Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

We used correlation analysis to test for relationships between habitat types and numbers of courting American woodcock (Scolopax minor) recorded along singing-ground survey routes in eastern Texas. Availability of 10 different habitat types was quantified at each survey route stop and compared to the number of woodcock recorded. Numbers of courting woodcock recorded were strongly correlated to pine (Pinus spp.) seedling and pine sapling habitats. Results may prove helpful in monitoring long-term trends in singing-ground habitat availability.

We studied habitat used for nesting by eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) on intensively managed pine forest land in eastern Texas in 1980 and 1981. Most (89%) nests were within 100 m of a road or timber stand boundary. Nest sites had <60% canopy closure, low density of rnidstory trees (16 stems/0.04 ha), low basal area (9 m2/ha), and abundant herbaceous ground and shrub cover. Retaining forest openings resulting from logging activity likely will enhance nesting habitat for turkeys in eastern Texas.

A "home range" analysis using 23,285 observations of 6,036 neck-banded Canada geese (Branta canadensis) seen from 16 October to 28 February 1984-87, identified wintering concentration areas within the Atlantic Flyway. Biweekly sampling of 4 cohorts affiliated with these concentration areas during the last 2 weeks of January revealed that >90% of the geese wintering in the Chesapeake Bay and western Pennsylvania regions arrived in these areas by early October. Most geese (>90%) sampled in central New York appeared by early November, while 90% of the sample of birds wintering in North Carolina were not present until early December. Fifteen to 25% of the North Carolina sample was observed in the Chesapeake region prior to their arrival in North Carolina.

Visual observations of marked individuals in a resident flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) on the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, AlabamaGeorgia, were conducted from July 1980 through May 1982. Associations among geese were examined during 2 periods (breeding, February-May; and nonbreeding, June-January). Social groupings were determined for 231 geese in 1980-81 and 240 in 1981-82 based on 4,577 observations during the breeding season and 666 observations during the nonbreeding season. Adult pairs that nested successfully remained with their young-of-the-year throughout the nonbreeding season and composed families; and pairs that did not nest successfully usually joined pseudofamilies, social groups of adult and yearling geese. Pseudofamilies were the predominant social units (80%) in the flock. All social units except yearling groups dissociated during the breeding season, and most pairs established nesting territories or dispersed from the area.

We studied fall and winter food habits of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in the Swan Lake Zone of north-central Missouri during the 1980-82 hunting seasons. Gizzards from hunter-killed geese were obtained during 5 periods of each hunting season. Average proportions of native foods, row crops, winter wheat, and other forage were highly variable among and within years. Row crops in the diet ranged from an average of 1.1%to 99.6% by volume, compared to 0.3% to 98.8% for native foods. In general, row crops increased and native foods decreased in average percent volume through the hunting season, except in 1982, when floods during the hunting season likely kept native foods available all season. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) comprised up to 26.2% average volume. Cold temperatures and snow and ice accumulations increased use of row crops and decreased use of native foods within a season.

Nest box use, nesting success, and nesting habitat characteristics were examined on 6 study areas in eastern Texas during 1984-85. Box use averaged 29% and nesting success decreased from 82% to 64% over the 2-year study. Nest box characteristics selected by wood ducks (Ab: sponsa) included a lower clear tree bole, orientation of the hole toward open or vegetated water, and proximity of 1 or more additional nest boxes. Habitat characteristics selected included high visibility of the box, closeness to open water, less canopy closure (%), presence of herbaceous marsh within 1 km, and presence of herbaceous wetlands (Le., floating vascular aquatic bed, rooted vascular aquatic bed, and open water). A discriminant function analysis (DFA) model was developed for classification of nesting habitats for wood ducks in eastern Texas.

Fifty of > 1,000 landowners participating in the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department (SCWMRD) wood duck (Aix sponsa) nest box program were selected at random to evaluate the program's effectiveness. We inspected 311 of 8,561 boxes bi-weekly throughout the 1987 nesting season. Most (95%) of the boxes allocated had been installed, and 82% of those installed were considered acceptable for use by wood ducks. Most (90%) cooperators had at least 1 nest start, and 69% of the available boxes were used. There were an average of 6.5 ducklings produced per available box. Estimated duckling production in 1987 from all boxes in the SCWMRD program was 42,833 ducklings. Cooperator nesting activity reports provided an accurate estimate of duckling production.

Aerial survey data (1968-1989) and water gauge readings (1958-1989) were examined to detennine trends in and relationships between canvasback (Aythya valisineria) populations and water levels at Catahoula Lake, Louisiana. Wintering canvasback populations at Catahoula Lake have increased over the past 21 years. A peak population estimate of 78,000 canvasbacks was recorded in January 1988. There was a significant relationship between increases in wintering canvasback numbers and increased November water levels. No significant changes in December or January water levels nor relationships between wintering canvasback numbers and December or January water levels could be detected. In recent years, Catahou1a Lake has become one of the most important canvasback wintering areas in North America. We conclude that the increased availability of open water feeding habitat has been a major factor in the increased usage of Catahoula Lake by canvasbacks.

We examined the influence of age and sex on body composition and organs of lesser scaup (Aythya ajfinis) during mid-winter in southwestern Louisiana. Except for intestine weight, organs and body components were similar in size between adult and immature lesser scaup. Body components and organs of males generally were larger than those of females. Body weights of lesser scaup in our study were lower than those reported from the same area more than 20 years ago. Declines in condition could result in lowered survival or reproductive performance. Information on winter survival is not available, but harvest age-ratio data suggest that recruitment of lesser scaup has declined in the Mississippi Flyway.

Late winter dabbling duck use of experimentally manipulated saltmarsh bulrush (Scirpus robustus) was evaluated in managed brackish wetlands in the Santee River Delta, South Carolina, during 3-21 February 1989. Three 1-ha plots were established in each of 3 treatments: saltmarsh bulrush that was dewatered, burned, and reflooded (burned, flooded bulrush [BFB]); saltmarsh bulrush that was dewatered and then reflooded (unburned, flooded bulrush [UFB]); and low stemdensity saltmarsh bulrush that was flooded throughout winter (winter-flooded bulrush [WFB]). Species and numbers of dabbling ducks using treatments were identified and counted. Densities of dabbling ducks using BFB (x¯ = 100 ± 25.60 [SE], N = 12) and WFB (x¯ = 65 ± 8.28, N = 12) were similar (P > 0.05); densities of dabbling ducks using UFB (x¯ = 5 ± 1.82, N = 12) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than for the other treatments.

We compared climatic and pond-management parameters with aerial census estimates of waterfowl and American coots (Fulica americana) on randomly selected clusters of channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) impoundments in the Delta Region of Mississippi from November 1983 to March 1984 and from October 1984 to March 1985. Mean total waterfowl and coot estimates for 1983-84 and 1984-85 were 51,853 and 81,325, respectively. Numbers of lesser scaup (Aytha affinis) increased four-fold the second winter. Weekly waterfowl and coot populations fluctuated with temperature, rainfall, and ice over. Waterfowl and coot numbers were positively correlated with seining, distance of ponds from disturbance, and the presence of aquatic vegetation and trash fish, and negatively correlated with hunting pressure. More coots used recently drained ponds than ponds drained 2 to 4 years prior to surveys.

The Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model (Lewis and Garrison 1984) for wintering American black ducks (Anas rubripes) was applied during 1985 and 1986 at Chincoteague, Virginia. HSI values of 0.66 and 0.56 were obtained during the 2 respective years. We suggested improvements in field methods for estimating biological variables. Modification of 1 variable (V6) and inclusion of a new variable (proportion of total land and water represented by saltmarsh, Vg) were proposed to improve model output.

Diel movement of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) in a Louisiana brackish, coastal marsh was determined using 37 radio-collared muskrats and a total of 2,046 radio fixes during a 13-month period. Monthly home range averaged 0.48 ha but varied considerably among animals; no differences in home ranges were detected among seasons or sex-age classes of muskrats. Also, no differences in hourly movements were found among sex-age classes during periods of day. During winter and spring, differences were detected among individual muskrats. Comparison of seasonal means for all times of day and for all sex-age classes revealed that hourly movement rates were greater in spring than in summer or winter, but did not differ from fall movements. Fall movements did not differ from summer or winter movements. Temperature and marsh water depth had a minor effect on distances moved; neither factor explained more than 21% of the variation in distances moved.

Tissues from 61 mink (Mustela vison) harvested in two areas in South Carolina during the 1987-88 season were screened for pesticide, PCB, and heavy metal residues. Low levels of DDT and DDE were detected. Although 90% of samples contained measurable levels of DDE, the low concentrations found in all but I animal should not present any problems to these mink populations. Many (43%) samples contained PCBs, and all samples had detectible heavy metal residues. Levels did not approach those published for mink that suffered mortality in laboratory studies; however, sublethal effects on mink reproduction need to be considered.

Scent-station and track-count transects were monitored simultaneously in 5 units of the Big Thicket National Preserve. We examined these transects for furbearer tracks for 3 consecutive days every 3 months from January 1987 through March 1988. Greater species diversity and species richness of furbearers were recorded on track-count surveys than on scent-station surveys on 4 of the 5 study units. The number of monitoring periods with no record of a species group was compared between the 2 techniques. Track-count surveys recorded "no presence" of a species group less often than scent-station surveys. Tracks of dog-like canids, fox-like canids, raccoons (Procyon lotor), and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) were used to compare precision and to correlate the 2 techniques. No difference in precision of the 2 techniques was found in this study. Relevant positive correlations were calculated for the 2 techniques in 6 of 16 cases.

The eyes of bobcat (Felis rufus) kittens opened between 9 and 16 days of age in 3 stages (watering, beginning to open, and complete opening) lasting 1-2 days each. Birth weights averaged 125 g. Growth curves peaked at 60 weeks (x¯ = 10 kg) for males and at 55 weeks (x¯ = 8 kg) for females. Log transformations of nose to rump length, and front leg length were highly correlated with age (r ≥ 0.94).

We surveyed licensed bobcat (Felis rufus) pelt dealers to detennine relative abundance of high-quality pelts during the commercial harvest season (15 Nov 1982 to 15 Feb 1988) in Texas. Respondents indicates most high-quality pelts were obtained during January and February. Abundance of high-quality pelts was low from 15 to 30 November, but few bobcats were harvested during this time. Current season dates seem reasonable if managers wish to maximize recreational opportunities rather than pelt quality.

We detennined summer diets of coyotes (Canis latrans) from analysis of 523 scats and 9 stomachs collected on 7 study areas in Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee from May 1985 to September 1986. We compared coyote diets among 4 areas where white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) occurred in high densities (HDA's) and 3 areas with low deer densities (LDA's) during prefawning, fawning, and post-fawning periods on each study area. Important coyote foods (by frequency of occurrence) were fruit (45.7%), insects (36.5%), rabbit (Sylvilagus ssp., 31.6%), deer (30.8%), and rodents (23.5%). During fawning, deer were the most frequent (xˉ = 74.2%) major food item on the HDA's, and the least frequent (xˉ 8.8%) major food item on the LDA's. Summer use of deer was largely fawns (76.9%) and occurred in peaks corresponding to the local fawn drop. Significantly greater use of fawns occurred during fawning and post-fawning than in pre-fawning on the HDA's.

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) hunters (N = 269) who participated in 3 nights of managed raccoon hunting in eastern Tennessee during 1984 were surveyed by mail questionnaire; 149 (55%) responded. Hunters responded favorably to hunting in assigned areas, limiting hunting party size to 3 persons, and restricting the number of dogs to lIhunter. Ninety-eight percent planned to hunt under the same managed conditions in 1985. Hunters estimated they spent $15 a night to hunt and were willing to pay an additional $5-$10 for a I-day permit to finance raccoon management practices. The majority of the raccoon hunters surveyed were bluecollar workers, 37-40 years of age, had hunted for 21 years, and had traveled to other states, even outside the southeastern United States, to hunt raccoons.

Assistance foresters in the 12 southeastern states were surveyed by mail questionnaire to ascertain the amount of habitat management they recommended for nonindustrial, private forest (NIPP) lands. The efforts of state wildlife extension specialists also were estimated by examining existing data sources. Assistance foresters managed >550,000 ha for wildlife in 1987, with >60% of this being reported by private consultants. The 550,000 ha represented >20% of the total area managed by assistance foresters during the year. The 12 state extension offices reported 29 full-time equivalents allocated to wildlife activities in 1987, and provided information and assistance to individuals owning >2.6 million ha. Increasing foresters' knowledge of the available resources for habitat management activities would result in an even larger portion of NIPF lands being managed for wildlife.

We developed a simple device to remotely trigger a drop-net without the use of blasting caps. It uses standard telemetry equipment and allows release of the net from a distance limited only by transmitter range. The device proved reliable and safe for capturing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and significantly increased trapping efficiency and success.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has a comprehensive basic training program for all conservation ranger recruits. The Conservation Ranger School consists of 16 weeks of vigorous training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. The training is coordinated and conducted by veteran officers who not only have years of experience, but who have prepared themselves as trainers by attending numerous instructor training programs and by spending much time involved in research and lesson preparation. Other professionals from various public safety agencies and from such institutions as the University of Georgia are involved in presenting the many subjects related to the duties and responsibilities of a conservation officer. This paper relates some of the experiences of a ranger trainee who graduated as a member of the 12th Basic Conservation Ranger Class in June 1989.

Officer survival training begins with the basic firearms course which is taught to all newly hired wildlife officers. The course consists of the fundamentals of shooting a revolver and shotgun. However, we take the course a step further and stress the importance of mental conditioning as it relates to surviving a gun battle. Our advanced firearms program relentlessly drills in the idea of mental conditioning. The training philosophy is "repetition leads to instinctive shooting." Repetitive drills in all aspects of firearms use are performed. The experience and the ability to shoot instinctively become all too important during the many field scenarios that we set up for our recruits. With the use of training aids, such as the fiber optic laser vests, we are able to set up and execute realistic shoot/don't shoot situations. We further prepare our wildlife officers to become and maintain themselves as survivors through our physical fitness program.

The enforcement of the nontoxic shot regulation for migratory waterfowl has been a continuing problem for wildlife officers due to the problem of apprehending hunters with lead shot shells in their possession. The specialized forensic metal detector allows the wildlife officer to inspect the hunter's daily bag either in the blind or at his vehicle and to determine in the birds contain lead shot pellets, steel shot pellets, no shot pellets (neutral), or a combination of lead shot pellets and steel shot pellets. The forensic metal detector has made a definite difference in the compliance rate for nontoxic shot regulations.

Interrogation can be, at times, the most important part of an investigation. If an officer did not observe the violation, has very little evidence, and witnesses are unwilling to testify, interrogation may well be the only route to successful prosecution. An interrogator may enhance his chances of success by studying and practicing interrogation techniques. The positive approach is a technique which makes it difficult for the suspect to deny knowledge of the violation as statements and questions are phrased to make it appear that his guilt has already been established. This technique also incorporates asking questions that are designed to increase the suspect's tension and to elicit verbal and non-verbal responses which are indicative of innocence or guilt. It is to the officer's and agency's benefit that we become more skilled interrogators.