Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Responses from a mail survey of Florida Turkey Stamp purchasers were used to evaluate turkey hunter satisfaction. Using factor analysis, 7 dimensions of hunter satisfaction were interpreted from ratings of 31 aspects of turkey hunting. Individual aspects of turkey hunting poorly correlated with the rating of the overall hunting experience. The 7 dimensions (nature, social, hunting, management, harvest, disturbance, and preparation) accounted for 50% of the variance in responses; individually, dimensions accounted for 9% oftotal variance. Although traditional management strategies emphasize harvest and hunter man-days, we suggest that turkey hunting is a multidimensional sport and that no single aspect greatly influences hunter satisfaction.

We used winter aerial survey data to evaluate abundance, distribution, and habitat use of snow (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and white-fronted geese (Anser alhifrons) wintering in Arkansas' Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV). Longterm survey data indicate that numbers of both species have increased more than lO-fold during the past decade, with recent maximum survey counts of 503,000 and 19,000 for snow and white-fronted geese, respectively. During our study (198589), snow geese were distributed throughout Arkansas' MAV, but most whitefronted geese were observed in the southern portion of the region. In agricultural settings, 65% and 55% of snow and white-fronted geese, respectively, were observed in harvested rice fields; 28% and 37%, respectively, were observed in harvested soybean fields; and 7% and 8%, respectively, were observed in winter wheat.

Male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns were collected from the wild at random in Alabama during the springs and summers of 1986 and 1987. Average body weight at 16 months of age was 58.3 kg (5004 to 68.2 kg) and antler weight averaged 150.1 g (25 to 339 g). Yearling weight and date of birth were not related (r = -0.36; P = 0.078) nor were antler mass and date of birth (r = -0.17; P = 00411). Racks averaged 4.2 points (range 2 to 8 points). Point number and date of birth were not related (r = 0.02; P = 0.914).

We studied habitat use by 32 radio-collared black bears (Ursus americanus luteolus) in the Tensas River Basin of Louisiana during April 1988-90. Preliminary data from telemetry and field observations were combined with a literature review to develop bottomland hardwood forest management guidelines for bears on Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge. Logged areas provided feeding, resting, denning, and escape opportunities for bears. Bears used bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), brushpiles, and ground nests for winter dens. Wooded drainages that traversed agricultural expanses were used as travel corridors. Even-aged management with a 100-year rotation, and selective cutting techniques were recommended to balance timber age classes, enhance habitat diversity, and provide stable food sources, denning sites, and cover.

We transported 2,220 giant Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima) eggs by small aircraft from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, to EI Reno, Oklahoma, from 1986 through 1989. Stages of incubation ranged from 3 to 27 days. Eggs were covered with goose down and shipped in domestic turkey egg transport containers made of corrugated cardboard. Two techniques were used to maintain temperatures between 24 and 38 C. In 1986 and 1989, no attempt was made to heat the eggs other than from the aircraft cabin temperature. In 1987 and 1988, we used supplemental heat in an attempt to maintain egg temperature around 38 C. Because hatching success was greater for eggs that did not receive supplemental heat (P < 0.05), we do not recommend heating of egg containers during transit.

We examined plant response to moist-soil management in the delta region of Arkansas in 1985-87. We monitored 3 fields subjected to May, June, and July drawdowns and passive management (no summer irrigation). Total seed production varied from 253 to 1,288 kg/ha and vegetation mass ranged from 1,070 to 4,880 kg/ha. Seed production was more dependent on year and field effects than on drawdown date. Fall panicum (Panicum dichotomiflorum) was the most important seed producer and longpod sesbania (Sesbania macrocarpa) was the major problem species. Primrose willow species (Ludwigia spp.) became increasingly dominant in successive years. Drawdowns later than I June appeared to minimize sesbania problems.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvests from wildlife management areas in northeastern Georgia were compared with habitat variables, population variables from the previous fall harvest and hunters/km2 • Three years of harvest data from 8 Blue Ridge Mountain areas and 12 years of data from an Upper Piedmont area were analyzed. A significant stepwise multiple regression model (R2 = 0.57) related deer harvest numbers to the following habitat variables for the mountain areas: number and hectares of agricultural food plots, kilometers of roads, hectares of oak timber (all positive), and hectares of clearcuts (negative). On the Piedmont area, similar analyses yielded a model (R2 = 0.60) with number of bucks harvested related to number of hunters, number of food plots, food plot hectares (all positive), pine timber hectares (negative), and percent population harvested the previous year (negative).

An inexpensive, portable, simplistic, and safe (no blasting caps) drop net was developed and tested on ground-dwelling birds and I deer. The net is held up by tension and is triggered by rapid release ofthe tension. The net was effective on the species tested. Its simple design may lend itself for adaptation for use to capture many species of wildlife.

Nineteen gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were equipped with radiotransmitter collars and located by triangulation on the Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina, between 22 March 1985 and 24 May 1986. Telemetry locations (N = 3,(08) were used to estimate seasonal home range sizes (N = 23) and calculate minimum total distances (MTD) moved (N = 192). Seasonal home range sizes were not different between sexes or seasons (P > 0.05). Average seasonal home range sizes were 173 ha for males, 139 ha for females, and 158 ha for both sexes combined. MTDs were not different between sexes (P > 0.05). Denning season MTDs (¯x = 3,459 m) were smaller than those of pup rearing (¯x = 5,360 m) and dispersal and mating (¯x = 5,742 m) seasons (P < 0.05).

Densities of waterfowl (Anatidae) and American coots (Fulica americana) were compared across habitats to evaluate the relative use and value of reservoir habitats, particularly hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) beds. Hydrilla was selected by ducks as a group over all other habitats (P < 0.05) and was the most selected habitat (P < 0.05) for American wigeon (Anas americana), gadwalls (A. strepera), northern shovelers (A. clypeata), canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria), and ring-necked ducks (A. collaris). Five other duck species selected hydrilla as 1 of several (> I) habitats most selected (P < 0.05). In all seasons, American coots selected hydrilla and the hydrillaemergent interface (P < 0.05). Hydrilla was an important habitat component for waterfowl and coots and may improve the value of reservoirs for wintering waterbirds.

We compared Texas antihunters with hunters and neutrals in terms of 8 demographic characteristics, their views on 6 reasons for hunting, and opinions on 7 environmental statements. Antihunters were nearly indistinguishable from neutrals in demographic characteristics, levels of opposition to hunting, and environmental opinions. Membership in or desire to become a member of an antihunting organization does not necessarily identify an antihunter as evidenced by a measurable degree of antihunting sentiment among neutrals. Antihunters differed from hunters more in terms of demographic characteristics and all reasons for hunting than in environmental opinions. We offer 3 responses to address antihunting sentiments including: telling the real story about hunting and hunters, incorporating wildlife management education into public school curricula; and training hunters in ethics and public relations.

With a canine's proven scenting ability, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission began a study and pilot program to evaluate the possible uses of specially trained canines in conservation law enforcement. This paper will briefly describe the findings during the study period and the pilot program. Details into training methods will not be discussed.

At the request of Texas state game wardens, a low intervention weight-loss program was implemented for 48 officers assigned to 3 law enforcement districts and the department headquarters staff. The program was designed to take advantage of the social interaction and support of wardens assigned to the same unit. At termination of the l4-week program, 90% of the participants had lost weight and mean weight loss for all officers was 8.6Ib. Weight-loss was related to initial weight of participants and to the district of assignment. Program cost was similar to those of other low intervention programs and substantially less than other types of weight loss programs.

Nonresident fishing license sales are a significant proportion of the Florida Gameand Fresh WaterFish Commission's annual revenues. This study soughlto estimate annual revenue loss due to improper licensing of late-winter nonresident freshwater fishermen. Only 7% were improperly liceosed, representing $172,000 in lost revenue.

A guide for fish and wildlife law enforcement chief executive officers is provided which includes a definition and overview of law enforcement planning as a distinct profession and describing its utility within the law enforcement function. Specific examples of duties are enumerated as are guidelines for soliciting and hiring a professional law enforcement planner and establishing a functional unit.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is currently in the process of upgrading its law enforcement services through advanced training in the area of defensive tactics. One of the objectives of this mission is to certify each of Georgia's conservation law enforcement officers in the use of an intermediate weapon in an effort to have a complete line of force options available to its law enforcement personnel. In an attempt to fill this void, the Department has selected one of the most highly advanced intermediate weapons available to law enforcement today, the tactical baton. The Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) tactical baton is the one the Department feels will be most suited for Conservation Law Enforcement. The Department believes that based upon tactical performance, control potential, injury reduction, psychological deterrence, instructor certification training availability, ease of implementation, and cost there is no better choice.

The difference between surviving or not surviving a shoot-out will depend on many factors. Who are you up against, how many are you up against, how efficient are they, and then, how efficient are you? This could be the most important question you could ever ask yourself in a life or death situation. Nothing could be more important when confronted with a violent situation than training and equipment. Proper training and equipment are a must for a professional law enforcement officer, anything less is only flirting with danger. With liability cases on the increase, agencies who fail to provide the most up-to-date training and equipment are also flirting with danger. For these reasons, training and equipment must be put on the front burner and monitored continuously. The best defense to liability cases against officers and their respective agencies is, without question, competent training and competent equipment.

Extensive bird mortality was documented from oil contained in pits and opentopped tanks in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Annual mortality easily exceeded 300,000 birds including 100,000 ducks. An enforcement strategy was developed that included negotiations with state oil regulating agencies, seminars presented to oil industry associations, a news media campaign, and criminal and civil enforcement actions initiated at the state and federal level.

One of Missouri's largest and most unique game fish, the paddlefish, faced a threat that potentially was as great as the loss of spawning grounds resulting from construction ofdams. Poachers, well aware of Missouri's reputation for large concentrations of these primitive filter feeders, were reaping huge profits by illegally netting the fish and selling the roe as caviar. Covert investigators with the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service infiltrated groups operating on the Osage River in Warsaw, Missouri, as well as another group based on the James River of Table Rock Lake. After 18 months of work, the network that moved eggs from Missouri streams to caviar dealers throughout the country was uncovered and prosecuted.

This study describes a method of constructing inexpensive, durable, shallow-water reefs in freshwater lakes with whole Australian pines (Casuarina spp.). Snorkel observations demonstrated that largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and redear sunfish (L. microlophus) abundance was significantly higher on reef areas as compared to between-reef areas, or control areas. A creel survey measured improved catch rates for largemouth bass and lower catch rates for sunfish on reef areas. The use of on-site materials during lake construction should be considered an economical method of concentrating certain sport fish species for the purpose of improving angler success.

Lake Talquin was dewatered in September 1983 and a 2-stage refill was completed by mid-July 1984. Spring creel surveys were conducted by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission prior to (1978, 1981) and following (1985-88) this drawdown. Harvest estimates have increased 5-fold for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) since 1986. Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromoculatus) were harvested in record numbers in 1987 but declined appreciably in 1988. Sunfish harvest after 1986 returned to pre-1986 levels and has stabilized. The sharp increase in harvest estimates for all species in 1987 was due to recruitment of their 1984 post-drawdown year class to harvestable size. Benefits to the sport fishery from the drawdown were not immediately realized but became evident to anglers as increased harvest in 1987.