Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A habitat evaluation system which employs a systematic plot survey of each stand or unit of a tract to be evaluated is described. Scores are recorded by individual species and stand and/or tract values reflecting habitat quality are quantified. From these values and other observed information, a precise management plan can be written.

The purpose of this study was to determine how an area of low quality unmaintained access affects hunter satisfaction and use of the Canaan Valley in northeastern West Virginia. The 10,120 ha (25,000 acres) northern half of the valley supported a high, well distributed population of hunters during the 1973-74 hunting season. The valley Ooor, where access is the most difficult, supported 67 hunter days per 40.5 ha (100 acres) and the mountainside supported 63 hunter days per 40.5 ha (100 acres). Approximately 10 percent (160) of the hunters using the valley during the] 972-73 season were interviewed by telephone. Hunters were satisfied with road conditions even though the three main access roads into the valley must be negotiated by truck, four-wheel drive vehicle or ATV. A difficult ride into a hunting area may play an important role in the total hunting experience.

Twelve 259 ha (1 mi2) plots of varying clearcut percentages were established in a randomi7.ed complete block design in the central Florida sandhills. Response variables ranged from understory vegetation changes to game species abundance over a period of 13 years. Pine (Pinus spp.) plantation establishment resulted in an increase (P < .05) in understory vegetation biomass and diversity. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) seemed to prefer the partial plantation plots, but there was also a significant seasonal interaction between habitat type and deer usage. Passeriform and Piciform birds and fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) preferred the uncleared plots while gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and cottontail rabbits (Sulvilagus .I1oridanus) seemed to prefer the plantations. Rodents increased markedly in the first three years after site preparation, but numbers quickly decreased to typically low levels.

This paper reports on a technique that appears successful for establishing bicolor or other perennial wildlife plots on private lands. During the winter of 1973-74, University of Tennessee personnel (with farmers' help) established a total of 127 perennial plots. 0.1 to 0.25 acres each with a tree planter on 19 private farms (average 6.7 plots per farm). A total of 35.2 man-days (excluding travel and farmers' time) was expended. This computes to be 0.28 man-day per plot or 1.85 man-days per farm. Plots were planted from November through April, and plant survival was satisfactory in practically all cases. A growth evaluation survey revealed that 65.1 percent of the plots rated fair or above. Grazing was responsible for poor growth in 24.6 percent of the plots, and 7. J percent of the plots were plowed up when crops were planted-in most cases by laborers who didn't know the plots existed. The most efficient team proved to be a crew of 2 people-one technician and one laborer.

A dissertation designed to support the assertion that stringent regulatory measures are necessary and justified to control the importation, transportation, possession, sale or release of any wildlife in the territorial limits of the State of Georgia. The growing tendency of the general public to seek out every source of wildlife on a world-wide basis, then attempt to convert these into household pets has caused this State to initiate aggressive action to regulate and control. It is the purpose oftbis paper to identify the procedure established to that end.

An interview study of one hundred and forty-eight admitted illegal deer hunters was conducted to determine the behavioral aspects and methodology of deer jacking activity. Through structured interviews given at individual and group sessions, the characteristics of the violator and the methods of operation were determined. The results have immediate law enforcement and information and education implications.

Despite the fact that approximately one third of the state wildlife agency personnel and funding is invested in law enforcement, scientific law enforcement studies are comparatively few. A regional program of law enforcement research, to be located at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, can coordinate projects, allow publication of results in many forms, avoid duplication of research projects, and answer more questions for less money in a joint effort than can individual states. The success and benefits of this program relies on funding by all states, since all states will benefit from this research. The program will enhance ideas and open communication between researchers and wildlife law enforcement agencies. With this proposed system of jointly funded research, states can save money in the long run, make great interactive advances, and achieve regional leadership in a new, vital essential dimension of modem wildlife resource management.

The wildlife officer, whether he be called a conservation officer, game protector, game and fish enforcement officer or simply game warden, must be a real professional. He needs most of the knowledge that a professional policeman needs. He also needs a working knowledge of many subjects peculiar to the out-of-doors. The breakthrough in training that has already occurred for police should be immediately extended to wildlife law enforcement officers. This. coupled with maintenance of high standards and increases in pay, should do much to professionalize this important occupation.

The following paper is a summary of the planning. operation, and results of the first highly successful roadblock used by the Enforcement Division of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. It was held at the junction of Arkansas Highways 53 and 24. about twelve miles south of Prescott, Arkansas, in Nevada County. This roadblock resulted in thirty·one arrests and $3,826.00 in fines and court costs for game and fish violations.

This essay deals with the regulatory function common to all wildlife resource management agencies, and addresses this process specifically from the public relations aspect. It is hoped that these thoughts will stimulate thinking on the parts of both I &. E personnel and top-level administrators on how to better utilize the regulatory publication to put forward agency goals and programs.

Data available in the four national surveys of fishing and hunting (1955, 1960, 1965, 1970) were used to identify how participation in fishing and hunting has changed during the recent environmental movement. Participation in fishing has increased in nearly all segments of the population while participation in hunting has remained the same or may have decreased slightly. Participation in small game hunting decreased while participation in big game and waterfowl hunting increased. A decrease in participation in hunting was most notable in rural areas among farmers and farm laborers. The data in the national surveys did not indicate that an increased environmental awareness has influenced participation in fishing or hunting any substantial degree.