Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Sixty ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) trapped in Michigan and Wisconsin were released in Benton County, Tennessee. Trapping, transporting and releasing were accomplished in late August and early September, 1976 and 1977. A total of 567 radio locations were made of 20 telemetered birds, 8 of which survived past their last radio location (I surviving beyond 14 months). Shrubby thickets of laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and farkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum) were heavily used for cover. By 2 mo. after release, 10 of 14 grouse dispersed more than I km from their release sites. Maximum dispersal was 4.4 km. Home range sizes for II grouse varied from 2 to 497 ha. Home.range size was influenced by the predominant cover type selected.

A study of the effects of forest management systems on deer carrying capacity in the Arkansas Ozarks has been established in two enclosures of 600 and 670 acres. Preliminary analysis indicated that cedar and pine-hardwood types produce more available forage than oak-hickory stands. Forage utilization appeared inversely related to size of the mast crop. Deer in the enclosures were estimated by driving, removed by trapping and hunting, and replaced with known numbers of deer. Hunter success was affected by weather and hunter ability but not by number of deer.

The influence of environmental factors on the timing of the rut and the length of the gestation period in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is poorly understood. Since 1965, we have been recording population data for a confined herd of whitetails in Virginia. Although the peak of the fawn drop appears to be rather consistent from year to year, some variation has occurred during our 8 years of study. This variation led us to examine some factors which might bear on the time of fawning. Environmental factors as influences on deer reproduction have been studied by several wildlife researchers. McDowell (1970) reported on conception dates of whitetails and concluded that light duration has a powerful influence on breeding periodicity. Cheatum and Morton (1946) found regional differences in the onset of mating between northern and southern New Yark deer.

Between February 1975 and June 1977 a total of 5,302 observations of Attwater's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus wpido attwateri) activities was made. These observations included 3,698 sightings at booming grounds and 1,604 other sightings (nests, broods, roost forms and individual birds). These data were analyzed according to vegetation type usage. The birds extensively utilized four of eight major vegetation types plus artificially' maintained areas. Of the major vegetation types, the clumped midgrass received the greatest use (88%). Their preference for a vegetation type was apparently determined by the amount of visual obstruction and height of vegetation. Juxtaposition of utilized vegetation types and soil moisture also influenced chicken use of areas.

From 1965-1970, toe and shank lengths of 509 woodcock (Philohela minor) banded in Canaan Valley, WV were measured to determine if these characteristics could be used as age and sex determinants. Test results from analysis of variance, Duncan's multiple range test and stepwise discriminant analysis determined toe and shank lengths can be indicators of sex. However, results from stepwise discriminant analysis suggest that toe and shank lengths should be used in conjunction with bill lengths.