Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Sixty ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) trapped in Michigan and Wisconsin were released in Benton County, Tennessee. Trapping, transporting and releasing were accomplished in late August and early September, 1976 and 1977. A total of 567 radio locations were made of 20 telemetered birds, 8 of which survived past their last radio location (I surviving beyond 14 months). Shrubby thickets of laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) were heavily used for cover. By 2 mo. after release, 10 of 14 grouse dispersed more than I km from their release sites. Maximum dispersal was 4.4 km. Home range sizes for II grouse varied from 2 to 497 ha. Home.range size was influenced by the predominant cover type selected.

A study of the effects of forest management systems on deer carrying capacity in the Arkansas Ozarks has been established in two enclosures of 600 and 670 acres. Preliminary analysis indicated that cedar and pine-hardwood types produce more available forage than oak-hickory stands. Forage utilization appeared inversely related to size of the mast crop. Deer in the enclosures were estimated by driving, removed by trapping and hunting, and replaced with known numbers of deer. Hunter success was affected by weather and hunter ability but not by number of deer.

The influence of environmental factors on the timing of the rut and the length of the gestation period in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is poorly understood. Since 1965, we have been recording population data for a confined herd of whitetails in Virginia. Although the peak of the fawn drop appears to be rather consistent from year to year, some variation has occurred during our 8 years of study. This variation led us to examine some factors which might bear on the time of fawning. Environmental factors as influences on deer reproduction have been studied by several wildlife researchers. McDowell (1970) reported on conception dates of whitetails and concluded that light duration has a powerful influence on breeding periodicity. Cheatum and Morton (1946) found regional differences in the onset of mating between northern and southern New Yark deer.

Between February 1975 and June 1977 a total of 5,302 observations of Attwater's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus wpido attwateri) activities was made. These observations included 3,698 sightings at booming grounds and 1,604 other sightings (nests, broods, roost forms and individual birds). These data were analyzed according to vegetation type usage. The birds extensively utilized four of eight major vegetation types plus artificially' maintained areas. Of the major vegetation types, the clumped midgrass received the greatest use (88%). Their preference for a vegetation type was apparently determined by the amount of visual obstruction and height of vegetation. Juxtaposition of utilized vegetation types and soil moisture also influenced chicken use of areas.

From 1965-1970, toe and shank lengths of 509 woodcock (Philohela minor) banded in Canaan Valley, WV were measured to determine if these characteristics could be used as age and sex determinants. Test results from analysis of variance, Duncan's multiple range test and stepwise discriminant analysis determined toe and shank lengths can be indicators of sex. However, results from stepwise discriminant analysis suggest that toe and shank lengths should be used in conjunction with bill lengths.

Age, sex, and date of collection were found to affect fat levels of mandibular cavity tissue (MCT). Percent MCT fat increased from the fawn age class up to and including the 3!J;, age class. Percent MCT fat remained relatively stable in all age classes above 3!J;, years. Females were found to have a percent MCT fat that was higher than the percent MCT fat of males. Fat in the tissue of the mandibular cavity increased during the months of October, November, and early December, and decreased in late December and early January. Mean MCT fat levels of whitetail deer on four wildlife management areas (WMA) were found to be closely grouped and high. The deer herd on the Natchez Trace WMA had a MCT fat level that was lower than the MCT fat levels of the other areas.

The relationship between understory vegetation and actual and potential redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) cavities was measured in the North Carolina Sandhills. Understory measurements were made in a 0.01 ha circular quadrat around each of 60 red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees and 60 randomly selected potential cavity trees. The height, basal area, species, and quarter number of each understory stem were recorded. Red-cockaded woodpeckers on our areas preferred excavating cavities in trees around which there were significantly fewer woody stems and a lower understory basal area than around random trees. Trees utilized by woodpeckers also had a lower occurrence of tall hardwood stems than random trees. Turkey and blackjack oaks (Quercus laevis and Q. marilandica), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) were common understory species around red-cockaded woodpecker cavity trees.

European wild hogs (Sus scrota) were trapped, marked for identification and released. Recoveries by trapping and hunter kills provided data on survival, mortality, and longevity. Average annual survival was 49 percent and did not vary by age. Hunting mortality does vary with tagging age, season of birth and time of tagging. However, hunting mortality replaces natural mortality and does not increase total mortality. Most non-hunting mortality occurs between winter and spring. A mean life expectancy of 1.5 years, slightly higher for females; a population turnover period and ecological longevity of 7+ years for females and 5 years for males; and a maximum life span of 10 years were estimated.

When birds were censused in pine and pine-hardwood stands of different heights to determine the effects of stand structure on winter bird populations, the shortest stands generally had more birds than taller stands. The pine sapling stand was lower than all other stands in bird population characteristics. Pine-hardwood stands were generally similar to pine stands in number of species, but higher in species diversity, and lower in bird density than pine stands of comparable height.

A subjective technique of evaluating habitat potential based on forage availability for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Mississippi was critically appraised. The technique provides a useful index to forage abundance and requires about 20% of the time required by analogous vegetative sampling techniques.

Winter mortality of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus jloridanus) was studied within 2 beagle field trial enclosures. Population estimates based on live-trapping indicated a September to February mortality of 45 and 75% on the 2 areas. Predation by hawks and owls was the most important identifiable mortality factor on both enclosures. Flush censuses indicated that imported rabbits suffered a higher rate of mortality than native rabbits. Recommendations for the management of field trial grounds are given.

The cloacal method of sexing imature alligators (Alligator mississipiensis) was tested on 72 individuals; 24 in the 6 month, 28 in the 18 month and 20 in the 30 month old class. This method ofsex determination was not feasible for the 6-12 month class, whereas the 18 month and over age groups could be sexed reliably.

An isolated area of approximately 2,025 ha of live oak (Quercus virginiana) savannah was experimentally burned during a 2 year study on the Texas Coastal Plain. Two fall burns (October 1974 and 1975) and a spring burn (March 1975) were conducted, one on each of 3 separate areas of approximately equal size. Increased vegetative pro· duction on fall-burned areas was primarily due to a positive response of forbs. Grass production was increased only on the spring-burned area druing the second year postburn. Live oak rootcrown resprouts, following topkill, on all burned areas resulted in significant (P < 0.05~ increases in the density of stems. However, live oak topgrowth production was significantly (P < 0.05) increased only on the spring-burned area. Mast production was lower on live oak regrowth in the fall·burned areas than on small, unburned live oak bruw..

A telemetric study on the effects of dog harassment on released white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was conducted at the Buffalo Springs Research Center in eastern Tennessee from May 1973 to July 1977. Thirteen female deer, 2 fawns and II adults, were released. Five deer died either directly or indirectly because of dog harassment. Three experimentally controlled dog chases involving a single chase dog averaged 2.5 km in 21 minutes. Two chases, involving both "control" and free-running dogs, averaged 5.6 km in 42 minutes. One chase involving only free-running dogs covered 1.9 km in 25 minutes before the dogs caught the deer. With over 50% of the released deer lost directly or indirectly due to dogs, dog harassment could/have a significant effect on the success or failure of deer restoration in similar areas.

A management investigation was initiated on Savannah National Wildlife Refuge in 1965 to determine the feasibility of producing pen-reared wood ducks, imprinted to artificial nesting structures, for use in starting new nesting colonies. To date 780 young woodies, imprinted to nest in nest boxes, have been produced, transferred, and released on six national wildlife refuges in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Nesting in artificial structures had not previously occurred on three of these refuges. Transplanted birds nested in boxes on four of the release sites the first nesting season after release, including three refuges with no history of nest box use. The second season after release over 50 nesting attempts occurred on one refuge that had no previous use of nest boxes by wood ducks.