Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A mail questionnaire was used to determine behaviors of Mississippi nonindustrial private forest landowners toward hunting on their lands. Seventy-three percent (516 of 704) of the questionnaires were returned. A telephone survey of nonrespondents indicated negligible bias in the mail survey. About 45% of the respondents posted their land and 43% allowed no hunting by the general public. At least 77% of the respondents allowed hunting on their lands. Since only 6% of the respondents leased hunting rights, most hunting was by the landowner, family or guests. Timber was the most important use of forests followed by wildlife, residence and grazing. Most (63%) of the respondents had multiple-use goals of ownership. Most respondents did not actively manage for timber or wildlife.

St. Regis Corporation has developed a multi-faceted wildlife program. The company's program has been successful in integrating wildlife management guidelines into its forest management practices. The wildlife department's responsibilities also include biological data collection from leasees, wildlife research, management of customer and guest hunting areas, and cooperative working relationships with staff and federal wildlife agencies. Hunting lease fees generated from the company's forest land fund the program. These funds have increased from approximately $89,000 in 1976 to more than $500,000 in 1983.

In 1979, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) initiated a program permitting landowners with department-approved management plans to harvest antlerless deer (Odocoileus virginianus and O. hemionus) in numbers exceeding those recommended for general areas by the department. Preparation of management plans and problems encountered with the program are discussed.

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) nests were located on the Texas A&M University campus during the 1981-1982 nesting seasons. Daily survival rates, calculated using nests and individuals as units of analysis, were compared for eggs, nestlings, and eggs and nestlings combined. No difference (P > 0.05) was detected in any of the comparisons, indicating that equivalent data were obtained by knowing only the fate of the nest and not of individuals within the nest. Thus, disturbance at the nest can be minimized without loss of accuracy. Nest data tended to underestimate survival for eggs while overestimating slightly for nestlings, and eggs and nestlings combined when compared to survival rates calculated for individuals.

Age ratios were determined for 361 gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and 130 fox squirrels (S. niger) taken on 50 ha in Northeast Texas during 5 weekend hunts. Data indicated that adults were more likely than young to be taken on the opening weekend. During weeks 2 and 3, young were more frequently taken while during weeks 4 and 5, adults were again taken more frequently. Results were inconsistent with the beliefs of most biologists and hunters who claim that young animals are more susceptible to the gun than are adults. Because of different vulnerability of adults and young squirrels by week, caution should be observed when interpreting age-ratio data taken from hunter bags.

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) restoration efforts were initiated in Arkansas in 1981, with the relocation of 50 wild-trapped birds from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in Virginia to a release site in Newton County, Arkansas, along the Buffalo National River. In 1982, restoration efforts continued with the release of 67 Wild-trapped grouse captured in Virginia and Minnesota. These birds were released on the Buffalo National River site and on the Ozark National Forest in Johnson County. Population monitoring, particularly winter censuses and spring drumming surveys, documented minimum first year survival rates of 24.0% and 20.0%, respectively, for the 2 release sites. From 1982 to 1983, the number of birds observed, indirectly and directly, on the Buffalo National River site during winter censuses and spring drumming surveys indicates the birds are not only maintaining themselves, but are increasing.

Removal trapping was used to study opossum (Didelphis virginiana) demography at an upland site in western Tennessee during March 1983. Monthly differences in scent-station visitation were assessed at 5 western Tennessee localities, representing upland and lowland habitats, from April 1982 to May 1983. A density of 1 opossum/ 15.6 ha was determined using removal trapping. Yearlings made up 64% of the 14 animals captured. Adult and pouch-young sex ratios were approximately 100:100. Mean litter size was 8.8 young. Monthly differences in scent-station visitation were found in lowland habitat (P = 0.02) but not in upland habitat (P = 0.38).

Loss of corn sprouts to birds (predominantly common grackles, Quiscalus quiscula) was estimated in a O.5-ha plot in each of 270 fields in 36 counties in Kentucky in 1978 and 215 fields in 21 counties in Tennessee in 1979. Estimated loss of sprouts to birds in Kentucky and Tennessee averaged 0.15% (SE = 0.03) and 0.95% (SE = 0041), respectively, for a maximum projected grain harvest loss of about 4,600 metric tons in Kentucky and 12,400 metric tons in Tennessee. Although maximum calculated bird damage to sprouts for both states was $1.8 million, 453 (93%) of the 485 plots surveyed had relatively minor <1%) losses. However, those 32 plots receiving ≥=1 % sprout loss accounted for 82% of all bird damage losses and would have benefitted from recently developed bird repellent seed treatments.

Potential chemical repellents against rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) depredation of wood duck (Aix sponsa) nesting boxes were tested under controlled conditions on the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area, Georgia. Two repellents (Tack Trap and a mixture of Tack Trap and pine gum) effectively repelled rat snakes from wood duck nesting structures under pen conditions (P<0.l 0). The stickiness of the repellent material and not the presence of pinosylvin phenols appeared to be the deterrent to rat snakes.

Field studies of delta duckpotatoes (Sagittaria graminae var. platyphylla) disclosed that plant density was 1.5 times greater in wildlife exclosures than in control areas. Tuber production where nutrias (Myocastor coypus) and ducks were excluded was 652.3 g/m2• Tuber production was considerably less in plots subjected to foraging by wildlife (nutria foraging only: 104.7 g/m2, duck foraging only: 75.8 g/m2 , nutria and duck foraging: 64.8 g/m2 ). Tubers were found to a soil depth of 30 em but where animals were excluded greatest production (40.3%) was at the 10-15 cm depth. Nutrias foraged to the 30 cm depth but most duck foraging was from the 0-15 cm depth. Tank studies disclosed that a deep (30 cm), constant water depth produced taller plants and enhanced seed production, but water depth variation had no effect on tuber production. Constant 20 and 30 cm water depths encouraged above-ground biomass production.

Ten wood ducks (Aix sponsa) were radio-tracked during the wintering period on Steel Creek, Savannah River Plant, South Carolina. Home range size, daily movement and habitat use were determined from 1,140 radio-locations. Data collected during approximately 21 to 28 days of intensive radio-tracking were sufficient for delineating individual wintering wood duck home range size.. Males had significantly larger home ranges than females (42 ha vs 12 ha) and exhibited greater diurnal movements. Females made 0.5 to 3-day excursions (N = 10) to locations outside their home ranges throughout the entire tracking period. Wood ducks generally preferred emergent wetland habitat over scrub-shrub, forested, and open-water habitats. Emergent wetland habitat exhibited a more open canopy and greater herbaceous understory development than did other types. Preferred nocturnal roosting sites were located adjacent to feeding and loafing areas and were characterized by dense overhead and lateral cover.

Two definitions of crippling rate, cripples! shot and cripples! hit, have been employed in field studies to compare waterfowl wounding losses for lead and steel shot. Properties of these 2 definitions were compared using the Louisiana Lacassine Study data (Hebert et al. 1982) and a mathematical model. Cripples! shot was shown to decrease to a limit of 0 with an increase in misses even though the actual number of cripples remains constant. Cripples! shot, and not cripples! hit, was subject to an interaction between load and distance. The susceptibility of cripples! shot to an interaction between load and distance may result in the conclusion of no significant difference in crippling rates for the loads, regardless of what the actual relative wounding losses might be. Cripples!hit was more reliable than cripples! shot for comparing wounding losses for lead and steel shot.

Monthly censuses for 18 months were taken of avian communities on 12 ponds in South Texas. Ponds were classified into 4 types: stock, semi-permanent pasture, semi-permanent field, and temporary field ponds. Thirty-eight families represented by 132 species and 17,912 individuals were observed. Anatidae, represented by 22 species and 7,839 individuals, had the highest importance value of any bird family. Bird densities were similar across all pond types within each of 3 major time periods.

A method of habitat assessment known as Habitat Evaluation Procedures has been developed by the U.S. Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. A linear relationship is assumed to exist between an area's Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and carrying capacity. The objective of this study was to determine whether an HSI model for clapper rail (Rallus longirostris) is valid for predicting habitat suitability for this species in Georgia. Call-count surveys were conducted for clapper rail on 12 40-ha areas of tidal salt marsh during the winter and the spring of 1982-1983. Call counts and HSI values were not strongly related during wintering or nesting seasons based on correlation analyses. Several possible interpretations of study results are discussed.

A linear programming model was used to evaluate trade-offs between timber returns and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) habitat in East-Central Mississippi. The model was designed to maximize capitalized present net worth of a sample forest subject to white-tailed deer habitat, wood flow, and acreage regenerated restrictions. Four levels of habitat diversity were evaluated. Enhancing habitat diversity will cost, in terms of timber revenue foregone, between $2.08 and $30.711hectare per year. These cost estimates are not applicable to all loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forests. However, the methodology is applicable for other forests when appropriate forest inventory data and wildlife habitat restrictions are specified.

A management plan was implemented for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a 1,781-ha East Texas hunting club. Objectives included the improvement of the herd's age structure and antler quality by reducing the population density and by selective harvest. During the 3-year study, 145 antlerless deer and 60 antlered deer were harvested. In spite of the accelerated antlerless harvest, the population increased approximately 15% each year. These increases apparently were because of increased fawn production. The buck population increased 48% during the study and noticeable improvements in quality were observed. Results of the study were used to exhibit methods of deer management to hunters and area landowners.

Nutritional quality of diets selected by 3 tame deer (Odocoileus virginianus) during spring 1980 were determined on forested and clearcut, unburned pine-hardwood sites in central Louisiana. Diets were dominated by leafy browse from plants of moderate to high preference for wild deer. From mid-March to late May, nutritive values of deer diets decreased an average of 43.1% for crude protein, 56.9% for phosphorus, and 9.3% for digestibility. Deer diets from clearcuts were generally higher in nutritive value than diets from forests.

Paired rumen and fecal samples from 89 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) collected in the South Carolina Coastal Plain were analyzed using standard macro- and micro-techniques, respectively. Compared to fecal analysis, rumen analysis identified fewer plant taxa per sample (P < 0.05). A significant correlation among mean percent weights of forage categories (P < 0.05) and taxa (P < 0.05) was found. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients for percent frequency of detection were also significant for forage categories (P < 0.05) and taxa (P < 0.05). Estimates of mean percent weight were significantly different between techniques for 7 of 9 forage categories and 16 of 26 taxa found by both. The time needed to analyze the 2 types of samples was not significantly different. Usefulness of fecal analysis in estimating diets of southeastern Coastal Plain deer is discussed.

During 1982, 3,095 social groups of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were observed in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. Both time of day (dawn, day, dusk, and night) and season of the year (spring, fawning, summer, breeding, and winter) had a significant effect on total deer/ group and numbers of adults, adult females, and adult males. Group size was largest at dusk (mean 2.7, range of 1 to 28), and slightly smaller at night (2.4, 1 to 21), at dawn (2.3, 1 to 10), and during the day (2.3, 1 to 13). Seasonally, group size was largest in winter (mean 3.4, range of 1 to 28). noticeably smaller during breeding (2.5, 1 to 13) and spring (2.4, 1 to 9), and smaller still during late summer (2.0, 1 to 10) and fawning (1.7, 1 to 9). Time of day did not significantly affect occurrence of doe, buck, and mixed groups, but season did, with doe groups occurring most frequently (90% of all observations) and buck groups least frequently (4%) in winter than during any other season.

Forty-eight white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus) were marked during the spring and early summer of 1981 and 1982. Forty-one (85.4%) of these fawns died, 26 (63%) due to predation. In 18 of the 26 predator-caused deaths, the species of predator could be determined. Bobcats (Felis rufus) accounted for 12 deaths, while red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) , gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and alligators (A lligator mississipptensis) were responsible for a total of at least 6 fawn deaths. Criteria for determining predator damage are discussed. Foxes and alligators have not previously been documented as predators on white-tailed deer fawns.

Difficulty in capturing a sufficient sample of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) for a biotelemetry habitat use study led to the development of an alternative methOd using track plots. One-hundred 1 X 3 m plots/site were proportionately allocated by percentage area of distinct cover types, prior to random location in the 3 study areas. Results from 13 months of use indicated that the method was acceptable for monitoring habitat use patterns. Potential uses and problems are discussed. Comparisons with biotelemetry and direct observation data are made.

Capture and handling techniques developed by river otter (Lutra canadensis) trappers, were evaluated during a 3-year telemetric study in the coastal marsh of Louisiana. A modified No. 11 Victor leghold trap was found to be the most practical and efficient live trap for otters in a marsh habitat. A total of 30 otters were captured. Trap-related injuries were infrequent and not serious. Eighty-four percent of the captured otters sustained minor cuts or no injury at all. Trapped otter were handled safely and efficiently by means of a long-handled net. This handling technique was also used to handle 5 captive otter on several occasions.

An annual scent station survey was conducted in Louisiana from 1978 through 1982 to determine relative abundance of bobcats (Felis rufus) and relate indices to geographical regions and habitat types. A total of 29 lines each with 50 stations per line was proportionally divided into 5 regions. The use of fatty acid scent resulted in an average visitation rate of 4.6% for bobcats, 9.7% for coyotes (Canis latrans), 7.3% for fox (Vulpes vulpes and Urocyon cinereoargenteus), 7.2% for raccoon (Procyon lotor), 11:8% for opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and 7.1% for skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Significant differences were detected among years, regions and habitats for bobcat (P < 0.01). Regional visitation rates varied for coyotes with current harvest data supporting survey results (P < 0.01). Significant differences occurred among years and regions for fox (P < 0.01).

From December 1981 through July 1983, No.2 Kleflock snares, No.4 Victor leg-hold traps, and No. 330 Conibear traps were evaluated for beaver (Castor canadensis) control in Mississippi. No. 330 Conibears captured more (P < 0.10) beavers than did snares in dive sets and more (P < 0.01) beavers than any other set-type combination tested. The number of non-target species captured in snares was less (P < 0.01) than the number captured in either of the other devices. Economic analyses of vehicle, labor, and equipment costs/beaver captured showed No. 330 Conibears to be the least costly to use, No.2 Kleflock snares were next, and No.4 Victor leg-hold traps were most expensive.

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus rivalicius) movement and activity patterns were studied in a Louisiana coastal marsh. Trap success was 8.2% in January-February, but only 3.3% in June-August. Of 46 muskrats captured, 65.2% were males. Lodge use was greater than expected in JanuaryMarch and less than expected in April, July and August (X2 =92.5, N =557, P < 0.01). No radio-collared muskrats (11 males and 6 females) were observed rearing young. Five (33.3%) muskrats emigrated in the spring and 3 of the dispersals occurred during a storm tide (29 March- 3 April). Long movements (>70 m) within the study area were associated with high water levels (>20 em). Average home range (0.7 ha, SE = 0.2, N = 44) and hourly movements (33.8 m, SE = 1.8, N = 695) recorded on diel tracking sessions varied widely among individuals.