Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

During 1986-1990 an intensive harvest of alligators was conducted on Salvador Wildlife Management Area (SWMA). A total of 4,173 alligators averaging 1.84 m total length (TL) were harvested. Hunters successfully filled all tags and completed the harvest in only 12 to 16 days. Sex ratios, size class frequency distribution (SCFD), average length, and nest production all remained consistent throughout the study. Harvest parameters (average length, sex ratios, and SCFD) differed significantly from Louisiana's statewide harvest and suggested proportional harvesting; however, none of the data examined indicated that the intensive harvest had any significant impact on the alligator population on the study area.

Wildlife managers have been creating deltaic splays in the Mississippi River Delta to promote marsh regeneration, but little is known of the quality of splays as waterfowl foraging habitat. Consequently, we compared densities of important canvasback (Aythya valisineria) foods in splays and open-water ponds during winter 1990- 91. Biomass (g/m2) of grassy arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea) tubers differed between splay mudflats and ponds, but the difference was not consistent between months. In November 1990, splay mudflats (mean ± SE = 123.7 ± 2.9) supported a greater biomass of tubers than did ponds (43.8 ± 2.9). In March 1991, tuber biomass was similar between habitats (splays = 12.6 ± 2.9, ponds = 23.7 ± 2.9) because of a marked decrease in tubers in splay mudflats between sampling periods. American bulrush (Scirpus americanus) rhizomes were not present in samples from ponds.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt-lease programs were evaluated for 11 southern states in 1989. Mail questionnaires were returned by 62 (70%) of 89 landowners. The respondents reported owning 8.7 million ha of which 6.5 million ha (75%) were leased for hunting. The weighted average lease fee received was $5.31 per ha, a 60% increase from 1984 as reported by Busch and Guynn (1988). Additionally, respondents reported that public relations had a relative value equal to the lease fee and access control had a relative value of 1.45 times the lease fee. The total value of leasing was $19.19 per ha.

TELEDAT is an interactive BASIC computer program written for the Texas Instruments TI-74 hand-held calculator to process and store radio-telemetry location data while in the field. TELEDAT simplifies field-tracking and increases the accuracy and precision of telemetered triangulation data by: (1) providing in-field estimation of animal location and receiver-to-transmitter distance; (2) calculating error polygon size and long diagonal; (3) identifying error conditions such as azimuths that do not cross or are near-parallel; and (4) reducing the error inherent in data coding and entry. TELEDAT uses virtually any rectangular *-y-coordinate system including Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates for determining transmitter location and will store data from 1 to 50 receiver stations. TELEDAT can store up to 720 locations on a single 32K-cartridge. Use of multiple cartridges provides unlimited data storage capability.

Pocosins are peat bogs that support dense, evergreen shrub cover providing abundant, low-quality browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This habitat type is subject to infrequent, intense wildfires, and in May 1986 a wildfire burned across 18,200 ha (>90%) of the Holly Shelter Game Land in eastern North Carolina. We studied the response of the deer population to the fire by comparing preand postfire data on density, harvest, physical condition, and nutrition. We also analyzed nutritional quality of browse samples from burned and unburned areas for 2 years after the fire. Browse quality was higher in burned areas in the year of the fire, but differences were short-lived and were not reflected in protein levels of rumen contents. Deer density and harvest declined by about 60% the first fall after the fire probably because deer were temporarily displaced from the area. Only 36 deer were found dead during thorough postfire searches.

Increasing hunting pressure and habitat loss have raised concerns about the age structure and potential overharvest of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations in Georgia. Nineteen juvenile and 15 adult gobblers were radio-tracked during January 1989-June 1991 in the vicinity of Clark Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Gobblers avoided the WMA in spring and summer, preferring fields and pastures on private land. They preferred the WMA in fall and winter. Upland hardwood was the most preferred habitat type. Recorded mortalities (27) resulted from spring hunting (23), mammalian predation (3), and unknown (1). Annual survival of instrumented gobblers was 44%, 44%, and 64% for 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively. Overall annual survival of adults and juveniles was 36% and 63%, respectively. Annual harvest rates of instrumented gobblers averaged 45%. Adults made up 78% of the instrumented gobblers harvested.

The orbiviruses, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus or bluetongue (BT) virus, cause a disease syndrome termed hemorrhagic disease (HD) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and several other wild ruminants. An annual mail survey of state wildlife agencies was conducted from 1980-1989 to estimate the occurrence of HD in the continental United States. Thirty-one states reported confirmed or suspected HD activity, and 1,608 occurrences were reported in 880 counties or parishes. Cases of HD were reported throughout most of the Southeast and much of the Midwest and northern Great Plains. Reports also were received from the Pacific Coast states. Death losses of deer accounted for 33.8% of the reports, whereas chronic, post-infection lesions alone were seen in 55.0%. Virus isolations were reported in 57 counties in 21 states; EHD virus was identified twice as often as BT virus. Recurrences of HD were noted during the 10-year period at both the state and county level.

Fifteen bobcats (10 females, 5 males) were monitored using radio telemetry from 1 January 1989-31 December 1991 in east-central Mississippi. Male composite home ranges (HR) averaged 36.5 km2 (S.E. = 12.7) while female HR's averaged 20.6 km2 (S.C. = 7.7). Composite and seasonal HR sizes differed between sexes (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively). HR's were larger during the 1989 post-parturition (1 May-31 Aug) and fall (1 Sept-31 Dec) seasons than during most other seasons (P < 0.05). Intersexual HR overlap occurred during 5 of 9 seasons. Female-female HR overlap occurred during 3 seasons while male-male overlap occurred during 2 seasons. Much female-female HR overlap was explained by dispersing sub-adults. Minimum winter bobcat density averaged 1 bobcat/10.4 km2. Pine plantations and agricultural areas were preferred (use > available) habitats, while mature pines were used less than available (P < 0.10). Use of hardwood bottoms by bobcats varied.

Body mass and antler measurements from yearling, male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in pine flatwoods of northwestern Florida were used to test the relationship between estimated birth date and physiological indices. Age, estimated by the degree of third mandibular molar eruption, was related to the body mass and antler development of yearling bucks (P < 0.001). Late parturition in this region appears to contribute to poor antler development and low body mass of yearling bucks. The effects of late parturition on the physical development of yearling bucks should be considered when developing and evaluating harvest management strategies in this region.

During a 19-month intensive control program 589 feral hogs (Sus scrofa) were removed from 4,500 ha of forest-marsh habitat in the lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Of 112 adult females removed, 66 were pregnant, 79 were lactating, and 44 of these were pregnant and lactating. Of 43 females in the 6-11 months age class, 34 had conceived at least 1 litter by the time of death and 9 had conceived twice. Litter size in 45 females was 5.0 ± 2.3. Cost per animal removed was $54. A substantial number of animals remained in the habitat after the program was terminated. Incidence rates for swine brucellosis and pseudorabies were 13.3% and 9.7%, respectively. Where feral hog population densities are substantial, herd reduction efforts must be intensive and continuous until the goal is reached.

The Clemson beaver pond leveler (leveler) was developed as an instrument to suppress the adverse effects of beaver activity that results in flooding timberlands and agricultural crops and damage to road drainage and water-control structures. It has also proven to be useful in manipulating beaver pond levels for waterfowl habitat management. Nine case studies involving 25 test sites have shown the Leveler to be successful over a moderate range of conditions in the lower Coastal Plain and upper Piedmont regions. Based on the previous success scenarios, several public agencies and 1 corporate forest landowner are deploying the Leveler as a management tool.

We studied longevity, depletion rate, and peak periods of use by white-tailed deer {Odocoileus virginianus) of minerals at artificial lick sites on a clay soil in the Georgia Piedmont in 1990 and 1991. We also surveyed attitudes among southeastern state wildlife agencies about providing mineral supplementation for deer. Results indicated a rapid loss of sodium (Na) to leaching. Leaching rates for calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) were low. Pure salt (NaCl), rather than a more expensive mineral mixture, can be applied in alternate years since other important minerals are still present at lick sites. Peak deer use occurred during April and May, with moderate to low use during June to November, and no use during December and January. Deer use was low the second year after establishment indicating a need for annual replenishment.

Comparison of observed age at post-juvenal primary molt of wild mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) with predicted ages from 5 published aging studies revealed differences (P < 0.1) for all comparisons. Observed molt occurred at an older (P < 0.0001) age than predicted by the current standard for aging juvenile doves. A new model for aging mourning dove juveniles using molt data from primaries 1-9 is presented based on data collected from wild birds on the Texas A&M University Campus. The wide range in observed age at molt of primary 10 precluded its use in these analyses.

A multi-phase mail and telephone survey of 9,000 hunters was used to estimate the harvest of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in Tennessee during the 1990-91 hunting season. The estimate, 13,429 (CI ± 2,469), was substantially lower than that produced by the annual waterfowl harvest survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for that same period. If a high degree of accuracy is needed by states when formulating season framework and harvest recommendations, a detailed state-specific survey may be needed. Methods for conducting a scaled-down version of this survey that would meet that objective are discussed.

We initiated a pilot study of fall and winter ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) habitat use, forage availability, and forage-based carrying capacities for an area in southwestern Virginia. Flush counts indicated grouse densities were low and that grouse preferred clearcuts in the fall. Fall forages appeared adequate to support moderate grouse populations. High quality forages (mast and herbaceous leaves) were scarce during the winter and resulted in low carrying capacity estimates. Evergreen forages were abundant in both seasons but toxic properties likely limited their utility.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources personnel banded 52,193 captive-reared mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) released in Maryland from 1974— 1987. Although most recoveries (91%) occurred in Maryland, ducks that survived a single hunting season, particularly males, were more likely to be recovered outside the state. Most recoveries (79%) of state-released mallards occurred during the first hunting season after release and nearly all (>99%) occurred within 5 hunting seasons. About 16% of the ducklings (Frost, environmental-conditioned ducklings, >6 weeks old) released were eventually harvested at an average cost of $43.87 per duck bagged. We estimate that harvest of state-released ducks contribute <6% to the total duck harvest in the state.

The eastern brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis carolinensis) virtually disappeared from Louisiana by 1963. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (FGFWFC) reintroduced from Florida to southeastern Louisiana 1,276 fledgling pelicans at 3 release sites between 1968 and 1980. Florida transplants established 2 restored nesting populations, 1 at North Island in the Chandeleur Island chain and 1 at Queen Bess Island in Barataria Bay. The LDWF transplanted 149 fledglings from the Queen Bess colony to Last Island, Isles Dernieres, between 1984 and 1986 which resulted in a third nesting colony. Natural colony expansion occurred in 1990 when more than 100 nests were produced on the Mississippi River mud lumps and on Grand Gosier Island at the south end of the Chandeleur Island chain. The Queen Bess colony fledged 6,051 pelicans between 1971 and 1990. North Island production was 7,609 fledglings between 1979 and 1990.

A method for determining the ages of active red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) (Picoides borealis) cavities was developed based on data from 22 RCW cavity trees downed in the Francis Marion National Forest by Hurricane Hugo. Cavity age was measured in growing seasons of the tree from the date of cavity initiation. Age determination was based macroscopic and microscopic wound responses in wood removed from the side of the cavity entrances. The method was tested on 8 active cavities of known age located in the Sandhills Gamelands, North Carolina. All of the cavity age estimates were within 2 years of the known ages. In the year following the test no adverse effects on the birds have been reported. A method for rougher estimation of cavity ages is also presented as are suggestions for improvement, further testing, and application of both cavity aging methods.

Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife Resources and Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency evaluated the impact of pre-sunrise shooting on nontarget species during the 1991 September wood duck (Aix sponsa) season. Concealed observers in Kentucky and Tennessee recorded shooting activities of 88 hunting groups during the September wood duck season to determine if hunters discriminated between wood ducks and nontarget species during one-half hour before sunrise versus one-half hour after sunrise. A total of 424 single or flocks of waterfowl passed within shotgun range of observed hunters. Wood ducks comprised over 74% of the total shooting opportunities in both states. Shots at nontarget species were recorded on 4 and 10 occasions in Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Nontarget species represented <4% of the total harvest observed in our study. The number of times nontarget species were shot at varied by state (P ≤ 0.05) but not by time period.

Seasonal habitat use was monitored for 130 radio-equipped wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) gobblers on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Mississippi, 1986-90. Juvenile and adult gobblers used a variety of habitats within each season and usually exhibited similar trends in habitat use. In summer (Jun-Sep) both age classes used bottomland hardwoods less than expected during most years. However, use of bottomland hardwoods was greater than availability during spring. Use of mature pine (Pinus spp.) stands was usually less than availability in spring and greater than availability during summer. Gobblers used mature pine stands burned 1-2 years prior greater than expected, and used stands burned 3—4 years prior in proportion to their availability. Use of pine stands not burned ≥ 5 years was less than availability.

We determined nest occurrence and density among habitats and described physical factors associated with nesting sites for American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) in coastal South Carolina. Nests were located in managed impoundments more than expected, remnant impoundments less than expected, and unaltered wetlands as expected. Nest densities averaged 1/83 ha, 1/225 ha, and 1/286 ha in impoundments, unaltered wetlands, and remnant impoundments, respectively. Most (96%) nests were found in fresh to brackish wetland types. Salinity of nearest water to the nest averaged 6.74 ppt. Nests were built an average of 4.35 m from water. Impoundments may provide economic incentives to landowners through egg and hatchling collections.

We examined the role scale plays in determining the predictive power of bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) habitat models. We used a bald eagle roost habitat database that included 35 roost sites and 123 random sites located and characterized on the Chesapeake Bay from 1985-1988. A micro-habitat model, based on 6 micro-scale variables correctly classified 80% of the roost sites. A macro-habitat model, based on 10 macro-scale variables, correctly classified only 63% of the roost sites. A mixed model, incorporating the significant micro- and macro-scale variables, correctly classified 89% of the roost sites. Our results suggest there is a tradeoff between model performance (predictive power), model development costs, and model application.

Forage production and nutritional quality were determined for 11 cool-season and 6 warm-season forages for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a site in the Piedmont Plateau of Alabama from 1989 to 1991. Cool-season forages produced from 1,355 to 5,946 kg/ha (dry-matter basis) of forage per season containing from 56% to 84% total digestible nutrients (TDN), 8% to 30% crude protein (CP), 16% to 67% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 0.15% to 2.34% calcium, 0.10% to 0.40% phosphorus, and 0.85% to 4.59% potassium per clipping. During summer 1990, warm-season forages produced from 1,757 to 2,744 kg/ha of forage (dry-matter basis) containing from 60% to 68% TDN, 18% to 29% CP, 25% to 40% NDF, 0.81% to 1.68% calcium, 0.13% to 0.31% phosphorus, and 0.99% to 2.38% potassium. Except among ladino clover varieties, distinct differences in production and nutritional quality were detected over the seasons. Management implications regarding planting choice are discussed.

Interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data to characterize waterfowl hunters and harvest on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in east Texas during the 1986-87 season. Interviewed hunters and those submitting questionnaires averaged 0.94 and 1.31 ducks per trip, respectively (P = 0.003). Hunters per party, hours per trip, shots per trip, and shots per duck bagged averaged 2.19, 2.96, 5.63, and 5.07, respectively. These values and ducks harvested per trip (1.18) varied significantly across the season (P < 0.050). Based on interviews, an estimated 7,971 ducks were bagged. Wood ducks (Aix sponsa), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), lesser scaup (Aythya affinis), ring-necked ducks (A. collaris), gadwalls (Anas strepera), American wigeon (A. americana), and green-winged teal (A. acuta) dominated the harvest in that order. Proportions of the species in the bag varied significantly (P = 0.015) across the season.

Post-stocking survival, biomass, food habits, growth, and angler utilization of orangemouth corvina (Cynoscion xanthulus) (OMC), spotted seatrout (C. nebulosus) (SST) X OMC hybrids, and OMC X SST hybrids were monitored from 1986 to 1990 at Calaveras Reservoir, a south Texas urban impoundment, after introductions from 1984 to 1986. Survival was excellent for all introduced fishes. Peak catch per unit effort by gill nets coincided with peak biomass estimates determined from cove rotenone sampling in 1987. Although similarly dense populations of blue tilapia (Tilapia aurea) and shad (Dorosoma spp.) existed in the reservoir, OMC and hybrids fed exclusively on the shad. Growth rates based on known age and length at capture fitted to a von Bertalanffy growth model indicated both hybrids had faster growth than OMC; growth was rapid for all 3. Corvina grew to 46 cm TL in 1.5 years; the reservoir record was 5.81 kg.