Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Microhabitat variables were measured at 79 locations used by migrant common snipe (Capella gallinago). The maximum water depth used was 27 mm. Snipes demonstrated diurnal rhythms of habitat selection, using wet sites with short vegetation during feeding periods, and dry sites with taller vegetation during nonfeeding periods. Lower vegetation densities were selected in late afternoon. During feeding periods, 67% of snipes were within 15 cm of a soil/water interface, but during midday, 69% were more than 5.0 m from water. Twenty-three plants were associated with snipe microhabitats, but snipes selected microhabitats because of water conditions and vegetation structure, not vegetation composition.

The accuracy of Lincoln Index estimates for a wild population of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) of known size was examined. Data indicated there was a tendency to overestimate population size regardless of the percentage of the population that was marked. Learned trap-escape behavior apparently caused the observed overestimations. A similar bias probably exists for other studies on birds.

Nesting success and production of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) was studied on the Texas A&M University Campus during 1978 and 1979. Data indicated that mourning dove nesting and production were highly variable between months within years and monthly between years. Nests initiated in August were the most important both in quantity (20% of total) and rate of success (32% of total).' Although September-initiated nests contributed only 5% of total nests and 6% of fledged young, August-initiated nests still active during early September contributed 20% of the total fledglings in 1978 and 26% in 1979.

Aerial surveys were used to determine numbers of wintering waterfowl and their habitat preferences on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in East Texas during the winters of 1979 - 81. The magnitude of relative preference for 6 wetland types was defined as the mean difference between the ranks of wetland use and availability. A total of 23,277 waterfowl representing 14 species was tallied from 12 surveys. Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwall (A. strepera), American widgeon (A. americana), and teal (Anas spp.) were the most abundant species and composed 89.0% of the total Ducks preferred scrub-shrub, emergent wetlands, and aquatic beds over unconsolidated bottom and shore, live forested wetlands, and dead forested wetlands (P < 0.05). Results suggest that waterfowl habitat management should be primarily considered in the design and construction phase of reservoir projects.

We banded 1,987 Canada geese (Branta canadensis) at Ballard Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Kentucky 1974 - 81. Additionally we observed 1,459 neckbanded individuals at Ballard WMA 1977 - 81 and obtained 11,649 observations of these individuals in the Mississippi Flyway. Analysis of these observations and 195 hunting recoveries indicated a strong association between Ballard WMA and Wisconsin. Average annual survival was estimated as 72% for geese banded at Ballard WMA 1974 - 79. Of 783 movements between refuges in southern Illinois and Ballard WMA, 73% were movements into Kentucky. Sixty individuals originally banded on the Hudson-James Bay coast were observed at Ballard WMA 1977 - 81. The origin of these individuals does not suggest a strong association between Ballard WMA and a particular segment of the breeding range.

Drive counts of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus subsp.) were evaluated on playa basins in the High Plains of Texas. The counts were 97-99% precise when the density of counters averaged 1/0.85 ha. The change-in-ratio estimator was modified to estimate pre-hunt population size when post-hunt population size and the proportion of cocks in the harvest are assumed known. Problems associated with drive counts of pheasants are discussed. Costs averaged $38/playa basin ($1.52/ha).

Arkansas residents and personnel of the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reported 1,253 observations of black bear (Ursus americanus) and signs of their activity from 1976 through 1980. Cub:sow ratios ranged from 1.85 to 2.18 and averaged 2.06. Percent cubs observed ranged from 19.6 to 23.6 and averaged 22.4. Nuisance bear complaints increased during this period. Survey techniques and implications for present and future black bear management are discussed.

Eighty-one river otter (Lutra canadensis) carcasses were collected from trappers and a fur dealer in Georgia during the 1979 - 80 and 1980 - 81 trapping seasons for environmental pollutant analysis. Mercury occurred in all muscle, liver, and hair samples analyzed with ranges of 0.2 to 13, 1.2 to 60, and 7.1 to 155 ppm, respectively. Detectable cesium-137 occurred in 77% of the samples ranging from less than 141 to 6,660 pCi/kg. DDT and its metabolites were detected in 97% of the otter fat samples at levels ranging from 0.08 to 91.90 ppm. Mirex, dieldrin, and PCBs were found in 68, 59, and 66% of the samples with ranges of 0.16 to 75.40, 0.03 to 1.26, and 0.57 to 84.20 ppm. Muscle, hair, and liver mercury levels, cesium-137 and mirex levels were all significantly higher in the coastal plain than in the piedmont region of Georgia.

Beaver pelts from the Mississippi Beaver Cooperative fur sale held during March 1980 were examined to determine both the extent and origin of the damage responsible for downgrading. Of 1,914 pelts in the sample, 1,255 (65.6%) were significantly damaged. Damage inflicted by beaver accounted for 27.5% of the total. Skinning and fleshing cuts accounted for 31.5% of the damage. All other types plus those of unknown origin totaled 41.0%. Methods of dealing with the damage problem are discussed.

Food habits of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) were determined by microscopic analysis of stomach contents from 2 physiographic regions of Virginia during 4 seasons of the year. The area examined in the mountain region (Radford Army Ammunition Plant [RAAP)) contained a high population of rabbits whereas the area studied in the piedmont region (Fort Pickett) was an area with a history of relatively low rabbit populations for the past 2 decades. Food habits of rabbits from the 2 areas were different; rabbits from Fort Pickett subsisted on much greater quantities of forbs throughout the year than RAAP rabbits which consumed primarily grasses. Collectively, leaf and stem parts of grasses and forbs made up well over 90% of total food items found in stomachs throughout the year. At Fort Pickett grasses occurred in greater volumes in winter and spring, whereas forbs were more numerous in summer and fall. Grasses predominated in all seasons at RAAP.

A net 2.3 m X 2.4 m, made of number 248 knotless nylon with 2.5 cm mesh and attached to the skids of a Bell G-4A or Hiller helicopter, has proven effective in capturing Attwater's prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) and ring necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). More than 300 prairie chickens have been captured using the helinet technique at an estimated cost of $37.80 per bird. Death losses, attributable to the helinet capture techniques, were less than 4%. A total of 313 pheasants was captured at a cost of $37.39 per bird, with no known death losses. The helinet is portable, can be used throughout the year, and permits individuals of both sexes to be selected for capture.

Number of active nests was compared with number of territories of singing male birds determined by spot mapping for 16 common species in north Louisiana. The number of active nests per number of territories ranged from 0 to 2.3. Carolina wrens (Thryothorus ludovicianus), white-eyed vireos (Vireo griseus), yellow-billed cuckoos (Coccyzus americanus), northern orioles (Icterus galbula), orchard orioles (Icterus spurius), common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), and bobwhites (Colirr.us virginianus) had less than 0.6 nests per territory. American robins (Turdus migratorius), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), brown thrashers (Toxostoma rufum), and loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus) had more than 1.4 nests per territory. Caution is urged when using spot map results to infer reproductive efforts.

Seventy-four nest attempts by the eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) were made from 1977 - 80 in nesting boxes in 2 loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations, age 1 - 4 years in east-central Mississippi. Of the 303 bluebird eggs laid, 245 (81%) hatched and 232 (77%) produced fledglings. Mean number of young fledged per successful nest averaged 3.87, with an average clutch size of 4.42. The largest number of nest attempts, eggs laid, and number fledged occurred at plantation age 3 years. The 1st nest attempts began in March and the latest were in August, with most young fledging in May, June, and July.

A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) hacking program was initiated at the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Land Between The Lakes during the summer of 1980. This program was a cooperative effort between TVA and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to reintroduce the bald eagle as a breeding species in Tennessee. Two eaglets, obtained from wild nests in Wisconsin, were placed in a manmade nest atop a 12.7 m (40-foot) tower on June 28. They were fed and monitored from a nearby observation tower until released on August 10. Observations of the behavior patterns of the eaglets were made. These included documentation of feeding ac:tivity, inter- and intraspecific interactions, exercising, and other behavior patterns. Each bird was fitted with 2 transmitters for monitoring post-release movements.

Broad-leaved grasses (Poaceae) were staple foods of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus), while wiregrass (Aristida stricta) was taken mainly in early spring and late fall. These plants were relatively high in fiber and were partially replaced in the diet by more nutritious forbs when available. Wild legumes (Fabaceae), which were very high in protein, were used extensively, especially by juveniles. Individuals near agricultural areas fed heavily on Florida pussley (Richardia scabra), and poor-Joe (Diodia teres) was taken frequently in areas of past soil disturbance. Vegetation in ruderal areas generally contained more minerals than food plants on natural sand ridges. Forage production (161 - 683 kg/ha) was positively correlated (r2 = 0.88) with tortoise density and largely determined carrying capacity. However, occasional ingestion of animal matter (especially by females) may be a significant source of protein and minerals which are limited in xeric tortoise habitat.

The effects of gassing on the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi), an inhabitant of burrows of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) was tested in southern Georgia. Gassing is frequently practiced by rattlesnake hunters to drive snakes from tortoise burrows. Six adult indigo snakes equipped with radio transmitters had established typical winter behavior patterns before 3 of them were gassed 19 December 1979 with 60 ml of unleaded gasoline. The gassed snakes died between 12 and 34 days later. The ungassed snakes were recovered in excellent condition during January. Unusual behavior of gassed snakes preceding death is discussed.

The Abomasal Parasite Count (APC) provides an effective yet timeconsuming technique for assessing parasite burdens in southeast white-tailed deer (OdocoUeus virginianus) herds. Staining techniques utilizing Rose Bengal to facilitate parasite identification are described. Total water hardness of 74 mg/l or greater is essential to the proper application of these staining techniques. A concentration of 1% Rose Bengal stain yields a considerable savings of laboratory time. Expense of the technique is minimal at a cost of 4 cents per sample. Guidelines for the most effective use of this staining method are provided.

Low hunter success in conjunction with a high population index prompted a 2-year study to test the hypothesis that white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were moving to the adjacent refuge during hunting season. Of 5 males and 14 females, only 2 females used the refuge in a manner inconsistent with preseason use. Daytime use areas increased during hunting season. Daytime use area of bucks did not differ from that of does, but a greater percentage of bucks made excursions 3 - 9 km from their daytime use area. Discrepancy between hunter success and population index was attributed to low vulnerability due to use of extensive blackjack - post oak (Quercus marilandica - Quercus stellata) cover type during the day and to high visibility on spotlight counts due to concentration of deer in meadows at night.

Ten female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were live-trapped, radio-tagged, released, and monitored for a 5-month period (Nov. 1975 - Mar. 1976) on the Fred T. Stimpson Wildlife Sanctuary in Clarke County Alabama. Study animals were monitored hourly during 74 individual diel periods before, during, and after the pealt of rut. Additional random daily monitoring (2512 locations) was also conducted. Minimum home ranges did not differ statistically among the pre-rut, rut, and post-rut study periods. Minimum total linear distance moved during diel periods, distance between extreme diellocations, minimum diel area covered, and minimum portion of home range utilized during diel periods were significantly (P < 0.(5) smaller during rut. Diel activity was significantly higher (P < 0.01) during rut than during pre-rut or post-rut.

Characteristics and opinions of deer hunters using the Choctaw and Tallahala Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) were determined from a mail questionnaire. Respondents were typically white, middle-class males. Characteristics of education, occupation and community size of residence were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the WMAs. The quality of hunting and current management practices, with the exception of hunting with dogs, were favorably rated on both WMAs. Significantly more respondents from the Tallahala WMA (66%) than the Choctaw WMA (42%) favored hunting with dogs. Respondents from both WMAs rated the suspense and challenge of the hunt as the most important benefit derived from hunting, followed by getting outdoors, hunting success, solitude, companionship, meat and exercise.

Twenty-six habitat characteristics were quantified on untreated, clearcut, and picloram-treated plots on north-facing, south-facing, and ridgetop sites in eastern Kentucky. Twenty-one habitat characteristics differed among treatments and 13 characteristics differed among aspects. Herbicide plots were intermediate between untreated and clearcut plots in 15 characteristics. Hard and some soft mast species and browse species were adversely affected by increasing concentrations of herbicide, but snag and log abundance were increased by herbicide application. Hard mast species composition, foliage height diversity, and leaf cover were highest on untreated areas. Soft mast and browse species composition, and log, stump, and rock abundance were best on south-facing clearcuts. Snag abundance and diameter were greatest on ridgetop and south-facing plots receiveing 68 kg/ha of TORDON 10K.

Understory response was studied for 4 years following thinning in 44 cove hardwood stands in the mountains of western North Carolina and northern Georgia. Stands were in the pole and small-sawtimber stages, raning in age from 20 to 56 years. Understory vegetation increased from 334 kg/ha before thinning to 574 kg/ha the 1st year after thinning. Peak production of 777 kg/ha was reached in the 3rd year and began to decline slightly by the 4th year. Implications for deer, grouse and songbird management are discussed.