Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

When the 113.000 acre White Rive National Wildlife Refuge was established on September 5, 1935, very few white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were present. With protection, the deer herd increased and by 1947 deer were firmly established. By 1957, the bottomland area was overstocked and browsing and desirable forest reproduction was heavy. Overpopulation continued until public hunts began in 1961. Due to obvious overpopulation, the number of hunters were unrestricted from 1961 through 1964. Beginning in 1965, controlled hunting was initiated to achieve deer herd management on a sustained yield basis. The purpose of this study was to determine age and sex composition of the deer herd, proper number of hunters needed to harvest the annual increment and what affects either sex hunting had on reproduction and deer weights. From 1961 through 1970 hunters removed a total of 16,709 deer.

Fur trappers in the area of the Atchafalaya River flood plain were interviewed following the 1971-72 season. Fur catch information from two portions of the flood plain, the swamp region and the marsh region, were compared; and the total fur catch was computed for the swamp region. Mean harvest values were computed and expressed as animals caught per trap-night per square mile per trapper. Differences between mean harvest values from the two regions were not significant for muskrat (Ondatra zihethicus), nutria (Myocastor coypus), and otter (Lutra canadensis). Mink (Mustela vison) and raccoon (Procyon lotor) harvest means were significantly higher in the swamp region than in the marsh region. Harvest data were also obtained for different vegetative types within the swamp region. Three species (nutria, mink, and raccoon) each comprised an important portion of the total reported catch in this region and made up a large portion of the total reported income.

Ages were assigned to 151 Nort h Carolina black bears (Ursus americanus) by canine cementum annuli count. Canine teeth collected during the 1969, 1970 and 1971 hunting seasons revealed average ages of 5.17,4.73 and 4.82 years, respectively. The average age increased in the coastal area but decreased in the mountain region. Ages ranged from 0.75 to 22.75 years. Yearlings, 1.75, represented 29 percent of the kill with a high incidence of males. Forty-eight female reproductive tracts indicated corpora lutea counts of 1.00, 2.71 and 2.81 per pregnant female over the 1969 to 1971 period. Active corpora lutea were found in 80 percent of the 3.75 year old females. Female breeding age ranged from 2.5 to 17.5 years. The sex ratio was established at 106 males: 100 females. Embryonic development was noted in only one instance. Egg migration between the horns of the uterus was noted in one instance.

Twelve raccoons (Procyon lotor) were trapped in the lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina and transported to the upper Piedmont of the state. The raccoons were held from one to three weeks during which time they were equipped with radio transmitters. Ten raccoons were released between 4 April and 28 May 1973 and their movements were monitored from 3 to 51 days (mean of 26.8). From 4 April to 17 July 1973 movements ranged from 0.1 to 14.5 linear kilometers (mean of 3.28). The health of the remaining two raccoons was not normal and therefore they were not released. The raccoons remained relatively close to their sites of release for at least a few days following release (mean of 12.6). They often returned to areas where they had been found previously and their movements generally followed close to existing water courses with no apparent preference for direction of travel. This study suggests that the relocating of raccoons into areas in which low populations exist can be successful.

In September 1972 the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission established an experimental alligator harvest program. The primary objective of the open season was to evaluate a complex system of quotas, tags, licenses and report forms designed to rigidly control the harvest and shipment of alligator skins. Information was also obtained on the effects of the harvest on alligator populations, food habits, tag recovery rates, body condition factors, aging techniques, reproductive biology and pesticide..and parasite levels. A total of61 alligator hunters were issued 1,961 tags. One thousand three-hundred and fifty alligators averaging 6 feet II inches. were taken during the 13 day season. Skins were sold at public auction for $74,773, an average of $55.93 each for the 1,337 skins sold. Males comprised 80.29 percent of the kill. Shipments were followed through commerce with no evidence of illegal skins entering the legal traffic.

Numbers, movements, and habitat of the Dusky Seaside Sparrow (Ammospiza maritima nigrescens) were investigated during 1972-1973 on the newly established St. Johns National Wildlife Refuge. Numbers declined from 110 males in 1972 to 54 in 1973. This decrease was probably due to 2 winter wildfires. Observations of banded individuals indicated that the bird is generally sedentary throughout the year and that preferred winter habitat is similar to breeding habitat. Cordgrass (Spartina bakerii), with a mean percent cover of 38.1±16.3, was dominant over the 22 other plant species on the territories. Cover mapping showed that although 20 percent of the refuge had preferred vegetation types, only about 10 percent (400 acres) was actually available as preferred habitat.

The apple snail (Pomacea paludosa) is the exclusive food source of the Florida everglade kite (Rostrhamus sociabi/is plumbeus), an endangered species. A study of the snail at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge was initiated during 1971 to gather information needed to manage the snail to insure a food supply for the kite. Habitat studies revealed that apple snails are most abundant in alkaline waters containing an ample supply of submerged vegetation. A deficiency of dissolved oxygen may be a limiting factor in snail abundance. It was found that individual female snails will produce many clusters of eggs during the year. Female snails may produce several clusters of fertile eggs from one mating but have to mate two or more times during the egg laying season to continue producing fertile eggs. The average hatching time for eggs kept under observation in the refuge office was 22 to 24 days.

Habitat management for the everglade kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus) began at L.oxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in April 1971. The kite feeds almost exclusively on the apple snail (Po/llacea paludosa), and efforts have been aimed at producing conditions similar to kite feeding areas in the everglades. The management unit received kite use from March to May, 1973. Investigations are now underway to determine which environmental factors limit apple snail growth and densities. This management approach shows excellent potential for long term success.

A circular plot method of censusing non-game birds on southern Appalachian forest recreation Forest recreation areas was devised and tested, Plot boundaries were defined with a range finder. Accuracy of the method was affected by the variability inherent in wild bird populations, rain and wind, dense vegetation, and complexity of the late summer period, Data are presented indicating significant differences in evening and morning bird activity and a significant within-season decline in late summer bird population estimates. The census method used was judged satisfactory for a post-breeding bird census. An exploratory study, designed to furnish data on the late summer habitat of non-game birds in the region of the southern Appalachian mountains, was conducted in 1969 (Fowler, 1970). Since no suitable techniques for censusing late summer birds were available, it was necessary to devise a procedure for use in campgrounds of 5 to 9 acres.

The impact of predation by common mergansers (Mergus merganser americanus) wintering on Lake Carl Blackwell (650 ha) in Payne County, Oklahoma was investigated. Parameters measured included merganser usedays, daily food consumption, and food habits; plus the standing crops offish in the lake. There were 27,500 use-days in the winter of 1971-72 and 13,100 in the 1972-73 winter. The approximate daily food consumption was determined to be 454 g (1 pound) per merganser. Common Mergansers consumed an estimated 12.5 and 6.0 percent of the mean standing crop of fish in the winters of 1971-72 and 1972-73, respectively. Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) comprised 84 percent of the mergansers' food by weight, and 25.6 and 12.6 percent of the standing crop of this fish was consumed in the respective winters. In 1971-72, 27.5 percent of the standing crop of white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) was consumed, as compared to 13.2 percent in 1972-73.

An 88-question survey was conducted on 15 beagle clubs in Tennessee, Club history and membership, lands and enclosures, predator control, cottontail introduction, hahitat management, and field trial management are summarized. Results revealed that clubs expend significant amounts of money annually to perpetuate their sport, continue to introduce large numbers of rabbits, conduct predator control programs, and practice highly varying degrees of habitat management. Characteristics of a "typical" beagle club are described. Based on the club responses an evaluation is made of the relative "state of the art." Suggestions are made regarding better habitat and field trial management for the benefit of both the beaglers and the cottontail rabbit.

For several years, ecologists, naturalists, and others have been concerned over the possible ecological effects of wide-spread gassing ofgopher tortoise burrows by snake hunters in the southeastern Coastal Plain. Research was conducted on some of the effects of tortoise burrow gassing at several localities in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida in 1969, 1970 and 1971. Forty-one tortoises were gassed in their burrows with amounts of gasoline ranging from 0.25 ounce to 6 ounces. They were recovered by excavation following exposure periods of from 6 hours to 42 days. None of the tortoises died or showed any ill-effects of having been gassed. Of fourteen eastern diamondback rattlesnakes gassed, 3 died and 2 nearly died, apparently from the effects of the gasoline. Tests were made on 3 indigo and 2 Florida pine snakes to determine their reaction to gassing and the effects of gassing upon them.

Although the Delmarva fox squirrel was once distributed through southeastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and two counties in Virginia, it now occurs only in portions of four Eastern Shore counties in Maryland. This study has shown that the Delmarva squirrel prefers forest habitat areas with an open understory. This trait has also been demonstrated for other subspecies of fox squirrels. It is postulated that lumbering and development have been major determinants in reducing the numbers of the Delmarva fox squirrel.

Nightlight counts and daytime observations were utilized in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to measure the effects of hemorrhagic disease on a high density white-tailed deer (Odocolieus virginianus) population. Deer utilization of 1,846 acres of pasture in the Cades Cove area appeared to be greatest during February, 1971. Following the availability of spring browse, the number of deer utilizing the pastures stabilized at approximately one deer per ten acres until the die-off. During the period of mortality (August through October) utilization of pastures by deer decreased by 84 percent. This decrease in utilization closely corresponds with percent mortality observed under experimental infection with the epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in deer. Utilization of pastures nine, twelve and twenty-four months post-dieoff was similar to pre-dieoff use.

Twig growth of young browse plants growing in the open was several times greater than that of plants beneath pine trees. The difference was most pronounced when plants were youngest. Most twig growth was within reach of deer (below 5 feet) until plants were 5 or 6 years old, but the proportion decreased with age for tall shrubs and small trees. Although twigs constitute only a small fraction of the browse consumed by deer (Harlow and Hooper 1972), twig length is a good indication oftotal browse yields (Schuster 1965). This paper presents data on the length of annual twig growth for young browse plants growing in the open and beneath a canopy of pine trees in east Texas.

Day and night float counts for wood duck (Aix sponsa) broods were conducted on a 10.8 kilometer segment of the Holston River during the spring of 1973. Nighttime float counts were made using two boats, one down each side of the stream. Hand-held airplane landing lights were used to search the water's edge for roosting broods. Daytime float counts were made the morning following each night census on the same segment of river as the night census. The night and day methods were compared. Eight float counts during the day and eight during the night were completed. The mean number of broods seen at night was 29.5 (2.7 broods per kilometer). The mean number of broods seen during the day was 7.3 (0.7 broods per kilometer). There was a statistically significant difference between the day and night float techniques. The night counts were much more accurate and precise than the highly variable day counts. More than four times as many broods were seen at night as were seen during the day.

During the fall of 1971 and 1972, the first successful efforts were made to capture and band white-fronted geese on their wintering grounds. Careful observations of feeding behavior were instrumental in developing rocket net techniques that would work with these extremely wary birds. Nets were strategically located in ryegrass fields where geese naturally fed and could be concentrated with judicious scattering of fice. A total of 290 geese have been banded.

Canada goose nests were manualIy transferred from normal ground position into a metal tub. Nesting success for transferred geese was 68.5 percent. Three years average hatchability of disturbed eggs was 62.0 percent while that of undisturbed eggs was 67.5 percent.