Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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.

Data are presented on the survival and growth response of planted 1-0 sawtooth oak seedlings to 4 site preparation treatments on loamy and sandy soils following clearcutting of the residual forest stands. The 4 site treatments were: (1) control, (2) burn, (3) chopping with a Marden chopper, and (4) KG blading followed by disking. In early April 1975, 12 sawtooth oaks were planted in each treatment plot. In October 1980, 6 growing seasons after planting, the average tree survival dropped from 76% in 1978 to 68% on the sandy soil, but remained at 84% on the loamy soil Average tree height was 111 cm on the sandy soil and 156 cm on the loamy soil. There were no significant survival or height differences between site treatments. At age 7 years from seed, there was no indication of flowering or fruiting. Recurrent attacks by leaf miners and twig girdlers appeared to have lessened tree growth and the capability to produce acorns.

Scirpus olneyi and Spanina patens were grown in mixed stands in containers (surlace area: 900 cm2) and burned during the fall and winter on 6 dates (Burn 1, 8 October; Burn 2, 23 October; Burn 3, 8 December; Burn 4, 20 December; Burn 5, 6 February; and Burn 6, 20 February). Plants in 18 separate containers were burned on leach date and 18 containers were left unburned as a control. Biweekly counts were made of the number of culms of each species per container from 5 October to 18 April. A positive linear relationship (P < 0.05) was noted between culm production of both species and minimum temperature following burns. However, the regrowth of S. olneyi increased at a greater rate with increasing temperature than S. patens. The data indicated that photoperiod (decreasing day length) reduced the regrowth rate of S. patens. The mean density of S. olneyi approached or equaled pre-burn densities by the 4th week following burns, but S.

A technique for estimation of carcass fat levels in ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) from wing fat levels is evaluated. The utility of this technique was investigated because many :Btate wildlife agencies annually collect grouse wings for purposes of age determination and hence wings are readily available. Mean wing fat (percent ether extract) levels were not significantly different than carcass fat levels in grouse collected in fall and winter. Significant differences were found between wing and carcass fat levels in spring (P < 0.10) and summer (P < 0.01) collected birds. Despite these differences, wing fat data from spring collected birds may be useful for prediction of carcass fat because of a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.82) between the two variables. A lower correlation coefficient (r = 0.68) indicated limited utility for this technique in summer. No significant differences in wing fat levels were found between air-dried and frozen wing samples.

An analysis was made of 574 ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) crops and 157 gizzards collected during fall and winter from 3 locations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Grouse crops from the northernmost localities contained more woody twigs and attached buds than grouse crops from locations farther south, and crops from southernmost localities contained more leaves of woody plants than crops from more northern areas. Plants common in grouse diets from all localities included leaves and fruits of greenbrier (Smilax spp.), the leaves of mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia), the fruits of grapes (Vitis spp.) and oaks (Quercus spp.), and the herbaceous plant, Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides). The major portion of the diets consisted of green leaves (64.5%), fruits (28.9%), twigs and buds (5.4%), and animal matter (1.2%).

A partial nutritional analysis of the springtime diets in 1975 and 1976 of 40 Rio Grande turkey (Meleagris gaUopauo intermedia) hens from southern Texas suggested they fulfilled their nutritional needs by a progressive shift in food use from forb leaves to forb fruits and seeds to animal matter to grass seeds during 5 equally-time-spaced sampling dates. It was apparent in this area that the approximately 14% protein, 2% calcium, and 0.75% phosphorus requirements for breeding turkeys could only be met by a diet composed primarily of animal matter. However, management to enhance the abundance of selected, high quality forbs could provide the absolute, minimal requirements and relieve the dependence on a potentially undependable animal food supply.

Within 12 hours posthatching, poults from captive-reared wild eastern turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) were placed under broody domestic bronze turkey hens to imprint the poults (Gore and Synatske 1978). As many as 15 eastern poults were placed under each broody hen at night without disturbing the hens. After 1 week, surviving poults were removed and replaced with newly hatched poults. The week-old eastern poults were then placed with wild-trapped Rio Grande turkey hens (M g. intermedia). Broodiness was induced in the wild hens by oral administration of 50% ethyl alcohol (1 ml/0.45 kg body weight), followed by an intravenous injection of 5 mg prolactin (NIH-P-S-12 Ovine) in 2 ml buffered saline (Cain et al. 1978). Following about 1 hour of quiet restraint, each hen was moved carefully into a closed cardboard box and the imprinted poults were placed under her. The next morning the hen and poults were permitted to move from the box into secluded holding pens.

Fall-winter diets of sympatric bobwhite (Colinus uirginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) in southwestern Oklahoma were compared during 1978 80 using analysis of crop contents. High overlap was present between the 2 species for 1978 - 79 (Overlap coefficient C = 0.65) and 1979 - 80 (C = 0.88). Staple items included seeds of wheat, mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), broomweed (Xanthocephalum dracunculoides), buffalobur (Solanum rostratum), and flax (Linum sp.). Frequency of occurrence of broomweed seeds increased as winter progressed in 1979 - 80, possibly because of low availability of more preferred foods. Interspecific competition for food resources may become important during latewinter months when seed supplies are decreased.

A total.of 967 wild-trapped pheasants (Phasianus colchicus torquatus) was released over a 7-year period (1964 - 71) in the Sloan-Trull study area of Matagorda County, Texas. On the Maxwell-Boyt study area in Liberty County, Texas, a total of ~,975 pen-reared pheasants (P. c. torquatus X P. c. talischensis) were released during a 5-year period (1968 - 73). The success of these releases was evaluated by measuring dispersal, brood production and survival. On 3 sites during 1977 - 1978, 30 pheasants were tracked by radio telemetry to determine dispersal and mortality during the 1st 30 days after release. Dispersal averaged 439, 450 and 134 m on the 3 sites. Mortality for the 1st 30 days was 40%, 40% and 80%. Annual mortality rates for the Sloan-Trull and Maxwell-Boyt study areas were calculated at 67% and 77% respectively, from a 3-year telemetry study (1976 - 79). Brood sightings reported by landowners, crowing cock counts and hunting results indicate a self-sustaining population.

An evaluation was conducted to compare the effectiveness and humaneness of kill-type traps versus leg-hold traps for land sets. Data were obtained for 448 trap nights which resulted in the capture of 49 animals in leg-holds and 14 in conibears. The leg-hold trap demonstrated a significantly higher capture rate for total animals (P < 0.01), opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) (P < 0.01), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) (P < 0.05). Conibears generally did not kill captured animals instantly and only 64.3% of the animals were captured by the neck or head.

A phone questionnaire was used to determine the extent furbearer population surveys are used in the Southeast, describe the procedures used, identify problems and future directions, and quantitatively rank important considerations in using scent-station techniques based on an opinion survey. Eleven of 16 states conduct annual statewide surveys of furbearer population trends (10 of 11 were scent-station surveys) at an average cost of $26,095. There was no consistency among state surveys and most surveyed biologists (11 of 12) believed consistency was important but questions arose regarding timing and feasibility. Many surveys appeared to be in the developmental stages and the need was stressed for technique refinements and investigation of visitation and density relationships. Survey improvements and standardization may be enhanced through a centralized coordinating organization in the Southeast.

Three hundred eighty-eight stations were surveyed for siren-elicited responses from coyotes (Canis latrans) and dogs (Canis familaris). Responses were received from coyotes at 15 of 388 station soundings (3.9%) whereas dogs were heard at 14 of 388 station soundings (3.6%). November had the highest rate for coyotes (5.8%) and February had the highest rate for dogs (5.3%). Two indices of relative abundance were determined by dividing the average number of individuals responding and average number of responses from 3 soundings at each station by the estimated area covered at those stations in 1 sounding. To correct for those coyotes that do not respond to the siren, this value was then multiplied by 2. Indices of coyote abundance so determined were 0.017 individual responses/km2 and 0.010 responses/km2, whereas indices of dog abundance were 0.011 individual responses/km2 and 0.009 responses/km2.

In an attempt to determine a more effective means of utilizing scent station data to evaluate furbearer population trends, 3 scent types, 2 tracking surfaces and 3 habitat types were analyzed in northcentral Louisiana. Observations at 775 stations on 2 successive days during the fall of 1979, summer of 1980 and fall of 1980, resulted in 574 visits by 13 different groups of mammals. Bobcat (Felis rufus) urine produced the highest visitation rates for coyotes (Canis latrans) when compared to fatty acid scent and rhodium (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in bobcat visits when the 3 scent types were compared. The use of agricultural lime, when compared to natural soil, as a tracking surface increased bobcat visits significantly (P < 0.001). Visitations by other mammals were not adversely affected by the use of lime.

Texas initiated antlerless white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunting in 1953. The harvest of antlerless deer is regulated by permits issued to landowners, who distribute the permits to hunters utilizing their property. Since the inception of this program, approximately 1.4 million antlerless deer have been harvested in Texas. In 1979, 290,120 antlerless deer permits where issued to 25,201 landowners, resulting in a harvest of 89,225 antlerless deer. The harvest comprised 5% of the adult female segment of the population. The approximate cost of administering the permit system was $261,400.00 in 1979, representing a cost of $2.93 for each antlerless deer harvested.