Proceedings of Southeastern Fish and Wildlife Conference
Prior to 2013, SEAFWA published the Proceedings of annual conferences. In 2014, SEAFWA began publishing the peer-reviewed Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
251 - 300 of 4522 articles | 50 per page | page 6
| Article | Year |
|---|---|
Aerial Surveys for Prairie Grouse Leks: Detectability, Disturbance Response, and Prairie grouse (Tympanuchus and Centrocercus spp.) once occupied wide expanses of North American grass and shrub habitats. In the last three decades, prairie grouse populations have exhibited precipitous declines, often because of altered land use practices. There is a need to develop new research and management techniques to facilitate prairie grouse conservation efforts. We evaluated aerial survey capabilities to assist in the management of lesser prairie-chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus; [LPC]). Jon T. McRoberts, Matthew J. Butler, Warren B. Ballard, Mark C. Wallace, Heather A. Whitlaw, David A. Haukos
Pages 203- |
2008 |
Nesting Success of American Alligators in a Southeast Texas Coastal Marsh One of the many factors, and arguably the most important, that affects recruitment into any breeding population of egg laying species is nest success. The nesting ecology of American alligators has been well studied in both Florida and Louisiana, but only one study that concerns alligators nesting in Texas has been published. This study was conducted on an inland site, and probably does not reflect the biology of alligators nesting in coastal marshes. For the past 22 years, locations of alligator nests on the J. D. Amos Cooper, Monique J. Slaughter
Pages 204- |
2008 |
Breeding Success of Male White-tailed Deer: Implications for Management The breeding structure of white-tailed deer has been described as dominance based. In age-structured populations relatively few dominant males were thought to do most of the breeding. However, recent studies have documented the successful breeding of all age classes. It has been suggested that the breeding success of young males is the result of exclusively mating with young females, while older males concentration their efforts on mature females. Jason A. Sumners, Randy W. DeYoung, Rodney L. Honeycutt, Mickey W. Hellickson, David G. Hewitt, Ken L. Gee, Robert A. Gonzales
Pages 205- |
2008 |
Overwinter Survival of Northern Bobwhites on Non-hunted Areas in Texas As part of an ongoing investigation of sustainable harvest strategies for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations, we are estimating overwinter survival in two Texas ecoregions that have stable bobwhite population trends, the Rolling Plains and the Rio Grande Plains. Estimating overwinter survival in the absence of hunting is an important variable in developing a sustained-yield harvest strategy for bobwhites. Overwinter bobwhite survival was estimated using radio-marked bobwhites from 16 November 2007 to 29 February 2008. Trent Teinert, Joseph Sands, Matthew J. Schnupp, Leonard A. Brennan, Stephen J. DeMaso, Fidel Hernandez, Dale Rollins, Robert M. Perez
Pages 206- |
2008 |
Detectability of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys in South Texas Detection estimates of Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia, RGWT) are lacking and little research has focused on the development and evaluation of survey techniques for estimating RGWT populations. The objective of this study was to compare RGWT detection rates using aerial (Cessna 152) and roadside surveys in different vegetation communities in south Texas. Decoy flocks were randomly set 0-100 m from roads prior to surveys. Detection rate was estimated as (n decoys observed/n decoys available) x 100. Luis M. Dong, J. Alfonso Ortega-Santos, William P. Kuvlesky, Jr., Stephen J. DeMaso, Eric J. Redeker
Pages 207- |
2008 |
BioPioneering: New Frontiers for Implementing the Texas Wildlife Action Plan on Private Lands With 10 distinct ecological areas and more than 60 million ha of rural lands, Texas is second only to California in total biodiversity. Since about 95 percent of the state is privately owned, public/private partnerships and economic incentives are essential in managing wildlife, including a status assessment of nongame species and habitats in the state. Completed in 2005, the State Wildlife Action Plan identifies priority species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and plants and their habitats that warrant conservation attention.
Pages 208- |
2008 |
Certain species of neotropical migrant songbirds have been decreasing in abundance throughout their breeding range for prolonged periods and a cause of immediate concern. Information on the extent of changes in habitats caused by land management practices and use of such habitats by forest bird communities is critical for management. This study was designed in order to establish a long-term system for avian population monitoring at Tombigbee National Forest and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge located in north central Mississippi. Christopher J. Reynolds, Francisco J. Vilella
Pages 209- |
2008 |
Prescribed Fire Behavior in Mid-rotation Pine Stands of Mississippi Fire's stochastic behavior caused by vegetation, topography, and weather has caused concern and reduced use among landowners and managers. To better understand fire behavior in fire-absent forest stands, we examined fire characteristics relative to vegetation conditions manipulated with or without a prior herbicide application. We used six replicate stands with four randomly-assigned treatment plots (burn, herbicide, burn*herbicide, control) to assess dormant season burns with a three-year fire return interval. Raymond B. Iglay, Bruce D. Leopold, Darren A. Miller, L. Wesley Burger, Jr.
Pages 210- |
2008 |
Microhabitat Structure of Winter Turkey Roosts in South Texas We located 18 Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia; RGWT) winter roost sites and 18 random sites at three study areas in Brooks and Kennedy Counties from December 2006 to February 2008. Our objective was to determine microhabitat structural characteristics of RGWT winter roosts that distinguished them from random locations in south Texas. At each roost, we measured tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), canopy cover, and tree density. Variables were tested for normality using a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Casey E. Phillips, William P. Kuvlesky, Jr., Stephen J. DeMaso, Leonard A. Brennan, David G. Hewitt, J. Alfonso Ortega-Santos
Pages 211- |
2008 |
Using Long-term Angler Education to Recruit Anglers and Develop Aquatic Stewards Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists evaluated the fishing activity and environmental attitudes of campers following participation in the Joe Budd Summer Fish Camp. The study's objectives were to determine if attending fish camp enhanced long-term fishing participation and awareness of and importance of protecting aquatic resources. Findings were based on a 19-question survey received from 260 (75.1%) campers who had participated in at least one week of camp from 2000 through 2006. Rae Waddell, Steven A. Marshall, Tony Fedler
Pages 212- |
2008 |
Texas Mussel Watch, a Citizen Science Volunteer Monitoring Program Freshwater mussels (family:Unionidae) play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. Approximately 53 unionid species exist in Texas and 38% of these species are thought to be highly imperiled. In 1998, Texas Mussel Watch (TMW), a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Texas Nature Trackers Program, first trained a group of 20 volunteers to help TPWD document the presence or absence of freshwater mussel species in the rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds of Texas. Marsha Elizabeth May, Lee Ann Linam
Pages 213- |
2008 |
The Toyota Texas Bass Classic: A New Paradigm for Professional Bass Fishing Tournaments The Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC) is a professional bass fishing tournament that promotes fishing and the conservation efforts of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). This unique bass tournament, created through a partnership among Gulf States Toyota, the Professional Anglers Association, and TPWD, showcases a new “catch-weigh-immediate release” format that differs from typical stage weigh-in practices. Two events held at Lake Fork, Texas, in 2007 and 2008 demonstrated the utility of the format on a fishery managed with a slot limit.
Pages 214- |
2008 |
Stream Fish Assemblages in an Urbanizing Watershed Carter Creek is a third-order stream located in the Navasota River drainage. It runs through urban and agricultural lands along the eastern edge of Bryan and College Station, Texas, and receives secondary treated wastewater at three locations. Fish samples were taken from five different sites in fall 2007 and three different sites in spring 2008 and compared based on the metrics used for an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). All fish caught were by the use of straight seines and bag seines. Caleb K. Carter, Stephen G. Curtis, Fran Gelwick
Pages 215- |
2008 |
Limited Genetic Divergence in Populations of the Sheepshead in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Two named subspecies of sheepshead exist in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (Archosargus probatocephalus probatocephalus and A. p. oviceps). These subspecies are morphologically distinctive; previously published data was used to demonstrate that frequency distributions of each of five meristic counts are significantly different between the subspecies (P < 0.05). However, genetic characteristics suggest limited divergence. Joel D. Anderson, William J. Karel
Pages 216- |
2008 |
Evaluation of Regulatory Protection of Seagrasses in the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area, Texas In May 2006, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department enacted a regulation which prohibits the uprooting of seagrasses by propellers within the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area (RBSSA) located in Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays, Texas. Two complementary studies were implemented to evaluate the efficacy of the new regulation and to quantify the magnitude of propeller scarring. Dennis Pridgen, Perry Trial, Faye Grubbs, Mark Fisher
Pages 217- |
2008 |
24-hour Monitoring of Boat Ramp Use The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's saltwater creel survey is conducted at boat-access sites from 1000 to 1800 hours. Fishing trips concluding outside of this time period are not intercepted. In particular, nighttime fishing trips concluding before 1000 hours are not intercepted, but these trips seasonally target specific fisheries, e.g., southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) in the fall, which may account for a significant portion of the total harvest.
Pages 218- |
2008 |
Characterization of Abandoned Crab Traps and Bycatch during the 2002-2007 Texas Crab Since the inception of Texas' Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program in 2002, volunteers and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff have removed 24,047 abandoned crab traps from the coastal waters of Texas. From 2002-2007 TPWD staff collected data from a minimum of 30 traps from each coastal ecosystem, recording numbers and species of organisms observed, trap condition, location, and presence of trap owner identification, escape rings, and degradable panels. A total of 1,703 traps were studied. Tom Wagner, Artussee D. Morris
Pages 219- |
2008 |
Fishery-independent Catch of Young-of-the-Year Red Snapper in the Texas Territorial Sea, Between 1985 and 2007, Texas Parks and Wildlife conducted a trawl survey in the Texas Territorial Sea, extending from the beach out to 16.7 km and within 24.1 km on either side of passes at Sabine Pass, Galveston, Matagorda, Aransas Pass, and Brazos-Santiago Pass, where sampling occurred in an area 48.2 km north from the Texas-Mexico border. All samples were within NMFS statistical zones 17-21. Random sample locations were stratified by Gulf area and 16 month-1 stratum-1 were collected (n = 21,353).
Pages 220- |
2008 |
Prevent Introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species-Threat Campaign America's boaters and anglers need to be fully engaged in the aquatic invasive species (AIS) issue. In the United States, there are 12.7 million boaters and 40 million anglers. If they are unaware of the AIS issue and do not know what to do, they pose great threats for the spread of harmful invasive fish, plants, and other organisms. While research shows they are part of the problem, the good news is they are willing to be part of the solution. Several studies show they are willing to take action with the understanding that our waters are too valuable to allow them to be invaded. Douglas H. Grann, Douglas A. Jensen, Nick Schmal
Pages 221- |
2008 |
By the early 1990s, boat propeller scars were causing significant damage to seagrass beds in Redfish Bay, Texas. Efforts initiated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to address the problem began in 2000 with the designation of Redfish Bay as a State Scientific Area (RBSSA). An education and outreach program was initiated and three voluntary no-prop zones were established. However, these efforts were largely unsuccessful. Karen Meador, Faye Grubbs, Jeremy Leitz
Pages 222- |
2008 |
Observed Effects of Temperature on Southern Flounder Recruitment in Texas Fishery-dependent and fishery-independent surveys indicate the southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) population along the Texas coast is declining. An analysis of water temperature indicates a negative correlation between flounder recruitment and winter temperatures. Years with warmer winter water temperatures result in low flounder recruitment, while years with cooler winter water temperatures yield higher recruitment. Fernando Martinez-Andrade, Mark R. Fisher
Pages 223- |
2008 |
An Assessment of Oyster Reef and Shoreline Habitat Use by Estuarine Finfish in East To assess the role of oyster reef as finfish habitat in Texas' estuarine systems, species abundance and diversity differences were compared between shoreline habitats and mid-water oyster reefs in East Matagorda Bay, Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife 183-m gill nets were deployed overnight for a 10-week period during both spring and fall at oyster reef habitat (one net per week) and shoreline habitats (two nets per week). Metrics used to evaluate each habitat type included abundance, diversity, length and gender. William Balboa, Dusty McDonald, Joshua Harper, Brenda Bowling, Mark Fisher
Pages 224- |
2008 |
Lake Conroe: A Case History of Integrated Plant Management for Hydrilla Control Lake Conroe has long been synonymous with controversial control of the exotic plant hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). Hydrilla was first identified in Lake Conroe in 1975, only two years after the reservoir was impounded. By the time it was identified in Lake Conroe hydrilla already occupied 190 ha. Subsequent surveys indicated hydrilla was spreading rapidly. By 1979, hydrilla had increased to over 1,821 ha in Lake Conroe and was causing significant problems for boaters, skiers, and swimmers.
Pages 225- |
2008 |
Lake Conroe Re-vegetation: A Cooperative Management Project Lake Conroe is located approximately 93 km north of Houston, Texas, on the west fork of the San Jacinto River in Montgomery and Walker counties. Constructed in 1973 as a joint project of the City of Houston, the Texas Water Development Board, and the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) to serve as an alternate water source for the City of Houston, the reservoir covers about 8,498 ha. An expanding problem with the invasive plant hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in 2006 prompted the creation of the Lake Conroe Vegetation Management Plan. Ron Gunter, Tim Cook, Mark A. Webb
Pages 226- |
2008 |
Evaluation of the Efficacy of an On-line Angler Diary Angler surveys along with other modern research techniques provide managers with information needed to justify regulations to protect resources, to increase resources through stocking and habitat improvement, and to justify access improvement. However, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) receives little or no information from anglers concerning their activities on the majority of public waters. An online angler diary (OAD) system could substantially increase the number of water bodies from which TPWD receives at least anecdotal angler information. John Taylor, Mark A. Webb, Dyanne Cortez, Stephanie Shelton, Nicole Pletka, Richard A. Ott, Jr.
Pages 227- |
2008 |
Genetic Structure of Striped Skunk Populations: Implications for Disease Transmission in an The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is widely distributed in North America and a common inhabitant of urban areas. Striped skunks represent a reservoir and vector for the transmission of diseases that pose a significant human health risk, including rabies and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Therefore, understanding population structure and movements among striped skunk populations will assist in the management of disease issues within urban landscapes. Jason A. Sumners, Randy W. DeYoung, Denise M. Ruffino, Scott E. Henke
Pages 228- |
2008 |
Supplemental Feed and Northern Bobwhites: Considerations and Costs Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations are continuing a 30-year downward population trend throughout their range. Managers use supplemental corn (Zea mays) and milo (Sorghum spp.), trying to reverse the decline of bobwhite populations; however, results are conflicting among the published literature. Supplemental feed can influence bobwhite survival, reproduction, and movements, but only in situations where nutrients are truly lacking. Andrew N. Tri, Leonard A. Brennan
Pages 229- |
2008 |
Long-term population declines and conservation concerns resulting from large scale habitat loss have brought into question the biological justification of fixed, liberal harvest regulations as they apply to new world quail (Odontophoridae). As available quail habitat declines, biologically justifiable and sustainable methods of harvest will become essential components of quail management. Joseph P. Sands, Stephen J. DeMaso, Fidel Hernandez, Leonard A. Brennan, Dale Rollins, Robert M. Perez
Pages 230- |
2008 |
Exotic Grass Impacts on Northern Bobwhite Habitat in South Texas There is growing concern about the impacts that exotic grasses may have on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and other grassland birds. Large areas of South Texas have been seeded to or have been invaded by several species of exotic grasses including Guinea grass (Urochloa maxima), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum), Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum), buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare), and Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana). Impacts of exotic grasses on northern bobwhite are largely unknown. Joseph P. Sands, Aaron D. Tjelmeland, Leonard A. Brennan, Timothy E. Fulbright, Fidel Hernandez, William P. Kuvlesky, Jr., James F. Gallagher, Donald C. Ruthven III
Pages 231- |
2008 |
Ecologically sound habitat management will be essential to reverse the current decline of grassland birds. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of two habitat management practices: (1) summer prescribed fire [SF], (2) a combined treatment of roller chopper, summer prescribed fire, and chemical application [CT], and (3) an open grassland [C] as “control” on wintering grassland-shrub bird community composition and abundance. Line transects of variable lengths were used to assess the bird community structure. E. Alejandro Lozano-Cavazos, Leonard A. Brennan, William P. Kuvlesky, Jr., Fidel Hernandez, Wade Harrell, Tim Anderson, Stephen J. DeMaso
Pages 232- |
2008 |
Field Camera Monitoring of White-tailed Deer Utilization of Corn Fields Grazed by Cattle To ascertain potential ecological and landowner benefits of non-conventional agricultural systems, this project was designed to monitor cattle production and wildlife utilization of land areas that allow grazing cattle to harvest corn planted with no-till methods. In 2005-2008, study sites were located in four Mississippi counties, including four steer/heifer-grazed and harvested corn fields (SHS) and four conventionally-managed and combine-harvested corn fields (CHS). Dawn H. Manning, Jeanne C. Jones
Pages 233- |
2008 |
Abundance of Wigeongrass during Winter and Use by Herbivorous Waterbirds in a Texas Aboveground vegetation of many species of submerged aquatic plants is an important food source for many species of waterbirds adapted to a diet high in fiber. Wigeongrass (Ruppia maritima), a submerged aquatic plant inhabiting estuarine wetlands, has been documented as an important winter food for waterbirds along the Texas Gulf Coast. Thus, we examined availability of wigeongrass at Mad Island Wildlife Management Area (MIWMA), Texas, by estimating aboveground biomass from October through January 1998-99 and 2001-02. Kevin M. Hartke, Kevin H. Kriegel, G. Matt Nelson, M. Todd Merendino
Pages 234- |
2008 |
The Fishes of Texas database compiled by the Texas Natural History Collection at the University of Texas at Austin consists of 65,876 freshwater records vouchered by specimens curated at 34 U.S., Mexican, and European collections, many unavailable online or in computerized format. An estimated 95% of all fish specimens ever collected in Texas since 1854 are represented, as are all known Texas freshwater species. All but 28 of Texas' 254 counties are represented in the 20,664 total localities, all now manually georeferenced. Dean A. Hendrickson, Adam E. Cohen, Laura Dugan, Ben Labay
Pages 235- |
2008 |
Evaluation of Methods for Establishing Native Aquatic Vegetation in Seven Texas Reservoirs Aquatic vegetation plays an important role in freshwater systems, providing quality habitat for fish, sequestering nutrients, stabilizing sediments, and improving water clarity. Because many Texas reservoirs are either sparsely vegetated or contain an overabundance of non-native species such as hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Inland Fisheries Division began a new initiative to develop procedures for establishing diverse native aquatic plant communities. Mark A. Webb, Richard A. Ott, Jr., Richard. M. Smart, Gary O. Dick
Pages 236- |
2008 |
Pages 242- |
2008 |
Survey Questionnaire Wording and Interpretation: Implications for Policymakers The ultimate success of natural resource decision-making depends upon knowledge gathered from several sources; e.g. biological data, institutional values and beliefs, and human dimensions information from affected constituents. Handfishing for catfish has been at the forefront of Missouri conservation since 2000. To determine the acceptability of handfishing to Missouri anglers we conducted a survey of licensed anglers in 2004. Ronald A. Reitz, Heather J. Scroggins, John H. Schulz
Pages 1-5 |
2007 |
Current Trends in Catfish Sampling Techniques and Information Needs Catfish managers and researchers were asked to participate in an online survey describing current information needs, sampling techniques, and known gear biases for projects during 2002-2006. One hundred eighty two responses were collected in a four-month period in early 2006. Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were the most targeted species, followed by flathead (Pylodictis olivaris) and blue (I. furcatus) catfish, respectively. A variety of methods were used to collect catfishes.
Pages 6-9 |
2007 |
Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is recognized as a widely distributed and valuable freshwater species, but few reports have described estuarine populations in coastal river systems. We conducted a two-year study to assess the age, growth, mortality, and fecundity of yellow perch in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina. Fish were collected (n = 2,674) in 2005 and 2006 (January-February) by trap from Yeopim River, Yeopim Creek, and Bethel Creek. Yellow perch ranged in age from 1-9 years, and the catch was dominated by age-2 fish (82.1%) in 2005 and age-3 fish (84.2%) in 2006. Eric E. Fitzpatrick, Anthony S. Overton
Pages 10-16 |
2007 |
The increasing importance of the walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery in the New River, Virginia, and recent research findings showing persistence of a presumptive native stock motivated a seven-year program of hatchery-based restoration of the native fishery. Candidate spawners were collected from spawning areas, and DNA from fin clips was genotyped at two microsatellite loci. Candidates exhibiting alleles at the Svi17 and Svi33 loci that characterize the presumptive native stock were spawned. Their young were reared at one of four fish hatcheries in Virginia and West Virginia. Brian R. Murphy, Daniel Dutton, Eric M. Hallerman, George C. Palmer, Joe Williams, Kathy Finne, Mark Scott, Nathan Johnson
Pages 17-22 |
2007 |
River herring (alewife [Alosa pseudoharengus] and blueback herring [A. aestivalis]) within the Albemarle Sound basin in North Carolina once supported large commercial fisheries that have declined dramatically since the 1970s. Overfishing, poor water quality, and habitat loss have been suggested as causes of this decline. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of water quality on the hatching success of blueback herring eggs in the Chowan River, a major tributary to Albemarle Sound. Christian T. Waters, Joseph E. Hightower
Pages 23-28 |
2007 |
We evaluated three low frequency electrofishing pulse rates (30, 15, and 7.5 pulses per second [pps]) for differences in relative abundance, size structure and species composition of catfish species in two north Florida rivers (Apalachicola and Suwannee). Three species of catfish were collected from each river: Apalachicola River-flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and blue catfish (I. furcatus); Suwannee River-spotted bullhead (Ameiurus serracanthus), channel catfish, and white catfish (I. catus). Richard L. Cailteux, P. Andrew Strickland
Pages 29-34 |
2007 |
Evaluation of a New Sediment Sampling Device A two-part sediment sampler (stationary base and removable trap) was designed for a long-term study of stream sedimentation associated with highway construction. Before the long-term study, a laboratory study in an experimental flume examined efficacies of our sampler and two other sediment samplers: a modified core sampler and Whitlock-Vibert boxes. Based on the flume experiment, the efficacy of our sediment sampler was consistent with that of core and Whitlock-Vibert samplers. Lara B. Hedrick, Stuart A. Welsh, James T. Anderson, James D. Hedrick
Pages 35-39 |
2007 |
Evidence of Stock-recruit Relationships for Appalachian Brook Trout Stock-recruit (SR) relationships have been reported for numerous stocks of trout and Pacific salmon, but despite the intuitive appeal, evidence of such relationships is lacking for brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The relationship between number of adults spawning in a stream and the subsequent number of young produced can be used by management to predict year class strength. Disruptions of SR relationships (for species that exhibit strong relationships) can be indicative of environmental perturbations or habitat impairment. Kyle J. Hartman, M. Beth Adams, Michael D. Owen, Mike Shingleton, Patrick D. Keyser
Pages 45-45 |
2007 |
Habitat Associations of Bats in South-central West Virginia We conducted acoustic surveys at National Park Service and state park properties in south-central West Virginia to create bat habitat association models across a large, topographically complex and relatively intact Appalachian Hardwood landscape representative of the Allegheny Plateau portion of the central Appalachians. We developed generalized and species-specific groups of a priori habitat association models to predict bat presence using various microhabitat and landscape features linked to body-size, wing morphology, food habits and echolocation call characteristics for seven species. Karl V. Miller, Michael R. Schirmacher, Steven B. Castleberry, W. Mark Ford
Pages 46-52 |
2007 |
Opinions and Preferences of Arkansas Deer Hunters Regarding Harvest Management State wildlife management agencies use harvest regulations to manage white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) herds at sustainable levels while providing recreational opportunities for sportspersons. State agencies face increasing challenges when managing white-tailed deer because hunter expectations and satisfaction levels vary. Changes in harvest regulations that may influence hunter expectations and satisfaction should be evaluated by state agencies considering alternative management strategies. Bret A. Collier, David G. Krementz
Pages 53-58 |
2007 |
Economic Impacts of White-tailed Deer Hunting in Mississippi We conducted a five-year study during the 2001-2005 hunting seasons to determine the economic impacts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunting in Mississippi. Activity days for state residents ranged from 2,390,619 to 3,181,957 and for non-residents, 265,103 to 357,253. Total economic impacts ranged from US $761 million to $1.03 billion (in 2007 dollars). Over the five years, number of full- and part-time jobs supported by deer hunting activities ranged from 26,489 to 37,888. Aggregated economic sectors benefiting the most were services, manufacturing, and trade. Stephen C. Grado, Kevin M. Hunt, Micah W. Whiteside
Pages 59-67 |
2007 |
As exurbia becomes more dominant in our landscape, the number of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in parklands surrounded by housing increases and creates new challenges in deer management. Traditional harvest regimes often are not possible in areas with heavy human use. Instead, many managers use controlled hunts to reduce deer abundance. We studied the efficacy of a two-day controlled shotgun hunt on Fair Hill Natural Resource Management Area, Cecil County, Maryland. Regina Ebersole, Jacob L. Bowman, Brian Eyler
Pages 68-75 |
2007 |
Quality deer management (QDM) advocates the protection of younger-age white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) bucks, but the subsequent survival of these animals remains unknown. We conducted a study to investigate the impact and importance of harvest and non-harvest mortality factors on adult male white-tailed deer in Mississippi on areas managed under QDM. We captured 408 deer and fitted 238 adult bucks with radio collars from February 1990 until January 1997. During the study, we documented 185 mortalities, which were used to estimate survival and cause-specific mortality rates. Jacob L. Bowman, Harry A. Jacobson, Daniel S. Coggin, James R. Heffelfinger, Bruce D. Leopold
Pages 76-81 |
2007 |
Population Characteristics of American Woodcock Wintering in Texas Despite recent stabilization in measured indices, American woodcock (Scolopax minor) populations have demonstrated long-term population declines since 1968 as measured by the Federal Singing-Ground and Wing-Collection surveys. We quantified long-trends in annual sex and age ratios, recruitment index, and changes in body mass of 3,022 woodcock harvested in eastern Texas during winters of 1977-78 through 2002-03. The mean juvenile:adult ratio was 0.58 and none of the annual values exceeded 1.0. This ratio declined significantly over time for females. David A. Haukos, R. Montague Whiting Jr., Loren M. Smith
Pages 82-88 |
2007 |
Efficacy of Spring Herbicide Applications for Fescue Control: A Comparison of Three Products The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was designed to remove highly erodible cropland from production. Although wildlife habitat benefits are an important component of CRP, millions of hectares of CRP do not produce optimal wildlife benefit because of poor cover crop choice. Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea; hereafter, fescue) was one of the most commonly planted grasses on CRP fields but provides relatively poor habitat for grassland birds such as northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Michael J. Chamberlain, L. Wes Burger Jr., Dave Godwin, Bobby Watkins
Pages 89-93 |
2007 |