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.
851 - 900 of 4522 articles | 50 per page | page 18
| Article | Year |
|---|---|
What Will We Do?—Inside the Mind of Unfished Harry and Mary Although fishing has been around for thousands of years, many people in today's civilized world have little concept of how or why to fish. For those of us in the industry, finding ways to answer the most basic questions about fishing and reduce or remove barriers to fishing has long since eluded us. Why go fishing? What makes fishing fun? Is fishing safe? How do I fish? Where do I fish? How much does it cost? What do I do with the fish when I catch it?
Pages 36-40 |
1997 |
The Role of the Media in Promoting the Angling Experience Angling media outlets join fishery management agencies, tourism promoters, and the fishing tackle industry in having a vested interest in maintaining or increasing angling participation. Media outlets, including print, television, videotape, radio, and the Internet, need an audience to buy their services, and the market is increasingly competitive.
Pages 41-47 |
1997 |
Marketing as a Management Tool at the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission Faced with declines in participation and license revenue, combined with increasing difficulty in securing general revenue funds, the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission leadership concluded that changes in the way the entire agency conducted itself appeared to be the only long term solution to the problem. Marketing principles were instituted agency-wide as a primary management tool. Marketing at the Commission would be a function everyone participated in, not just a promotional department.
Pages 48-52 |
1997 |
Marketing Strategies for the Fish and Wildlife Professional Biologists and administrators have been marketing hunting and fishing opportunities ever since the first person asked “How is the fishing?” or “Where can I hunt?” In today's technological world we tend to lose sight of the fact that anglers and hunters are our critical customers and they depend upon us to manage and market these opportunities. During recent discussions about Federal Aid to Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration outreach, the concept of marketing recreational hunting and fishing has been raised to a new level.
Pages 53-56 |
1997 |
Growing the Sport of Fishing: Time for a National Strategic Outreach Plan Everybody has an opinion why fishing license sales have declined from 1990-1995 and most are quick to identify the cause and offer recommendations on how to stimulate interest in sportfishing. Unfortunately, most of these views are based on limited local experience and narrow perspectives. The sportfishing community needs a national strategic outreach plan prepared by a cross-section of stakeholders. The plan should examine the trend of fishing license sales, reasons for angler desertion, projections, and opportunities for angler recruitment.
Pages 57-59 |
1997 |
Optimizing Saugeye Sampling Protocol Monthly electrofishing samples for saugeye (walleye x sauger hybrids; Stizostedion vitreum x S. canadense) were collected on 3 reservoirs during spring and fall, 1996. Sampling was stratified by day type (day and night) and habitat type (bass-cove and saugeye-main-lake shoreline and points). CPUE (N fish/hour) was calculated for 4 size classes and compared for each sampling stratum. Precision of the estimates was calculated and sampling recommendations made. Differences in seasonal catch rates were inconsistent among reservoirs and size classes.
Pages 60-71 |
1997 |
Comparison of Electrofishing and Hoop Nets for Collecting Blue Catfish in 2 South Texas Rivers Baited hoop nets and low-frequency DC electrofishing were compared to determine which method would provide numbers of blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) to sufficiently describe population characteristics using the least effort in 2 South Texas rivers. Catfish were collected with both gear types, July-August, 1995-1996. Electrofishing resulted in 11.4 fish/man-hour of effort, while hoop netting resulted in 0.1 fish/man-hour. Size of fish collected ranged from 42 to 865 mm with electrofishing and from 320 to 398 mm with hoop netting.
Pages 72-78 |
1997 |
Comparability of Channel Catfish Stock Descriptors Obtained from Different Hoop Net Configurations Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) stock characteristics of a small floodplain river were compared from samples collected in 1994-1996 from 3 different hoop configurations (large hoop net (LH): 4.3 long with 7 1.07-m diameter hoops and 3.81-cm bar mesh netting; small hoop net (SH): 1.3 m long with 4 0.51-m diameter hoops and 3.81-cm bar mesh netting; and small hoop net (SM): 1.3 m long with 4 .0.51-m diameter hoops and 2.54-cm bar mesh netting). Channel catfish were fully-recruited at 35cm total length (TL) in LH and SH configurations and 30 cm TL in the SM configuration. John R. Jackson, Donald C. Jackson
Pages 79-87 |
1997 |
Three hoop net configurations were fished simultaneously to compare catch efficacy for bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) and smallmouth buffalo (/. bubalus) in 3 tributaries of the Yazoo River, Mississippi. Nets were small standard (4.3 m long with 1.1-m diameter hoops and 3.8-cm bar mesh), small commercial (4.3 m long with 1.1-m diameter hoops and 7.6-cm bar mesh), and large commercial (5.0 m long with 1.5-m diameter hoops and 7.6-cm bar mesh) hoop nets. Large commercial nets are the principal gear of commercial, artisanal, and subsistence fishers exploiting the resource. Mark E. Stopha, Donald C. Jackson
Pages 88-94 |
1997 |
Fish Sampling Bias Associated with Stream Access We investigated the effect of sampling site access on estimates of fish abundance in 2 eastern Oklahoma streams. Centrarchid species were sampled by electrofishing at public and remote access sites on Baron Fork Creek in northeastern Oklahoma and Glover River in southeastern Oklahoma. We verified differences in recreational use and habitat between access types in both streams. Recreational use was generally higher at public than remote access areas in each stream. Public areas in Glover River had higher fish densities, were deeper, and had more instream cover than remote areas. Paul E. Balkenbush, William L. Fisher
Pages 95-105 |
1997 |
Channel Catfish Movements in Relation to River Channel-Floodplain Connections We conducted a study of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) movements in the Yockanookany River, Mississippi, a river subjected to a long-reach decoupling of the river channel from its respective floodplain. We collected 40 channel catfish and surgically implanted radio-transmitters. Fish were tracked during 2 periods—March-June 1994 and November 1994-June 1995. Most fish moved ≤5 km. During elevated flows, radio-tagged fish in the river moved to or remained in the river section coupled with the floodplain. Joseph E. Flotemersch, Donald C. Jackson, John R. Jackson
Pages 106-112 |
1997 |
Over-winter Movements of Adult Largemouth Bass in a North Carolina Reservoir Radio-telemetry was used to evaluate the movements of 11 adult largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) from November 1995 through May 1996. A significant offshore migration occurred during the day throughout much of the winter. Seasonally, fish shifted offshore during cold water temperatures; a significant inverse correlation existed between distance offshore and water temperature. During high water levels some fish moved inshore to use inundated terrestrial habitat, even at water temperatures as low as 6 C. Karle O. Woodward, Richard L. Noble
Pages 113-122 |
1997 |
Age, Growth, and Movement of 2 Morone Hybrids in the Apalachicola River System, Florida Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers were used to distinguish 2 Morone hybrid reciprocal crosses, palmetto bass (Morone saxatilis female x M. chrysops male) and sunshine bass (M. chrysops female x M. saxatilis male), in Lake Seminole and the Apalachicola River, Florida. Individual sunshine bass survived to age 6 and weighed up to 5.9 kg, representing the oldest and largest specimens of this hybrid cross collected from a wild natural system. Hybrids moved downstream >125 km, through 2 dams, to the Apalachicola River. Charles L. Mesing, Eric A. Long, Isaac I. Wirgin, Lorraine Maceda
Pages 123-134 |
1997 |
Reproductive and Feeding Characteristics of Threadfin Shad in a Puerto Rico Reservoir Although threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) have been widely introduced as forage fish, little is known about their natural history in tropical reservoirs. Gonadosomatic index (GSI) analysis of threadfin shad from Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico, indicated that most spawning occurred from January to June and again in October, but some spawning occurred year-round, except from mid-August to mid-September. Aging of sagittal otoliths indicated that total length (TL) increased with age (r2 = 0.36). Maximum length was 86 mm TL (N = 2,002) and maximum age was 141 days (N = 124). Vann F. Stancil, Richard L. Noble, Alexis R. Alicea
Pages 135-148 |
1997 |
Trophic Dynamics of Juvenile Largemouth Bass in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico The feeding dynamics of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were studied from March 1992 to December 1994 in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico. Early piscivory by juvenile bass was aided by constant, but qualitatively variable, availability of fish prey items including threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), mozambique tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), redbreast tilapia (T. rendalli), and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus). Threadfin shad was the primary food item for juvenile bass, supplemented by bluegills and tilapias when abundant. Alexis R. Alicea, Richard L. Noble, Timothy N. Churchill
Pages 149-158 |
1997 |
Invalidation of Otolith Ageing Techniques for Tropical Largemouth Bass The validity of otolith ageing in Puerto Rico was examined using known-age largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Lucchetti Reservoir. Age-0 largemouth bass were tagged with binary-coded wire microtags and stocked into the reservoir on 6 separate events between April 1992 and May 1996. Fish were collected throughout the study at ages 1-3 and otoliths and microtags were removed from tagged bass. Of 36 age-1 and older tagged bass recovered, 50% had no discernible otolith rings (read as age 0). J. Wesley Neal, Richard L. Noble, Alexis R. Alicea, Timothy N. Churchill
Pages 159-165 |
1997 |
Examination of Daily Angler Log Data from a Reservoir where a No-harvest Regulation Was in Effect Daily angler logs were used to obtain lengths of 696 angler-caught largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) during January-May 1993 from Farm 13 Reservoir, Florida (2,600 ha), where a no-harvest rule was in effect. Sixty-three percent of these fish were caught by 2 fishing guides (and their clients) and 37% were caught by 19 other parties of anglers that fished without a guide. Angler-caught largemouth bass ranged from 254 to 648 mm total length (TL) with modal peaks at 381- and 457-mm length groups. Wesley F. Porak, Steve Crawford, Dennis J. Renfro, Robert L. Eisenhauer
Pages 166-174 |
1997 |
Angler exploitation of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) on the Conway and Winter Park chains of lakes, was evaluated using reward tags. An estimated 57% and 56% of the largemouth bass in the Conway and Winter Park chains, respectively, were caught by anglers during a 1-year period from 1991 to 1992. Annual exploitation rates were adjusted for tagging mortality and tag loss by 13% and 50%, respectively, for small Hallprint dart tags and 18% and 7%, respectively, for large Hallprint dart tags. Angler non-reporting of tagged fish was assigned a value of 20% based on a previous study. Dennis J. Renfro, Wesley F. Porak, Steve Crawford
Pages 175-183 |
1997 |
Limited Entry in Recreational Fisheries-Has Its Time Come? The relation between catch and effort is examined in the context of recreational fisheries. The concept of limited entry as a means of increasing angler catch rates is developed, empirical data demonstrating the catch-effort relationship are presented and ramifications of limited entry in fisheries management are discussed. Limited entry may have a place in the future of freshwater fisheries management. Richard W. Luebke, Robert K. Betsill
Pages 184-191 |
1997 |
Comparison of Florida, Northern, and Intergrade Juvenile Largemouth Bass in a Virginia Reservoir Briery Creek Lake was stocked with both the Florida and northern subspecies of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus and M. s. salmoides, respectively) at a ratio of 3 Florida to 1 northern bass following impoundment in 1986. Progeny of these stockings in the 1989 and 1990 year classes were sampled in October as age-0 and again the following May and electrophoretically assayed to assign phenotypes for comparison of overwinter survival, first-year growth, and relative weight. Subspecies as well as intergrade (F1 and Fx) phenotypes were present in both year classes. Randall S. Hoover, John J. Ney, Eric M. Hallerman, William B. Kittrell, Jr.
Pages 192-198 |
1997 |
Sedimentation Impacts on Resident Rainbow Trout in a High-gradient Southern Appalachian Stream Changes in substrate and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) catch rates in Howard Creek, a southern Blue Ridge escarpment stream were evaluated before and during sedimentation resulting from construction of a pumped-storage hydroelectric project. As substrate quality declined from road and dam construction, both y-o-y and adult rainbow trout catch rates declined. The decline in y-o-y catch rates preceded the decline of adult catch rates. The substrate component best correlated (r= —0.96 and —0.88) with declining y-o-y and adult rainbow trout catch rates was the very fine sand fraction. S. D. Miller, D. H.Van Lear, A. R. Abernathy, D. H. Barwick, B. C. Dysart III, T. H.Wood
Pages 199-208 |
1997 |
Recovery of Fish Populations in Belews Lake Following Selenium Contamination Discharge of selenium (Se)-contaminated water into Belews Lake, North Carolina, resulted in a significant decline in fish diversity and biomass. However, fish populations in this cooling reservoir slowly recovered during a 10-year period from this contamination once Se inputs into the lake ceased. During this period, Se concentrations in skeletal muscle of fish declined, number of taxa increased from 7 to 22, and estimated fish biomass increased from 5.67 to 79.66 kg/ha. D. Hugh Barwick, R. Duane Harrell
Pages 209-216 |
1997 |
We used infrared-triggered cameras to estimate white-tailed deer population size. The camera estimate simplifies analysis of photographs obtained from these cameras and provides an estimate similar to that generated using the models with program CAPTURE. Four surveys of an enclosed property in northeastern Mississippi generated counts of 16, 31, 40, and 14 antlered white-tailed deer using the camera estimate at different camera densities and at different time periods. Scott C. Walock, Harry A. Jacobson, Jacob L. Bowman, Daniel S. Coggin
Pages 217-224 |
1997 |
Herbivore Response to Alternative Forest Management Practices We evaluated wildlife responses on a small-scale study to determine possible forest management alternatives for large-scale application on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Pellet-group counts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus elaphus), and eastern cottontails (Sylvilaqus floridanus), and cervid frequency of browse use were used to determine use of oak-pine sites subjected to an array of management prescriptions including timber harvest, prescribed fire, and traditional food plots. Ronald E. Masters, William D. Warde, Robert L. Lochmiller
Pages 225-237 |
1997 |
Predicting White-tailed Deer Carrying Capacity Using Grazeable Biomass and Tame Deer Density-dependent population models likely are inappropriate for whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) in southern Texas due to variable precipitation. We used a tame-deer technique to estimate carrying capacity and correlated results with precipitation and forage biomass. Carrying capacity estimates using digestible energy (DE) consumed by 12 deer were determined using 2 treatments (supplemented and non-supplemented) during 7 trials. Deer were placed in 14 0.33-ha randomly-located enclosures between May 1990 and May 1991. Mickey W. Hellickson, Charles A. De Young
Pages 238-249 |
1997 |
Plant Community Characteristics within an 18-year-old Deer Exclosure in Southern Mississippi We recorded plant community characteristics in an 18-year-old, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exclosure in the Lower Coastal Plain of Mississippi during summer 1996. The 0.4-ha exclosure was constructed in 1977 within upland pine (Pinus spp.) forest of the Leaf River Wildlife Management Area in Perry County, Mississippi. Surveys at the time of exclosure construction revealed that similar plant cover and species richness existed inside and outside of the exclosure. Surveys were conducted during 1996 along 8 37-m transects located inside and outside the exclosure. Jeanne C. Jones, Harry A. Jacobson, Dale H. Arner
Pages 250-258 |
1997 |
We describe a new, non-destructive procedure for visually estimating forage biomass based on volumetric cover. The accuracy of this procedure was tested against actual dry biomass by clipping and weighing 41 plots of wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). Visual estimates of forage biomass were significantly related (P ≤ 0.001) to actual biomass determine by clipping (r2 = 0.925; y = 16.36 + 2.52 X, where y = dry biomass and X = volumetric cover). We developed this procedure to apply 3 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) habitat suitability index (HSI) models to a suburban development. Joe N. Caudell, Robert J. Warren
Pages 259-268 |
1997 |
Food Habits of Coyotes in Northwestern Florida Recent declines in deer densities in some areas of Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, have prompted concerns regarding the impact of coyote (Canis latrans) predation. We determined the food habits of coyotes from analysis of 166 scats collected on Eglin AFB from November 1994 to October 1996. We compared the frequency of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) remains found in scats collected in high- and low-deer density areas during the deer fawning season to evaluate impacts of coyotes on white-tailed deer. Marty R. Stratman, Michael R. Pelton
Pages 269-275 |
1997 |
An Evaluation of Conditioned Taste Aversion to Deter Nest Predators: A Non-lethal Approach Traditionally, reducing game-bird nest depredation has involved lethal means of predator control. We evaluated a non-lethal alternative, conditioned taste aversion (CTA), in Tom Green County, Texas. Simulated nests were constructed and baited with 3 eggs injected with lithium chloride, an aversive chemical. Simulated nests were constructed along the perimeter of a 40-ha pasture. A 21-day treatment phase was conducted with depredated nests being rebaited daily with treated eggs. Fidel Hernandez, Dale Rollins, Ruben Cantu
Pages 276-284 |
1997 |
Diets, Nutrition, and Reproduction of Feral Hogs on Cumberland Island, Georgia Detailed knowledge of a species' biology and ecology is required before sitespecific management programs can be implemented. Therefore, we examined seasonal changes in food habits, nutritional status, and reproduction in a sample of 54 feral hogs (Sits scrofa) collected over a 2-year period from Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia. Seasonal variations in food habits probably were related to changes in food availability. Differences in seasonal rainfall patterns between years appeared to be related to dietary changes. Robert J. Warren, Charles R. Ford
Pages 285-296 |
1997 |
Utility of National Wetlands Inventory Data for Black Bear Habitat Assessment in Coastal Louisiana Existing landcover maps offer an inexpensive opportunity to conduct largescale habitat assessments for black bears (Ursus americanus), but because cover classes used in these maps may have been developed without consideration for bears, inferring bear food and cover distribution from these maps may be difficult. We evaluated the information content of a habitat map that we constructed using National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) data for a composite home range of 21 radio-tagged adult black bears in coastal Louisiana. Philip D. Nyland, Richard M. Pace, III
Pages 297-310 |
1997 |
Evaluation and Use of Precast Wildlife Crossings by Florida Wildlife We studied use of a new, less expensive design of wildlife crossing to determine the acceptance of the structure by wildlife. We documented wildlife use of 2 precast concrete wildlife crossings from 27 March 1995 to 30 June 1996 on State Road (SR) 29 in southwest Florida. Two additional crossings of a different design were monitored on Interstate (I)-75 for comparison. Over 1,000 photographs were taken of >20 species of wildlife, domestic animals, and humans using those 4 wildlife crossings. Mark A. Lotz, E. Darrell Land, Kenneth G. Johnson
Pages 311-318 |
1997 |
Evaluation of a Mallard HSI Model for the Lower Mississippi Valley We evaluated a habitat suitability (HSI) model developed for mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) wintering in the Lower Mississippi Valley by comparing mallard densities obtained from aerial surveys with habitat suitability indices derived from satellite imagery for 25, 256-km2 sampling units. Regression models that related mallard densities to habitat suitability indices accounted for only 29% of the variability in the data and the 95% confidence interval of predicted mallard densities included zero for most habitat suitability indices evaluated. Daniel J.Twedt, Michael W. Brown, James R. Nassar
Pages 319-328 |
1997 |
Reproductive Effort and Success of Northern Bobwhite in Mississippi An understanding of the mechanisms by which northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations respond to old-field habitat management is important to evaluate efficacy of these practices. We examined reproductive strategies and success of 114 radio-marked bobwhite on a managed wildlife area in east-central Mississippi during 1994—1996. Fifteen female and 5 male bobwhite incubated 23 nests. Male-incubated nests, female-incubated first nests, and female-incubated renests contributed 21.7%, 65.2%, and 13.0% to total nesting effort, respectively. Jimmy D.Taylor II, Loren W. Burger, Jr.
Pages 329-341 |
1997 |
Recovery Rates of Banded vs. Radiomarked Northern Bobwhites in Western Oklahoma We estimated interval (Dec-Feb) recovery and survival rates of marked northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) to determine effects of radiomarking and supplemental feeding on the Packsaddle Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in western Oklahoma from 1991 to 1996. We also estimated unretrieved harvest (crippling loss) reported by hunters and compared it to unretrieved harvest of radiomarked bobwhites to determined accuracy of hunter information. We banded 308 and radiomarked 296 bobwhites. Interval survival and recovery rates were estimated using the computer program MARK. Edward S. Parry, Stephen J. DeMaso, Scott A. Cox, Alan D. Peoples
Pages 342-351 |
1997 |
Factors Affecting Gobbling Activity of Wild Turkeys in Central Mississippi Call counts for a number of gamebirds (e.g., northern bobwhite [Colinus virginianus] and wild turkey [Meleagris gallopavo]) have been used to index population levels and trends and to document species presence or absence. Call counts for wild turkeys have been used for these purposes, but gobbling activity has not been related quantitatively to population size, reproduction, weather, male age structure, or hunting variables. Darren A. Miller, George A. Hurst, Bruce D. Leopold
Pages 352-361 |
1997 |
Research Priorities for Monitoring Wild Turkeys Using Cameras and Infrared Sensors A persistent shortcoming of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) management programs is the inconsistency in survey techniques. One approach to standardize turkey population monitoring is to use cameras and infrared sensors. The 7 primary assumptions associated with using cameras and infrared sensors to monitor turkey populations can be grouped into those pertaining to baiting and those associated with sampling design. David T. Cobb, Richard S. Fuller, Donald L. Francis, Gary L. Sprandel
Pages 362-372 |
1997 |
Calculating Probability of Site Use, Study Area Size, and Density of Wild Turkey Hens Most researchers arbitrarily delineate study areas even though a quantitative estimate of study area size can be generated from capture and subsequent locations of radio-equipped animals. Arbitrary delineation may result in biased estimates of density. Density is often determined with capture-mark-recapture designs that do not include locational data from radio-equipped animals. We used logistic regression to determine probability of recapture of radio-equipped wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) hens based on pre-sample distances from bait sites for hens using and not using baited sites. Mike Weinstein, George A. Hurst, Bruce D. Leopold
Pages 373-380 |
1997 |
Eastern Wild Turkey Gobbler Harvest and Physical Characteristics in Southeastern Louisiana To gain a better understanding of the roles of public and private hunting areas in the harvest dynamics of an eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopava var. sylvestris) population, we conducted a banding study in southeastern Louisiana from 1989-1997. Physical measurements were collected on birds at capture and harvest. During spring gobbler seasons, 137 of 199 banded gobblers were recovered through hunting. Norman J. Stafford, III, Richard M. Pace, III, Michael W. Olinde
Pages 381-388 |
1997 |
Quality Deer Management at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant: A Unique Approach Quality management for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is becoming increasingly popular in the southeastern United States, yet surprisingly little information has been published that describes quality or trophy management strategies in detail. The quality deer program at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant (McAAP) is unique because it maintains high hunter opportunity while producing high-quality white-tailed deer. Several strategies have been incorporated into the management program to help maintain its unique characteristics. Stephen S. Ditchkoff, Edgar R. Welch, Jr., William R. Starry, William C. Dinkines, Ronald E. Masters, Robert L. Lochmiller
Pages 389-399 |
1997 |
We compared antler characteristics and body mass at 4.5 years of age (adult) of 140 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reared in a captive herd at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (Hunt, Texas) from 1973 to 1990. Each yearling (1.5 years old) was classified as spike- (N = 43) or fork-antlered (N = 97), and its live body mass recorded. Fork-antlered yearlings were further partitioned into 3-5 points (N = 33) and ≥6 points (N = 64) subclasses based on the number of antler points ≥2.54 cm in length. James R. Ott, Scott A. Roberts, John T. Baccus, Donnie E. Harmel, William E. Armstrong, Eugene Fuchs
Pages 400-413 |
1997 |
Seasonal Home Ranges of Wild Turkeys in Central Mississippi Home range size is an important component of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) ecology. We estimated 95% convex polygon home ranges for gobblers and hens within biological seasons in central Mississippi. Mean home range size of gobblers (N = 97) varied from 607.1 ha (subadults during spring) to 809.9 ha (subadults during fall/winter). Mean home range size of hens (N = 127) varied from 97.2 ha (early brood) to 541.9 ha (fall/winter). Male home range size did not differ among seasons (P >0.05). Darren A. Miller, Bruce D. Leopold, George A. Hurst
Pages 414-425 |
1997 |
Characteristics and Attitudes of Wild Turkey Hunters in Mississippi Wildlife management is the interaction of wildlife populations, habitats, and people. The eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is an important wildlife resource. However, quantitative data on the human dimensions of wild turkey management are scarce. Therefore, we surveyed 2,143 Mississippi turkey hunters by mail to determine characteristics of this group, examine attitudes towards regulations and management issues, and determine how hunter characteristics influenced attitudes. We received responses from 1,524 participants (71.1%). K. David Godwin, Ron S. Seiss, Catherine C. Shropshire, Darren A. Miller, George A. Hurst, Bruce D. Leopold
Pages 426-437 |
1997 |
Economic Impact and Associated Values of the Wild Turkey in Mississippi The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) has ecological, aesthetic, recreational, and economic values. Gross expenditures of hunters have been used to estimate economic value of game species. We examined the economic impact and associated values of the wild turkey in Mississippi. Expenditures of wild turkey hunters were obtained from a mail survey (N = 2,143, 69.6% response to economic section) and were used in an input-output model to determine economic impacts for the state. There were 39,775 hunters engaged in 334,856 activity-days in 1993. Stephen C. Grado, George A. Hurst, K. David Godwin
Pages 438-448 |
1997 |
Nest-site Characteristics of Relocated Eastern Wild Turkeys in Texas Past research suggests nesting habitat limits survival and growth of some eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) populations. However, information on nest-site selection is primarily on established populations with limited data on restocked birds. Our objectives were to assess nest-site characteristics of relocated birds and determine causes of nest failure in the Post Oak Savannah of eastern Texas. Radio-tagged wild turkey hens (N = 48) were relocated to 4 areas in winter 1994. Roel R. Lopez, Charles K. Feuerbacher, Mitchell A. Sternberg, Jeffery W. Gainey, Nova J. Silvy, John D. Burk
Pages 449-456 |
1997 |
Habitat Use by Eastern Wild Turkey Broods in Tennessee Habitat use of eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) broods (1993: N= 7; 1994: N = 9) in western Tennessee were monitored for up to 2 months following hatching to determine preferred habitats during this critical period. Based on availability within their home ranges, hens and their broods selected bottomland hardwoods over other habitat types during weeks 1-4 (P < 0.001). Older broods (4-6 weeks) selected upland hardwood, upland pine, bottomland hardwood, and open habitats in that order over other habitat types (P < 0.001). Michael W. Williams, Daniel B. Gibbs, Thomas H. Roberts, Daniel L. Combs
Pages 457-466 |
1997 |
Attributes of Least Tern Colonies along the Arkansas River, Oklahoma We investigated attributes of 5 colony sites of endangered least terns (Sterna antillarum athalassos) nesting on the Arkansas River from Tulsa to Muskogee, Oklahoma, in 1992 and 1993. We tested hypotheses that least terns selected areas to nest with the lowest amount and height of vegetation and nested near driftwood or similar debris. River flows prior to the nesting season in May 1993 scoured all sandbars, removing vegetation and increasing abundance of driftwood. Attributes of colony sites of nesting least terns varied substantially from one location to another. David M. Leslie, Jr., G. Keith Wood, Tracy S. Carter
Pages 467-475 |
1997 |
Validation of the Great Blue Heron HSI Model Reproductive Index for the Southcentral Great Plains We field-tested the Reproductive Index (RI) of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model in the southcentral Great Plains with the aid of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. From January 1993 through May 1994, populations of great blue herons in 18 rookeries located throughout Oklahoma were monitored, and GIS was used to evaluate data on rookery habitat structure and surrounding landscape features. Eighteen rookeries were classified as potential nest sites and RI ratings were determined for each rookery according to model criteria. Bruce A. Corley, William L. Fisher, David ML Leslie, Jr
Pages 476-488 |
1997 |
Pipeline Construction Impact on Coastal Marsh Vegetation and Soils Vegetation and soils were sampled 1 month prior to and 1 year after a pipeline was constructed in a Texas coastal marsh. Submerged aquatic (SAV) and emergent vegetation (EV) were sampled to detect changes in taxa frequencies and percent cover within 3 pipeline corridor treatments (soil deposit/borrow, pipeline ditch, construction equipment) and a control. Taxon richness was not significantly altered by pipeline construction within EV plots. However, pipeline construction decreased total vegetative coverage of EV plots within all 3 pipeline treatments. Len G. Polasek, Richard W. Griffin
Pages 489-500 |
1997 |
The Effect of Habitat Patch Size on Small Mammal Populations Habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of biodiversity and has 3 components: habitat loss, patch isolation, and patch size. We tested the effects of forest-clearing size on small mammal populations in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. These clearings act as islands for many species of small mammals, particularly old-field mice (Peromyscus polionotus) and cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus). Mark D.Yates, Susan C. Loeb, David C. Guynn, Jr.
Pages 501-510 |
1997 |