Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The problem we addressed was how to design a national policy that provides for effective management of Double-crested Cormorant (DCCO) populations within the United States. Primary management objectives surrounding DCCOs are at times in conflict and include protecting DCCO populations as required under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act while resolving DCCO conflicts with impacts to private property, the aquaculture industry, and natural resources. Ultimately, the USFWS will decide on a national management strategy by 30 June 2014, at which time existing regulations expire. We developed a framework to characterize decisions at the national scale, with explicit consideration of the process by which such decisions are linked hierarchically to those made at other scales. We identified a list of fundamental objectives, the potential means for achieving each objective, and attributes with which to measure progress.

In recent years, Florida's pine flatwoods, which provide habitat for numerous Lepidopteran species (butterflies and moths), have exhibited considerable declines in quantity and quality. These declines are primarily attributed to changes in historic fire regimes which have resulted in excessive shrub growth and loss of herbaceous vegetation. Prescribed burning and roller chopping are being promoted as a means to improve these areas of degraded pine flatwoods. However, impacts of these practices on pine flatwoods-associated Lepidopterans, many of which are important herbivores and pollinators, are largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare diurnal Lepidopteran species richness and abundance on treated (management activities such as prescribed burning implemented) and untreated (no management activities implemented) pine flatwoods sites and 2) compare species richness and abundance of nectar-producing forbs and shrubs on treated and untreated sites.

Longleaf pine forests have declined precipitously throughout the southeastern United States, partially because of reductions in prescribed burning. Populations of species associated with longleaf forests, such as Bachman's sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis), also have declined at alarming rates. Efforts to restore longleaf systems are ongoing throughout the region, and involve varying fire-return intervals. We assessed whether Bachman's sparrow detection probabilities and site occupancy were associated with differences in microhabitat caused by variations in fire regimes. The fire regimes we assessed were conducted within stands that averaged 3.5 ha. Our occupancy models suggested that the most suitable habitat for Bachman's sparrows in longleaf pine stands included a monoculture of longleaf pine overstory with limited intrusion of hardwood species and greater herbaceous layers for nesting cover.

The two most common methods for determining home ranges, minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel analyses, can be affected by sampling intensity. Despite prior research, it remains unclear how high-intensity sampling regimes affect home range estimations. We used datasets from 14 GPS-collared, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to describe the size and location accuracy of home range estimates calculated from different sampling regimes. We compared monthly home range estimates from seven sub-samples (480, 360, 180, 90, 60, 30, and 15 locations) to the home range estimates of the complete datasets (720 locations). Minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range size estimates calculated from datasets with > 180 locations were not statistically different. Areas calculated with 60-90 locations may underestimate MCP size by 50% or more. As demonstrated in past studies, we found that kernel home range analyses accurately estimated home range size for all sampling regimes.

Georgia's Bobwhite Quail Initiative (BQI) has been a proactive effort to restore, improve and maintain habitat for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) on private lands across 15 counties of Georgia's Upper Coastal Plain. Secondary objectives included improving habitat for certain songbirds and improved bobwhite hunting and wildlife viewing. Funding was provided through state appropriations, the sale of BQI vehicle license plates (tags) and matching grants. Landowners received over US$1.7 million of financial incentives, and technical assistance was provided to 1646 landowners on 264,395 ha. Incentive cost was $78.90/ha directly managed and $31.88/ha impacted. Research, monitoring, and incidental observations showed positive response of bobwhites and songbirds to BQI practices at the farm scale.

We captured 60 wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens from 1998-2001 on the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina to assess nesting success, identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful nests, and determine survival rates and mortality factors of hens. Hen nesting success varied greatly among years, ranging from 0-80% and was strongly correlated (r = 0.998) with the number of poults per hen observed during brood surveys. Woody stem densities (F30 = 5.1; P = 0.03) and nest concealment (F30 = 4.69; P = 0.04) both were greater at successful than at unsuccessful nest sites. The mean annual survival rate for hens on SRS was 0.74 ± (0.02), and bobcats (Lynx rufus) were the primary predator of marked hens. The dynamics of the long-established, unhunted population at SRS were apparently similar to those of recently established or hunted populations elsewhere.

Graduates from fisheries and wildlife programs in the Southeast need to know what qualifications are necessary to successfully attain entrylevel biologist positions with state agencies, and state agencies and university programs share a responsibility for preparing students for these positions. Despite much literature devoted to the discussion of what should be included in academic curricula, little work has been done to identify how agencies are communicating with students and what types of experiences will best prepare potential applicants for employment with these agencies. We used Internet survey responses from professionals in 15 member agencies of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) to determine their recruiting and hiring processes.

The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population on Bald Head Island has increased, threatening a unique maritime forest in southeastern North Carolina. Bald Head Island is ~620 ha and is characterized by live oak (Quercus virginiana) maritime forest, dunes, tidal marsh, and urban development. Preservation of maritime forest is important for barrier island conservation. Maritime forests are important coastal habitats that are under significant threat from development, and in the absence of reproductive controls, white-tailed deer can negatively impact ecosystems through over-browsing. Therefore, our objectives were to determine emigration, home range, cover type use and selection, and population density of whitetailed deer on Bald Head Island to provide baseline information which could impact deer management decisions.

Capture and relocation is commonly used to reintroduce Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia). However, isotonic muscle contraction during the capture and restraint process reduces blood flow to muscles and may induce the stress related disease, capture myopathy. The goal of this study was to determine if intramuscular injections of vitamin E and selenium could be an effective treatment for capture myopathy. Survival rates and enzyme levels did not differ between the control and treatment group. Results suggest that vitamin E and selenium injections do not significantly improve survival of wild turkeys when trapped and relocated under conditions experienced in this study. Factors such as handling time relative to rate of enzyme secretion, trapping techniques employed, and possible nutrient deficiencies may have influenced the results of this study.

Limited information is available regarding wildlife responses to hurricane-related disturbances. We monitored white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by spotlight counts on NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center (SSC) during fall-winter periods from 2002-2004 before Hurricane Katrina's landfall and from 2006-2008 post-hurricane to index changes in relative population size. Comparisons of survey results during pre- and post-hurricane periods indicated that deer numbers were stable in years following hurricane landfall. Average number of deer recorded during spotlight counts was 26.7 deer/night pre-hurricane (31 survey nights) and 47.2 deer/night post-hurricane (20 survey nights), and average number of young-of-year/night (YOY) increased from 2.8 pre-hurricane to 14.7 post-hurricane. Herd health evaluations by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks on SSC revealed increased body weights and kidney fat levels for adult females following Hurricane Katrina.

Nest predation can limit avian recruitment and may be a proximate source of population declines in many avian populations. Because nest predation may be affected by availability of alternative foods and nest density, we used artificial nests and track counts to evaluate effects of supplemental food and nest density on nest success of artificial ground nests. Nest success was lower at 7 of 9 nest density classes when a supplemental food source was present. In the absence of supplemental food, nest success was inversely related to nest density, but when supplemental food was present, there was no relationship between nest density and nest success. Increased predation rates associated with supplemental food and a lack of a nest density effect suggested that impacts of nest density on nest success were minimized by the supplemental food. Moreover, supplemental food affected nest success for ≥255 m, the maximum distance a nest was placed from a feeder.

In the southeastern United States, ongoing urbanization and associated environmental perturbations, such as water quality degradation, potentially affect foraging habitat of the federally endangered gray myotis (Myotis grisescens). Conserving foraging areas of gray myotis is critical to this species' recovery, especially as white nose syndrome (Geomyces destructans) recently has been documented in this species. From 2000 to 2001, we used acoustic monitoring and spatial models to determine foraging areas of gray myotis near four bachelor/maternity colonies in northwestern Georgia. We detected gray myotis at 34 of 213 sites over 5,100 km2 surveyed. Gray myotis foraged along major riparian corridors near their roost caves, and our landscape model included these streams and nearby tributaries up to a minimum third-order stream. The landscape model contained 82% of sites where gray myotis were detected and only 14% (1,235 km) of waterways in northwestern Georgia.

Hunting leases for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) occur across the United States and provide revenue to many landowners, including private forest industry. Hunting quality and revenue could potentially be enhanced through “cooperatives” and adherence to Quality Deer Management (QDM) principles. Formation of hunting club cooperatives (HCC), where adjoining hunting clubs collectively manage the deer herd, may also increase QDM program success and increase stakeholder interaction. We surveyed Mississippi hunters who leased land from Weyerhaeuser Company in 2009 to determine their attitudes and perceptions relative to QDM and an established HCC program, perceptions toward Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), opinions on adjusting lease fees according to habitat quality, and to examine marketability of the HCC concept.

Because numerous cave-roosting bat species are experiencing population declines, especially those affected by the white-nose syndrome epizootic, it is essential to establish rigorous monitoring protocols to accurately track population trends over time. We tested the efficacy of low-cost visual counts to effectively monitor population trends of southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius) at a maternity-roost in southwestern Georgia. We conducted visual counts during evening emergence events using white light illumination. Visual counts were made during a 1-minute period out of every 5-minute interval throughout the entire emergence duration on three consecutive nights during late-June and early-July 2008 and 2009. We simultaneously recorded emergences using a night-vision video camera to allow direct comparison of visual counts with actual bat emergence numbers.

Agricultural seed left in harvested fields is an important source of energy for migrating and wintering waterfowl. However, rates of seed loss from germination, decomposition or depredation have not been quantified for corn, soybean, or grain sorghum. Because seed loss rates directly influence habitat quality and management recommendations for waterfowl and other wildlife, we estimated rates of germination, decomposition, and depredation for scattered seed and aggregate seed heads in 98 harvested corn, soybean and grain sorghum study plots across Tennessee from September - January 2006-07 and 2007-08. Total seed loss in plots between harvest and January was more than 80%. Scattered corn seed was lost primarily (37%-68%) to depredation, whereas soybean and grain sorghum seed were lost mostly (≥35%) to decomposition. Rates of germination generally decreased and decomposition rates increased from October through January for scattered corn and grain sorghum.

Given the economic importance of fishing and hunting and the pervasive declines in these activities, it is essential that natural resource planners and managers understand factors influencing angler and hunter spending. We conducted a mail survey of a random sample (n = 844) of North Carolina fishing and hunting license holders. On average, anglers spent US$964 and hunters spent $1,437 annually. The model that best explained annual angler expenditures included gender, age, number of days spent fishing annually, total value of their equipment, income, whether someone in their household had lost a job due to the economy, and importance of fishing to the respondent.

Natural resource managers faced with resolving beaver damage may make decisions based on classic literature suggesting that beavers (Castor canadensis) are monogamous breeders that live in colonies composed of a breeding pair of adults, their offspring, and occasionally the offspring from the previous year; and that beavers typically breed during the winter months and bear their offspring in the spring. We analyzed colony composition at 89 damage sites in seven southeastern states and found deviations from these classic studies. Colony size ranged from 2 to 18 individuals (χ = 5.66, SE = 0.36). Eleven colonies contained one male and one female only, yet only five of those were breeding pairs. Colonies contained from 1 to 11 males, whereas the number of females among colonies ranged from 0 to 8. Mean age of beaver within a colony across all states was 3 years (SE = 0.2); age ranged from 1 to 20 years; but 30% of all individuals comprised the 1-year age class.

Lead poisoning occurs when birds forage in habitats containing lead pellets and ingest and store pellets in their digestive systems. Lead pellets have been banned from use in waterfowl hunting in the United States since 1991; however, residual pellets may remain in wetlands and be available to foraging waterfowl. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in lead pellet distribution over time and to determine effects of soil disturbance (disking) on the prevalence of lead pellets in surface and subsurface soils of a 423-ha managed wetland in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Arkansas. We collected 128 soil core samples at Halowell Waterfowl Rest Area in 2008 as baseline data and compared results with a previous study of lead pellet distribution at the same wetland in 1992. After disking of a portion of the study site in 2008, we collected soil core samples in the same locations as 2008 from disked or undisked portions of the wetland.

Grain sorghum provides energy-rich seeds for waterfowl and may provide important alternative foraging habitat considering a noted decrease of waste agricultural seeds for wintering waterfowl in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. We conducted experiments in 22 sorghum fields in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana during falls 2006-2007 to evaluate abundance of ratoon grain (i.e., post-harvest, second crop), waste grain from the harvested first crop, and natural seeds. Nitrogen fertilized plots in 2007 produced >4 times more ratoon grain (x- = 219.57 ± 39.65 [SE] kg (dry)/ha) than other treatments. Nitrogen fertilized plots in the southern sub-region of our study produced ~5 times more ratoon grain (x- = 262.93 ± 50.28 kg/ha) than other plots.

Recovery efforts of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in Southeastern states that have implemented restoration programs are poorly documented in the published literature. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources released 355 river otters among 14 sites during 1991-1994, and a statewide harvest was implemented in 2006. We used damage reports, sign surveys, and harvest data to evaluate the recovery and current status of the river otter in Kentucky. When all census data were combined, river otters were observed in each of the 12 major watersheds in the state. Our data indicate higher otter abundance in the Jackson Purchase and central reintroduction region of Kentucky, and lower abundance in the eastern plateau and mountain regions. Overall, these data indicate a successful reintroduction of river otters to the state. The small remnant population in the west appears to have expanded and be linked to the increasing numbers of otters in the reintroduction zone.

The impacts of many species of piscivorous birds on aquaculture are well documented in the southeastern United States; however, specific studies of black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) in these areas are lacking. Because black-crowned night herons opportunistically exploit abundant food resources and inhabit an important catfish production area, we initiated a study to assess their use of and potential impacts on a catfish aquaculture facility. We conducted a biweekly survey October 2004-September 2006 on Harvest Select Farms near Inverness, Mississippi, to quantify year-round patterns of free-ranging night heron presence and collected 75 night herons for stomach content analysis. We also documented nocturnal behavior by night herons twice weekly June-September 2004-2006 on these ponds During the summer and early fall each year, we observed approximately 85 night herons per biweekly survey.

Precise and accurate estimates of demographics such as age structure, productivity, and density are necessary in determining habitat and harvest management strategies for wildlife populations. Surveys using automated cameras are becoming an increasingly popular tool for estimating these parameters. However, most camera studies fail to incorporate detection probabilities, leading to parameter underestimation. The objective of this study was to determine the sources of heterogeneity in detection for trail cameras that incorporate a passive infrared (PIR) triggering system sensitive to heat and motion. Images were collected at four baited sites within the Conecuh National Forest, Alabama, using three cameras at each site operating continuously over the same seven-day period. Detection was estimated for four groups of animals based on taxonomic group and body size. Our hypotheses of detection considered variation among bait sites and cameras.

Channel catfish egg masses are typically incubated in stationary wire mesh baskets suspended in metal troughs with flow-through water that is agitated and circulated between the baskets and around the eggs with rotating paddles. A limiting factor in the successful incubation of channel catfish egg masses is the absorption of oxygen by the developing embryos; low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water result in premature hatching and increased fry mortality. We modified and tested a vertical-lift incubator (the “See-Saw”) for incubating channel catfish egg masses. Both the See-Saw and control (paddle-type) troughs were loaded with 26 egg masses (13.2 kg) per trough which is 1.5-2.0 times higher than recommended loading rates. Swim-up fry survival was 2.3-fold higher for the See-Saw than the control troughs. Many of the sac-fry produced in the control troughs were either dead when removed or died prior to reaching swim-up stage, presumably due to oxygen stress.

The walleye (Sander vitreus) is a large predatory fish distributed throughout Canada and the United States, ranging from Central Canada southward to the Tennessee and Mississippi River drainages. Because of its importance as a recreational sportfish, walleye growth has been studied extensively in the northern portion of its distribution. However, little information is available regarding growth of this species in the southeast, particularly in Georgia. The objectives of this study were to quantify growth of walleye in several north Georgia reservoirs and to compare the growth rates of walleye in north Georgia to the growth rates of walleye throughout North America. Anchored gill nets and boat electrofishing were used to collect walleye on five different impoundments from April 2009 to September 2010. Age estimates for each of 115 walleyes were obtained by counting growth annuli from transverse sections of sagittal otoliths.

The mountain brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon greeleyi) has no previous embryological description even though the lamprey's primitive developmental patterns are of value to evolutionary biologists. This research describes visible developmental processes of the mountain brook lamprey from the unfertilized ovulated egg to the release of ammocoete larvae into the field. In-vitro fertilization was the process used to produce viable embryos after strip spawning. This process successfully produced about 4000 embryos for descriptive observation. Embryological and larval developmental stages were named using criteria defined for Lampetra reissneri. The findings conclude that the timing of early developmental events is similar to that of other lamprey species.

We investigated the microhabitat selection of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and Suwannee bass (M. notius) using multivariate logistic regression modeling. Relative use probabilities for cover types were similar among juvenile and adult bass of both species with minor differential use. However, the water velocity and depth selection functions between juveniles were associated with slow and shallow locations, while the selection functions between adults were associated with intermediate speeds and depths. The predictive abilities of the habitat selection models significantly differed between juvenile and adult bass of both species, between adult largemouth bass and Suwannee bass, but not between juvenile largemouth bass and Suwannee bass.

Excessive coverage of aquatic vegetation has reduced aesthetic quality and recreational value in Felsenthal Reservoir, Arkansas. A large portion of the 6,000-ha impoundment of the Ouachita River, located within the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, is covered by dense aquatic vegetation. Grass carp are commonly used to control aquatic vegetation in closed systems, but results of stocking grass carp for vegetation control in open systems is less certain. Radio transmitters were implanted in 48 adult triploid grass carp. Grass carp were released in the reservoir during fall 2006. Radio-tagged grass carp were relocated approximately semi-monthly during a 12-mo period. Of the 48 fish that were stocked, 39 (82%) were consistently located in Felsenthal Reservoir. Three fish (6%) were never relocated, one fish (2%) moved upstream of Felsenthal Reservoir then returned, and five fish (10%) were located upstream of Felsenthal Reservoir in both the Ouachita and Saline Rivers.

The Arkansas River largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery has not been intensively managed or studied, especially downstream of Lake Dardanelle. Recent issues that have potentially affected the fishery necessitated a comprehensive assessment of populations throughout the entire Arkansas portion of the river. During 2004-2005, largemouth bass populations were assessed in all 11 Arkansas navigation pools of the river using boat-mounted, nighttime electrofishing. Populations were young with 94% of the individuals consisting of ages 1-4. Across years and pools, size structure measures were within acceptable ranges for largemouth bass (mean PSSQ = 51, range 28-72; mean PSSP = 18, range 8-36), though theoretical maximum sizes generated from growth models were generally smaller than average (mean L∞ = 474 mm TL, range 414-530).

We explored the feasibility of sampling young-of-year (yoy) Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) in the Apalachicola River, Florida, using modified balloon trawls during January and June 2009. Three yoy sturgeon (57 - 120 mm TL) were captured during June 2009 in the lower reaches of the river system. Initially, this method of assessment is labor intensive and may require more than 25 river kilometers (rkm) of trawling per capture. While this gear type has been remarkably efficient for sampling yoy Scaphirhynchus (i.e., pallid and shovelnose sturgeon) in the Mississippi River system, the depressed population size (ranging from a few hundred to perhaps 1,000 individuals) encountered in the Apalachicola River could make assessment of yoy Gulf sturgeon problematic.

When estimating population size of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) using the multi-pass removal method with electrofishing, understanding the significance of capture avoidance is important. One-hundred-fifty smallmouth bass were tagged with external radio transmitters and monitored during depletion sampling in seven different river reaches in Virginia. Capture avoidance of radio-tagged smallmouth bass during electrofishing averaged 33.7% (SE = 5.75%). Avoidance appeared to be random across the sample reaches and there were no significant correlations between capture avoidance and fish length, season, river, or physical dimensions of the sample reaches. Emigration from the sample reaches during depletion sampling was observed. However, no pattern in upstream or downstream movement was documented.

Stocking hatchery-reared largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fingerlings to supplement wild populations is a common practice, but assessment of the influence of such stocking practices on the wild population is less common. In September 2007 and 2008, we estimated abundance of wild young (age 0 and age 1, respectively) largemouth bass in backwaters of the Arkansas River before and after stocking with hatchery-reared largemouth bass (100-150 mm TL). Two backwaters were sampled as reference populations, four backwaters were unstocked for comparison with stocked locations. Five backwaters were stocked with 60 fish/ha. We found no differences in mortality, length, weight, or condition of wild age-1 largemouth bass from stocked and unstocked backwaters. Stocking hatchery-reared largemouth bass did not appear to affect mortality, growth, or condition of the wild year class.

Sportfish managers in coastal North Carolina are often challenged with interpreting estimates of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) relative abundance (catch-per-unit-effort, CPUE) due in part to the influence of environmental factors on boat electrofishing techniques. To accurately assess population abundance using relative abundance indices, the effects of environmental variables on largemouth bass catch should be quantified. We sampled largemouth bass populations in Neuse River tributaries weekly in spring 2006 and 2007 to investigate the relationship between CPUE and streamflow. Catch-per-unit-effort appeared to be strongly related to discharge, but the relationship was not linear. Instead, we found that small increases in streamflow between 60 and 100 m3 sec-1 had a large effect on electrofishing CPUE. Above this streamflow threshold, CPUE was usually low and only exceeded 20 fish h-1 in 3 of 41 observations in 2006 and 2007.