Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A 1992 survey of Tennessee anglers was used to determine who is fishing and how often, the species they fish for, and how anglers perceive the regulatory structure. The results are based on telephone interviews with 450 active licensed anglers. Nearly 81% of the anglers visited a Tennessee reservoir in 1992, while 41% fished warm water streams, 28% farm ponds, and 22% trout streams. Over 60% preferred separate regulations for reservoirs. Active reservoir fishermen were more likely to support individual regulations. The participants were evenly split on whether a proposed regulation which has public support should be imposed even if the management agency does not feel the fishery would benefit. Eighty percent of the anglers indicated that existing fishing regulations were not complicated.

In Maryland, human populations are increasing and are accompanied by increasing land development. In response, state and local governments have enacted environmental laws and regulations to limit impacts on wetlands, forests, and the Chesapeake Bay. Communication among development, land planning, and natural resource professionals during the development design process could enhance regulation by helping to insure designs meet requirements and consider impacts of development on wildlife habitats not protected by law. This communication seldom occurs. In response, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources created Natural Design in Development (NDD), a series of conference/workshop sessions which trained these professionals to communicate more effectively with each other during the design of a residential development site. Five regional conferences in Maryland attracted over 600 participants. Results of the effort were not quantified.

Up to 10 raccoons (Procyon lotor) were live-trapped and held within covered wire cages for about 1 month each season during June 1988-August 1989. Animals were fed 250-300 g of dry dog food daily and provided water ad libitum; percent change in body mass during captivity was used to evaluate the response of raccoons to the holding facility and maintenance protocol. Change in body mass at release varied from - 0.6 kg to 1.6 kg. Daily percent change averaged 2.7%; the largest total percent change in body mass of 70%. Percent change in body mass was independent of retention time, previous experience, age, sex, or season. The facility appeared to provide effective temporary housing as none of the animals were injured, nor was there any evidence of captive-related trauma or unusual behavior during captivity or following release.

Approximately 41,375 ha of catfish ponds in Mississippi attracted as many as 150,000 waterfowl and American coots (Fulica americana) during winters in the mid-1980s. We evaluated relationships between numbers of northern shoveler {Anas clypeata), ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), scaup (Aythya affinis, A. marila), and American coot and habitat features of catfish farms in west-central Mississippi during winters 1983-1986. All species tended to use large clusters of ponds with other ponds nearby. High waterfowl use also occurred on pond clusters near the Mississippi River. Although catfish ponds do not require special management to attract the above species, our results suggested that pond-complex size and relative location within the study area were primary proximate factors influencing waterfowl and coot use. Present strategies to deter piscivorous birds from exploiting catfish may disperse wintering waterfowl and American coots from catfish farms.

Energy utilization of natural prey items by Mississippi bobcats (Felis rufus) was measured and annual prey requirements were estimated. Male and female bobcats were fed 5 diets of natural prey items, December 1990-February 1991. There were significant differences in amount of energy (kcal) in prey items, with white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) meat (5.7295) greater (P < 0.05) than fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) (5.0304). The deer diet also was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the rodent diet and the rabbit and rodent diets in metabolizable energy (ME) and metabolizable energy content (kcal ME/g DM), respectively. Digestion coefficients for dry matter differed between diet types with the deer diet (81.3%) significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the rodent (63.68%) and rabbit (63.88%) diets. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between male and female bobcats in digestion efficiency of dry matter or energy (kcal).

We evaluated mixtures of Telazol and Rompun for immobilizing captive white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Three doses of Telazol and Rompun were used to immobilize adult male deer (N = 32), and 5 doses were used to immobilize yearling deer (N = 78). Mixtures of these agents immobilized deer quicker and with deeper sedation than previously experienced using Rompun alone. There were no differences in immobilization or recovery periods between doses of 250:150 mg versus 167:200 mg Telazol:Rompun in adult males. There were no differences in immobilization or recovery periods between doses of 100:100 mg versus 167:100 mg Telazol: Rompun in yearling deer, but effective immobilization took longer than with a dose of 100:200 mg.

Pine (Pinus spp.) plantations comprise a major habitat type in the Southeast, and burning is used for forest and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) management. We studied turkey hen (N = 165) use of control-burned loblolly pine (P. taeda) plantations, July 1986-March 1991, in Kemper County, Mississippi. Generally, hen use of plantations during summer (Jul-Sep), fall (Oct—Dec), and winter (Jan-Mar) was equal to or less than available for plantations <1 year and 5:7 years since-burned. Use was equal to or greater than available for plantations 1-6 years since-burned. During spring (Apr-Jun), successful (hatched eggs) hens used most years since-burned classes equal to or greater than available for the preincubation and early brood (1-14 days post-hatch) periods. Most (90%) hens nested in plantations and success tended to be higher in those plantations not burned for approximately 5 years.

We studied effects of pair status, molt intensity, and year on food selection by migrating male blue-winged teal (Anas discors) in southwestern Louisiana during springs 1990 and 1991. Diets consisted primarily of animal foods; but plant material, consisting mostly of seeds, comprised as much as 44%. There was no difference in animal food consumption by paired and unpaired males; however, the proportion of animal material in the male diet was greater in 1990 than in 1991. Animal food consumption was not positively correlated with mean molt intensity. Food preferences of paired and unpaired males were similar in both years. Animal foods, especially benthos and organisms associated with vegetative substrates, were preferred to seeds and freeswimming invertebrates.

Stomach contents of 108 juvenile alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) were analyzed to determine if alligators hatched and raised in captivity (until 120-cm size) then released to the wild would be capable of foraging successfully for food. Seventyeight farm-reared, post-released alligators harvested during the 1991 annual alligator hunt on Marsh Island Wildlife Refuge and 30 native wild alligators harvested of similar size class were selected and stomach contents compared. Crustaceans were the most important prey item among all alligators, with blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) being the most frequently occurring item. Fish and mollusks occurred more frequently in wild alligators, whereas farm-released alligators consumed more birds and mammals. Native alligator stomachs contained significantly more (P < 0.05) endohelminths than farm-released alligators. Lateral fat bodies were significantly heavier (P < 0.05) in farm-released alligators than native wild alligators.

We examined antler mass and number of antler points of 73 captive whitetailed (Odocoileus virginianus) bucks (born in 1985-89) during 1986-91 for relationships with buck maturity, birth date, and body mass, and compared development of spike- versus branched-antlered yearlings to provide harvest recommendations. Antler mass of individual bucks at each age-class was positively associated with antler mass at the subsequent age-class (rs ≥ 0.59, P < 0.01). Number of antler points of individual bucks at successive age-classes was positively associated through the 4.5-year ageclass (rs a 0.41, P < 0.01). Bucks with fewer antler points as yearlings had fewer antler points at the 2.5-year age-class (rs = 0.41, P < 0.01) but added more antler points between the first and second antler sets (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.78) than bucks with more antler points as yearlings.

Two odor attractants, Carman's Distant Canine Call (CDCC) and W-U lure, were monitored simultaneously at scent-station transects in 5 units of the Big Thicket National Preserve, Texas. We examined transects for furbearer tracks for 3 consecutive days quarterly from January 1987 through March 1988. Significantly (X2 = 26.9, df = 1, P < 0.01) greater numbers of furbearers were attracted to scent stations with CDCC than to those with W-U lure. We recommend CDCC over W-U lure for attracting furbearers to scent stations in Southeastern pine habitats.

Information on the relationship of heartwood development to site quality, competitive index, tree age, and tree size for loblolly (Pinus taeda L.) and longleaf (P. palustris Mill) pine is presented. Twenty-nine loblolly and 26 longleaf pine stands representing a range of age classes (30 to 170 years) and site indices (12 to 37 m) were sampled in the Southeast. At age class 50, a portion of the loblolly pine growing on site index 24 m and better sites contained sufficient heartwood (≥12.7 cm at 6.7 m) for redcockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) (RCW) cavity activity. None of the longleaf pine contained sufficient heartwood until age class 60 because the longleaf pines at age 50 were smaller diameter trees than the loblolly pines. The average codominant and dominant loblolly pine contained sufficient heartwood at age class 70 on site index 27 m and better sites and for all sites by age class 80.

During 1986-1990 an intensive harvest of alligators was conducted on Salvador Wildlife Management Area (SWMA). A total of 4,173 alligators averaging 1.84 m total length (TL) were harvested. Hunters successfully filled all tags and completed the harvest in only 12 to 16 days. Sex ratios, size class frequency distribution (SCFD), average length, and nest production all remained consistent throughout the study. Harvest parameters (average length, sex ratios, and SCFD) differed significantly from Louisiana's statewide harvest and suggested proportional harvesting; however, none of the data examined indicated that the intensive harvest had any significant impact on the alligator population on the study area.

Wildlife managers have been creating deltaic splays in the Mississippi River Delta to promote marsh regeneration, but little is known of the quality of splays as waterfowl foraging habitat. Consequently, we compared densities of important canvasback (Aythya valisineria) foods in splays and open-water ponds during winter 1990- 91. Biomass (g/m2) of grassy arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea) tubers differed between splay mudflats and ponds, but the difference was not consistent between months. In November 1990, splay mudflats (mean ± SE = 123.7 ± 2.9) supported a greater biomass of tubers than did ponds (43.8 ± 2.9). In March 1991, tuber biomass was similar between habitats (splays = 12.6 ± 2.9, ponds = 23.7 ± 2.9) because of a marked decrease in tubers in splay mudflats between sampling periods. American bulrush (Scirpus americanus) rhizomes were not present in samples from ponds.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt-lease programs were evaluated for 11 southern states in 1989. Mail questionnaires were returned by 62 (70%) of 89 landowners. The respondents reported owning 8.7 million ha of which 6.5 million ha (75%) were leased for hunting. The weighted average lease fee received was $5.31 per ha, a 60% increase from 1984 as reported by Busch and Guynn (1988). Additionally, respondents reported that public relations had a relative value equal to the lease fee and access control had a relative value of 1.45 times the lease fee. The total value of leasing was $19.19 per ha.

TELEDAT is an interactive BASIC computer program written for the Texas Instruments TI-74 hand-held calculator to process and store radio-telemetry location data while in the field. TELEDAT simplifies field-tracking and increases the accuracy and precision of telemetered triangulation data by: (1) providing in-field estimation of animal location and receiver-to-transmitter distance; (2) calculating error polygon size and long diagonal; (3) identifying error conditions such as azimuths that do not cross or are near-parallel; and (4) reducing the error inherent in data coding and entry. TELEDAT uses virtually any rectangular *-y-coordinate system including Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates for determining transmitter location and will store data from 1 to 50 receiver stations. TELEDAT can store up to 720 locations on a single 32K-cartridge. Use of multiple cartridges provides unlimited data storage capability.

Pocosins are peat bogs that support dense, evergreen shrub cover providing abundant, low-quality browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). This habitat type is subject to infrequent, intense wildfires, and in May 1986 a wildfire burned across 18,200 ha (>90%) of the Holly Shelter Game Land in eastern North Carolina. We studied the response of the deer population to the fire by comparing preand postfire data on density, harvest, physical condition, and nutrition. We also analyzed nutritional quality of browse samples from burned and unburned areas for 2 years after the fire. Browse quality was higher in burned areas in the year of the fire, but differences were short-lived and were not reflected in protein levels of rumen contents. Deer density and harvest declined by about 60% the first fall after the fire probably because deer were temporarily displaced from the area. Only 36 deer were found dead during thorough postfire searches.

Increasing hunting pressure and habitat loss have raised concerns about the age structure and potential overharvest of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) populations in Georgia. Nineteen juvenile and 15 adult gobblers were radio-tracked during January 1989-June 1991 in the vicinity of Clark Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Gobblers avoided the WMA in spring and summer, preferring fields and pastures on private land. They preferred the WMA in fall and winter. Upland hardwood was the most preferred habitat type. Recorded mortalities (27) resulted from spring hunting (23), mammalian predation (3), and unknown (1). Annual survival of instrumented gobblers was 44%, 44%, and 64% for 1989, 1990, and 1991, respectively. Overall annual survival of adults and juveniles was 36% and 63%, respectively. Annual harvest rates of instrumented gobblers averaged 45%. Adults made up 78% of the instrumented gobblers harvested.

The orbiviruses, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) virus or bluetongue (BT) virus, cause a disease syndrome termed hemorrhagic disease (HD) in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and several other wild ruminants. An annual mail survey of state wildlife agencies was conducted from 1980-1989 to estimate the occurrence of HD in the continental United States. Thirty-one states reported confirmed or suspected HD activity, and 1,608 occurrences were reported in 880 counties or parishes. Cases of HD were reported throughout most of the Southeast and much of the Midwest and northern Great Plains. Reports also were received from the Pacific Coast states. Death losses of deer accounted for 33.8% of the reports, whereas chronic, post-infection lesions alone were seen in 55.0%. Virus isolations were reported in 57 counties in 21 states; EHD virus was identified twice as often as BT virus. Recurrences of HD were noted during the 10-year period at both the state and county level.

Fifteen bobcats (10 females, 5 males) were monitored using radio telemetry from 1 January 1989-31 December 1991 in east-central Mississippi. Male composite home ranges (HR) averaged 36.5 km2 (S.E. = 12.7) while female HR's averaged 20.6 km2 (S.C. = 7.7). Composite and seasonal HR sizes differed between sexes (P = 0.03 and P < 0.001, respectively). HR's were larger during the 1989 post-parturition (1 May-31 Aug) and fall (1 Sept-31 Dec) seasons than during most other seasons (P < 0.05). Intersexual HR overlap occurred during 5 of 9 seasons. Female-female HR overlap occurred during 3 seasons while male-male overlap occurred during 2 seasons. Much female-female HR overlap was explained by dispersing sub-adults. Minimum winter bobcat density averaged 1 bobcat/10.4 km2. Pine plantations and agricultural areas were preferred (use > available) habitats, while mature pines were used less than available (P < 0.10). Use of hardwood bottoms by bobcats varied.

Body mass and antler measurements from yearling, male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) harvested in pine flatwoods of northwestern Florida were used to test the relationship between estimated birth date and physiological indices. Age, estimated by the degree of third mandibular molar eruption, was related to the body mass and antler development of yearling bucks (P < 0.001). Late parturition in this region appears to contribute to poor antler development and low body mass of yearling bucks. The effects of late parturition on the physical development of yearling bucks should be considered when developing and evaluating harvest management strategies in this region.

During a 19-month intensive control program 589 feral hogs (Sus scrofa) were removed from 4,500 ha of forest-marsh habitat in the lower Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Of 112 adult females removed, 66 were pregnant, 79 were lactating, and 44 of these were pregnant and lactating. Of 43 females in the 6-11 months age class, 34 had conceived at least 1 litter by the time of death and 9 had conceived twice. Litter size in 45 females was 5.0 ± 2.3. Cost per animal removed was $54. A substantial number of animals remained in the habitat after the program was terminated. Incidence rates for swine brucellosis and pseudorabies were 13.3% and 9.7%, respectively. Where feral hog population densities are substantial, herd reduction efforts must be intensive and continuous until the goal is reached.

The Clemson beaver pond leveler (leveler) was developed as an instrument to suppress the adverse effects of beaver activity that results in flooding timberlands and agricultural crops and damage to road drainage and water-control structures. It has also proven to be useful in manipulating beaver pond levels for waterfowl habitat management. Nine case studies involving 25 test sites have shown the Leveler to be successful over a moderate range of conditions in the lower Coastal Plain and upper Piedmont regions. Based on the previous success scenarios, several public agencies and 1 corporate forest landowner are deploying the Leveler as a management tool.

We studied longevity, depletion rate, and peak periods of use by white-tailed deer {Odocoileus virginianus) of minerals at artificial lick sites on a clay soil in the Georgia Piedmont in 1990 and 1991. We also surveyed attitudes among southeastern state wildlife agencies about providing mineral supplementation for deer. Results indicated a rapid loss of sodium (Na) to leaching. Leaching rates for calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) were low. Pure salt (NaCl), rather than a more expensive mineral mixture, can be applied in alternate years since other important minerals are still present at lick sites. Peak deer use occurred during April and May, with moderate to low use during June to November, and no use during December and January. Deer use was low the second year after establishment indicating a need for annual replenishment.