Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Throughout the many years of his existence, the conservation ranger has never held an ideal relationship with the news media. The highly isolated areas that he works, the low profile he maintains, and the seclusion he often places himself in, have all contributed to making the ranger almost invisible to the news media in many areas, but especially in the area of law enforcement. As a peace officer, the conservation ranger is undoubtedly one of the least understood aspects of the criminal justice system. Often working alone, with little or no contact with the outside world, the ranger works diligently toward enforcing a state's game and fish laws. But the ranger's responsibility to the public does not end with his protection of the wildlife and habitat.

As a part of a cooperative effort between the Fisheries and Law Enforcement Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a comprehensive program for forensic identification of fish and wildlife species has been implemented. Results of comparisons of blood stains from various wildlife species indicate that isoelectric focusing of blood produces genetic "fingerprints" that are characteristic for individual species. Results of 3 representative cases are reported and the program enactment is outlined.

Deer depredation permits bring about mixed emotions across the state of Mississippi. Through the diligent work of local conservation officers, the cooperation of landowners, and the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) all parties have a clearer view of the permit system, and realize that it will only work when we all work together.

The perceived influence of television, parents, books, teachers, friends, and a school class on students' interest in wildlife was examined by survey of fifth, seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade students residing in Hualien, Taiwan, and Victoria, Texas. Television and books represented the greatest perceived influence on both Taiwanese and American students' interest in wildlife whereas teachers and the school classroom were among the least influential. Few significant variations (ANOYA) by city and grade were detected. Study implications were related to focusing on teachers as neglected partners in the process of wildlife education and future research needed in wildlife education.

Demand for an effective way to evaluate natural resource education programs and materials is increasing. In this study, a mail questionnaire survey was developed to examine the impact on riparian landowners of a cooperative extension education publication addressing river conservation. Our respondents held a favorable opinion about this publication. The majority of readers surveyed found it understandable, well organized, attractive, interesting, persuasive, educational, and sufficiently useful to be kept for future reference. Most readers expressed a willingness-to-pay price that exceeded the publication costs. The mail questionnaire survey technique provides a rapid, convenient, and objective approach for evaluation of educational publications. This method is useful in demonstrating the extent of use and effectiveness of an educational publication, characterizing readership, and justifying production costs to sponsors.

A user survey was conducted on Eastern State Wildlife Management Area from 8 November 1986 through 28 February 1987. A total of 1,290.50 hours of use was recorded by hunters and non-hunters for the period. December received the maximum hunter effort with 406.50 hours. November received 247.50 hours of use, January 193.00 hours of use, and February 122.32 hours of use. January recorded the maximum hours of non-hunter use with 156.50 hours. Rabbit hunting was the most popular activity with 224.42 hours. Unspecified, squirrel, crow, and dove hunting followed in popularity. It is apparent from use and harvest data that the area provides substantial opportunity for the hunters of the surrounding metropolitan area.

Missouri fifth grade students (N = 2,581) selected from a stratified random sample of 100 public elementary schools were surveyed to determine their knowledge about white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Students possessed good general knowledge about deer biology, management and hunting. Statements about habitat management and specialized information for deer proved most difficult for students as indicated by mean correct responses of only 51% and 45%, respectively. It was noteworthy that only 45% of the students agreed that deer hunting is a good method for controlling the deer population, and only 42% believed it an acceptable activity. Students attending schools in Ozark Plateau and Glaciated-Osage Plains natural divisions possessed better knowledge about deer than did students in Mississippi Lowland and urban regions of the state. Recreation and meat were recognized as primary reasons people hunt deer.

After 2 years of discussion with key members of trapper and houndsman organizations the Arkansas Furbearer Council met for the first time. Subsequent meetings and cooperative efforts with the officers and members of the concerned groups have molded a relationship whereby problems are worked out "across the table." Over 2 dozen joint actions have resolved many problems affecting the interests of these groups. The Arkansas Furbearer Council is highly regarded by the Commissioners of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and recommendations from the Council have been approved consistently.

Sportsmen Protecting Our Resources Together, (SPORT), is a Missouri Department of Conservation outdoor ethics program designed to improve our awareness of how we use the outdoors and the responsibility connected to that use. In Missouri, SPORT is the foundation for not only Hunter Education, but also our complete Outdoor Skills Education program. It provides enough variety in its form to integrate it into an overall outdoor education curriculum within a school or youth organization. This paper will discuss goals of the SPORT program, examine how it is used in hunter education and other outdoor education programs and evaluate the future need for outdoor ethics.

Alabama hunting accident data collected from 1976 to 1985 were examined to assess trends and establish causal relationships. Species hunted, geographic area, time of day, type of firearm, age of shooter, and hunter judgement were major factors associated with hunting accidents. Close correlations seemed evident between hunters < 18 years old without hunter education training and hunting accidents throughout the study period, while no correlation was evident for hunters < 18 years old who had hunter education training. Recommendations were made for future data collection and analysis of hunting accidents occurring in the Southeast. Also, special areas of emphasis were highlighted to be stressed in future hunter education courses based on identified relationships between accidents and analyzed factors.

Natural reproduction of hybrid striped bass (Marone chrysops x M.saxatiUs) was documented in Lake Palestine, Texas. Electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing analysis indicated 29% of the sampled Marone spp. were non F-l hybrids. These individuals apparently resulted when F-l hybrids reproduced with white bass and/or F-l hybrids. Age analysis revealed the non F-l hybrids were from years when hybrid striped bass were not stocked.

A 70% reduction of total reservoir area during an extended drawdown impacted Watauga Reservoir fish populations. Response to the drawdown and refilling was species specific. Abundance of alewife (Alosa Pseudoharengus) and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), 2 primary prey species, decreased while young of year gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) increased. Changes in growth and relative weight indicated some predators (walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) benefited by the reduction of lake volume. This was not the case with black bass (Microterus spp). Species composition and relative abundance following the drawdown were similar to those which occur when a new reservoir is filled. The fishery, though affected, was not greatly impacted during the drawdown.

Relative abundance of several species of fish in the headwaters of Keowee Reservoir and in Jocassee Reservoir were estimated during the initial 9 years of operation by the Jocassee Pumped Storage Station. Several species of fish in each reservoir declined in abundance during this period, while others increased. We think the declines were related more to the chemical stabilization of these reservoirs than to pumped storage operations. The increases were related to stocking programs and natural population expansions.

Few significant differences could be detected between a high flow year and a low flow year with respect to catch, effort, catch per unit effort, or the functional composition of the multi-species tailwater fishery below Jordan Dam on the Coosa River, Alabama. Additionally, no significant or consistent correlations were evident between mean daily discharge and daily catch during the 2 surveys. Correlations between daily effort and daily catch per unit effort with mean daily flow were few, inconsistent, and restricted to winter and late summer months when fishing effort was minimal. Angler responses during interviews indicated diverse preferences relative to flow regime.

A fish die-off involving primarily threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) occurred from July through September 1985 in Lake Monticello, Texas. Heated water discharged from the Monticello Power Plant plus adverse climatic conditions elevated lake water temperatures influencing fish distribution and survival. Respiratory stressors due to crowding of fish in limited refuge areas and intensified by prolonged high water temperatures, are suspected to have caused the mortality of an estimated 756,000 fish valued at $47,000.

Upper thermal tolerance limits (TL50's) for early life stages of Par Pond and Florida stocks of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides intergrade and M. s. loridanus) were determined. Comparisons were made between 3 stages (non-feeding and feeding pro-larvae, and post-larvae), 2 initial temperatures (18° and 23° C), and instant vs. gradual (5° C/day) exposures to test temperatures between 18° and 38° C. Upper thermal tolerance limits did not differ between largemouth bass stocks, life stages, or initial temperatures. Ninety-six hour TL50 was 32.8° C for instant exposures and 34.1° C for gradual exposures (5° C/day) to high temperatures. Percent survival for 96-hour exposures to high temperatures was significantly higher for gradual exposures than instant exposures for all stocks, initial temperatures, and life stages. Calculated Maximum Weekly Average Temperature (MWAT) to protect early life stages of largemouth bass is 28.1 ° C.

Eighteen hundred and thirty-four black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) were collected from the St. Johns River, Florida, in late winter and early spring, 1982 to 1985. Differences in numbers and growth rates of males and females collected were not significant (P > 0.05). Fish were separated into age groups using length-frequency distributions and by counting annuli on otoliths. Only 2 distinct age groups were discernible by length-frequency analysis, whereas 6 to 8 groups were identified by otolith aging. Mean lengths of age groups obtained from lengthfrequency were overestimated 3 of the 4 study years when compared to otolith aging. Length range overlap from otolith aged groups varied from 15.2% to 100% and averaged 69.3%. Year class overlap occurred as early as years I and 2 and indicated a bias when relying on length-frequency evaluation alone.

Five techniques (electrofishers, hoop nets, gill nets, wire traps, and trotlines) were used to sample ictalurids in the Neuse River above New Bern, North Carolina, between July 1984 and May 1985. Hoop nets were the most effective of the sampling gears tested. They collected white catfish (lctalurus catus), channel catfish (l. punctatus), blue catfish (l. furcatus), yellow bullhead (l. natalis), and margined madtom (Noturus insignis) and accounted for 76% of the total number of fish caught. Electrofishing (low voltage) captured white catfish, yellow bullhead, and margined madtom, which represented 14% of the total number of fish caught. White catfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, and brown bullhead (l. nebulosus) were caught with trotlines, but this accounted for only 8% of the total number caught. Wire traps, gill nets, and electrofishing (high voltage) were ineffective in sampling catfish in the Neuse River.

Electrofishing for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in sites selected because they are judged to have habitat favored by bass can often yield higher catch per effort than in sites selected randomly, resulting in reduced effort or more precise estimates. Although samples selected subjectively could misrepresent relative abundance, they mayor may not affect population indices derived from lengthweight data, such as length-frequency and condition indices. We compared indices obtained at randomly-selected sites with indices obtained at subjectively-selected sites. The latter sites provided more largemouth bass, overestimated Proportional Stock Density and Relative Stock Density (P < 0.05), but did not affect Relative Condition (P > 0.05). We conclude that judgment sampling may misrepresent a largemouth bass population's abundance and structure.

Three battery-powered pulsed DC electrofishing units were built and used to collect flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in a 50-km section of the Flint River, Georgia, to study the dramatic population expansion of that species following introduction. Peak collecting efficiency was achieved at 20 Hz frequency and pulse width of 0.4-0.5 ms. Power of 250-350 volts and 3 amps were needed to collect flathead catfish effectively in conductivities of 80-155 umhos/cm. Fishing downstream in a figure-S pattern with a 12-m anode wire hanging from the stern was effective in a variety of depth, substrate, and flow conditions. Efficiency was increased when a chase boat was deployed to net fish due to the large effective electric field. Efficiency was significantly reduced below 20° C. During 35 trips and 78.4 hours of electrofishing, 3,266 flathead catfish were collected.

We compared electrofishing and underwater observations as different methods for estimating population characteristics of centrarchids in a medium-sized warmwater stream in Missouri. We evaluated how well each method determined length-frequency distribution of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), and longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis). Underwater observation was the more accurate technique, producing length-frequencies more typical of a catch curve. When compared to underwater observations, electrofishing sampled the largest size class of fish effectively, but not the smallest size classes. Electrofishing efficiency was species specific and was related to habitat preferences and fish behavior. Correction factors, developed from observational data, can be used to increase the accuracy of electrofishing data.

Creel surveys were conducted on 9 state-owned public fishing lakes during 1981 and 1982 to determine harvest, pressure, and angler success rates. Anglers harvested a mean 50.4 kg/ha (SD = 18.0 kg/ha) among all lakes surveyed and had a mean success rate of 0.94 fish/angler-hour and 0.18 kg/angler-hour. Mean pressure among all lakes was 318.2 angler-hours/ha (SD = 145.3 angler-hours/ha). Lepomis macrochirus was the most sought after species during the survey, followed by Pomoxis sp., Micropterus salmoides, and lctalurus punctatus, respectively. Negative relationships were detected between Micropterus salmoides mean sizes and success rates and between Pomoxis sp. mean sizes and harvest rates. Anglers tended to spend a greater percentage of their time within lakes seeking species which returned the higher success rate. Management implications derived from the surveys are discussed and include fishery-specific programs and increased emphasis on bluegill and crappie management.

This paper summarizes a framework for understanding freshwater trout fishermen and how such a framework can be used in coldwater fishery management. It is based on a sociological study of "angler specialization" and how it relates to fisherman behavior, attitudes, and fishery management preferences. Angler specialization refers to a continuum of fishermen types from the beginning fisherman to the advanced specialist, reflected by such factors as amount of participation, gear and equipment used, and commitment to the sport. Anglers identified themselves according to the independent variable of specialization level (occasional, generalist, specialist) and significant differences (P ≤: .05) were found in dependent variable categories of behavior, attitudes about fishing, and management philosophy.