Impact on Base Population Density and Hunter Performance of Stocking with Pen-Raised Bobwhite

In 1962, the Kansas Fish and Game Commission initiated an investigation to determine the effect of semiannual releases of pen-raised bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) on population densities of native wild quail populations, on availability of birds to hunters, and on hunter success.Stocking during spring resulted in 7% fewer birds in the fall population on the stocked area than on the control area. Stocking during fall resulted in 14% more birds, at the time hunting season began, on the stocked area than on the control area. Neither of these differences were statistically significant, and it is concluded that there was no significant difference attributable to stocking between population densities of stocked and control areas. On the stocked area, however, there was a significant net increase of 25% in population density between the fall census period and the preseason census period. It is concluded that the density-depressing influence of spring stocking combined with the density-elevating influence of fall stocking, on the stocked area, produced a significant increase, attributable to stocking, between the population density preceding fall release and the population density preceding the hunting season. It is further concluded that in the comparison of preseason population densities for the treatment and control areas, the depressing effect of spring stocking and the elevating effect of fall stocking resulted in a treatment-area population that was significantly larger than that found on the unstacked control area.Some pen-raised birds established themselves as a part of the population on the stocked area, but there was not a proportional increase in population density. There were fewer native quail on the area when treated with semiannual stocking than when under control condition. The difference in density of native birds between stocked and control areas was not statistically significant. Stocking significantly increased hunter success by 30% and 35% on areas in Cherokee and Linn Counties, respectively, but the number of coveys flushed per hour was not significantly increased by stocking pen-raised quail

Evaluation of Bobwhite Quail Surveys in Kansas

Statistical analysis of selected Kansas bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) population and harvest surveys is presented. Survey techniques evaluated include roadside counts by rural mail carriers (RMCS), April roadside counts, whistling cock counts, random summer brood counts (RSBC), interviews of hunters contacted during the hunting season, wing collection envelopes distributed to hunters, and a mail questionnaire harvest survey of hunters. Significant differences (P \u3c 0.05) between years and between survey regions existed for the April RMCS, April roadside count (coveys/observer), June whistle count, RSBC (young/adult and young/adult hen), and July RMCS, Correlation tests indicated significant (P \u3c O, 1 to 0.001) correlation coefficient (r) values between many of the population surveys, and between many of the population surveys and harvest parameters. The October RMCS is the best single predictor of harvest parameters. When the October RMCS (quail/100 miles) is used in association with adults/observer (RSBC) and total quail/observer (RSBC), higher R2 values are obtained as determined by stepwise multiple regression with harvest parameters

PROGRAM MANAGER DECISION-MAKING IN COMPLEX AND CHAOTIC PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTS

Our project focuses on the decision-making process of a program manager (PM). A defense program manager is routinely exposed to chaotic and complex environments that require skilled leadership and decision-making. Exploring the decision-making process in these environments may help current and future defense programs to better project the outcome of future decisions. Through our research, we identified five categories as decision-making pitfalls for PMs: overly optimistic, risk aversion, stovepipe design, strategic networking in the acquisition environment, and communication skills. We recommend conducting future research to validate the findings of our study. Once validated, we recommend refining PM training to focus on the decision-making categories we identified to help PMs navigate programs more successfully.Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.Lieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States NavyLieutenant, United States Nav