 1979-80 by assessing changes in call (coo) counts, gonad size, nesting activity, and crop gland development. We assessed the incidence of nesting during the fall and possible impacts of hunting on dove productivity. Weekly call counts taken during this study indicated that incidence of cooing was highly variable; the highest levels of cooing occurred during February and March and they diminished as the spring and summer progressed. Very little cooing was recorded from October through December. Recrudescence of testes in adult males occurred in December, with some regression in size during September. Ovaries increased in size during February and March and diminished during August. Most adult ovaries appeared to be inactive in fall. Eggs and nests first appeared in late February of each year, peaked in both April and June, and were scarce by August and September.

Based on 162 European wild hogs (Sus scrota) collected from 1971 to 1973 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the male: female ratio was 52: 48 and the age composition consisted of 52% of the hogs being <12 months, 21% 12-26 months, and 27% >26 months of age. No sex difference in collection by trapping and shooting occurred (0.1

Stomachs from 36 hunter-harvested black bears were collected over a 5-year period from October through January in Baker and Columbia Counties, Florida. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) was the most important item in the diet. Other important foods included black gum (Nyssa biflora), gallberry (Ilex glabra), yellow jackets (Vespula spp.), and armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). The practice of winter burning may have artificially increased the importance of saw palmetto to bears in the study area.

Depredating black bears (Ursus americanus) were trapped and tagged at beeyards in an attempt to create aversion to those beeyards. Of the 9 bears trapped and released, only 1 bear was known to return to a beeyard during the study period. Electric fences were also shown to be effective for protecting beeyards from depredating bears. There was a 70% greater probability of bear damage among unfenced beeyards than among fenced beeyards. A combined, electric fence, trap-and-release program is described.

Dispersal of 54 restocked eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) was studied using radio telemetry on 2 different areas in east Texas from February 1979 through July 1981. Twenty-five turkeys dispersed farther than 5 km from the release site. The maximum distance recorded from the release site for the first year following release varied from 1.3 km to 11.9 km and averaged 4.6 km. Dispersal increased through the spring and summer following release, then did not further increase until the next spring. The mean annual dispersal area was 1,688 ha. For the entire study period, the population dispersal areas were 19,300 ha on I study area and 10,545 ha on the other.

Gizzard fat (GF), wing fat (WF), eviscerated body weight (BW) spleen weight, and thyroid weights were analyzed in 84 ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) to determine area, sex, and seasonal variations. Birds were collected from 2 study areas in the Texas Panhandle during 4 seasons. Area differences in major grain crops and food habits were not reflected in the nutritional indices examined. However, differences in pheasant densities between areas were detected. Gizzard fat and WF were greater in hens than in cocks. Highest values for GF and BW occurred in February; lowest values occurred in August. In May, a drastic decline in WF and GF occurred in cocks, and probably reflected reproductive/territorial activities. Spleen weights were greater in males than females, and were greater in August and November than in February. In juveniles, no differences between sexes in WF were detected, but GF was greater in hens than cocks.

Quail food plots established on regenerated pine sites in South Carolina were evaluated in relation to planting dates, seeding rates, and site preparation methods for pines. Stem count data indicated Piedmont food plot establishment should involve broadcasting a mixture of 0.14 kg of bicolor lespe. deza (Lespedeza bicolor) and 0.34 kg of Kobe lespedeza (Lespedeza striata) seeds per 0.04 ha plot in March on either disked or burned sites. Sandhill data indicated that broadcasting 0.14 kg of bicolor and 1.36 kg of Kobe seeds per 0.04 ha plot in March on disked soils would effectively establish food plots in that region.

Food plots for quail (Colinus virginianus) were established on 2 regenerated pine plantations in the Sandhills Region of South Carolina during 1976 and 1977. Bicolor (Lespedeza bicolor), Japonica (L. japonica), Thunberg (L. thunbergii), Kobe (L. striata), Korean (L. stipulaceae) lespedezas, and a reseeding variety of soybean (Glycine max) were evaluated along with various planting methods. The planting methods included combinations of broadcast seeding, dibbling seedlings, disking, inoculating seeds, covering seeds, and fertilizing. All plant materials tested were successfully established in persistent food plots except for reseeding soybean which failed to reestablish itself. A legume mixture of an annual and perenniallespedeza was recommended so that seed would be available to quail throughout the 5 to 7 years that newly regenerated pine stands could successfully support hunting. All planting techniques were successful in establishing food plots of the planted materials.

Home ranges and habitat preferences of radio-collared cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) on an intensive farm and a traditional farm were monitored during 1979-81 in eastern Wake County, North Carolina. On the traditional farm, mean home ranges of males (6.37 ha) were larger (P < 0.05) than those offemales (3.15 ha) . On the intensive farm, mean home ranges of males (2.60 ha) were not larger (P > 0.05) than those of females (2.11 ha). Home ranges of males on the traditional farm were larger (P <0.05) than those of males on the intensive farm; however, home ranges of females on the 2 farms were not different (P > 0.05). On both farms, rabbits preferred brush to woodlots with understories, woodlots with negligible understories, and edge, and preferred fields the least. These data indicate that habitat preferences did not change with agricultural practices. Diurnal and nocturnal habitat preferences were similar.

The effects of whole-tree harvesting upon white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) , snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) , and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were studied from 1978 through 1981 in southcentral West Virginia. Transect sampling by recording fecal pellets was conducted in mature forest and in clearcuts ranging from 0 to 8 years of age. Use of clearcuts created by whole-tree harvesting was compared to use of those created by conventional clearcutting. Deer used whole-tree clearcuts more than conventional clearcuts, but hare used conventional clearcuts more than whole-tree clear- cuts. Ruffed grouse data were too limited to indicate the influence of type or age of clearcut. Whole-tree harvest can be used to increase certain species of wildlife, but additional studies are needed to determine the long-range impacts.

The response of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) to chopper-type forest site preparation was investigated. Of 5 burrows presumed to have been occupied prior to treatment, 2 were reopened by tortoises following chopping, and the other 3 showed various signs of tortoise emergence. Three additional radio-instrumented tortoises emerged from their collapsed burrows during the eighth week following site preparation. Also, several hatchling tortoises apparently survived the treatment.

Winter birds were censured on snag and snagless transects during 3 winters from 1977 to 1980 in a clearcut in east Texas to assess the impact of snag retention on the bird community. For the cavity user group there was greater bird abundance, species diversity, and number of species on snag than on snagless transects. The cavity user group included: eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis), loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), northern flicker (Colaptes auratus), Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis), red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), red-headed woodpecker (M. erythrocephalus), and red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis).

Wildlife mortality resulting from aerial ignition prescribed burning was evaluated in the Lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Observers took census of animals leaving the burn to confirm that representative species and densities were present in the study area. Based on the low mortality observed during a systematic post-fire survey, it was concluded that aerial ignition prescribed burning did not cause significant direct mortality to wildlife.

Sawtooth oak (Quercus acutissima) seedlings of unknown provenance were planted on International Paper Company's Southlands Experiment Forest, Bainbridge, Georgia, on 2 sites, an old-field and a wild-land site. Treatments consisted of all oak, oak and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), all pine, cultivation, and fertilization. After 9 years, pine was significantly larger (P < 0.05) than oak on both sites. On the old-field site neither cultivation nor fertilization showed a significant influence on the growth of either species. However, on the wild-land site cultivation significantly increased diameter, height, and volume of both oak and pine and survival of oak. Fertilization significantly increased diameter and volume of both oak and pine. Acorn production at age 9 appeared to be influenced only by spacing. Fertilization increased acorn crude fat and protein and decreased crude fiber.

A Statistical Analysis System (SAS) program has been developed for analysis of data gathered from radio-telemetry studies of animal movement. The program requires as input data from each observation (1) a pair of directional readings, one from each of 2 known reference points to an animal location, (2) animal identification number and (3) time of observation. From these inputs, x-y coordinates of each animal location are computed relative to a specified origin. A number of animal movement statistics are computed and displayed graphically. Boundary points for the home range (convex polygon method) are determined and plots of home range with or without interior locations are generated as well as a measure of the enclosed area. Any of these outputs may be displayed for an individual animal or for a group of animals by sex, age, season, or other subgrouping.

Directions for construction and attachment of a device for weighing large animals in the field and cost estimations are presented. The device described was developed by the author so that it could be easily transported, mounted and a scale attached whenever a tree, or telephone pole was available.

Recaptures of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) banded with spiral plastic leg bands revealed these bands were constricting and resulting in loss or severe damage to the legs of doves. Analysis of data from an experiment to determine the effects of color, environmental exposure, and treatment with acetone on the shrinkage of bands indicated that all 3 variables affected (P < 0.01) band shrinkage. Black bands experienced the greatest shrinkage of the 8 colors tested. Bands exposed to the environment shrank more (P <0.01) than bands kept at room temperature or in a freezer. Acetonetreated bands shrank less (P < 0.01) than those without acetone treatment. We recommend that all spiral plastic leg bands used on mourning doves be treated with acetone.

The age structure of 227 bobcats (Lynx rufus) collected from hunters and trappers in West Virginia during the 1977-78 season was dominated by young animals. Juveniles and yearlings constituted 46.7% and 23.3% of the sample respectively. All females> 1 year old had ovulated and had 4.0 ± 0.2 (X ± SE) current year luteal bodies. Yearlings had 1.75 ± 0.27 placental scars, which was significantly less (P <0.05) than the 3.4 ± 0.4 of 2-year-olds or the 2.63 ± 0.27 of bobcats ≥3 years old. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and lagomorphs comprised 45% and 19% of the stomach contents by weight, respectively.

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) behavior, habitat use, and food habits were studied in southwestern Oklahoma during faIl-winter. Birds present during the September-October hunting season were summer residents and migrants. They formed large feeding flocks containing up to 1,000 birds, flew 3-12 km from night roosts to feeding sites, and fed in morning and late afternoon. These doves fed in wheatfields when waste grain was available; otherwise, they fed on haygrazer (sorghum x sudan grass), sunflower (Hetianthus sp.), and weed seeds. Doves day-roosted in ravines or uplands near the stock ponds where they drank at midday. At evening they drank at other stock ponds before night-roosting in river bottom or upland trees and thickets. Winter residents in smaller flocks (15-300) roosted and watered close to their feeding fields, and at the roosts they perched low in the trees or sat on the ground.

Controlled hunting (9-night season) and livetrapping of raccoons (Procyon lotor) on the Chuck Swan Wildlife Management Area was assessed in relation to total harvest, age and sex characteristics, reproductive parameters, and density estimates. From 1976 to 1978 hunting pressure and hunting success remained relatively constant while the total harvest decreased at an average of 23% annually from 175 (1975) to 80 (1978). Seventy-five, 69 and 69% of the 1976, 1977, and 1978 harvests were juveniles suggesting a greater vulnerability compared to adults; this occurrence also may be related to dispersal or other factors. Reproductive data did not appear to compensate for high harvest and may be related to the quality of the upland hardwood habitat areas of the southern Appalachians. Tag return ratios in the harvest (Lincoln Index) yielded an estimated density of 1 raccoon per 23.1-27.5 ha. Thirty-four (30.4%) of the trapped raccoons (112) were harvested in 1976, 11 in 1977 and 4 in 1978.

This paper is an effort to demonstrate the importance of being prepared for retirement in the career planning of a wildlife officer. It also expresses the author's contention that the morale (hence productivity) of the enforcement officer is closely related to his perception of the concern of his administrators for his welfare, and it describes certain steps that a wildlife officer contemplating retirement should carefully consider.

Effectiveness of the routine, public cooperation, group, and airplane patrol methods in apprehending closed-season deer violators was determined through questionnaires. Missouri conservation agents submitted 3,551 monthly questionnaires during the 2-year investigation. The mean arrest rates for the public cooperation, group, and airplane patrol methods were not significantly different; however, the mean arrest rate for routine patrols was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower than those for the other methods. Public cooperation patrols produced the highest rates of arrests; nearly 55% of the deer violator arrests were the direct result of citizens' complaints about deer violations.

The conservation officer's job should be to mold favorable public opinion while enforcing the conservation and boating laws. Those laws that are biologically sound ensure the public safety, and applied uniformly form the core of a sound enforcement program. Laws for the convenience of the officer or the administration have no place in the program. The power to invoke the criminal process carries with it the power for leniency. If the objective of all laws is voluntary compliance, then reasonable laws applied with the discretion of good common sense will accomplish that objective.