Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Clearcutting has been reduced in frequency in national forests of Arkansas. This will affect populations of birds that require early successional forest habitat. I studied avian distribution, abundance, and reproductive success in young (i.e., 7 to 10 years post-harvest) and old (i.e., 17 to 19 years post-harvest) forest clearcuts from 1993 to 1995. The number of species was greater in young than old clearcuts, with abundance of 5 species, white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus), common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), and indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) higher in young clearcuts. No difference in fledging success was detected between young and old clearcuts for any species; however, the ratio of hatching-year to after hatching-year birds captured in mist-nets was lower in older clearcuts for every species studied.

Three taxa of cave bats in Arkansas are listed as endangered: the gray bat {Myotis grisescens), the Indiana bat (M. sodalis) and the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens). All occur primarily in the Ozark Plateau region of the northwestern and northcentral portion of the state. Population monitoring and ecological studies of endangered bats inhabiting important hibernation, summer, and transient caves were conducted annually since 1978. Through the efforts of several federal, state, and private agencies and organizations, as well as numerous private landowners, 14 caves important to bats were gated or fenced to protect colonies of bats from disturbance by humans. Several additional caves were afforded protection by intrusion alarm systems, control of access roads and cooperative management agreements.

A survey of red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) was conducted on Goethe State Forest, Levy County, Florida, in 1994 and 1995. Four hundred fifty-one living cavity trees, active and inactive, were located. The majority of living cavity trees (97%) were longleaf pines (Pinus palustris). Mean age of cavity trees was 123.6 years (N = 108). One hundred ninety-seven living cavity trees occurred in 26 clusters, and 25 of these clusters were active in 1995. Nestling production was confirmed in 73% and 65% of the active clusters monitored in 1994 and 1995, respectively. To maintain the red-cockaded woodpecker population at its current status, management activities should focus on improving habitat quality in active clusters, establishing replacement stands to provide future nesting and roosting habitat, and providing adequate foraging habitat.

The alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) occurs throughout most of the southeastern United States, but concern exists regarding possible decline in populations throughout the range of the species. Little is known about the alligator snapping turtle in Arkansas. The species was previously documented from only 20 counties in the state. We sampled 1,905 net nights with baited hoop nets and captured 445 alligator snapping turtles in 56 counties. Captures in 41 counties were new records. We failed to capture an alligator snapping turtle in 5 counties where the species was previously reported. The alligator snapping turtles that we captured averaged 338 mm in carapace length. Catch rates were higher in counties that were previously open to commercial turtling than in counties not previously open to commercial harvest. There was no difference in average size of turtles between counties with and without a history of commercial harvest.

A survey of northern pine snake occurrences (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) was completed in North Carolina in 1990 to determine the distribution and habitat of this state-listed species of special concern. A total of 196 snakes at 163 locations was mapped and visited. Most of the snakes were killed by vehicular traffic. Sixteen pine snakes were recorded at 12 sites in 3 mountain counties, a single snake from each of 2 sites in 1 foothill county, and 26 snakes at 24 sites in 2 coastal counties. However, the majority of the snakes (78% of total) were recorded at 119 sites in 7 contiguous counties in the sandhills of central North Carolina. Most snakes were recorded in the vicinity of sandy soils, but several (N = 12) were observed in bottomlands. Data were recorded on several habitat variables at snake locations. The present study confirmed that northern pine snakes still have 3 population centers in North Carolina.

We compared rat, mouse, and museum special snap traps to determine if differences existed in capture efficiency of small mammals and whether type of trap affected indices of richness, evenness, and diversity. Small mammals were trapped in 57 streamside study areas in 1990 to 1995 in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas. Efficiency of mouse traps was equal to or greater than that of museum special traps in capturing all small mammal species. Rat traps were most efficient for capturing the 2 largest small mammal species recorded, the eastern wood rat (Neotoma floridana) and the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). We found no difference among the types of traps in their susceptibility to being inadvertently sprung by extrinsic factors such as rain. Mean species richness, evenness, and diversity did not differ among trap types. A combination of mouse and rat traps increased species richness and diversity over mouse traps alone.

This paper summarizes the issuance of federal depredation permits to commercial aquaculture facilities in the Southeast Region by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1989 to 1996. Data were evaluated from 1,103 depredation permits issued to individual aquaculture facilities allowing lethal take of fish-eating birds. The take of 21 species of birds comprised of waders, fliers, and swimmers was permitted. In the 9 states where permits were authorized, the number of facilities receiving permits increased from 54 in 1989 to 228 in 1996. The number of birds allowed in the take increased from 7,401 in 1989 to 28,991 in 1996. Sixty percent of the birds permitted for take at aquaculture facilities were reported taken. The double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) was the species most often requested for taking (N = 70,888). Most depredation permits were issued to aquaculture sites in Mississippi (N=459) and Arkansas (TV = 448).

We developed a Monte Carlo simulation approach to examine statistical power in analysis of population trend data. Our stepwise approach was to perform a regression analysis to test the null hypothesis that the slope of the time series regression line was equal to 0 (i.e., Ho:b = 0 for population count data collected over i years), to use Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the statistical power of the test of H0:b = 0 when Ho was not rejected, and to estimate sample size requirements within and across years to detect a population trend at a specified power, Type I error, and coefficient of variation. To demonstrate this approach and illustrate important considerations when conducting power analysis, we analyzed 5 sets of shorebird count data collected by a single observer in the International Shorebird Survey, Marco River, Florida, in 1975 and 1980 to 1987.

I tested the effectiveness of squirrel excluder devices (SQEDs) in deterring southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) from using artificial red-cockaded woodpecker {Picoides borealis) cavities by placing them on approximately one-half of the cavities in 14 inactive recruitment clusters on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. SQEDs consisted of 2 pieces of 35.5-cm wide aluminum flashing placed 7.6 cm above and below the cavity entrance. Cavities with (/V = 37) and without (7V = 35) SQEDs were checked once per month from February 1995 to January 1996; all flying squirrels found in cavities were removed and destroyed. Cavities with and without SQEDs did not differ in cavity height (P = 0.70), distance to first branch >1 m in length (P = 0.09), distance to the nearest tree (P = 0.29), number of trees within 8 m (P = 0.82), or previous use by flying squirrels (P = 0.67).

We compared the response of herpetofaunal communities in 16 hardwood stands treated with a high-leave harvest (7 m2/ha residual basal area), low-leave harvest (3.5 m2/ha residual basal area), clearcut harvest or no-harvest prescription in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, from 1992 to 1996. Animals were captured with straight-line drift fences and pitfall traps. We sampled 800 trap nights and captured 24 species of amphibians (N = 1,363) and 12 species of reptiles (N = 163). Diversity of amphibians was lower in low-leave harvest stands after removal of timber than in noharvest stands (P < 0.05). Numerical abundance and species richness of reptiles were higher after timber removal in high-leave, low-leave, and clearcut harvest stands than in no-harvest stands (P < 0.05), and diversity of reptiles was higher after removal of timber in low-leave harvest stands than in no-harvest stands (P < 0.05).

Management of the flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), a species in decline throughout its range, is hindered by a lack of information on the habitat requirements of the species. Because Ambystomatids are generally philopatric, preservation of quality natal habitat is important for long-term population health and stability. Conservation of breeding sites in managed landscapes is impeded by insufficient knowledge of the habitat components required for successful larval development. We sampled 10 ponds known to be breeding sites of flatwoods salamanders in the winters of 1992 and 1993 to gather baseline information on the habitat and ecology of the larval amphibian assemblages present. Ornate chorus frog (Pseudacris ornata) larvae were the dominant amphibian in both years and exhibited biomass peaks in late winter. Leopard frog (Rana utricularia) larvae gained dominance in mid-spring as the ponds approached dry-down.

A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the availability and use of cavity trees and snags in hardwood stands regenerated using the group selection method. A survey of cavity trees and snags was completed before and after group selection harvest in 16 2.9-ha plots in the Ozark National Forest, Arkansas. Cavity trees and snags were identified to species, and the height, dbh, state of decay, and number of visible cavities recorded. We marked and measured 66 cavity trees and 126 snags with cavities, and observed the use of these cavities by wildlife. Use of cavity trees was observed seasonally and before and after group selection harvest. Plots averaged 12.2 cavity trees/ha and 25.5 snags/ha before harvest. Densities did not vary between plots with northeast and south aspects. Species composition of cavity trees and snags did not reflect overall stand composition.

Direct-seeding is no longer commonly used for reforesting bottomland hardwood habitat because of low seedling survival due in part to predation of seeds by animals. We investigated the impact of seed predation by rodents on direct seeded willow oak (Quercus phellos). Acorns of willow oak were planted at a rate of 5,982 seeds/ha on low-lying farmland in the Ouachita Wildlife Management Area, Louisiana. A 200 live-trap grid and randomly placed seedling survival plots were used to study the relationship between density and activity of rodents, and predation rate of seeds and seedling survival. Rice (Oryzomys palustris) and cotton (Sigmodon hispidus) rats were the most likely acorn predators. Average survival rate of seedlings was negatively correlated with rodent activity. The phenological maturity of vegetation and the amount of vegetative cover was positively correlated with rodent activity.

We examined plant species richness and species overlap among 3 site preparation treatments (roll-chop and burn, imazapyr and burn, and imazapyr only) and a mature pine-hardwood forest during 2 years following site preparation in east-central Mississippi. Treatments were applied beginning June 1990. Inventory of plant species in 2 to 5 1.6-ha plots/treatment was completed in spring 1991 and 1992. Species richness did not differ among treatments or between treatments and pine-hardwood forest (P = 0.31). Similarity indices showed no apparent grouping among treatments. All values were approximately equal and were similar within years for all treatments and growth forms. All treatments were more similar to other treatments than to pine-hardwood forest. Intercommunity similarity increased from 1991 to 1992 (P = 0.001).

We measured reproductive parameters of 2,833 female white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected from 1978 to 1986 and 1989 to 1993 in 3 geographical regions of Missouri. Fawn pregnancy and fetal rates were lower (P < 0.001) than those of yearling and older does. Ozark region fawns had lower fetal rates than fawns from the Glaciated Plains region; no other regional differences were found. Fetal sex ratios approached 1:1 and were not influenced by year of collection, litter size, region, or age of doe. However, yearling and older does that conceived late in the annual breeding season produced a higher proportion (P = 0.001) of males than those conceiving earlier. Fawn does breed later in the fall than yearling or adult does, but there were no regional or annual effects on mean conception dates. Most (75%) yearling and adult breeding occurred during a 2-week period while 75% of fawn breeding covered 7 weeks.

Our objectives were to determine population and ecological characteristics for an unmanaged white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herd on Chickamauga Battlefield National Military Park, Georgia, and to predict the potential for overpopulation in this herd in the future. We radio-collared 67 deer on the park over 4 years (1991-1994). An additional 295 deer were killed by vehicles on the park's roads, and 36 were collected for herd health analysis in August of each year (8-10 deer per year). The range of estimates for population density was 10-41 deer/km2. The deer herd was in good nutritional condition: reproductive rates were high and kidney fat indices (KFI) closely reflected seasonal and sex-related physiological stresses (P = 0.0001), although the animals were never nutritionally deficient to the point that humerus marrow fat (HMF) declined (P = 0.082).

Thirty-seven white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus) born during summer and autumn 1993 were used to study effects of early weaning on survival and growth. Fawns at birth (date recorded) were weighed (kg), measured (cm), and tagged for identification. Fawns were randomly assigned to early weaned (treatment) or control groups at 60 days of age. Treatment animals were separated from their dams at this time, and control animals remained with their dams until 6 months of age. Both groups were fed a pelleted ration containing a medium protein level (11.6%). Study animals were sedated, weighed, and measured at 6,12, and 18 months of age. Number of points, inside width, main beam length, and main beam basal circumference of antlers was recorded at 18 months of age. Eleven animals died during the course of the study, but no deaths were treatment-related.

The welfare of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns orphaned during an early doe harvest is of management interest when the hunting and fawning seasons are temporally close. A 2-year study on early-weaned, captive white-tailed deer fawns was conducted to evaluate potential effects of early orphaning on growth and survival. Comparisons were made between survival of 60-day-old weaned fawns (TV = 28), 90-day-old weaned fawns (N = 21), and control fawns left with their does (N = 21). No significant differences were found between survival rates in 1994 (P = 0.68) and 1995 (P = 1.00). There were no significant differences between groups for any growth measurement at 7 months of age. These data demonstrate fawns orphaned at >60 days of age are capable of normal development with proper nutrition.

Resource managers require accurate estimates of hunter success rates with various weapon types to predict annual harvests and design management strategies. We obtained harvest data for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in southeastern Oklahoma during periods of compound (1983— 1988) and traditional archery (1989-1995) hunting to compare hunter success rates and the sex and ages of deer harvested. Hunter success was greater (P = 0.001) with compound (¯x = 17.8%; SE = 1.3) than traditional archery equipment (¯x = 10.7%; SE = 0.9). Total harvest (P = 0.002), number of bucks harvested (P = 0.001), and number of does harvested (P = 0.027) was also greater during compound archery hunts. Deer population estimates (P = 0.484) and fawn:doe ratios (P = 0.148) were not different between periods of compound and traditional archery.

The impact of raccoon (Procyon lotor) hunting with trained hounds on movement, daily use area, and harvest potential of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was studied on Westvaco Corporation's North Whitener Tract in Jasper County, South Carolina, in winter 1993-94 and 1994-95. Two groups (treatment and control) of radioinstrumented deer were selected from a larger group of radio-collared deer. Minimum daily total distance moved (MTD), 4 subsets of MTD, and daily use area were calculated and/or plotted from radio-locations during the 24-hour period before and the 24-hour period during and after a raccoon hunt for each radio-instrumented deer. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.05) between treatment and control areas in pre-hunt and post-hunt periods for any of the movement parameters. The percent overlap for each deer's prehunt daily use area and its corresponding post-hunt daily use area did not differ between treatment and control areas.

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage to cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) was evaluated during 2 growing seasons in east-central Alabama. Deer began browsing cotton as soon as cotyledons emerged, and all plant parts were browsed during the growing season. Browsing of cotton cotyledons may kill plants and will reduce yields if it is extensive. However, browsing on cotyledons was rare in this study. Most feeding was done on cotton leaves, and occurred too late to reduce yields. Similarly, square and terminal removal after August and small boll removal after September occurred too late to impact harvestable yields. The most serious damage to cotton occurred when deer fed upon small squares and associated terminals in July and August and on small and medium (<27 days of age) bolls in August and September.

Habitat use of forested landscapes by wild turkey hens (Meleagris gallopavo) during pre-incubation is poorly documented. Information is needed on how vegetative conditions resulting from forest management influence hen movements, habitat use, and reproductive success. We studied habitat relations of wild turkey hens (TV = 111) during pre-incubation in central Mississippi, 1985-1989. Groundstory composition and structure were different (P < 0.05) between areas used and not used by hens. Hens used areas with relatively low (ˉx = 28 cm) groundstory canopies composed of mostly (79%) grasses and forbs. Mature bottomland hardwood forests and pine forests prescribed-burned the previous February provided suitable groundstories, and these areas were selected by hens (P < 0.10). Hen movements were nearer to creeks than expected (P < 0.001) unless recently-burned pine forests were available to hens (P = 0.02).

Concern has arisen about effects of predation on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations because of increases in predator abundance. We examined differences in canid (Canis spp.) and bobcat (Felis rufus) predation of adult wild turkey hens between a hardwood bottomland forest and a mixed forest in Mississippi. Daily mortality rate from canids and bobcats was higher on the hardwood bottomland forest (0.002) than on the mixed forest (0.0006), but overall daily survival rates were similar. A higher predation rate on the hardwood bottomland forest from large predators may have been caused by its insular nature, a lack of a groundstory vegetation layer, and/or use of small (<4 ha) hardwood regeneration areas by wild turkeys for nesting. A higher prey base (i.e., small mammals) on the hardwood bottomland forest may have contributed to higher canid/felid populations. Selective timber harvest within the forest may improve turkey nesting habitat conditions.

We studied efficiency of the rocket, rocket box, and cannon-net trapping techniques and the effects of the techniques on the physical condition of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris). We trapped 1,168 wild turkeys during a 5-year period (1989-1994). There were no differences in trapping efficiency (P > 0.05) among techniques. Fall (Sep-Oct) and winter (Jan-Apr) trapping efficiencies were not different (P > 0.05). Trappers with ≥1 year of experience had higher trapping efficiency (P < 0.0002) than trappers with no prior experience. There were differences in trapping efficiency by year (P < 0.006). Techniques used averaged < 2% severe injuries or mortalities. Training of new trappers appears warranted to improve trapping efficiency.

Effects of capture on study animals requires thorough examination. We investigated effects of age, sex, and environmental conditions on probability of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) post-capture survival in central Mississippi during winter and summer capture periods, 1984-1995. Females were more likely to die from capture-induced stress than males during winter capture; adult hens were more likely to die than subadult hens during summer. Survival rates of hens captured versus those not captured in a given period were similar. Environmental conditions did not affect probability of death from capture stress. We recommend researchers and managers, when possible, curtail trapping during periods of extreme cold or heat and that researchers quantify human-induced mortalities of research animals.