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.

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Article Year

The White-tailed Deer Population on Stennis Space Center, a Growing Problem

NASA's Stennis Space Center (SSC) is located in Hancock County in southwestern Mississippi, east of the Pearl River and just north of interstate highway I-10. SSC is a space shuttle booster rocket testing and research base comprised of 6,462 ha acres with about 3,823 ha designated as controlled access areas for test facilities, laboratories, offices, and other operational facilities. The remaining 2,639 ha are primarily forested land within the large acoustical easement area that surrounds the rocket booster testing facility.

Jarrod H. Fogarty, Jeanne C. Jones, Tyler S. Harris, Jon D. Prevost

Pages 144-

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2007

A. Willis Robertson Electronic Wildlife Library Project

A. Willis Robertson was a pioneer in the politics and administration of fish and wildlife resources in the United States. In 1926, Robertson, a lawyer and sportsman from Lexington, Virginia, took over the reins of the then 10-year-old Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Robertson quickly moved to the national stage working with other wildlife professionals including Aldo Leopold. In 1933, Robertson was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and eventually co-sponsored landmark legislation that changed the face of fish and wildlife management in the United States.

Virginia Shepherd, Jefferson Waldon, Scott Klopfer, Michael Fies

Pages 145-

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2007

Spatial Characteristics of Black Bear and of Bear Hunters in Garrett County, Maryland

We used GPS technology to examine spatial relations of black bear hunters and black bears (Ursus americanus) in Garrett County, Maryland. During the 2005 hunting season, we equipped 35 hunters and 4 adult female black bears with GPS transmitters to track their movements. We compared the following spatial variables relative to both bear and hunter movements: road corridors, riparian corridors, slope, and habitat type. Hunters used a variety of habitats, with mixed forests and wetlands used in greater proportions than expected.

Edward Arrow, John Edwards, Harry Spiker

Pages 146-

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2007

Mammalian Herbivory of Seedlings Planted for Hardwood Reforestation in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley

The Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) has undergone widespread loss of bottomland hardwood forests due to agricultural conversion. Hardwood establishment on marginal croplands has been proposed to mitigate effects of deforestation and related loss of carbon-capture potential. These reforestation areas can provide important wildlife habitat in agriculture-dominated landscapes; however, concern with reforestation is low seedling survival due to herbivory and vegetation competition.

Tyler S. Harris, Jeanne C. Jones, Katherine E. Edwards

Pages 147-

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2007

Plant Communities and Prairie Plant Augmentation in Restored and Remnant Blackland Prairies of Mississippi

The Black Belt Region of Mississippi and Alabama is the largest blackland prairie in the southeastern United States. Large, contiguous tallgrass prairies are now extremely scarce over their historic range, with <1% of the original prairie area remaining in Mississippi. Currently, restoration of warm season grasslands is a primary conservation focus on private and public lands in Mississippi. However, limited information exists on comparisons between restored warm season grasslands and remnant, intact prairies.

Andrew C. Dailey, Jeanne C. Jones, Sam Riffell

Pages 148-

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2007

Camera-trapping Carnivores: Trap Success Across Species and Habitat Selectivity of Carnivores on Salt Pond Mountain, Virginia

To determine habitat selection of selected carnivores, we set up 15 remotely-triggered infrared camera stations across a 30-km2 section of the Mountain Lake Biological Station in Southwest Virginia. To maintain independence, a distance of 1 km was kept between each station. We monitored the camera stations for 942 trap nights. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) had the greatest trap success (3.03%) followed by black bear (Ursus americanus; 2.23%), coyote (Canis latrans; 1.09%), bobcat (Lynx rufus; 0.67%), and gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; 0.00%).

Edward B. Owens, Marcella J. Kelly

Pages 149-

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2007

Use of Habitat and Landowner Suitability Models as Tools for Selecting Large-scale Quail Habitat Restoration Areas on Private Land in Missouri

In response to dwindling populations of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Initiative and the Missouri Department of Conservation's Strategic Guidance for Northern Bobwhite Restoration are guiding habitat restoration efforts in Missouri. Success of these programs is dependent on restoration of habitat on large tracts of private land. Efficacious selection of restoration areas requires a foundation of ecological and sociological information.

Thomas V. Dailey, Ronald A. Reitz, Craig D. Scroggins, Heather J. Scroggins, Thomas B. Treiman, Robert A. Pierce II, William B. Kurtz

Pages 150-

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2007

Opinions of North Carolina Hunters Regarding Hunting on Sunday

In 2005, the North Carolina General Assembly and the governor requested that the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) study issues related to hunting on Sunday in North Carolina. Of particular interest were the views held by stakeholders on the issue and the potential impact Sunday hunting might have on hunter recruitment and retention. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 2,400 randomly-selected licensed resident hunters to assess their views and opinions and to estimate potential impacts on hunting participation. The response rate was 41.6%.

M.K. Hooper, S.L. McMullin, J.A. Parkhurst

Pages 151-

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2007

Predictive Modeling of Freshwater Mussel Distributions in the Appalachians

The eastern United States contains the greatest diversity and the most imperiled species of freshwater mussels in the world. Conservation efforts are underway, yet little information is available on current and historical distributions for most species. Current knowledge of freshwater mussel species distributions is limited to data available from museum collections, small-scale studies, and Natural Heritage surveys. The accuracy and precision of these data vary considerably.

Alison R. Mynsberge, Jacquelyn M. Strager, Michael P. Strager, Patricia M. Mazik

Pages 152-

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2007

Quantifying the Value of a Nursery Habitat Using the Spotted Seatrout in an Estuarine System

Nursery habitats such as seagrass beds are important for the health and sustainability of many fisheries. In fact, seagrass beds are considered to be essential nursery habitats and as a part of the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) of 1996 it was mandated that these areas be protected. To designate an area as an essential fish habitat two main criteria must be met, 1) greater numbers of fish produced per area and 2) greater survival of juvenile fish to adulthood.

Stacy Beharry, Cynthia Jones

Pages 153-

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2007

Establishing Regional Restoration Priorities for Brook Trout Populations Based on Reach and Subwatershed-Scale Connectivity

The Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV) was formed to implement range-wide strategies that sustain healthy, fishable brook trout populations across the entire range of the eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). In order to accomplish the goals of the EBTJV in West Virginia we set out to accomplish the following objectives: to assess brook trout populations where current data is lacking and to set restoration priorities for stream reaches within this area based on both reach and subwatershed scale connectivity.

Jason Clingerman, J. Todd Petty, Patricia M. Mazik

Pages 154-

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2007

Temporal Variation in Trace Element Chemistry of Fish Otoliths: Implications for Identifying Natal Origins in River Systems

Otolith chemistry has demonstrated potential for identifying natal origins and tracing dispersal in fisheries across a variety of habitats. Our objective was to assess inter-annual and intra-annual (specifically, within the spawning season) variation of trace element signatures distinguishing different rivers. Our study site was the Upper James River and its tributary the Maury River in western Virginia. We collected smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) fry from various locations along the length of the Maury River and also from the James within 10 km of their confluence.

Brett M. Carpenter, Brant M. Priest, Robert Humston

Pages 155-

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2007

Length-weight, Age, and Growth of Sheepshead in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)are an estuarine/marine member of the porgy family that have long supported large recreational fisheries along the southeastern coast of the United States with a recently expanding recreational fishery in Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Due to this expansion into Bay waters, fisheries managers need to develop a management plan for this species. However, before any management plan can be developed, a comprehensive understanding of the age structure and growth rates of fish in the population is needed.

Joseph C. Ballenger, Hongsheng Liao, Cynthia Jones

Pages 156-

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2007

An Update on West Virginia Fish Distributions

During the past five years, we synthesized and compiled data on historic and recent fish collections in West Virginia into a georeferenced database. The West Virginia fish database will be used to produce a spatial and temporal atlas of fish distributions and currently includes over 9,000 site records from fish collections during 1853 to 2005. Species distribution data will be depicted by time periods, reflecting the substantial contributions and efforts of Ebenezer Andrews, Spencer Baird, Charles Bollman, William Hay, E.L. Goldsborough, Carl Hubbs, and Laura Hubbs, Milton Trautman, A.H.

Dan A. Cincotta, Stuart A. Welsh

Pages 157-

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2007

Pathogens Associated with Native and Exotic Trout Populations in Shenandoah National Park and the Relationships to Fish Stocking Practices

Threats to native fish populations from practices such as fish stocking and from invasive and non-native species and their associated disease concerns are important natural resource management issues in National Parks. Prohibitive or restrictive fish stocking policies in National Parks were developed as early as 1936 in order to preserve native fish assemblages and genetic diversity. Despite recent efforts to understand the effects of non-native or exotic fish introductions, park managers have limited information regarding the effects of these introductions on native fish communities.

Frank M. Panek, James Atkinson, John Coll

Pages 158-

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2007

Guide to Authors

Pages 164-167

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2007

Bat Community Structure and Activity in Longleaf and Loblolly Pine Forests of Southwest Georgia

The area of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forests have declined whereas intensive pine (Pinus spp.) silviculture has increased on the southeastern landscape. Because effects of differing pine management scenarios on bat community structure and activity are largely unknown, we used mist nets and acoustic surveys to examine these factors on mature longleaf pine and intensively managed loblolly pine (P. taeda) landscapes in southwestern Georgia.

Adam C. Miles, Darren A. Miller, Steven B. Castleberry, L. Mike Conner

Pages 1-7

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2006

Bird Communities on Conservation Buffers and Mowed Field Edges of Two Agricultural Land Bases in Mississippi

We conducted a 13-year study to determine bird species richness and abundance in field edges maintained in conservation buffers and mowed field edges on two agricultural experiment stations in Mississippi. Both experiment stations were intensively managed for agricultural row crop and dairy production with field edges managed with frequent mowing and herbicide application.

Dale H. Arner, Dave Godwin, Jarrod H. Fogarty, Jeanne C. Jones, Jimmy D. Taylor

Pages 8-14

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2006

Comparison of Anuran Call Survey Durations in Tennessee Wetlands

Anuran breeding call surveys are widely used to document species richness and relative abundance. Call survey protocols used by the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program are five minutes in duration. However, recent studies have suggested that 5-minute call surveys may not be long enough to accurately estimate species richness or relative abundance. Therefore, we tested whether anuran species richness and relative abundance differed between 5- and 10-minute breeding call surveys.

Elizabeth C. Burton, Matthew J. Gray, A. Chandler Schmutzer

Pages 15-18

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2006

Home Ranges of the Endangered Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel

A cluster of small populations of the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus) was discovered 1989 along the scenic Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina, in northern hardwood and mixed hardwood-hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) habitats not previously known to support this subspecies. I examined home range of this subspecies from September 1994-March 1996. Based on the Minimum Convex Polygon method, mean annual home range size was 13.9 ha (N = 7), mean summer home range size was 8.3 ha (N = 6), and mean winter home range was 12.5 ha (N = 4).

Ronald S. Hughes

Pages 19-24

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2006

Forecasting Models for Harvest of River Otter in Louisiana

Although thousands of river otters (Lontra canadensis) are harvested every year in Louisiana, no formal management plan exists for the species. As a first step toward development of such a plan, we described general trends and associations between number of otters harvested and pelt price and number of licensed trappers during 1957-2004. We also applied time series analysis to develop forecasting models for river otters harvested. Although number of otters harvested was stationary, trends were detected in number of licensed trappers and pelt price.

Daniel G. Scognamillo, Michael J. Chamberlain

Pages 25-32

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2006

Attraction of Mourning Doves to Spinning-wing Decoys in Tennessee

Some indices indicate nationwide declines in mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) populations, making harvest data important for management. Our goal was assessment of attraction of mourning doves to spinning-wing decoys (SWDs). We simulated dove hunting scenarios in Putnam County, Tennessee, during October 2005 using battery-operated SWDs with traditional decoy setups. We measured and compared number of doves approaching within 40 and 200 m with SWD active and inactive. A greater number of doves approached within 40 m and 200 m with SWD active than with SWD inactive.

Scott E. Simmons, J. Mark Vance, Steven E. Hayslette

Pages 33-35

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2006

Rio Grande Wild Turkey Home Ranges in the Southern Great Plains

Previous studies on wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) home ranges have concentrated on the eastern subspecies (M. g. silvestris). Our objectives were to estimate spring-summer period (1 April-31 August) and annual home ranges of Rio Grande wild turkeys (M. g. intermedia) and compare them across study sites, age (adult, juvenile) and sex. From 2000−2004, we recorded 44,526 telemetry locations from 1,253 radiotagged Rio Grande wild turkeys on four study sites in the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas.

Galon I. Hall, Matthew J. Butler, Mark C. Wallace, Warren B. Ballard, Donald C. Ruthven, Rachael L. Houchin, Ross T. Huffman, Richard S. Phillips, Roger D. Applegate

Pages 36-42

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2006

Willingness to Pay for Fall and Spring Turkey Hunting Permits in Mississippi

As hunting participation decreases in the United States, wildlife agencies may consider increasing license fees or creating additional ones to sustain their programs. We assessed Willingness to Pay (WTP) for fall and spring eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) hunting permits in Mississippi using the Contingent Valuation Method. Hunters were willing to pay more for a spring hunting permit than for a fall hunting permit and demand for spring hunting permits was also higher. Median WTP for fall and spring turkey hunting permits was US$11.00 and $36.25, respectively.

Kevin D. Brunke, Kevin M. Hunt, Stephen C. Grado, Edith M. Parks

Pages 43-48

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2006

Land Valuation Increases from Recreational Opportunity: A Study of Mississippi Rural Land Sales

We conducted a survey to evaluate sales values of private rural lands (N = 100; 13,559 ha) that were purchased for recreational uses in Mississippi from 2002-2005. Most (70%) land parcels were located near or in the Mississippi River Delta region with dominant cover types of forest (52%) or agricultural crops (43%). Important recreational uses included hunting, off road vehicles access, horseback riding, wildlife watching, ecotourism, and fishing.

W. Daryl Jones, J. Kirk Ring, Jeanne C. Jones, Keith Watson, David W. Parvin, Ian Munn

Pages 49-53

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2006

Effect of Roads and Traffic on Deer Movements in a Georgia Park

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.

Charles H. Killmaster, David A. Osborn, Robert J. Warren, Karl V. Miller

Pages 54-58

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2006

Post-recruitment Survival of White-tailed Deer Fawns in Southern Illinois

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).

John H. Rohm, Clayton K. Nielsen, Eric M. Schauber, Alan Woolf

Pages 59-63

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2006

Effects of Two Site Preparation Techniques on Biomass of

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.

Michael J. Chamberlain, Darren A. Miller

Pages 64-69

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2006

Mississippi Deer Management Assistance Program Cooperators’ Satisfaction with and Attitudes toward Program Success and Service Quality

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.

Kevin M. Hunt, Kevin D. Brunke, Sharon D. Fuller, Bill Lunceford, Larry Castle

Pages 70-76

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2006

A Modified Approach to Rocket Netting White-tailed Deer using a Remote Video System

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.

Gregory K. Batts, Nelson W. Lafon, Marcella J. Kelly, Michael R. Vaughan

Pages 77-82

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2006

Accuracy of the Camera Technique for Estimating White-tailed Deer Population Characteristics

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.

William T. McKinley, Stephen Demarais, Kenneth L. Gee, Harry A. Jacobson

Pages 83-88

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2006

A Quantitative Evaluation of the Severinghaus Technique for Estimating Age of White-tailed Deer

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.

Jeremy M. Meares, Brian P. Murphy, Charles R. Ruth, David A. Osborn, Robert J. Warren, Karl V. Miller

Pages 89-93

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2006

Managing Black Bears on a Public Game Land in North Carolina: Are the Desires of Hunters Compatible with Unrestricted Public Hunting?

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%).

Dain Palmer, David T. Cobb, Sarah Cross, Mark D. Jones

Pages 94-100

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2006

Largemouth Bass Population Trends in Two Texas Reservoirs with LMBV-attributed Die-offs

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.

Timothy J. Bister, Randall A. Myers, M. Todd Driscoll, David R. Terre

Pages 101-105

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2006

Comparison of Relative Contribution, Growth, and Vulnerability to Angling of Triploid Florida Largemouth Bass and Diploid Northern Largemouth Bass Stocked in a Newly-renovated Reservoir

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.

Bobby W. Farquhar

Pages 106-111

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2006

Creel Survey of North Carolina's Hatchery-supported Trout Fisheries

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.

Douglas A. Besler, James C. Borawa, David L. Yow

Pages 112-117

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2006

Effects of Post-stocking Flows on Striped and Hybrid Striped Bass Recruitment in the Ohio River

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.

Douglas T. Henley

Pages 118-124

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2006

Genetic Distinct Walleye Stocks in Claytor Lake and the Upper New River, Virginia

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.

George C. Palmer, Melanie Culver, Daniel Dutton, Brian R. Murphy, Eric M. Hallerman, Neil Billington, Joe Williams

Pages 125-131

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2006

Geologic Analyses for Evaluating Watershed Heterogeneity: Implications for Otolith Chemistry Studies

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).

Robert Humston, David Harbor

Pages 132-139

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2006

Zoonotic Fish Disease and Adaptive Fishery Management: Considerations for Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) from the Chesapeake Bay

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.

Frank M. Panek, Tanya Bobo

Pages 140-144

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2006

Examining the Relationship between Species Preference and Catfish Angler Demographics, Angling Behavior, and Management Opinions

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.

Ronald A. Reitz, Vincent H. Travnichek

Pages 145-151

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2006

Abundance, Growth, and Mortality of Selected Oklahoma Blue Catfish Populations: Implications for Management of Trophy Fisheries

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.

Jeff Boxrucker, Kurt Kuklinski

Pages 152-156

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2006

Can Biotelemetry Information Improve Trap-net Catch Rates of Adult White Crappie?

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.

C. Craig Bonds, J. Warren Schlechte

Pages 157-164

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2006

Hybridization of Two Darter Species Native to Central Virginia

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.

Carrie D. Peirce, Matthew E. Convery, Charles Gowan

Pages 165-168

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2006

Aggregate Extraction Impacts on Unionid Mussel Species Richness and Density

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.

Don Hubbs, David McKinney, David Sims, Susan Lanier, Patrick Black

Pages 169-173

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2006

Longevity of Oxytetracycline and Calcein in Double-marked Batches of Fry and Fingerling Largemouth Bass

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.

John A. Prentice, J. Warren Schlechte, Robert K. Betsill

Pages 174-179

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2006

Smallmouth Bass Management in the New River, Virginia: A Case Study of Population Trends with Lessons Learned

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.

John R. Copeland, Donald J. Orth, George C. Palmer

Pages 180-187

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2006

Annual Expenditures of Black Bass Tournament and Non-tournament Anglers at O. H. Ivie Reservoir, Texas

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.

John A. Dennis, Timothy Bradle, Fred Janssen, Randall A. Myers, J. Warren Schlechte, Timothy O. Smith, John B. Taylor

Pages 188-193

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2006

Prolonged Spawning of Adult Threadfin Shad and Contribution of Age-0 Threadfin Shad as a Brood Source of Summer Larval Presence in Hugo Reservoir, Oklahoma

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.

Kurt E. Kuklinski

Pages 194-199

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2006

Non-game Wildlife and Oak Interactions

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

William J. McShea

Pages 200-

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2006