Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)are an estuarine/marine member of the porgy family that have long supported large recreational fisheries along the southeastern coast of the United States with a recently expanding recreational fishery in Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Due to this expansion into Bay waters, fisheries managers need to develop a management plan for this species. However, before any management plan can be developed, a comprehensive understanding of the age structure and growth rates of fish in the population is needed. To characterize the age and growth of sheepshead in the Chesapeake Bay, 178 fish were collected via recreational (n = 124) and commercial (n = 54) fisheries from 9 May through 1 November 2006 and their lengths, weights, and ages determined. Sheepshead ranged in age from 0 to 33 years old, with the oldest fish being seven years older than the oldest sheepshead reported in the literature to date.

During the past five years, we synthesized and compiled data on historic and recent fish collections in West Virginia into a georeferenced database. The West Virginia fish database will be used to produce a spatial and temporal atlas of fish distributions and currently includes over 9,000 site records from fish collections during 1853 to 2005. Species distribution data will be depicted by time periods, reflecting the substantial contributions and efforts of Ebenezer Andrews, Spencer Baird, Charles Bollman, William Hay, E.L. Goldsborough, Carl Hubbs, and Laura Hubbs, Milton Trautman, A.H. Wright, John Addair, Ed Raney, L.W. Wilson, E.A. Seaman, P.E. Swasey, H. Van Meter, Anthony Bodola, Frank Schwartz, Ron Preston, Bob Denoncourt, Charles Hocutt, Jay Stauffer, Rich Raesly, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources personnel, as well as collections from the present authors.

Threats to native fish populations from practices such as fish stocking and from invasive and non-native species and their associated disease concerns are important natural resource management issues in National Parks. Prohibitive or restrictive fish stocking policies in National Parks were developed as early as 1936 in order to preserve native fish assemblages and genetic diversity. Despite recent efforts to understand the effects of non-native or exotic fish introductions, park managers have limited information regarding the effects of these introductions on native fish communities. Shenandoah National Park (SHEN) was established in 1936 and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) restoration within selected streams in the park began in 1937 in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). The only known stocking records associated with park streams during the 1930s were in the survey reports completed by the U.S.

The area of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests have declined whereas intensive pine (Pinus spp.) silviculture has increased on the southeastern landscape. Because effects of differing pine management scenarios on bat community structure and activity are largely unknown, we used mist nets and acoustic surveys to examine these factors on mature longleaf pine and intensively managed loblolly pine (P. taeda) landscapes in southwestern Georgia. We placed mist nets over ponds, small streams, and roadside ditches and placed bat detectors in replicates of four vegetation types (open, closed pine, hardwood, mature pine) on each study site. We captured 649 bats of six species during 83 nights of trapping at both sites. Seminole bats (Lasiurus seminolus), red bats (L. borealis), and evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) accounted for 95% of captures. For both areas combined, 28% of captures were juveniles and 97% of adult females showed signs of reproduction.

We conducted a 13-year study to determine bird species richness and abundance in field edges maintained in conservation buffers and mowed field edges on two agricultural experiment stations in Mississippi. Both experiment stations were intensively managed for agricultural row crop and dairy production with field edges managed with frequent mowing and herbicide application. Habitat reclamation and management on 41 ha of field edges was initiated on each farm in 1988 and included selective spraying herbicides to control agronomic grasses, cessation of annual mowing, protection from livestock access, and planting legumes and shrubs. We surveyed birds from 1 May through 15 June on permanently established, fixed-width transects in three conservation buffer and three mowed field edges adjacent to row crops on each experimental farm from 1989 through 2001. We detected 25 bird species on mowed field edges and 51 species on edges maintained in conservation buffers on both farms.

Anuran breeding call surveys are widely used to document species richness and relative abundance. Call survey protocols used by the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program are five minutes in duration. However, recent studies have suggested that 5-minute call surveys may not be long enough to accurately estimate species richness or relative abundance. Therefore, we tested whether anuran species richness and relative abundance differed between 5- and 10-minute breeding call surveys. We conducted 344 call surveys from March-August 2005 and 2006 at eight wetlands on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee. On average, 95% of species recorded in 10 minutes were heard within the first five minutes. Mean species richness did not differ (P = 0.17) between 5- and 10-minute surveys. For species we detected, mean relative abundance was not different (P > 0.07) between 5- and 10-minute surveys.

A cluster of small populations of the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) was discovered 1989 along the scenic Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina, in northern hardwood and mixed hardwood-hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitats not previously known to support this subspecies. I examined home range of this subspecies from September 1994-March 1996. Based on the Minimum Convex Polygon method, mean annual home range size was 13.9 ha (N = 7), mean summer home range size was 8.3 ha (N = 6), and mean winter home range was 12.5 ha (N = 4). I found no evidence to indicate northern flying squirrels crossed or attempted to cross the right-of-way associated with the Cherohala Skyway. Managers should consider large areas of north-facing high-elevation northern hardwood and mixed northern hardwood forest as potential suitable habitat for G. s. coloratus.

Although thousands of river otters (Lontra canadensis) are harvested every year in Louisiana, no formal management plan exists for the species. As a first step toward development of such a plan, we described general trends and associations between number of otters harvested and pelt price and number of licensed trappers during 1957-2004. We also applied time series analysis to develop forecasting models for river otters harvested. Although number of otters harvested was stationary, trends were detected in number of licensed trappers and pelt price. The early 1980s appear as a point of inflection in number of licensed trappers and pelt price, with a declining trend after that time in both. Lagged cross-correlation between number of otters harvested and licensed trappers was significant, as was the case between number of licensed trappers and pelt price.

Some indices indicate nationwide declines in mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) populations, making harvest data important for management. Our goal was assessment of attraction of mourning doves to spinning-wing decoys (SWDs). We simulated dove hunting scenarios in Putnam County, Tennessee, during October 2005 using battery-operated SWDs with traditional decoy setups. We measured and compared number of doves approaching within 40 and 200 m with SWD active and inactive. A greater number of doves approached within 40 m and 200 m with SWD active than with SWD inactive. Mourning doves clearly were attracted to SWD, which may increase dove harvest opportunity. Further research is needed to validate this result under a broader set of conditions and examine extent to which this attraction may translate into increased dove harvest.

Previous studies on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) home ranges have concentrated on the eastern subspecies (M. g. silvestris). Our objectives were to estimate spring-summer period (1 April-31 August) and annual home ranges of Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia) and compare them across study sites, age (adult, juvenile) and sex. From 2000−2004, we recorded 44,526 telemetry locations from 1,253 radiotagged Rio Grande wild turkeys on four study sites in the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas. We used the 95% fixed kernel and 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods to calculate home ranges. Mean 95% fixed kernel annual home ranges were 1,908 ± 112 ha for females and 1,578 ± 127 ha for males. Mean 95% fixed kernel spring-summer home ranges were 1,054 ± 76.1 ha for females and 1,097 ± 103 ha for males. Juvenile female annual home ranges were larger than other age and sex classes on Texas study sites.

As hunting participation decreases in the United States, wildlife agencies may consider increasing license fees or creating additional ones to sustain their programs. We assessed Willingness to Pay (WTP) for fall and spring eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) hunting permits in Mississippi using the Contingent Valuation Method. Hunters were willing to pay more for a spring hunting permit than for a fall hunting permit and demand for spring hunting permits was also higher. Median WTP for fall and spring turkey hunting permits was US$11.00 and $36.25, respectively. Revenue can be maximized at $277,506 and $739,821 for the state by placing the permit fees at $20.62 and $39.75 for fall and spring hunting permits, respectively. These methods can be used to set fees and assess demand for a variety of recreational activities while maximizing participation.

We conducted a survey to evaluate sales values of private rural lands (N = 100; 13,559 ha) that were purchased for recreational uses in Mississippi from 2002-2005. Most (70%) land parcels were located near or in the Mississippi River Delta region with dominant cover types of forest (52%) or agricultural crops (43%). Important recreational uses included hunting, off road vehicles access, horseback riding, wildlife watching, ecotourism, and fishing. Featured species were white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus; 93%), rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.; 65%), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo; 56%), waterfowl (48%), squirrels (Sciurus spp.; 38%), mourning dove (Zenaida macroura; 15%), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; 12%), and other (< 10%). Recreational uses contributed an average increase of 36% (US$808.73/ha) in property value.

Effects of traffic volume on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) movement patterns and behavior have not been well documented. During summer 2004, we monitored survival and home ranges of 34 radiocollared deer (6 males and 28 females) in a heavily visited state park in Georgia to determine effect of road distribution on home range use. We also monitored hourly movements for eight females in relation to daily patterns of vehicle volume within the park. Although deer behavior was altered by frequent exposure to traffic and roadside feeding of deer by park visitors, no deer were killed by vehicles during the study. Deer did not selectively use habitats within their home ranges based on proximity of nearest roads. We found no differences (P > 0.05) in deer distances from nearest roads during any 24-hr period.

Reliable estimates of survival for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns are needed for sound deer management. Several studies have estimated fawn survival prior to recruitment (i.e., before the onset of hunting season) but few have monitored fawns post-recruitment, especially in the lower Midwest or Southeast. We captured and radiocollared 166 neonatal fawns during 2002-2004 in southern Illinois. Ninety-one fawns survived to recruitment and were monitored for survival from 1 October until the end of the firearm hunting season (typically 8 December). Post-recruitment survival was 0.73 (95% CI = 0.63 - 0.83). Hunter harvest was the primary source of mortality (13%) followed by vehicle collisions (8%). Male and female harvest mortality was 14% and 12%, respectively, and did not differ (P = 0.73).

Recently, concern has arisen regarding possible effects of site preparation treatments, particularly herbicide use, on availability and quality of browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). To examine this concern, we quantified species-specific plant biomass of browse for deer in clearcuts site prepared with either prescribed fire (N = 5) or a combination of imazapyr with triclopyr and prescribed fire (N = 5) in eastern Louisiana during 2003-2005. Total biomass of quality browse did not differ between treatments, but was higher in years 1 and 2 post-treatment. However, stands site prepared with fire and herbicides were dominated by herbaceous vegetation, legumes, and Rubus spp. during the first growing season following site preparation, whereas stands prepared with fire were dominated by woody and vine species. Differences diminished across years with sites becoming structurally similar by the third year.

We used a self-administered mail questionnaire to investigate Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) cooperators' understanding of and satisfaction with this program to identify possible improvements in the quality of educational and technical assistance. Since statewide program inception in 1983, no effort had been made to evaluate the program from a customer's perspective prior to our study. We sent questionnaires to 618 DMAP cooperators immediately after the close of the 2004-05 deer hunting season in Mississippi. We received 391 useable questionnaires. When non-deliverables (N = 57) were excluded from consideration, we achieved an effective response rate of 74.9%. Results indicated that cooperators generally understood why they collect biological samples but were less understanding of overall program goals.

Capture of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is vital for telemetric studies of the species. A variety of methods such as drop nets, clover traps and rocket nets have been employed to capture deer. However, most methods require direct observation of trap sites, which has the obvious limitation of controlling human scent around trap sites. We describe a new technique for capturing deer using rocket nets coupled with wireless remote video. Capture rates for two periods in 2005 using remote video were higher (0.10 and 0.17 deer/h) than the traditional on-site observation method used in 2004 (0.05 and 0.09 deer/h). We suggest that this technique is more efficient than other reported capture techniques for free-ranging white-tailed deer.

Infrared-triggered cameras are increasingly used in wildlife management and require refinement for optimal use. We compared photographic recapture rates of tagged animals on two enclosed Mississippi study areas and a third enclosed study area in Oklahoma. We evaluated effects of camera density (one camera per 41 ha and one camera per 81 ha) and sampling duration (1 to 14 days) on accuracy of deer population estimates, cumulative new occurrences of adult males, cumulative sex ratio, and cumulative fawn crop on the Mississippi study areas. Photographic recapture rate varied from 92% for adult males and 89% for adult females in Mississippi to 22% for adult males and 34% for adult females in Oklahoma. A three-day survey provided stable sex ratio and fawn crop estimates at 41 and 81 ha per camera. A seven-day survey provided stable estimates of adult males with 76% accuracy at 41 ha per camera and with 59% accuracy at 81 ha per camera.

Subjectivity of tooth wear and replacement (i.e., Severinghaus technique) for estimating ages of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is sometimes questioned. To further quantify Severinghaus's description of tooth wear, we used digital photographs and computer-assisted technologies to measure dentine and enamel widths on molars of 67 wild, known-aged deer from South Carolina. Accurate measurements of dentine: enamel ratios did not clearly separate 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5-year-old deer because of excessive variability within age classes. Therefore, we used K-nearest neighbor [KNN] analysis to assign deer to age classes based on an overall dentine: enamel ratio. We correctly classified about 54% of deer tested. Based on our results and previous studies, we believed little accuracy in age estimates is gained by measuring dentine and enamel widths.

We used mail surveys to examine attitudes and methods of black bear (Ursus americanus) hunters on Van Swamp Game Land (Van Swamp). Van Swamp was located in eastern North Carolina and managed as an open public hunting area, with no restriction on hunter numbers or vehicular access. Reported bear harvest was higher in 2001 (22) than 2002 (4) or 2003 (8). Hunters in all three years generally believed that Van Swamp had “about the right number” of hunters (≥57%) and that “too many” bears had been harvested (≥38%). Retention of hunters from year to year was high (≥70%) and, generally, a minority of hunters each year were in favor of specific management actions designed to limit bear harvest or hunter densities. Hunting method (i.e., hunting with dogs vs. still hunting) was related to hunter opinions on some questions. Although hunters identified problems with overharvest of bears, there was no mandate for management changes to address that issue.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) die-offs attributed to largemouth bass virus (LMBV) occurred during 1998 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir and 1999 at Lake Fork, Texas. We assessed largemouth bass electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE), mean length at age 3, relative weight (Wr), and angling success before (pre-LMBV) and after (post-LMBV) fish kill periods to address concerns that LMBV had negatively impacted the largemouth bass populations and fisheries at these two popular Texas reservoirs. There was no decline in angling catch rates, mean length at age 3, or Wr in the post-LMBV period for either reservoir. Only electrofishing CPUE at Lake Fork was significantly lower post-LMBV. However, it was difficult to establish a definitive causal link between this difference and LMBV. Results suggest that prolonged adverse effects from the LMBV-disease events at these two reservoirs were not likely.

An evaluation was conducted to compare relative contribution, growth, and vulnerability to angling of triploid Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) and diploid northern largemouth bass (M. s. salmoides) when stocked together in a newly-renovated reservoir. Triploid Florida largemouth bass were stocked in Lake Balmorhea, a 213-hectare reservoir in West Texas, for five consecutive years and failed to recruit in all years except the initial stocking year. Diploid northern largemouth bass were stocked only in the first year and produced significant year classes in years 4 and 5 of the study. Northern largemouth bass grew faster initially, but triploid Florida largemouth bass were similar in size by age 3. Diploid northern largemouth bass were more vulnerable to angling than triploid Florida largemouth bass through the first 3 years of life.

Roving creel surveys were conducted on nine hatchery-supported trout streams in western North Carolina during 1998 and 1999. The objective of this study was to describe angler use patterns and trip characteristics for selected waters in the hatchery-supported trout program. A total of 5,452 angler interviews were conducted during the two-year survey. Overall, anglers caught trout >203 mm (considered stocked) at an average rate of 1.38 trout/h. This catch rate exceeded the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) programmatic goal of 1.00 trout/h. Hatchery-supported trout anglers were harvest oriented and creeled 75% of all stocked trout caught. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and brown trout (Salmo trutta) were harvested in proportions similar to those stocked. Brook trout were most likely to be captured within two days of stocking, whereas rainbow trout and brown trout persisted longer in the streams before being harvested.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and bordering states stock striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops) into the Ohio River. These stockings resulted in the development of Morone spp. sport fisheries in several pools of the Ohio River along Kentucky's border. Recruitment of striped and hybrid striped bass into these fisheries has been highly variable. Fall recruitment patterns of striped and hybrid striped bass were evaluated. It was determined that river flow during or just after stocking had a major influence on the contribution of the stocked striped and hybrid striped bass fingerlings to fall year-class strength estimates. Fall striped bass electrofishing catch rates ranged from 22.1 (SE = 6.2) to 41.4 (SE = 12.8) fish/h when river flows were below the 24-year average for July. Hybrid striped bass electrofishing catch rates during the same flow periods ranged from 7.8 (SE = 2.9) to 18.9 (SE = 7.0) fish/h.