THE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION COLLAR FOR REMOVING DEPREDATING COYOTES: A SEARCH FOR PERFECT JUSTICE?

Lethal control techniques for controlling coyotes (Canis latrans) are often maligned as a means for resolving coyote depredations on domestic livestock. With the exception of the Livestock Protection Collar (LPC), lethal control methods (e.g., foot-hold traps and neck snares) lack the ability to specifically remove those coyotes actually preying upon livestock. The LPC capitalizes on attack behavior of coyotes to remove offending individuals. Although currently registered for use in 5 states, LPCs have been used routinely only in Texas. Success with LPCS involves an understanding of coyote behavior and proper targeting of collared livestock. LPCs have been used in Texas to successfully remove problem coyotes that have learned to evade other forms of control, and this may be their niche In an arsenal of lethal and nonlethal control alternatives. Herein, I review the development and testing of LPCs and current use in Texas

Sustaining the \u27Quail Wave\u27 in the Southern Great Plains

The southern Great Plains (i.e., Texas and Oklahoma) historically affords some of the best, and currently most stable, northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations anywhere. However, bobwhite populations have declined in recent years over much of this area, especially east of the 98th meridian. Two subsets of the southern plains, the Rolling Plains (parts of northwestern Texas, western Oklahoma, and western Kansas) and the Rio Grande Plains (south Texas) offer the most expansive, contemporary northern bobwhite habitat throughout its range. Bobwhite habitat in the southern plains is affected primarily by rainfall and rangeland management for livestock. Range management practices (brush control, grazing management) can be prescribed to benefit bobwhite habitat, but a large part of potential bobwhite range in the southern plains suffers from overgrazing and excessive brush control. Farm Bill policies (e.g., Conservation Reserve Program) have had a major impact on dryland agriculture in this region, but their impacts on bobwhites have been only marginally positive (if at all) to date. Income generated from quail hunting in this region currently rivals or exceeds that generated from cattle grazing leases. Accordingly, more landowners are beginning to temper traditional land management goals, and incorporate more quail-friendly practices (i.e., ‘‘brush sculpting’’ and reducing stocking rates). Educational efforts aimed at landowners should strive to implement existing knowledge and develop informed decision-makers. The current demand for quail hunting affords an excellent opportunity to promote, and adopt, management practices that will hopefully sustain the heritage of quail hunting in this region of the bobwhite’s range for future generations

THE LIVESTOCK PROTECTION COLLAR FOR REMOVING DEPREDATING COYOTES: A SEARCH FOR PERFECT JUSTICE?

Lethal control techniques for controlling coyotes (Canis latrans) are often maligned as a means for resolving coyote depredations on domestic livestock. With the exception of the Livestock Protection Collar (LPC), lethal control methods (e.g., foot-hold traps and neck snares) lack the ability to specifically remove those coyotes actually preying upon livestock. The LPC capitalizes on attack behavior of coyotes to remove offending individuals. Although currently registered for use in 5 states, LPCs have been used routinely only in Texas. Success with LPCS involves an understanding of coyote behavior and proper targeting of collared livestock. LPCs have been used in Texas to successfully remove problem coyotes that have learned to evade other forms of control, and this may be their niche In an arsenal of lethal and nonlethal control alternatives. Herein, I review the development and testing of LPCs and current use in Texas

The Bobwhite Brigade: An Innovative Approach to Wildlife Extension Education

A pilot program was initiated in 1993 to train high school youth in natural resource management and leadership skills with the goal of training them as master volunteers. The Bobwhite Brigade was formed to educate youth about northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) biology and management needs. Cadets (high school sophomores and juniors) undergo an intensive curriculum in bobwhite biology, applied ecology, critical thinking skills and leadership development to equip them as spokespersons for wildlife management. Upon graduation from the Brigade, cadets are required to give \u3e 3 educational programs to various audiences (youth and adult), and are provided incentives to give additional programs. Through 1996, 145 young people had graduated from the Brigade and presented approximately 1,200 educational programs. These programs have included newspaper and magazine articles, TV stories, public service announcements, and direct contacts through tours and field days. Quail Unlimited recognized the Bobwhite Brigade with its inaugural Youth in Conservation Award in 1994, and recognized the Brigade again in 1996 with another award. The Bobwhite Brigade model has served as a springboard for similar programs in \u3e 6 other states. The underlying message reinforced throughout the Bobwhite Brigade is one of ecosystem management and how the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. We have found that ecosystem management concepts can be delivered to high school youth in a very tangible manner with a very popular, non-controversial native wildlife species. This same model holds great potential for other youth camps where there is an emphasis on wildlife extension education

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

Abstract: One\u27s views regarding the relative or absolute merits of predators are largely a matter of individual perspective. Surveys have documented that rural and urban residents differ greatly on the scope of predator problems and methods for predator management. In order to educate the urban public, a broadcast quality videotape was produced that outlines the controversy surrounding predator control in general, and coyote control in particular. This video examines the coyote from the perspective of a sheep rancher, an environmentalist, and an ecologist. The intent of the program is to neither praise nor condemn the coyote, but to provide the viewer with unbiased information relative to coyotes in Texas. Throughout the program, the intent is to present the urban viewer with an urban analogy to a rural problem, so the viewer can relate better to the situation. The script of the program is complemented by some quality coyote video, including some rather unique footage of deer chasing coyotes, and the narrator\u27s (Rex Allen) voice recognition to the target audience. Copies (VHS only) of the tape can be purchased by sending a check or money order for $20.00 per copy, payable to T.A.E.X., to the author

Status, Ecology and Management of Scaled Quail in West Texas

Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), more commonly referred to as blue quail, have always been viewed as a secondary species among Texas quail hunters and managers, who generally prefer to hunt northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus). Scaled quail and bobwhites are sympatric over much of west Texas, and the 2 species share several habitat characteristics (e.g., similar loafing coverts). In areas where the 2 species are sympatric, they have essentially the same diets. However, scaled quail tend to prefer more open habitats, i.e., less and lower herbaceous cover, than bobwhites. Scaled quail populations have declined precipitously since 1988 across virtually all of their Texas range. Radio-marked scaled quail apparently had higher survival rates than sympatric bobwhites from February to July, 1995 at a study site in Irion County, Texas. Historically, scaled quail do not seem to decline as quickly as bobwhites in dry years, but neither do they increase quite as dramatically as bobwhites during wet years. The effects of common management practices like brush control, supplemental feeding, and predator control have not been investigated adequately for scaled quail. Additional studies conducted with radio telemetry will undoubtedly cause us to reconsider the current paradigms of scaled quail management, as it has recently done with bobwhites

Monitoring Scaled Quail Occupancy and Colonization Post-Translocation on a Large Landscape

Large landscapes are important for sustaining quail populations in semiarid climates where annual variation in vital rates, and thus population volatility, tends to be larger than in subtropical climates. Translocations may need to be conducted on a similar scale to ensure long-term success. Large landscapes pose challenges for monitoring release sites in terms of costs and logistics. However, large landscapes also provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate habitat preferences and suitability because they inherently hold more variation in habitat type. Multiseason occupancy surveys are a potential monitoring tool for translocations where population persistence is a benchmark for success. Occupancy (i.e., presence–absence) data for quail are relatively easy to collect compared to more intensive surveying (i.e., mark-recapture or distance sampling) and can be analyzed in a framework that allows for the estimation of detection, colonization, and extinction as functions of spatial or temporal covariates. We used a multiseason occupancy survey to monitor a reintroduced population of scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) on a large landscape. Our objectives were to: 1) evaluate occupancy post-translocation, and 2) determine how landscape characteristics and distance from release points influenced colonization and extinction. Over 800 scaled quail were translocated to a \u3e40,000-ha study area of contiguous rangeland in Knox County, Texas, USA from 2016–2017. We collected presence–absence data during a 10-day period in March just prior to release (2016) and for 2 years after first release (2017–2018). We sampled 73 locations on a 1.5-km × 1.5-km grid 3 times per year. We were unable to estimate true occupancy and thus any influence of covariates, because of low detection probability (p = 0.05, standard error = 0.02). However, we found that naïve occupancy based on detection within and outside of surveys increased from 1% in 2016 to 23% and 10% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. We recommend that monitoring programs prioritize survey methods that increase detection, such as sampling only during peak calling and call-back surveys, and using more than one method of detection

Effects of Source Population and Release Strategy on Survival and Dispersal of Translocated Scaled Quail in the Rolling Plains of Texas—A Preliminary Report

Scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) have declined 3.5% annually in Texas from 1966-2013, but declines have not been uniform across the state. The Rolling Plains Ecoregion has experienced a 6.8% decrease during this period, while the western Edwards Plateau has remained stable. Habitat loss that has contributed to scaled quail decline also inhibits recolonization. Translocation has become an increasingly popular tool to reestablish populations for recreational or conservational purposes. Overall success rate of translocations is low and has prompted research into factors that contribute to the establishment of a self-sustaining population. Source population and release strategy are two translocation tactics that may influence the success of scaled quail translocation efforts. Best practices for translocation are often species and location specific and, thus, it is critical for translocation techniques to be tested across a variety of species and landscapes. We used radio-tagged quail to estimate survival and dispersal of translocated, wild-caught scaled quail as a function of source ecoregion and a delayed release treatment using multi-state models in Program MARK. Specifically, we compared quail sourced from within the Rolling Plains and from the Edwards Plateau, as well as a delayed release treatment consisting of 4–8 week holding periods on site

Retention and Efficacy of Citizen Scientist Volunteers of the Texas Quail Index

The Texas Quail Index (TQI) was a 5-year, science-based project that utilized citizen scientists to collect data in the field, including 5 indices of bobwhite abundance in the spring, and 3 indices of bobwhite abundance in the fall. Over the course of the study, 84% of all volunteers dropped out of the program and \u3c8% of all data sets were complete. Accordingly, we surveyed the volunteers by mail to determine the rate and cause of participation decline and to identify characteristics of a reliable volunteer. Results indicated that annual volunteer participation rate declined more rapidly as time and labor requirements increased. Similarly, 74.3% of survey respondents who dropped out of the study reported leaving because the project required too much time and work. Motives may have contributed to the volunteer attrition as 72% of volunteers joined the program to learn more about quail management; however 71% of those that left the program reported not gaining knowledge in that area. We recommend that project designs, for citizen-science projects, should incorporate the motives of volunteers and recruit those whose motives best align with project goals. We also recommend that citizen-science coordinators keep volunteer tasks short and within the interest of the volunteer, to increase retention. Finally, we recommend stipends for volunteers on large-scale, laborious projects

Impacts of predation on northern bobwhite and scaled quail

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) populations have declined throughout most of their distribution, and these declines have become more dramatic in recent years. In this review, we examine the role of predation in quail management. Predation is the major source of nest loss and of mortality for young and adult quail. Mean nest success across studies reviewed was 28%. Estimates of annual survival rates have varied from 5 to 26% for radiotelemetry studies and from 15 to 30% based on age-ratio studies. Breeding season survival estimates ranged from 13 to 51% in telemetry studies reviewed. Brood survival is the least studied aspect of quail survival; estimates ranged from 13 to 47%. Mammalian predators most often implicated in nest predation include striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor), opossums (Didelphis virginianus), foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus and Vulpes vulpes), coyotes (Canis latrans), and feral hogs (Sus scrofa). Accipiters (Accipiter spp.) and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus) are the most common avian predators of quail. Less information is available to assess impact of predation on scaled quail, but observations from areas where bobwhites and scaled quail are sympatric suggested that scaled quail are less vulnerable to predation than bobwhites. Although quail have adapted to cope with high predation rates (e.g., renesting, large clutches), populations in some areas may be suppressed by predation. Changes in land use, management practices, and predator communities interact to depress quail populations over much of the bobwhite\u27s range. Additional studies are needed to assess the role of predation and predation management in light of these landscape-level changes. A variation of the Integrated Pest Management philosophy used in crop production is proposed as an appropriate model to address predation management for quail