Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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.

The Lake Kissimmee roving creel survey, ongoing since 1974, was an excellent mechanism for determining annual harvest, effort, and success of tournament and non-tournament anglers fishing for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). On an annual basis, tournament anglers accounted for 34% to 37% of the total annual catch, which included released fish. Tournament bass fishermen exerted an estimated annual effort of 83,327, 66,639 and 74,077 man-hours in 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively. Total success estimates for bass were significantly higher for tournament anglers than for non-tournament anglers during the study period.

White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) stock structure and catch rate estimates and their associated variances were compared between 1-night and 3-night frame-net sets. We set paired frame nets at each of 5 stations on 3 reservoirs in fall and early winter 1990. We ran 1 net of each pair the morning after it was set; the second net of each pair was allowed to fish for 3 nights continuously. PSD and RSDp estimates from each sampling regime were similar. Three night sets significantly increased precision of PSD estimates. Both 1-night and 3-night sets yielded similar estimates of CPUES, CPUEq, and CPUEp. Precision surrounding catch rate esimates for stock-size and quality-size fish increased significantly using 3-night sets.

Tournament-caught largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were tagged and released in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas, in early spring 1989 and 1990. Studies conducted on a sample of these fish indicated 4% initial mortality and 94% tag retention. Angling contests were held for 15 weeks (1 April-15 July) each year to recapture fish. Recapture rates by contest anglers provided estimates of exploitation over the 15- week period. Voluntary release of bass was 52%-57%. The estimated exploitation rates for 15-week periods in 1989 and 1990 were 0.27 and 0.47, respectively. Increased angling vulnerability of tagged fish could have had a positive bias on exploitation rates. Increasing fishing effort and harvest over a 5-year period suggest exploitation has not been detrimental to the fishery. Techniques used in this study required only minimum effort and expense.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an introduced predator (saugeye; Stizostedion vitreum X Stizostedion canadense) on the density of intermediate-size white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and to provide a prey species (threadfin shad; Dorosoma petenense) to facilitate the crappie dietary shift from invertebrates to fish. Concomitant annual stockings of fingerling saugeye and adult threadfin shad were initiated in 1985 and continued through 1991. Although late summer spawns of threadfin shad were documented in 1988 and 1989, trawl samples failed to collect substantial numbers of threadfin shad. Juvenile threadfin densities never exceeded 20% of the maximum gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) densities for a given year. Threadfin shad did not contribute substantially to the diet of crappie. Stomach analysis of adult saugeye indicated that crappie were a primary component of their diet.

Sub-legal red drum (<355 mm) collected with angling gear during 1988 and 1989 were held in confinement to evaluate post-hooking survival. Short-term posthooking survival was 84% in both years. Most fish were hooked in the maxilla area and 92% of these individuals survived. Gill-hooked fish comprised 13% of the red drum collected and exhibited 68% survival. Only 10% were hooked in the esophagus; however, these fish had the lowest survival (47%). Angler recapture rates of marked hookcaught red drum were similar to those of marked net-captured fish during 1988. The significant difference in return rates during 1989 is likely a result of poor tag performance and not post-hooking mortality.

Growth, survival, angler utilization, and fishery characteristics of red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were monitored after introduction into Braunig Reservoir, a freshwater urban power-plant cooling reservoir in South Texas. Growth was rapid with individuals reaching 412, 592, 683, and 728 mm TL by 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Red drum reached harvestable size (51 cm TL) within 2 years after stocking. Average annual survival was 35.7%, higher than reported for Texas coastal populations. Red drum harvest rate was also generally higher in Braunig Reservoir than in Texas coastal fisheries. Cost:benefit ratios of the Braunig Reservoir red drum fishery were 1:65, 1:147 and 1:382 for 1982, 1983 and 1984, respectively.

The visible opaque bands in transverse sections of sagittal otoliths from bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), redear sunfish (L. microlophus), and redbreast sunfish (L. auritus) were verified as annual rings. The verification was done using intraperitoneal injections of oxytetracycline followed by otolith examination after the fish were at liberty for 1 year in a north central Florida pond. Injections of 75 mg/kg wet body weight resulted in the best rate of fluorescent ring formation. Saggital otoliths from bluegill and redear sunfish populations in Newnans Lake Florida were sampled monthly to determine the time of annulus formation. Annulus formation occurred for bluegill between March and July and for redear sunfish between February and July. Baseline data for length at age I to IV are presented for bluegill, redear sunfish, and redbreast sunfish populations in 58 lakes, 46 lakes, and 13 streams, respectively.

Statewide 356-mm minimum-length and 5-fish daily creel limits for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were evaluated on 28 Texas reservoirs. Electrofishing catch rate data were used to evaluate changes in adult largemouth bass density and size structure 2 years after the limits were implemented. Statewide regulations successfully increased adult largemouth bass densities in Texas reservoirs. Electrofishing catch rates of fish ≥254 mm and those ≥356 mm increased significantly across the study reservoirs. Largemouth bass size structure also shifted towards larger fish.