Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Bobcat (Lynx rufus) home range is generally considered to be a function of habitat quality, but there have been few published studies that explicitly address this idea. We used empirically developed bobcat habitat models to predict habitat quality within bobcat home ranges on 2 study areas in central Mississippi. We then assessed the relationship between home range size and habitat quality. Habitat quality and variability of habitat quality were not (P>0.10) predictors of home range size. Moreover, habitat quality differed statistically (P<0.01), and habitat composition differed qualitatively between study areas, yet there were no differences (P=0.14) in bobcat home range size between study areas. We suggest that the effect of habitat quality on bobcat home range size may diminish as habitat quality increases, and we offer alternative hypotheses to explain bobcat home range size.

Historically, corpora luteal counts have been used to index reproductive output; however, there has been skepticism as to their usefulness in bobcats because bobcats may retain their corpora lutea from one season to the next. We conducted this study to determine if bobcats retain corpora lutea and if they are functional. Luteal bodies were monitored throughout multiple breeding seasons. The functionality of luteal bodies of previous cycles (LBPCs) in bobcats was explored using radioimmunoassay, and compared to that of corpora lutea (CL). LBCPs continued to produce progesterone, although CL tissue had a greater progesterone concentration than LBPC tissue. This study offers evidence against using luteal body counts to determine reproductive output. Further, we suggest that retention of luteal bodies may be a unique reproductive strategy by bobcats to maintain pregnancy and, as such, may affect restoration efforts and should be considered in establishment of harvest quotas.

Disking fallow fields is a management practice commonly used to promote early successional habitats for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) broods. However, effects on habitat value for bobwhite broods from different seasonal timing of disking is poorly understood. We compared vegetation composition and structure among fall-disked fields (N=24), spring-disked fields (N=26) and bobwhite brood locations determined by telemetry (N=22 broods). Both disking treatments produced more bare ground and visual obstruction than brood locations. In a joining cluster analysis based on vegetation structure, neither spring-disked nor fall-disked fields were grouped with broods. Ground coverage in disked fields tended to be dominated by a few species, but plant community composition differed between fall-and spring-disked fields. Spring disking promoted agronomic weed species such as Senna obtusifolia and Crotalaria spectibilis which have little food value to quail.

Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundicacea) was a common planting established on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields throughout the southeastern United States during the late 1980s and 1990s. Fescue-dominated grassland communities on CRP fields offer poor quality nesting, brood-rearing, and foraging habitat for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) because of dense vegetation, high litter cover, low bare ground, and low plant diversity. Herbicide applications have been shown to reduce fescue and release early successional plant communities, and therefore may enhance bobwhite habitat quality. However, the relative efficacy of herbicide used in conjunction with fire has not been investigated. We tested singular and joint effects of herbicide (glyphosate) application and burning on vegetation in fescue CRP fields in east Mississippi. We tested the following 4 treatments: spring glyphosate application, spring burn, spring burn and glyphosate application, and control.

Ruffed grouse densities are lower in the southern portion of its range than in the more northern reaches. It has been suggested that the lower productivity of ruffed grouse in southern latitudes may account for lower population densities. We examined nesting success of ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus at 2 sites in West Virginia during 1998 and 1999. We located nests of radio-collared female grouse and determined proportion of females that nested, nest success (proportion of hens successful in hatching ?1 chick), clutch size, hatching success, and hatch dates. Proportion of hens that attempted to nest, nesting success, and average clutch size and hatching success was similar between age classes, sites, and years. Depredation was the major cause of nest failure, with 30% of nests monitored over the two-year period being disturbed or destroyed. Nests monitored via video cameras revealed raccoons (Procyon lotor) and black rat snakes (Elaphe o. obsoleta) were common nest predators.

We evaluated ruffed grouse Bonasa umbellus drumming logs in western North Carolina to determine criteria used by male grouse in selecting drumming sites. For every drumming log found (N = 34), we selected a random log within the same stand type and with a similar topographic position. We collected data on drumming log characteristics and on vegetation surrounding the drumming site. We found 85% (N = 29) of drumming logs on or near a ridge top in a mature (>40 years old) oak/hickory (Quercus/Carya) or northern hardwood forest stand with a dense mid-story of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and or flame azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum). There was no difference in physical characteristics of logs, basal area, or woody understory density between drumming logs and random logs (P>0.05). mid-story density and vertical vegetation density were greater at drumming logs than at random logs (P > 0.01).

Understanding space use patterns of wildlife may be useful to spatially plan habitat management options and understand how species use resources on a landscape. Spatial fidelity can be defined as the tendency of an animal to maintain similar space use patterns among periods of interest and can be described in terms of differences in dispersion of points and shift in central tendency. However, little information is available concerning spatial fidelity in wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Therefore, we investigated seasonal spatial fidelity of male and female eastern wild turkeys (M. g. silvestris) on the Tallahala Wildlife Management Area (TWMA) in central Mississippi during 1984-1996. We estimated dispersion between seasons as the mean distance between each location and the bivariate median. We estimated shifts in space use patterns as the distance between bivariate median centers for consecutive seasons.

Reclaimed surface mines are used by American woodcock (Scolopax minor) as diurnal habitat during summer in West Virginia. However, habitat quality of these sites relative to that of other (unmined) diurnal habitat in West Virginia has not been previously evaluated, making it difficult to assess the potential for using mine reclamation to create woodcock habitat. We compared vegetation and soil characteristics at points where we flushed woodcock on reclaimed surface mines (25 flush points at 11 sites) and unmined locations (26 flush points at 13 sites) in West Virginia during the summers of 1995-1997. We provide baseline information on soil characteristics of unmined summer diurnal habitat in this part of the woodcock's range and assess relative quality of reclaimed summer diurnal habitat. Quality of overhead cover was similar at reclaimed and unmined areas, but unmined sites provided more lateral cover because of greater stem densities (x¯ = 16,715/ha, SE = 3,550 vs.

Waterfowl management is a major goal at the Delta National Wildlife Refuge, yet there is little information on mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) nesting on the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) in Louisiana to guide management decisions. In 1998 and 1999, we determined nest success and its relationship to sites and habitat types. Average Mayfield nest success for all locations and years was 20.0%. Nest success differed among sites in 1998 and among habitat types in 1999. Greatest nest success (56.7%) was on Mississippi River levee sites and lowest nest success (0.3%) was on canal banks. Most nest failure was attributed to female abandonment (33.1%) and nest depredation (27.7%). Habitats selected for nesting sites were not used in proportion to their availability, with grassland habitats being used more than expected and marsh and forested habitats being used less than expected. No nests were located on splays.

During winters 1990-1992, we manipulated food availability 5%-20% less than that of ad libitum feeding for captive groups of wild-strain North American wood ducks (Aix sponsa) to test effects of increasing levels of food restriction on prebasic molt of females. Birds fed ad libitum and 5%-15% restricted diets exhibited a protracted molt (>90 days) of low intensity. Most females fed a 20%-restricted diet did not initiate molt until resumption of ad libitum food availability. We hypothesize that a 20% restriction exceeds a threshold in food availability and possibly body condition needed by captive female wood ducks to meet nutritional demands of maintenance and prebasic molt. A lower threshold may exist for free-living wood ducks, implying the importance of adequate food availability and quality during winter to minimize negative effects on within- and cross-seasonal life-cycle functions.

Managers have assumed that migratory geese regularly interchange among wintering refuges, providing a potential to manage them as a complex. The primary purpose of our study was to determine population affiliation and magnitude of goose movements among 4 national wildlife refuges (NWR) in Tennessee and northern Alabama, thereby assessing the feasibility of this approach. Interchange and population affiliation were examined using neck collar observations from 1977-1998. Population affiliation varied among refuges, with Southern James Bay geese being most common at Wheeler NWR, and Mississippi Valley geese being most common at Reelfoot NWR. Only 5.1% of 11,039 different blue-and orange-collared geese observed at the 4 refuges were observed at more than 1 refuge during the entire study period.

Accurate nocturnal bird abundance and distribution data are necessary for managing nocturnal avian communities. We compared vocalization playback and silent methods for surveying 3 nocturnal avian species in Mississippi in 1997 and 1998. Playback elicited more responses from eastern screech-owls (Otus asio) than the silent method. Playback was more effective than the silent method at detecting habitat associations of eastern screech-owls, which were strongly associated with pine regeneration stands than pine sawtimber stands and pine-hardwood stands. Playback of broadcast vocalizations more effectively detects abundance of some nocturnal bird species than silent methods. Increased detectability and accuracy are essential for monitoring and managing nocturnal avian communities and their habitat associations.

Identifying habitat for species with special ecological requirements can be a challenging task when procedures are based on remotely sensed data. I used georeferenced locations of red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) cavity trees to evaluate the effectiveness of Landsat Thematic Mapper (tm) data and a digital elevation model in identifying oldgrowth pine forests that provide nesting habitat for this species. Remotely sensed data associated with active cavity trees (N=142) and polygons surrounding active cavity clusters (N=179) were compared to locations with unsuitable habitat (N=1000). Elevation was the best predictor of woodpecker locations, but some TM bands improved classifications slightly. The best classification (overall accuracy=74%, kappa=0.45) was based on an elevation mask and transformed TM data associated with the red, blue, and green TM bands.

Insects and herbaceous vegetation important to young eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo sylvestris) may be enhanced in forested areas by managing clearings. Natural resource agencies in Virginia and other eastern states have committed significant resources to create and maintain forest clearings to provide habitat for wild turkey broods in predominantly forested areas. However, techniques used to manage clearings often lack definitive ecological justifications. We compared effectiveness of 4 management regimes on forest clearings typical of those used by wildlife managers in the eastern United States to produce insects and vegetation beneficial to turkey broods. Ranging from low to high intensity in development and maintenance, treatments were 1) mowing; 2) disking and liming; 3) planting ladino clover (Trifolium repens latum), mowing, and liming; and 4) planting a perennial grass-forb mixture, mowing and liming.

Use of crossbow equipment to hunt white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has increased in recent years. Concurrently, beliefs about efficiency of crossbows relative to upright bows has spawned concerns among many hunters that use of crossbows during standard archery seasons will lead to overharvest and herd degradation. To examine relative efficiency of crossbows as weapons for harvesting deer, we collected 5 years (1996-2000) of deer harvest data from special hunts in southeast Oklahoma where hunters were restricted to either crossbows or traditional (recurves or longbows) archery equipment. We found that success of crossbow hunters (22.8%) was greater than success of hunters using traditional archery equipment (6.9%). We found no difference in quality of deer harvested between crossbow and traditional archers as measured by body mass, antler characteristics, and age of male deer.

We evaluated selected characteristics of forest industry hunt-lease programs for the 1999 calendar year in the southern United States. Sixty questionnaires were mailed to wildlife biologists and hunt-lease administrators of various forest industries within these states. Thirty-four completed questionnaires were returned, yielding an overall response rate of 56.7%. Respondents owned 6,006,050 ha; they leased 4,600,611 ha (76.6%) to the private sector and 424,784 ha (7.1%) to the public sector. The average annual lease fee for the private sector was $9.69 per hectare, and the average annual lease fee for the public sector was $3.39 per hectare. Results from this survey were compared to those of a similar survey from 1994 to determine changes and trends in industry hunt-lease programs.

Future successes in wildlife conservation will hinge on our ability to forge partnerships, and the best opportunities for new partnerships will come from private, nonprofit foundations. The number of new foundations is growing at a remarkable rate, and the funding they provide to projects dealing with the environment and wildlife exceeds $1.7 billon annually. Additionally, these foundations are rich in scientific and educational expertise, land for study areas, laboratories, and other resources essential for scientific investigations and educational programs. Private foundations have produced many of our best scholars and professional leaders. The Nemours Wildlife Foundation, located in the coastal plains of South Carolina, was established by Eugene duPont, III, and family in 1995 and is one of these new partners in wildlife conservation.

The Aquatic Investigation and Recovery team of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is a 12-member team that is responsible for the recoveries of as well as provides investigative assistance for many water related fatalities in the state of South Carolina. Three specific incidents are discussed here. The first being the 1994 Susan Smith case, when a mother murdered her two children by allowing her vehicle to roll into Lake John D. Long in Union County, S.C. The second occurred in 1996, also in Lake John D. Long, when seven people—four of which were children under the age of 7—drowned when their vehicle rolled into the lake. The third incident occurred in 1999 and involved a 16-year-old female from Pennsylvania who slipped into a class IV rapid on the Chatooga river in Oconee County, S.C. Due to adverse water conditions, her body was not recovered for almost two months. Recovering bodies can take a toll on those who provide this service.

In 1998, over 70% of Florida voters elected to revise the state's Constitution, which, among other things, combined Florida's Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Marine Fisheries Commission. In July 1999, the merger went into effect creating the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; the largest conservation agency in the nation. This agency is responsible for all wild animal life, fresh water and marine life, and boating safety enforcement in the state of Florida. The largest division in the new agency is the Division of Law Enforcement, which is made up of law enforcement officers of the former Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Patrol (more than 700 sworn and nearly 200 non-sworn employees). Facilitating the merger of the 2 separate law enforcement entities created many challenges.

Geographic information systems (GIS) have been used in wildlife and fisheries management and research for many years. These systems are not being used, however, to the fullest potential in conservation law enforcement. At present, there are only 5 conservation law enforcement agencies in the United States using GIS. In Mississippi a GIS is being developed for use in conservation law enforcement. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, in conjunction with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at Mississippi State University, is involved in the development of this GIS. This paper will address the good (advantages), the bad (disadvantages), and the ugly (serious problems) in the development of this GIS. The information provided in this paper is to be used as a guide for conservation law enforcement agencies that are interested in establishing a GIS for use in their state.

Management of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) fisheries in Meredith Reservoir has a long history of challenges addressed by fisheries managers including dramatic water level changes and habitat loss, changes in sampling gear and sampling protocols, changing angler concerns, and limited information. Management philosophy changed from a period of liberal harvest regulations designed to promote maximum harvest to one of more restrictive regulations designed to optimize both fish populations and angler success. As data and analytical tools improved and new information was obtained, regulations gradually became more stringent resulting in improvements in density and size structure of the fish populations and increased opportunities for anglers.

After efforts to eradicate hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) with herbicide applications proved to be unsuccessful in Caney Creek Reservoir, triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were introduced in an effort to control the expansion of the exotic, while leaving total aquatic plant coverage at a beneficial level of 15%—30%. After 2 years, the aquatic vegetation population that had been dominated by submerged species was composed primarily of emerged species. Aquatic vegetation coverage was reduced to < 15% for the remainder of the study. Releative abundance of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and number of angler efforts were directly proportional with the reduction in aquatic vegetation coverage. Angler success was slightly increased. Water quality parameters and nutrient levels were not appreciably changed.

Due to a history of cyclic adult largemouth bass population trends, a 406-mm minimum length limit was imposed on largemouth bass on Lake Eufaula in July 1992. Two main objectives for the harvest restriction were to increase the abundance of adult largemouth bass in the fishery and to maintain an abundant bass population so that the cyclic nature of this fishery would not be as severe. We examined the effects of the harvest restriction by comparing several population variables from sampling data collected 6 years before the length limit (1987-1992) and 6 years after the length limit (1994-1999). A large database was available due to consistent standardized sampling by Alabama and Georgia fisheries personnel. Spring proportional stock density estimates did not change significantly, with an average of 63 before and 65 after the length limit.