Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

From December 1980 to June 1988,66 nuisance black bears (Ursus americanus) were captured and released at beeyards to create an aversion to beeyards. In most instances, bear depredations at a beeyard stopped after a bear was trapped, handled and released at the site. Of 63 bears released with tags, 14% were recaptured 1-3 times after causing additional apiary damage. These repeat offenders were mostly adult males. Two bears that continued to raid apiaries after being traped 3-4 times in a year were relocated when it became apparent that these bears were not deterred by trapping. When used in conjunction with a working electric fence, trap and release may further condition bears to prevent apiary depredation.

Wood duck (Aix sponsa) nest boxes (N = 190) were placed along the lower Holston River and the lower French Broad River in eastern Tennessee and were maintained and checked from 1976 to 1979. Wood ducks used 1.3% of the boxes inspected during the 4-year study. Night brood counts ranged from 0.42 to 0.68 broods/km of river and did not indicate an increase in brood production. Nest box use and brood production in this study were significantly less than reported for a study on the upper Holston River. We believe that aquatic vegetation, valuable as a food base for wood duck broods, was a more limiting factor in our study than the availability of nest cavities.

A stratified random survey design proposed to increase the efficiency of estimating numbers of waterfowl wintering on Mississippi catfish ponds was evaluated. The optimally allocated sample generally produced estimates with coefficients of variation <50%, similar to those obtained from a completely random design used previously. Coefficients of variation were not associated with survey date. Stratified random sampling reduced the number of catfish pond clusters surveyed and flight time, compared to completely random sampling. We recommend using the stratified random design to estimate numbers of waterfowl on aquacultural impoundments when sampling of impoundments must be limited.

Reproductive success of 94 ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) reintroduced into northern Arkansas during September and October 1984 was apparently low. Four broods were found during 2 reproductive seasons after release. Dispersal of all located male ruffed grouse was limited to a 1.6 km radius of the initial release site. Brood sightings in an area 2.4 to 2.8 km northeast of the initial release site were direct evidence of female dispersal. Survivorship of male grouse up to the first courtship drumming period was at least 25%.

The strip transect and fixed-area circular plot methods of sampling birds were compared in 4 even-age pine-hardwood stands (seedling, sapling, pole and sawtimber tree-size classes) during winter and spring of 2 years. During spring the circular plot method resulted in more species and more individuals than the transect method. Most differences were significant (P > 0.05). Winter samples showed the same pattern, however most differences were not significant (P >0.05). For selected species and species assemblages, fixed-area circular plots generally resulted in higher numbers during both seasons, except for high canopy inhabitants.

We determined the incidence of lead, steel, and total shot ingestion in 4 species of dabbling ducks on a major wintering area of the Atlantic Flyway. Gizzards (N = 1,771) were collected from hunter-harvested mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) , northern pintails (A. acuta), blue-winged teal (A. discors), and American greenwinged teal (A. crecca) during the 1985-86,1986-87, and 1987-88 waterfowl hunting seasons on the Santee River Estuary (SRE), South Carolina. Total shot ingestion rates were high in northern pintails (15.9%) and mallards (8.4%), and low in American green-winged teal (1.3%) and blue-winged teal (0.8%). Because gizzard analysis can underestimate the extent of lead shot exposure in waterfowl, the SRE is implicated as a serious contributor to lead shot ingestion by wintering northern pintails and mallards.

Fetal counts of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) yielded an average of 2.97 ± 1.06 fetuses per litter (range: 1 to 5). Placental scars averaged 7.97 ± 4.34 per breeding female (range: 1 to 22) and indicated production of 2.7 litters per breeding female per year. Corpora lutea counts disclosed that litter sizes ranged from I to 7, averaged 3.54 ± 1. 15, and differed significantly from fetal counts. Litter size as determined by lodge surveys (i = 2.18 ± 0.25) was less than that determined by fetal counts and represented post-partum mortality. Mortality estimates indicated a loss of 16.1% between ovulation and fetal counts; an 18.5% loss occurred between the time fetal counts were made and the time that muskrats reached the 1- to 5-day age class. Subsequent losses of 7.4%,5.4%,9.9%, and 9.4% occurred between 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, and 21-24 day old age classes, respectively.

The quality of spring hunting for eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers may decline with increased road access. A questionnaire mailed to turkey hunters assessed response to road closures for walk-in hunting on a Mississippi wildlife management area during spring 1986. Because hunters felt road closures improved hunting quality and reduced interference from other hunters, they strongly supported (92%) walk-in turkey hunting. Hunters who disapproved of road closures were significantly older than those who approved. Hunter involvement in the road closure decision likely was important to its success.

In 1984 North Carolina opened the first tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) hunting season in modern times in the Atlantic Flyway. During this first season, 1,000 permits were issued. Subsequently, 6,000 permits/year were allowed and issued. A 4-year study using aerial, ground, and hunter surveys was established in 1984 to monitor this hunting season. Estimated total annual kill beginning with the 1984-85 season was 334, 2,783, 2,579, and 3,007 for each year of the study, respectively. The harvest averaged slightly over 5% of the state's and about 3% of the Flyway's midwinter population. The ratio of permits issued to swans harvested was 2.2, and was comparable to results reported from Utah. Crippling rates (x = 11.3) were less in the North Carolina season than those reported elsewhere. Hunter success rates were not related to immature/adult ratios.

A 1985-86 project in southeastern Georgia was conducted in an effort to study the effectiveness of several methods of applying a sardine bait-station technique for indexing black bears (Ursus americanus). A total of 120 stations were set out in 20 lOO-ha experimental replicates during each of 3 months (May, July, and November) with random sampling of equal numbers of stations according to method of hanging baits (hanging or nailing) as well as equal numbers of stations being checked after 4, 8, and 12 days. Chi-square analysis indicated that a bear visit to a bait-station was not dependent on method of presentation. Overall visitation rates were proportionally higher though not statistically different for stations checked after 8 and 12 days than for stations checked after 4 days. Analysis by month sampled indicated significantly more bear visits during May than during July or November.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt-lease programs were determined for II southern states. Mail surveys were obtained from 77 of 109 (71 %) delivered questionnaires that were completed and returned. Respondents reported owning a total of more than 9.4 million ha within the study area in 1984. Most (83%) charged hunters for access to corporate lands. A majority of respondents indicated that non-monetary benefits were gained from hunt-lease programs. Annual lease fees ranged from $2.47 to $26.88/ha and varied by state, timber type and location. Administration was the highest corporate cost of hunt-lease programs. Local tradition of free public hunting was the most frequent reason for not leasing hunting rights on forest industry lands.

Movements of coyotes (Canis latrans) (N = 6) and bobcats (Felis rufus) (N = 4) on the La Copita Research Area in southern Texas were determined by radio-telemetry from April 1985 through September 1986. Mean home range sizes of resident individuals were 3.04 km2 for coyotes and 2.88 km2 for bobcats. These predators frequently traveled outside their home ranges and exhibited extensive interspecific home range overlap. Frequent travel outside the home range seemed related to subsequent dispersal. Several individuals captured on La Copita proved to be non-residents or temporary residents of the ranch. Thickets and drainages were important habitat types in bobcat home ranges. Coyotes were less selective in their habitat use patterns. Drainages were used as travel corridors by both coyotes and bobcats.

Seven environmental parameters were estimated at each nest site and 2 or 3 (per nest) systematically selected control (non-nest) sites during pre-nesting (MarchApril) and post-nesting (May-July) 1983 and 1984 on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Discriminant analysis revealed percentage of vegetation at the nest site was the only variable that differed between nests and control sites during pre-nesting and post-nesting periods for both years. Ground cover of water and water depth next to the nest differed from control sites during post-nesting 1983 and prenesting 1984. In 1984, an unusually dry year, the importance of standing water during post-nesting was reflected as a significant difference in bare ground. Foliage invertebrates were more abundant and diverse at nest sites.

Home range of the coyote (Canis latrans) was studied in western Tennessee during 1985 to 1987. Using standard radio-telemetry techniques, annual and seasonal home ranges were determined. Annual home ranges averaged 31 km2 for males and 60 km2 for females. Home range size varied across seasons for both sexes. Females had larger ranges than males during all periods except the breeding season. Long-distance travel of 70 km and 55 km was recorded for 2 individuals.

Herpetofaunal species richness and species-habitat associations were estimated by pitfall and funnel-trap sampling in a conventional clearcut, a bestmanagement- practices (BMP) clearcut, forest wildlife clearings, and a mature forest. Species richness was lowest in the mature forest. Slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) were associated with steep slopes and dense shrub cover on clearcuts, redspotted newts (Notophthalamus viridescens, red eft form) with forest canopy, and American toads (Bufo americanus) with dense herbaceous cover in forest clearings. Pitfall and funnel-trap sampling did not effectively sample all herpetofaunal species.

Names and addresses of currently employed technicians were obtained from fish and wildlife agencies of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Surveys (N = 355) were mailed to these individuals; 185 (52%) were returned. This information was used to develop a profile of "the technician" employed by the surveyed states. Technicians were ≥36 years old (36%), had at least 1 educational degree beyond high school (57%), had previous agricultural experience prior to employment (68%), desired additional equipment operation and maintenance experience prior to employment (24%), desired additional biological or wildlife courses prior to employment (28%), had technician as their career goal (68%), earned ≥$18,OOO/year (47%), and were satisfied with their jobs (50%).

We assessed the accuracy of population estimates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) determined from track counts by comparing them with aerial mark-recapture estimates on 2 southern Texas areas. Track counts produced very conservative estimates in relation to mark-recapture methods and failed to detect a population increase on 1 area. However, they reflected a large difference in density between the 2 areas.

Fifty-two eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers were monitored by telemetry on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Bienville National Forest, Mississippi, from January 1986 to September 1987. Annual home range (HR) for 6 adults and 3 juveniles averaged 1,680 ha. Annual HR's averaged 1,409 ha when the very large HR (3,850 ha) of I juvenile was not included. Based on 79 seasonal HR's, average HR in spring 1986 was 812 ha, summer 688 ha, fall 447 ha, and winter 506 ha; and average HR for spring 1987 was 1,441 ha and for summer, 775 ha. Pre-hunting season HR's were not significantly different between harvested and non-harvested gobblers. Gobbler HR size during the 1986 hunting season (378 ha) was smaller (P < 0.05) than during the 1987 season (799 ha).

Waterbird use of managed and unmanaged brackish wetlands in coastal South Carolina was determined by 1,544 counts during a 19-month study. Significantly (P < 0.05) more individual birds and species used the managed sites in all seasons except summer. An unmanaged tidal impoundment was least used in all seasons. Multiple regression analysis indicated that bird use was inversely correlated to water level, particularly during spring. Shorebirds accounted for 53% of the use among managed sites follwed by waterfowl (27%), waders (14%) and other waterbirds (6%). The results have strong implications for multispecies management practices.

Oak decline is a complex disease involving interactions between initiating environmental or biological stresses and subsequent attack by normally secondary pests. It causes crown dieback, reduced radial growth and tree mortality, which in tum, influences wildlife habitat. In upland hardwood stands, oaks (Quercus spp.) are affected most while other species infrequently show crown symptoms or mortality. Recent surveys of declining stands in the southeastern United States show that 80% of the dominant and codominant trees are affected. Species in the red oak group are damaged more than those in the white oak group, with black (Q. velutina) and scarlet (Q. coccinea) oaks most prone to mortality. The annual increase in newly symptomatic trees is estimated at 6.5%. Potential wildlife habitat impacts include reduced mast yield and quality, reduced oak regeneration capacity, and altered species composition in subsequent stands.

A joint project was conducted between the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service and Tennessee Valley Authority to establish 3 landowner demonstration cooperatives in northeast Mississippi. The objective of the project was to illustrate to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners the benefits of joining their lands with their neighbors to manage and market the wildlife and forest resources. A total of 62 landowners with combined land of 3,698 ha participated. Landowners were shown how to organize a cooperative, informed of different management and marketing objectives, given general management recommendations, and directed toward sources of technical management and marketing assistance. Cooperatives illustrate an approach by which adjoining landowners can manage and use existing wildlife and forest resources to increase profit from their lands.

We modified top-rope and lead-climbing techniques to develop safe, efficient methods for climbing trees. Two individuals, the climber and belayer, were required for each technique. An ll-mm belay rope, tree pruners saddle, tree climbing gaffs, adjustable lineman's pole strap, and 2.54-cm tubular webbing were required. Top-rope climbing was favored over lead-climbing, and was preceived as substantially safer. Bark characteristics of tree species affected climbing difficulty. Both climbing techniques have application in forestry, botany, and wildlife research.

To assess the taxonomic status of coyotes (Canis tatrans) and domestic dogs (C. jamiliaris) in the southeastern United States, 380 skulls of unknown canids were compared to known skulls of these taxa. Twenty-four cranial characters were employed in a discriminant function analysis to separate statistically unknown canids as to coyote or dog. Hybridization between taxa was minimal. Our results indicate that the predominant wild canid occurring in the southeastern United States is coyote. The method of distinguishing coyotes from dogs based on a ratio of 2 skull features (length of the upper molar tooth row divided by palatal width between the upper first premolars) appears to be useful for separating these taxa.

We quantified diurnal time activity budgets of 4 waterfowl species and American coots (Fulica americana), using catfish ponds in the Delta Region of Mississippi from November to March 1983-84 and 1984-85. Within each species, activity budgets were similar (P > 0.05) between seasons (1983-84 vs. 1984-85). Primary activities of lesser scaup (Aythya ajfinis) included foraging (34.6%) and resting (27.7%). Shovelers, (Anas clypeata) mostly foraged (69.0%) and courtship and interaction activities increased in late winter. Primary activities of ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) were foraging (35.9%) and resting (33.7%). Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) mostly rested (58.4%) and foraged (23.9%), while American coots spent much of their time foraging (47.9%) and in locomotion (35.6%). Time budgets of shovelers and ring-necked ducks were each jointly dependent (P < 0.05) on month, time of day, and sex and those of coots were dependent on month and time of day.

In the spring of 1979 an individual from Fort Worth, Texas, circulated a flier throughout Arkansas which advertised an electronic catfish unit that could catch more catfish than hoop nets, gill nets, trammel nets, fish traps, trot lines, snag lines, or most any other fishing devices. He further stated that as with anything that catches a lot of fish, the units are illegal in Texas, and are sold with the intention that they are used only on private lakes or stock tanks. What this individual has done, with the exception of making himself wealthy, is create a device capable of completely wiping out 2 species of catfish and an enforcement nightmare.