Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

We have developed a user-friendly geographic information system (GIS)-based, spatially-explicit decision support system (DSS) using red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW; Picoides borealis) habitat and population information to help land managers identify and prioritize critical habitat patches. Using state-of-the-art spatial modeling and GIS technologies, we coupled an existing, validated, and peer-reviewed individually-based, spatially-explicit RCW population model with actual landscape features in a user-friendly DSS format. Users can assess the effects of landscape fragmentation, habitat loss, habitat restoration, and “no management” action on RCW populations, now and into the future. The value of habitat patches is assessed through simulations of the RCW population through time, and value is measured in terms of each patches' projected contribution to RCW population parameters.

Using pentosidine levels in bird skin to determine how old they are is a relatively new method of aging. Up until now, previous studies have focused on analyzing skin from the breast. Current research is being done on analyzing patagium skin samples so that wild birds can be sampled without causing much harm to them. Fallon et al. (2006) suggested that the level of pentosidine is different in various locations of a bird's body. Forty milligram skin samples from the breast and patagium of 25 monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and 25 double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) were analyzed. There was a significant difference in the level of pentosidine when comparing breast and patagium skin. This suggests that it is important to consistently obtain samples from the same part of a bird's body when working on an aging project.

Riparian ecosystems provide many ecological functions critical to both aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates. Many anecdotal field observations indicate that upland forest harvesting may effect riparian ecosystem functions, yet the relationship has not been well documented, especially for wildlife. As part of the collaborative Dry Creek watershed study at International Paper's Southlands Forest in Decatur County, Georgia, we evaluated the effects of Best Management Practices (BMP) timber harvesting on avian communities occupying riparian corridors/streamside management zones (SMZs) in headwater streams of the Gulf Coastal Plain of Georgia. Using repeated visits to established line transects, we collected data during the breeding seasons from 2003 to 2006 to assess the relative conservation value of treated and reference watersheds and the spatial distribution of select riparian zone avifauna .

Canada warbler (Wilsonia canadensis), a woodland breeding songbird of special concern in West Virginia, has been declining throughout its range at a rate of 3.5% since 1980 (0.5% within West Virginia and 4.6% in the Allegheny Plateau Physiographic Region). While Canada warblers use primarily moist mixed coniferous-deciduous forest, they can be disturbance specialists at higher elevation locations in the southern portion of their range, including West Virginia, suggesting timber harvests might be an effective management option. The objectives of this study were to determine whether timber harvests are a viable management tool in an actively harvested industrial forest in West Virginia and to determine the effects of different timber harvest intensities.

Over 1 million people participated in wildlife-associated recreation in 2001 in Mississippi, spending a total of US $974 million. Research conducted at Mississippi State University (MSU) documented net revenues averaging from $1,539 to $3,244 (varied regionally) per landowner in 1998 for Mississippi non-industrial private landowners operating fee-hunting enterprises. Habitat management activities associated with fee access wildlife recreational enterprises benefit wildlife when integrated with existing land management activities. MSU research documented that bird species richness and abundance is higher on conservation agriculture field buffers (51 spp.) as to mowed agriculture field buffers (25 spp.; P < 0.05). Enterprises based on natural resources can enhance Mississippi's economy, help landowners diversify their revenue base, and help conserve the state's natural resources.

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) pose a significant risk to safe military flight operations. A multi-agency research project was initiated to quantify the risk of osprey-military aircraft collisions in the Mid-Atlantic Chesapeake Bay Region. During the 2006 nesting season, six adult osprey (three males and three females) were fitted with satellite transmitters near Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. We monitored satellite-tagged osprey movement patterns and obtained the location of each osprey at two-hour intervals during 0500-2300 hours during the breeding and fall migration periods of 2006. During the breeding season, adult osprey flew at an average altitude of 63 m above the ground and were active (i.e., flying) relatively equally throughout daylight hours. During the fall migration period, four osprey completed their migration to their wintering grounds, traveling an average distance of 4,828 km. We lost contact with two osprey during their fall migration.

Various techniques are available to enhance wildlife quality in coastal wetlands. A new technique is terrace construction. Terraces are constructed by dredging shallow open water areas and piling the dredged material to form an exposed surface that are planted with wetland vegetation. Unlike spoil banks, which are continuous and rise above normal tides, terraces are discontinuous and flood at high tide. Constructing terraces gained popularity as a restoration and mitigation technique since the first terraces were constructed in 1993 on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. Since then, terraces have been constructed in marsh ponds of coastal Louisiana and Texas to slow erosion of adjacent marsh as part of restoration and mitigation projects. Here we present the results of the first comparison of waterbird richness, waterbird density, and water quality between terraced and unterraced ponds.

Several studies have proposed the creation of seasonal wetlands for ensuring habitat diversity and providing connectivity for herpetofaunal populations. However, few published studies have addressed differences in faunal communities between constructed and naturally occurring wetlands and the role they play in supporting pool-breeding amphibians. We measured larval amphibian diversity within temporary pools of public forested lands in north-central Mississippi. We quantified larval amphibian species richness, abundance, and community similarities between four isolated, upland ephemeral pools constructed as water sources for livestock and wildlife species (>40 years ago) and six stream-connected floodplain pools. We conducted aquatic sweepnet surveys twice monthly for 27 sample periods over a two-year period. Fourteen amphibian species (1,038 individuals) were captured at upland sites and 12 amphibian species (1,141 individuals) were captured at floodplain sites.

Expenditures by hunters, anglers, and wildlife enthusiasts represent an important segment of income potential to most rural economies from natural resource-related activity. Research conducted at Mississippi State University (MSU) found that non-industrial private (NIP) landowners in Mississippi could diversify incomes derived from their properties through the development of fee hunting enterprises. In 1998, revenues collected from fee hunting on Mississippi private lands ranged from US$2,964 to $5,254 on average per landowner or $7.50 to $14.28 per ha while net revenues averaged from $1,539 to $3,244 per landowner or $3.90 to $9.54 per ha. Nationally these expenditures are echoed in direct sales from wildlife-associated recreation, which grew to $108 billion in 2001.

Spatial requirements and resource selection can influence home range size and use patterns. We examined seasonal patterns of home range size in adult fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and gray squirrels (Scuirus carolinensis) at Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge in central Georgia. We used radio-telemetry locations (n = 3442) and fixed kernel methodology to estimate size of 40 seasonal home ranges of fox squirrels and 42 of gray squirrels. We determined site fidelity of an individual as the percent overlap between home range estimates in successive seasons (n = 17 fox, 19 gray). Males of both species had larger home ranges than females in all seasons. Male fox squirrel home ranges were largest in summer (26.5 ha) and smallest in winter (12.7 ha). Male gray squirrel home ranges were largest in winter (26.1 ha) and smallest in fall (4.6 ha).

NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) is located in Hancock County in southwestern Mississippi, east of the Pearl River and just north of interstate highway I-10. SSC is a space shuttle booster rocket testing and research base comprised of 6,462 ha acres with about 3,823 ha designated as controlled access areas for test facilities, laboratories, offices, and other operational facilities. The remaining 2,639 ha are primarily forested land within the large acoustical easement area that surrounds the rocket booster testing facility. No hunting is allowed on the base, so there has been concern about the health of the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population and associated habitat damage from deer herbivory. The deer population was monitored by spotlight counts for four fall-winter periods from 2001-2004 before Hurricane Katrina and one fall-winter period from 2006-2007 post-hurricane. During most survey periods, counts were conducted two nights/month from November to March.

A. Willis Robertson was a pioneer in the politics and administration of fish and wildlife resources in the United States. In 1926, Robertson, a lawyer and sportsman from Lexington, Virginia, took over the reins of the then 10-year-old Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Robertson quickly moved to the national stage working with other wildlife professionals including Aldo Leopold. In 1933, Robertson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and eventually co-sponsored landmark legislation that changed the face of fish and wildlife management in the United States. In celebration of his accomplishments, several Virginia agencies and groups are embarking on a comprehensive project to chronicle and archive the estimated 18,000 pieces of correspondence written to and from Robertson while he was commissioner of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries from 1926-1932.

We used GPS technology to examine spatial relations of black bear hunters and black bears (Ursus americanus) in Garrett County, Maryland. During the 2005 hunting season, we equipped 35 hunters and 4 adult female black bears with GPS transmitters to track their movements. We compared the following spatial variables relative to both bear and hunter movements: road corridors, riparian corridors, slope, and habitat type. Hunters used a variety of habitats, with mixed forests and wetlands used in greater proportions than expected. Hunters generally remained within 260 m from road and 400 m from riparian corridors while hunting. Because of logistical challenges, spatial data was only available from one of four bears during the 2005 hunting season; her fall home range encompassed approximately 30 km2. One GPS hunter was found to have hunted within close proximity of a GPS bear, although interaction between the two could not be confirmed.

The Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) has undergone widespread loss of bottomland hardwood forests due to agricultural conversion. Hardwood establishment on marginal croplands has been proposed to mitigate effects of deforestation and related loss of carbon-capture potential. These reforestation areas can provide important wildlife habitat in agriculture-dominated landscapes; however, concern with reforestation is low seedling survival due to herbivory and vegetation competition. We surveyed reforested fields in the MAV of northwest Mississippi to assess survival of 10 species of hardwood seedlings (n = 782) planted for carbon sequestration. We sampled seedlings for stem and leaf herbivory and recorded percent cover and species diversity of herbaceous and woody vegetation surrounding seedlings during the first year following planting.

The Black Belt Region of Mississippi and Alabama is the largest blackland prairie in the southeastern United States. Large, contiguous tallgrass prairies are now extremely scarce over their historic range, with <1% of the original prairie area remaining in Mississippi. Currently, restoration of warm season grasslands is a primary conservation focus on private and public lands in Mississippi. However, limited information exists on comparisons between restored warm season grasslands and remnant, intact prairies. This information is part of an ongoing study that evaluates variations in plants species richness occurring in remnant, unperturbed prairies and restored grasslands of <10 years of age. Preliminary floristic surveys conducted in late summer 2006 assessed plant species richness in prairies along edges, transition zones near forest, fallow field, or pasture habitat, and within prairie interiors (>30 m from prairie edge).

To determine habitat selection of selected carnivores, we set up 15 remotely-triggered infrared camera stations across a 30-km2 section of the Mountain Lake Biological Station in Southwest Virginia. To maintain independence, a distance of 1 km was kept between each station. We monitored the camera stations for 942 trap nights. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) had the greatest trap success (3.03%) followed by black bear (Ursus americanus; 2.23%), coyote (Canis latrans; 1.09%), bobcat (Lynx rufus; 0.67%), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; 0.00%). We determined percentage cover of habitat features (% coniferous, % deciduous, % mixed) from a geographic information system (GIS) using circular buffers (100 m, 250 m, 500 m, 750 m) around each trap site and compared carnivore-present sites to carnivore-absent sites. We found no relationships. We used linear regression of trap success of animals to determine relationships between visitation rates and species.

In response to dwindling populations of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and the Missouri Department of Conservation's Strategic Guidance for Northern Bobwhite Restoration are guiding habitat restoration efforts in Missouri. Success of these programs is dependent on restoration of habitat on large tracts of private land. Efficacious selection of restoration areas requires a foundation of ecological and sociological information. Although we know much about bobwhite ecology, our success at engaging landowners in habitat restoration has been limited. Our objective was to develop a systematic approach for using ecological and sociological data to identify potential private land restoration areas. We used a questionnaire to assess landowner willingness, motivations, and ability to carry out habitat restoration in a cooperative setting.

In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly and the governor requested that the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) study issues related to hunting on Sunday in North Carolina. Of particular interest were the views held by stakeholders on the issue and the potential impact Sunday hunting might have on hunter recruitment and retention. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 2,400 randomly-selected licensed resident hunters to assess their views and opinions and to estimate potential impacts on hunting participation. The response rate was 41.6%. The issue decidedly was polarized; 38% of respondents strongly supported hunting on Sunday, whereas 39% strongly opposed it. Older hunters and those who frequently attended church or another place of worship were most opposed to hunting on Sunday. Although many respondents originally voiced support, many of these same individuals opposed hunting on Sunday if limitations were imposed.

The eastern United States contains the greatest diversity and the most imperiled species of freshwater mussels in the world. Conservation efforts are underway, yet little information is available on current and historical distributions for most species. Current knowledge of freshwater mussel species distributions is limited to data available from museum collections, small-scale studies, and Natural Heritage surveys. The accuracy and precision of these data vary considerably. We obtained the best available information on the range of freshwater mussel species to model the distribution of selected species within the Appalachians. We included in model development anthropogenic and environmental variables, such as slope, elevation, acid deposition, soil buffering capacity, flow accumulation, density of dams, density of roads, and density of zebra mussel occurrences, believed to influence freshwater ecosystems.

Nursery habitats such as seagrass beds are important for the health and sustainability of many fisheries. In fact, seagrass beds are considered to be essential nursery habitats and as a part of the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) of 1996 it was mandated that these areas be protected. To designate an area as an essential fish habitat two main criteria must be met, 1) greater numbers of fish produced per area and 2) greater survival of juvenile fish to adulthood. In the Chesapeake Bay, seagrass beds are considered to be nursery habitat, but the mortality of juvenile fish on individual beds is unknown. To estimate mortality we are using fish otoliths, or ear bones, as a natural tag from spotted seatrout (Cynocion nebulosus) from different beds in the Bay. The seatrout is a model species for this work as individuals maintain a tight relationship with their natal beds.

The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) was formed to implement range-wide strategies that sustain healthy, fishable brook trout populations across the entire range of the eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). In order to accomplish the goals of the EBTJV in West Virginia we set out to accomplish the following objectives: to assess brook trout populations where current data is lacking and to set restoration priorities for stream reaches within this area based on both reach and subwatershed scale connectivity. Our study area was Region 1 of West Virginia, the Upper Potomac River watershed. We used West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR) brook trout data to create a model to predict presence/absence throughout the study area; this model was validated using independent field data collected in 2006. Using the output from this model we were able to assess core brook trout populations.

Otolith chemistry has demonstrated potential for identifying natal origins and tracing dispersal in fisheries across a variety of habitats. Our objective was to assess inter-annual and intra-annual (specifically, within the spawning season) variation of trace element signatures distinguishing different rivers. Our study site was the Upper James River and its tributary the Maury River in western Virginia. We collected smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) fry from various locations along the length of the Maury River and also from the James within 10 km of their confluence. In 2005 fry were collected once from each location, while in 2006 we collected fry at approximately weekly intervals where available. Water samples were taken simultaneously with each collection. We analyzed trace element concentrations in otoliths and water samples using solution-based inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)are an estuarine/marine member of the porgy family that have long supported large recreational fisheries along the southeastern coast of the United States with a recently expanding recreational fishery in Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Due to this expansion into Bay waters, fisheries managers need to develop a management plan for this species. However, before any management plan can be developed, a comprehensive understanding of the age structure and growth rates of fish in the population is needed. To characterize the age and growth of sheepshead in the Chesapeake Bay, 178 fish were collected via recreational (n = 124) and commercial (n = 54) fisheries from 9 May through 1 November 2006 and their lengths, weights, and ages determined. Sheepshead ranged in age from 0 to 33 years old, with the oldest fish being seven years older than the oldest sheepshead reported in the literature to date.

During the past five years, we synthesized and compiled data on historic and recent fish collections in West Virginia into a georeferenced database. The West Virginia fish database will be used to produce a spatial and temporal atlas of fish distributions and currently includes over 9,000 site records from fish collections during 1853 to 2005. Species distribution data will be depicted by time periods, reflecting the substantial contributions and efforts of Ebenezer Andrews, Spencer Baird, Charles Bollman, William Hay, E.L. Goldsborough, Carl Hubbs, and Laura Hubbs, Milton Trautman, A.H. Wright, John Addair, Ed Raney, L.W. Wilson, E.A. Seaman, P.E. Swasey, H. Van Meter, Anthony Bodola, Frank Schwartz, Ron Preston, Bob Denoncourt, Charles Hocutt, Jay Stauffer, Rich Raesly, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources personnel, as well as collections from the present authors.

Threats to native fish populations from practices such as fish stocking and from invasive and non-native species and their associated disease concerns are important natural resource management issues in National Parks. Prohibitive or restrictive fish stocking policies in National Parks were developed as early as 1936 in order to preserve native fish assemblages and genetic diversity. Despite recent efforts to understand the effects of non-native or exotic fish introductions, park managers have limited information regarding the effects of these introductions on native fish communities. Shenandoah National Park (SHEN) was established in 1936 and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) restoration within selected streams in the park began in 1937 in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). The only known stocking records associated with park streams during the 1930s were in the survey reports completed by the U.S.

The area of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests have declined whereas intensive pine (Pinus spp.) silviculture has increased on the southeastern landscape. Because effects of differing pine management scenarios on bat community structure and activity are largely unknown, we used mist nets and acoustic surveys to examine these factors on mature longleaf pine and intensively managed loblolly pine (P. taeda) landscapes in southwestern Georgia. We placed mist nets over ponds, small streams, and roadside ditches and placed bat detectors in replicates of four vegetation types (open, closed pine, hardwood, mature pine) on each study site. We captured 649 bats of six species during 83 nights of trapping at both sites. Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus), red bats (L. borealis), and evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) accounted for 95% of captures. For both areas combined, 28% of captures were juveniles and 97% of adult females showed signs of reproduction.

We conducted a 13-year study to determine bird species richness and abundance in field edges maintained in conservation buffers and mowed field edges on two agricultural experiment stations in Mississippi. Both experiment stations were intensively managed for agricultural row crop and dairy production with field edges managed with frequent mowing and herbicide application. Habitat reclamation and management on 41 ha of field edges was initiated on each farm in 1988 and included selective spraying herbicides to control agronomic grasses, cessation of annual mowing, protection from livestock access, and planting legumes and shrubs. We surveyed birds from 1 May through 15 June on permanently established, fixed-width transects in three conservation buffer and three mowed field edges adjacent to row crops on each experimental farm from 1989 through 2001. We detected 25 bird species on mowed field edges and 51 species on edges maintained in conservation buffers on both farms.

Anuran breeding call surveys are widely used to document species richness and relative abundance. Call survey protocols used by the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program are five minutes in duration. However, recent studies have suggested that 5-minute call surveys may not be long enough to accurately estimate species richness or relative abundance. Therefore, we tested whether anuran species richness and relative abundance differed between 5- and 10-minute breeding call surveys. We conducted 344 call surveys from March-August 2005 and 2006 at eight wetlands on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. On average, 95% of species recorded in 10 minutes were heard within the first five minutes. Mean species richness did not differ (P = 0.17) between 5- and 10-minute surveys. For species we detected, mean relative abundance was not different (P > 0.07) between 5- and 10-minute surveys.

A cluster of small populations of the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) was discovered 1989 along the scenic Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina, in northern hardwood and mixed hardwood-hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitats not previously known to support this subspecies. I examined home range of this subspecies from September 1994-March 1996. Based on the Minimum Convex Polygon method, mean annual home range size was 13.9 ha (N = 7), mean summer home range size was 8.3 ha (N = 6), and mean winter home range was 12.5 ha (N = 4). I found no evidence to indicate northern flying squirrels crossed or attempted to cross the right-of-way associated with the Cherohala Skyway. Managers should consider large areas of north-facing high-elevation northern hardwood and mixed northern hardwood forest as potential suitable habitat for G. s. coloratus.

Although thousands of river otters (Lontra canadensis) are harvested every year in Louisiana, no formal management plan exists for the species. As a first step toward development of such a plan, we described general trends and associations between number of otters harvested and pelt price and number of licensed trappers during 1957-2004. We also applied time series analysis to develop forecasting models for river otters harvested. Although number of otters harvested was stationary, trends were detected in number of licensed trappers and pelt price. The early 1980s appear as a point of inflection in number of licensed trappers and pelt price, with a declining trend after that time in both. Lagged cross-correlation between number of otters harvested and licensed trappers was significant, as was the case between number of licensed trappers and pelt price.

Some indices indicate nationwide declines in mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) populations, making harvest data important for management. Our goal was assessment of attraction of mourning doves to spinning-wing decoys (SWDs). We simulated dove hunting scenarios in Putnam County, Tennessee, during October 2005 using battery-operated SWDs with traditional decoy setups. We measured and compared number of doves approaching within 40 and 200 m with SWD active and inactive. A greater number of doves approached within 40 m and 200 m with SWD active than with SWD inactive. Mourning doves clearly were attracted to SWD, which may increase dove harvest opportunity. Further research is needed to validate this result under a broader set of conditions and examine extent to which this attraction may translate into increased dove harvest.

Previous studies on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) home ranges have concentrated on the eastern subspecies (M. g. silvestris). Our objectives were to estimate spring-summer period (1 April-31 August) and annual home ranges of Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia) and compare them across study sites, age (adult, juvenile) and sex. From 2000−2004, we recorded 44,526 telemetry locations from 1,253 radiotagged Rio Grande wild turkeys on four study sites in the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas. We used the 95% fixed kernel and 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods to calculate home ranges. Mean 95% fixed kernel annual home ranges were 1,908 ± 112 ha for females and 1,578 ± 127 ha for males. Mean 95% fixed kernel spring-summer home ranges were 1,054 ± 76.1 ha for females and 1,097 ± 103 ha for males. Juvenile female annual home ranges were larger than other age and sex classes on Texas study sites.

As hunting participation decreases in the United States, wildlife agencies may consider increasing license fees or creating additional ones to sustain their programs. We assessed Willingness to Pay (WTP) for fall and spring eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) hunting permits in Mississippi using the Contingent Valuation Method. Hunters were willing to pay more for a spring hunting permit than for a fall hunting permit and demand for spring hunting permits was also higher. Median WTP for fall and spring turkey hunting permits was US$11.00 and $36.25, respectively. Revenue can be maximized at $277,506 and $739,821 for the state by placing the permit fees at $20.62 and $39.75 for fall and spring hunting permits, respectively. These methods can be used to set fees and assess demand for a variety of recreational activities while maximizing participation.

We conducted a survey to evaluate sales values of private rural lands (N = 100; 13,559 ha) that were purchased for recreational uses in Mississippi from 2002-2005. Most (70%) land parcels were located near or in the Mississippi River Delta region with dominant cover types of forest (52%) or agricultural crops (43%). Important recreational uses included hunting, off road vehicles access, horseback riding, wildlife watching, ecotourism, and fishing. Featured species were white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; 93%), rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.; 65%), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo; 56%), waterfowl (48%), squirrels (Sciurus spp.; 38%), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura; 15%), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; 12%), and other (< 10%). Recreational uses contributed an average increase of 36% (US$808.73/ha) in property value.

Effects of traffic volume on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) movement patterns and behavior have not been well documented. During summer 2004, we monitored survival and home ranges of 34 radiocollared deer (6 males and 28 females) in a heavily visited state park in Georgia to determine effect of road distribution on home range use. We also monitored hourly movements for eight females in relation to daily patterns of vehicle volume within the park. Although deer behavior was altered by frequent exposure to traffic and roadside feeding of deer by park visitors, no deer were killed by vehicles during the study. Deer did not selectively use habitats within their home ranges based on proximity of nearest roads. We found no differences (P > 0.05) in deer distances from nearest roads during any 24-hr period.

Reliable estimates of survival for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns are needed for sound deer management. Several studies have estimated fawn survival prior to recruitment (i.e., before the onset of hunting season) but few have monitored fawns post-recruitment, especially in the lower Midwest or Southeast. We captured and radiocollared 166 neonatal fawns during 2002-2004 in southern Illinois. Ninety-one fawns survived to recruitment and were monitored for survival from 1 October until the end of the firearm hunting season (typically 8 December). Post-recruitment survival was 0.73 (95% CI = 0.63 - 0.83). Hunter harvest was the primary source of mortality (13%) followed by vehicle collisions (8%). Male and female harvest mortality was 14% and 12%, respectively, and did not differ (P = 0.73).

Recently, concern has arisen regarding possible effects of site preparation treatments, particularly herbicide use, on availability and quality of browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). To examine this concern, we quantified species-specific plant biomass of browse for deer in clearcuts site prepared with either prescribed fire (N = 5) or a combination of imazapyr with triclopyr and prescribed fire (N = 5) in eastern Louisiana during 2003-2005. Total biomass of quality browse did not differ between treatments, but was higher in years 1 and 2 post-treatment. However, stands site prepared with fire and herbicides were dominated by herbaceous vegetation, legumes, and Rubus spp. during the first growing season following site preparation, whereas stands prepared with fire were dominated by woody and vine species. Differences diminished across years with sites becoming structurally similar by the third year.

We used a self-administered mail questionnaire to investigate Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) cooperators' understanding of and satisfaction with this program to identify possible improvements in the quality of educational and technical assistance. Since statewide program inception in 1983, no effort had been made to evaluate the program from a customer's perspective prior to our study. We sent questionnaires to 618 DMAP cooperators immediately after the close of the 2004-05 deer hunting season in Mississippi. We received 391 useable questionnaires. When non-deliverables (N = 57) were excluded from consideration, we achieved an effective response rate of 74.9%. Results indicated that cooperators generally understood why they collect biological samples but were less understanding of overall program goals.

Capture of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is vital for telemetric studies of the species. A variety of methods such as drop nets, clover traps and rocket nets have been employed to capture deer. However, most methods require direct observation of trap sites, which has the obvious limitation of controlling human scent around trap sites. We describe a new technique for capturing deer using rocket nets coupled with wireless remote video. Capture rates for two periods in 2005 using remote video were higher (0.10 and 0.17 deer/h) than the traditional on-site observation method used in 2004 (0.05 and 0.09 deer/h). We suggest that this technique is more efficient than other reported capture techniques for free-ranging white-tailed deer.

Infrared-triggered cameras are increasingly used in wildlife management and require refinement for optimal use. We compared photographic recapture rates of tagged animals on two enclosed Mississippi study areas and a third enclosed study area in Oklahoma. We evaluated effects of camera density (one camera per 41 ha and one camera per 81 ha) and sampling duration (1 to 14 days) on accuracy of deer population estimates, cumulative new occurrences of adult males, cumulative sex ratio, and cumulative fawn crop on the Mississippi study areas. Photographic recapture rate varied from 92% for adult males and 89% for adult females in Mississippi to 22% for adult males and 34% for adult females in Oklahoma. A three-day survey provided stable sex ratio and fawn crop estimates at 41 and 81 ha per camera. A seven-day survey provided stable estimates of adult males with 76% accuracy at 41 ha per camera and with 59% accuracy at 81 ha per camera.

Subjectivity of tooth wear and replacement (i.e., Severinghaus technique) for estimating ages of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is sometimes questioned. To further quantify Severinghaus's description of tooth wear, we used digital photographs and computer-assisted technologies to measure dentine and enamel widths on molars of 67 wild, known-aged deer from South Carolina. Accurate measurements of dentine: enamel ratios did not clearly separate 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5-year-old deer because of excessive variability within age classes. Therefore, we used K-nearest neighbor [KNN] analysis to assign deer to age classes based on an overall dentine: enamel ratio. We correctly classified about 54% of deer tested. Based on our results and previous studies, we believed little accuracy in age estimates is gained by measuring dentine and enamel widths.

We used mail surveys to examine attitudes and methods of black bear (Ursus americanus) hunters on Van Swamp Game Land (Van Swamp). Van Swamp was located in eastern North Carolina and managed as an open public hunting area, with no restriction on hunter numbers or vehicular access. Reported bear harvest was higher in 2001 (22) than 2002 (4) or 2003 (8). Hunters in all three years generally believed that Van Swamp had “about the right number” of hunters (≥57%) and that “too many” bears had been harvested (≥38%). Retention of hunters from year to year was high (≥70%) and, generally, a minority of hunters each year were in favor of specific management actions designed to limit bear harvest or hunter densities. Hunting method (i.e., hunting with dogs vs. still hunting) was related to hunter opinions on some questions. Although hunters identified problems with overharvest of bears, there was no mandate for management changes to address that issue.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) die-offs attributed to largemouth bass virus (LMBV) occurred during 1998 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and 1999 at Lake Fork, Texas. We assessed largemouth bass electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE), mean length at age 3, relative weight (Wr), and angling success before (pre-LMBV) and after (post-LMBV) fish kill periods to address concerns that LMBV had negatively impacted the largemouth bass populations and fisheries at these two popular Texas reservoirs. There was no decline in angling catch rates, mean length at age 3, or Wr in the post-LMBV period for either reservoir. Only electrofishing CPUE at Lake Fork was significantly lower post-LMBV. However, it was difficult to establish a definitive causal link between this difference and LMBV. Results suggest that prolonged adverse effects from the LMBV-disease events at these two reservoirs were not likely.

An evaluation was conducted to compare relative contribution, growth, and vulnerability to angling of triploid Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) and diploid northern largemouth bass (M. s. salmoides) when stocked together in a newly-renovated reservoir. Triploid Florida largemouth bass were stocked in Lake Balmorhea, a 213-hectare reservoir in West Texas, for five consecutive years and failed to recruit in all years except the initial stocking year. Diploid northern largemouth bass were stocked only in the first year and produced significant year classes in years 4 and 5 of the study. Northern largemouth bass grew faster initially, but triploid Florida largemouth bass were similar in size by age 3. Diploid northern largemouth bass were more vulnerable to angling than triploid Florida largemouth bass through the first 3 years of life.

Roving creel surveys were conducted on nine hatchery-supported trout streams in western North Carolina during 1998 and 1999. The objective of this study was to describe angler use patterns and trip characteristics for selected waters in the hatchery-supported trout program. A total of 5,452 angler interviews were conducted during the two-year survey. Overall, anglers caught trout >203 mm (considered stocked) at an average rate of 1.38 trout/h. This catch rate exceeded the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) programmatic goal of 1.00 trout/h. Hatchery-supported trout anglers were harvest oriented and creeled 75% of all stocked trout caught. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and brown trout (Salmo trutta) were harvested in proportions similar to those stocked. Brook trout were most likely to be captured within two days of stocking, whereas rainbow trout and brown trout persisted longer in the streams before being harvested.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and bordering states stock striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops) into the Ohio River. These stockings resulted in the development of Morone spp. sport fisheries in several pools of the Ohio River along Kentucky's border. Recruitment of striped and hybrid striped bass into these fisheries has been highly variable. Fall recruitment patterns of striped and hybrid striped bass were evaluated. It was determined that river flow during or just after stocking had a major influence on the contribution of the stocked striped and hybrid striped bass fingerlings to fall year-class strength estimates. Fall striped bass electrofishing catch rates ranged from 22.1 (SE = 6.2) to 41.4 (SE = 12.8) fish/h when river flows were below the 24-year average for July. Hybrid striped bass electrofishing catch rates during the same flow periods ranged from 7.8 (SE = 2.9) to 18.9 (SE = 7.0) fish/h.

The increasing importance of the walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery in the New River, Virginia, and recent research findings motivated characterization of its genetic composition. Movements of radio-tagged fish suggested that walleyes living in Claytor Lake and the upper New River tend to spawn in different areas. In this study, allozyme, microsatellite DNA, and mitochondrial DNA genetic marker data were analyzed to assess population genetic differentiation among collections of New River walleye. The walleyes within Claytor Lake are a panmictic population, presumably resulting from years of stocking different genetic backgrounds and subsequent interbreeding. However, the genetic structure of walleyes from the New River shows the presence of more than one population. Fish in the New River system carry three previously unknown mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (43, 44, and 45), as well as high frequencies of characteristic alleles at particular microsatellite DNA loci.

Studies using otolith chemistry to distinguish fish stocks in fresh waters have suggested that spatial heterogeneity in basin geology determines the scale of stock discrimination possible with this approach. However, no studies have illustrated an association between spatial variation in fish otolith chemistry and watershed geology. We consider this relationship in the context of a recent study describing within- and between-river variation in trace element chemistry of otoliths from YOY smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Maury and James rivers (Virginia). Cluster analysis of multivariate geologic data for discrete river segment basins illustrates a phenomenological association between geologic heterogeneity and our ability to discriminate spatial groupings of fish from their otolith chemistry.

Mycobacteriosis is a widespread, chronic disease of estuarine fishes. Recent studies by scientists at the National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown, West Virginia and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester, have shown infection rates in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) of up to nearly 62% in certain Virginia tributaries to Chesapeake Bay (Bay). Of the several mycobacterial species known to infect striped bass from the Bay, several are known to be zoonotic including M. marinum and M. fortuitum. In this paper we discuss the incidence and prevalence of mycobacterial infections in striped bass and contrast these with human epidemiological data on the occurrence of cutaneous mycobacteriosis in the Bay's human population collected by the Virginia Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Health.