Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

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.

The increasing importance of the walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery in the New River, Virginia, and recent research findings motivated characterization of its genetic composition. Movements of radio-tagged fish suggested that walleyes living in Claytor Lake and the upper New River tend to spawn in different areas. In this study, allozyme, microsatellite DNA, and mitochondrial DNA genetic marker data were analyzed to assess population genetic differentiation among collections of New River walleye. The walleyes within Claytor Lake are a panmictic population, presumably resulting from years of stocking different genetic backgrounds and subsequent interbreeding. However, the genetic structure of walleyes from the New River shows the presence of more than one population. Fish in the New River system carry three previously unknown mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (43, 44, and 45), as well as high frequencies of characteristic alleles at particular microsatellite DNA loci.

Studies using otolith chemistry to distinguish fish stocks in fresh waters have suggested that spatial heterogeneity in basin geology determines the scale of stock discrimination possible with this approach. However, no studies have illustrated an association between spatial variation in fish otolith chemistry and watershed geology. We consider this relationship in the context of a recent study describing within- and between-river variation in trace element chemistry of otoliths from YOY smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) from the Maury and James rivers (Virginia). Cluster analysis of multivariate geologic data for discrete river segment basins illustrates a phenomenological association between geologic heterogeneity and our ability to discriminate spatial groupings of fish from their otolith chemistry.

Mycobacteriosis is a widespread, chronic disease of estuarine fishes. Recent studies by scientists at the National Fish Health Research Laboratory, Leetown, West Virginia and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester, have shown infection rates in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) of up to nearly 62% in certain Virginia tributaries to Chesapeake Bay (Bay). Of the several mycobacterial species known to infect striped bass from the Bay, several are known to be zoonotic including M. marinum and M. fortuitum. In this paper we discuss the incidence and prevalence of mycobacterial infections in striped bass and contrast these with human epidemiological data on the occurrence of cutaneous mycobacteriosis in the Bay's human population collected by the Virginia Department of Health and the Maryland Department of Health.

In 2002, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) conducted a statewide survey of licensed anglers in Missouri who fished for catfish during 2001 to gain information on angler demographics, species preferences, angling behavior, and angler opinions on catfish management. Catfish anglers were grouped by the species of catfish (flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, blue catfish I. furcatus, or bullhead catfish Ameiurus spp.) they preferred to fish for, and differences among preference groups related to demographics, angling behavior, and opinions on catfish management were examined. Results indicated that while catfish anglers in Missouri are a diverse group, and their preferences, opinions, and behaviors differed depending on species preference of the anglers, Missouri catfish angler groups were more similar compared to catfish angler groups in other states.

Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus electrofishing samples were collected on nine Oklahoma reservoirs and age and growth estimates were made on seven of these reservoirs. Catch rates of blue catfish were high (up to 700/h) on all reservoirs sampled but catch rates of preferred-sized (>762 mm total length) catfish were low (<5/h). Growth rates varied widely both within and among reservoirs but were generally slow with blue catfish not reaching preferred size until ages 13-16. A negative relation between catch rates and growth was identified. Total annual mortality rates averaged 26% for the seven populations sampled. Given growth and mortality rates estimated in this study, only 2%-3% of age-1 blue catfish reach preferred size in Oklahoma reservoirs. A management initiative stressing angler harvest of small individuals while restricting harvest of preferred-sized blue catfish is suggested.

We used biotelemetry to monitor monthly adult white crappie locations and core-use-area sizes at Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) and Waco reservoirs in Texas over two 6-month periods (December 2000-May 2001 and November 2001-April 2002) and tested whether deploying trap nets at sites near known fish locations and at similar sites predicted to contain fish would result in increased trap-net catch per effort compared to randomly selected sites. No evidence suggested crappie preferred different depths depending upon the time of year in LBJ or Waco reservoirs. We observed fish further from shore in January compared to April in LBJ Reservoir, but all months were similar for Waco Reservoir. The majority of fish locations (>55% for both reservoirs throughout study) were further from shore than our trap nets effectively fish (21.3 m).

Spawning behavior and hybridization of Etheostoma nigrum and E. olmstedi were studied in the lab using wild individuals collected from populations in central Virginia. Hybridization is common in the genus Etheostoma, but there have been conflicting results in studies involving E. nigrum and E. olmstedi. The question is pertinent to central Virginia because populations with characteristics intermediate of the two species occur there, and it may be that these are hybrids. We collected both darter species in the wild and placed various inter- and intra-specific mating pairs in small aquaria. Males spent more time than females in nuptial behavior (24.1% v. 7.5%), the percentages were not different between species, but E. nigrum males spent more time courting E. olmstedi females than they did their own species (32% v. 12.4%). Viable eggs were produced in 6 of 24 tanks, including two inter-specific crosses. In both inter-specific crosses the female was E. olmstedi and the male was E.

Kentucky Reservoir on the Tennessee River supports a diverse freshwater mussel community including federally-listed endangered species. Resource extraction operations have been conducted on the Tennessee River since at least the 1920s. The condition of abandoned dredge sites as aquatic habitat for benthic organisms, including freshwater mussels, is relatively unknown. Objectives of this study were to determine the condition of abandoned dredge sites as aquatic habitat for freshwater mussels, compare species richness and density between sites in relation to years post dredging, collect information relevant to future permitting consultations, and provide a greater understanding of the effects of resource extraction in a large regulated river. Six hundred 0.25 m-2 quadrat samples were collected and processed from 12 study sites.

We evaluated the ability of oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) and calcein (CAL) to double-mark otoliths in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB) fry and fingerlings. To observe longevity of marks, fish were sampled at six-month intervals for two years. Marks on fry otoliths disappeared rapidly regardless of chemical used; most marks were not visible after 180 days. Marks from CAL on fingerling otoliths were short-lived; 50% were not visible after 180 days. Marks from OTC on fingerling otoliths were visible on 100% of treated fish and were retained throughout the two years of study. Immersion-marking with OTC of fingerlings is a simple, effective, and relatively long-lasting technique for mass-marking LMB for various fisheries assessments. We successfully double-marked fingerling LMB with OTC when we imposed a two-week interval between marks. Alternate marks with OTC and CAL were unsuccessful because readers were often unable to distinguish between the OTC and CAL marks.

Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) have been the preferred species of New River anglers since the early 1960s. Since the early 1960s, shifts in New River smallmouth bass population conditions have occurred. Some of these shifts are due to changed size limits which altered angler behavior. However, a number of unexplained changes prevent definitive analysis of causative factors. The New River smallmouth bass fishery of 1982 and 1983 was characterized by high numbers of sublegal fish (< 305 mm), slow growth, poor survival, and low relative weights. These characteristics shifted to conditions indicative of a more healthy population subsequent to the implementation of a 279- to 356-mm protected slot limit in 1987. The New River smallmouth bass fishery is currently managed with a 356- to 508-mm protected slot limit, reflecting current management emphases on producing trophy bass, while continuing harvest of numerous bass < 356 mm.

We assessed the economic contribution of black bass tournament angling to the total economic value of the black bass (Micropterus spp.) fishery from 1 March 2001 to 28 February 2002 at O. H. Ivie Reservoir, Texas, a popular black bass tournament reservoir in rural west Texas. Creel surveys and mail-out questionnaires were used to estimate number of black bass tournaments, black bass tournament and non-tournament angling effort, and direct angling expenditures. An estimated 147 black bass tournaments were held on the reservoir during the study period. Despite the high number of tournaments, we found that tournament angling effort for black bass (27,348 h, RSE = 31) was greatly exceeded by non-tournament angling effort (110,268 h, RSE = 19) and comprised only 20% of total black bass angling effort and 15% of all angling effort expended at the reservoir.

Larval threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) collected in August trawl samples from Hugo Reservoir raised questions about the spawning potential of the parental fish population. Adult threadfin shad were collected weekly from 24 March to 25 August 1999 to determine their reproductive state. Gonadal somatic index (GSI) values for medium and large size classes increased until mid-May, and then steadily decreased. However, in spite of decreasing GSI values, mature ova (greater than 0.53 mm in diameter) were present in ovaries through mid July. It is likely that threadfin shad were capable of prolonged spawning throughout the spring and summer. A small proportion (4%) of age-0 threadfin shad matured within two to three months of hatching and served as a brood source for the summer larval production.

No paper was submitted with this abstract. Abstract was too long so please refer to pdf.