Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulates an experimental alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) egg collection program which requires the return of a portion of juvenile alligators to ensure recruitment and maintain populations. An extensive tag and release program of farm-released juvenile alligators was evaluated by analysis of later harvest of recaptured sub-adult and adult alligators. Results suggest fairly high survival rates of farm-released alligators. The minimum known alive method estimated survival to be 85.3% to 4 years post-release.

Manatee/human interactions were observed at a freshwater spring in Crystal River, Florida, in January and February 1997 to evaluate the contrasting needs of manatees, an endangered species, with the values of tourists and the tourist industry. Tourists interested in swimming with manatees heavily used the site, and in some instances, the tourists displaced manatees. A temporary sanctuary, off-limits to humans, was created at the spring during the 1997-1998 winter season.

We tested the efficacy of an aluminum wick herbicide applicator, the Weed Sweep®, for control of hardwood and pine saplings, 1994-1996. We compared spring and fall applications in 1 trial and, in a second trial, tested 2 herbicide mixes: glyphosate mixed with either trichlopyr or imazapyr. Herbicides plots had 78% fewer sapling stems/ha than control plots (P < 0.006). May applications of glyphosate/imazapyr provided greater control of hardwoods but lower control of pines than September applications (P < 0.05). Also, glyphosate/imazapyr provided greater control of hardwoods than glyphosate/trichlopyr (P < 0.05). Percent ground cover by forbs, grass, and legumes and total number of species in the ground story did not differ between treatment and control plots. Our results indicate that a higher rate may be needed to achieve more consistent control of slower growing genera, such as Carya and Quercus.

We radio-monitored 35 wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens during prenesting and nesting periods in central Mississippi, 1996-1997. Comparing microhabitat variables associated with prenesting areas (N = 35) and nest sites (N = 22) with random sites indicated that groundstory conditions, including grass and woody growth, were related to hen selection of both prenesting and nesting sites. Distance to nearest road, vertical vegetative cover, and basal area were not related to nest site location (P > 0.05). We recommend managers maintain habitats with abundant grasses within landscapes managed for wild turkeys. Research addressing depredation of hens during reproductive periods should incorporate and quantify microhabitat conditions.

Morning-drive, evening-drive, and night spotlight surveys for deer (Odicoleus virginianus and 0. hemionus) were conducted each quarter on 3 National Park Service (NPS) areas in Texas and New Mexico from January 1987 to March 1988. Spotlight surveys resulted in a larger number of deer seen on all 3 sites. Spotlight surveys had significantly (P = 0.002) greater precision than morning or evening surveys. Increasing beyond 3 the number of consecutive days surveys were conducted did not significantly improve the precision of morning surveys (P = 0.328) or spotlight surveys (P = 0.719). A power analysis, generated for spotlight-survey data, indicated an increased probability of detecting differences in deer densities with increased survey effort. Weekly surveys are recommended.

Densities of male ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) were measured during 1976-1995 on 4 study sites in Tennessee, 2 in Kentucky, and 1 in Georgia using intensive counts of drumming males as the indicator of density to determine the impact of clearcutting in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The number of territorial males ranged from 0 to 4.0/100 ha over all study areas (1976-1995). Densities increased in response to clearcutting in Tennessee suggesting this forest management practice enhances habitat for the species. The number of breeding males on 1 area experiencing 12% clearcutting over a 13-year period increased 443% from 0.7 males to 3.1 males/100 ha compared to a stable population on an adjacent unharvested control area (R2 = 0.8654; P = 0.001). Populations did not fluctuate cyclically on any of the study areas.

From June-August 1977, we compared the relative efficiency of airboat nightlighting and rocket netting for capturing mottled ducks (Anas fulvigula) along the Texas coast. We expended 151 rocket net hours in 15 rocket net shot attempts and captured 568 mottled ducks. Age class distribution of captured mottled ducks was 79% hatch-year and 21% after-hatch-year. The largest individual rocket net capture, using a double net, was 116 mottled ducks (60 hatch-year, 56 after-hatch-year). In addition to mottled ducks, 69 fulvous whistling ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor) and 34 black-bellied whistling ducks (D. autumnalis) were captured during rocket netting. We expended 56 airboat hours during 24 nightlighting trips and captured 581 mottled ducks. Age class distribution of captured mottled ducks was 53% locals, 29% hatch-year, and 18% after-hatch-year. The largest nightlighting capture was 101 mottled ducks (61 locals, 34 hatch-year, 6 after-hatch-year).

The T. M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area (WMA) is a 1,566-ha freshwater wetland restoration project developed by the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (Commission) in east central Florida. The land was historically floodplain marsh, but was drained beginning in the 1950s and thereafter managed as improved pasture for cattle production. The St. Johns River Water Management District (District) purchased the land in 1988 for $6.3 million, and leased it to the Commission to restore wetland habitat and provide public recreation. Based on conceptual input from the Commission, the District prepared engineering design and project construction plans. The Commission, Ducks Unlimited, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Council provided $1,340,500 to restore and enhance wetland habitat for waterfowl and other wetland wildlife, develop the WMA's office and maintenance facilities, and purchase management equipment.

In 1997, a statewide inventory in Mississippi estimated the number and area of beaver (Castor canadensis) impoundments ≥0.4 ha in size. Data were compared with an identical survey performed in 1977. Number and area of impoundments in 1997 (1,783 and 11,728 ha, respectively) decreased from 1977 (2,739 and 28,768 ha, respectively). Landowners were mailed a questionnaire concerning the effectiveness of various methods for killing and disposing of beavers. Beaver meat and pelts were discarded by 87.8% of the landowners. Of the 9,332 beaver known to be killed in 1996 statewide, 67% were killed by USDA Wildlife Services personnel. Only 16% and 18% of landowners, respectively, fished their impoundments or managed them for waterfowl.

We used controlled experiments to assess the preferences and food value of a selection of native and agricultural plant seeds for mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater). Foods used in experiments were browntop millet, cracked corn, black-oil sunflower, switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), deertongue (Panicum clandestinum), pokeberry (Phytolaca americana), and croton (Croton spp.). Browntop millet and black-oil sunflower were eaten significantly more than all other seeds. Cracked corn consumption was less than expected based on results from previous studies. Although consumption was comparatively low, switchgrass was the most preferred native plant. Planting a combination of switchgrass and browntop millet or sunflower is suggested as a strategy for establishing a native plant stand while holding birds on a site.

A drift-fence survey of the herpetofauna of steephead ravines was conducted over 216 trapping days from 6 June 1995 to 6 June 1996 along first- and second-order streams in the Ochlockonee River, Florida, drainage and along first-and third-order streams in the Apalachicola River, Florida, drainage. Six drift-fence arrays in Apalachicola ravines had 1,223 captures of 34 species, whereas 6 arrays in the Ochlockonee ravine had 2,283 captures of 31 species. In the Ochlockonee ravine, more anurans were captured along the second-order than the first-order stream. In Apalachicola ravines, more Apalachicola dusky salamanders (Desmognathus apalachicolae) and turtles were captured along the third-order stream, whereas more southeastern slimy salamanders (Plethodon grobmani) and broadhead skinks (Eumeces laticeps) were captured along first-order streams.

Telephone interview surveys of the general population of Tennessee residents were used to determine the extent to which hunters leased land for hunting. About 7% of hunters leased land in Tennessee, with the average lease consisting of about 631 acres at a total cost of $1,500. Average per acre costs in Tennessee were about $3.56 per acre. Hunters who lease were more likely to have higher incomes, live in rural areas, and be more dissatisfied with wildlife management than those who do not lease. Hunters very interested in leasing, but not currently leasing, shared some of the characteristics of current lessees.

We investigated the effect of quail feeders on cause-specific mortality of 910 radio-marked northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Research was conducted from 1 October 1991 through 1 October 1996 on the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in western Oklahoma. Thirty-two feeders filled with milo were located near the center of every 8.1 haonthe283.3-ha(1.6km X 1.8 km) treatment area. The unfed area was 283.3 ha (1.6 km X 1.8 km). Treatments were separated by a 194.3-ha (1.2 km X 1.8 km) buffer area. Four-hundred-seventy-seven mortalities occurred on the control treatment and 433 mortalities on the feeder treatment. Avian and mammalian predators and hunting were the primary mortality agents. Direct mortality due to weather was low and no birds died from disease. Avian and hunting mortalities pooled over years different among months (P < 0.05).

As a result of declining hunting opportunities, many fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Vulpes vulpes) and coyote (Canis latrans) hunters in the Southeast now practice their sport inside fenced enclosures of tracts of land commonly referred to as “fox pens.” A mail survey in 1997 of each southeastern state's furbearer project was used to determine the status of fox and coyote hunting enclosures in the southeastern United States. Thirty-three questions were asked, 6 of which pertained to enclosures status, 14 to regulations, 3 to operations, 3 to health concerns, and 7 to state agency attitudes. The survey revealed that a minimum of 466 fox and coyote hunting enclosures were in operation in the Southeast. Only Maryland reported no enclosures. Respondents ranked concerns over public health implications and native wildlife health implications of enclosures highest. While numerous concerns were listed, each respondent recognized benefits of fox and coyote hunting enclosures.

We monitored bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting effort and success in Florida annually before, during, and after years when eggs were removed from selected pairs. Complete clutches were taken to promote renesting. Clutches were collected after >2 weeks of natural incubation. Incubation of collected eggs was continued artificially and resultant young were reared in captivity in Oklahoma. At 11-12 weeks, young were released at established hack sites in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and North Carolina. The goal of the project was to increase the nesting population in the southeast without adversely impacting annual production in Florida. From 1985-1992, 275 eagles were released. In 1991, the first nest resulting from the hacking effort was documented in Mississippi. Increases in nesting eagles in the other states have occurred and were perhaps, in part, a consequence of these releases.

Relocated (N = 76) eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were released into the Post Oak Savannah of Texas in winters 1994 and 1995. Before release, each bird was fitted with a radio transmitter and numbered leg band. Mortality and reproduction were monitored through 1996 to determine survival and reproduction. First-year annual survival rates for gobblers and hens was 0.286 and 0.484, respectively. One of 4 study areas lost all gobblers within the first year. Mammalian predation (63.4%) was the primary cause of mortality. High post-release mortality was attributed to habitat unfamiliarity. Poult survival 2 weeks post-hatch was 0, resulting in the lowest reproductive success reported for this subspecies. Low reproductive success is attributable to unsuitable nesting and brooding habitat.

We studied fawn survival during 1995 on Davis Island, Mississippi, an island in the Mississippi River. Newborn fawns were captured using line searches or vaginal implant transmitters. We captured 20 fawns with 8 surviving to 6 months. Cause of fawn mortality included coyotes (3) and natural mortality (2). Additionally, six fawns lost their transmitters and one transmitter failed. Overall survival rate of fawns to 180 days was 0.72. Male and female survival to 180 days was 0.66 and 0.78 respectively. Our results suggest fawn survival is not adversely affected by early summer flooding.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt lease programs in the southern United States were evaluated for the 1994 calendar year. Results were compared with earlier similar surveys. Respondents owned 9,198,217 ha and leased 5,935,935 ha (64.5%) to hunt clubs and individuals. Estimated revenues generated from lease fees were about $40 million based on an average annual fee of $6.82 per hectare. Ninety-one percent of the respondents reported that they considered income from leases in their economic analyses and investment decisions which indicates an increasing awareness of the economic value of leasing. Utilization of the leased lands by lessees has increased over the last 5 years.

We examined aspects of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter quail) population dynamics in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests on the Vernon Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, located in west central Louisiana. We used sex, age, and weight data from 246 birds captured a total of 404 times during 9 February-20 June 1991-1993 in baited traps to describe population characteristics. We used data from 128 (106 F:22 M) birds trapped, radio tagged, and monitored during 3 field seasons to describe productivity and survival of these birds during March through August. The best-fit linear-logistic model (G2 = 7.42, 5 df, P = 0.1912) indicated that proportions of second year (SY) birds captured during spring depended on year; but sex ratios of captured birds were independent of year. Thus, we estimated that the breeding population contained 42.4 ± 3 .

A preliminary survey was conducted to determine fee-hunting and wildlife management activities of private landowners in Mississippi. A total of 613 respondents reported ownership of land in parcels of ≥ 16.4 ha. Four hundred and forty-five respondents allowed hunting on their land, whereas 71 landowners collected fees for hunting privileges. Game species pursued on fee hunting lands included deer, waterfowl, turkey, quail, dove, and “other” game. Respondents reported expenditures of overhead items (e.g., manager/caretaker, liability insurance, hunter access) on fee hunting lands. Wildlife management activities reported by landowners included vegetation management, such as mowing, disking and burning; establishment of food and cover plantings, blind and tree stand installation and maintenance; and waterfowl management. Annual expenditures for wildlife management activities averaged $2,057 per respondent.

The introductory level fish and wildlife conservation course at Mississippi State University has an enrollment of over 100 students each semester. Students in the class generally exhibit a diversity of attitudes about fish and wildlife conservation that range from anti-hunting to consumptive and extractive use advocates. Finding common ground among these students is challenging, but essential for the creation of an interactive, learning environment that focuses on sustainable use of natural resources. Ecological principles of fish and wildlife conservation are linked to current issues through class discussions. The class offers a setting in which wildlife and fisheries science majors can discover the diversity of stakeholders and issues that influence natural resource conservation while learning basic ecological and conservation principles. Discussion topics and methods used in this class are presented.

Amid the phenomenal population growth taking place in Florida and other southeastern states, an increase in human encounters with wild alligators is inevitable. Unfortunately, such encounters have yielded a proportional increase in confrontations between humans and alligators and, during the past 11 years, a dramatic increase in human injuries and fatalities inflicted by alligators. In partnership with a nonprofit organization and a public relations firm, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission addressed the problem with extremely limited funds.

This report summarizes results from Phase One of an on-going evaluation of the Aquatic Resource Education Programs (AREPs) in the Southeastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands (for the purposes of the comparative analyses of this study, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will be referred to as a “state”). This phase, which concluded in July 1998, involved performing an evaluability assessment of the program, including the generation of sub-components for each of 3 AREP goals (awareness, appreciation, participation). There were 4 activities in this phase: collecting and reading each of the state proposals, generating a matrix that identifies program subcomponents for each state and relates them to the 3 AREP goals, identifying commonalities across the state program sub-components, and defining generic sub-components for the AREP goals.

The Wildlife Conservation Workshop was developed by the South Carolina Chapter of The Wildlife Society to provide K-12 teachers with hands on experiences and research results related to wildlife management. Because education programs such as this workshop generally have limited resources, prioritization of curriculum improvement efforts is essential. This paper demonstrates how to improve an on-going program based on open-ended critiques.

The value of tracking and foot impression evidence has been highly underrated during investigations in the past. This oversight has been due to the lack of training in finding and following tracks and knowing the value of foot impressions as conclusive evidence. Today, however, there exist instruction and technological advances which can promote the use of foot impressions to the forefront of investigative concerns. Foot impression evidence may be as conclusive as DNA and finger prints when processed properly. The ability to find, age, and follow tracks are skills all of us are capable of performing to some degree. Where there are people, there are tracks, both indoors and out. Tracking knowledge will enhance an officer's awareness, investigation, search and rescue abilities, and self confidence, and can be as conclusive as any other evidence available today.