Half-Cutting as a Management Tool to Increase Abundance of Northern Bobwhite in South Texas

We evaluated the effectiveness of half-cutting honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) trees to increase northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter bobwhite) habitat and abundance in South Texas. We compared the effects of half-cutting on the survival of mesquite and its effects on understory vegetation on both treated and control areas monthly. Data were taken under the tree’s canopy to determine understory plant species diversity, height, and density. We used bobwhite whistle counts, mark-recapture, and searched with trained dogs to determine the effects of half-cutting on bobwhite abundance. Half-cut young trees had 23.1% greater survival than did older half-cut trees. The area protected from grazing under half-cut trees was 10.2 times larger than that protected by control trees. Height of understory vegetation under half-cut trees was significantly (P = 0.005) taller then that under control trees. Treated areas supported more plant species than control areas but the difference was not significant (P = 0.072). Three bobwhite food plants had a positive response to half-cutting, whereas 3 were negatively affected. Half-cutting had no significant influence on numbers of cocks whistling (maximum 9 and 8 males calling/5-min period, respectively, for treatment and control). The number of bobwhite trapped on the half-cut area was 91 while only 75 were trapped on the control area. Trained bird dogs located 101 bobwhites on the half-cut areas and 78 on the control areas. The half-cut areas had the same number of coveys (10) as the control areas, however, covey sizes were larger (2.3 birds/covey) on the half-cut areas. We believe that half-cutting can add habitat and increase bobwhite abundance on many heavily grazed rangelands

Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Northern Bobwhite Populations in South Texas

During 1985–87, the effects of supplemental feeding on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations were studied on 4 paired sites, representing a cross-section of soils, vegetation, and hunting pressure in south Texas. Whole milo was provided from late fall–March. Feeding increased winter survival of birds on deep sand sites (225–245%), but not on red sandy loam or clay sites. Feeding did not improve reproductive success on any of the study sites. Most birds collected had milo in their crops and there was a tendency to find birds close to feeders more often than at random points. The study demonstrated that supplemental feeding can increase survival if food is limiting, however, data suggested feeding was not effective when habitat structure was inappropriate, or when food was not limiting

Federal Listing of Prairie Grouse: Lessons from the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken

Considerable controversy has often surrounded proposals to confer official status (i.e., list) species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 as amended or its precursors. Recent proposals to list the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), the western sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus phaios), and the Gunnison sage grouse (C. minimus) were met with strong opposition by those concerned with prospects of an increased regulatory environment associated with such an action. The Attwater\u27s prairie-chicken (T. cupido attwateri) was one of the first species listed under The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1966, the first federal effort to specifically protect endangered species. Federal listing benefited the Attwater\u27s by raising awareness of its status and by authorizing additional sources of funding for its management. While concern over an increased regulatory environment associated with the endangered status of the Attwater\u27s probably has always existed among property owners and land managers, conflicts involving this bird have been few and local in scope. Maintaining good working relationships and respect for all affected interests, including property owners and land managers, has been paramount in Attwater\u27s recovery efforts. However, these efforts at times have been hampered by lightning-rod issues pertaining to other species. Despite 35 years of ESA protection, the Attwater\u27s prairie-chicken remains perilously close to extinction. Based on these experiences, federal listing should be viewed neither as a panacea nor as a demon, but rather as a tool in species recovery

Habitat Requirements of Breeding Scaled Quail in Texas

Habitat variables were correlated with scaled quail (Callipep/,a squamata) whistle counts on 133 (24-km) random transects in Texas. Whether or not a particular habitat variable was correlated with whistle counts appeared to depend upon abundance and distribution of other habitat types and structural features. If \u3e= 1 requisite for quail survival and reproduction (food, water, cover, nest sites) was limited, habitat types and structural features were usually positively correlated with whistle counts (P \u3c 0.10). Conversely, abundant habitat types which did not provide all of these requisites were usually negatively correlated with whistle counts (P\u3c 0.10). Correlations indicated breeding scaled quail selected the more dense, shorter shrub habitats. Mesquite (Prosopsis spp.) habitats were especially important to scaled quail in the Trans-Pecos region

Testing the Value of Prickly Pear Cactus as a Nest-Predator Deterrent for Northern Bobwhite

Recent research indicates that northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in Texas commonly nest in prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) instead of conventional bunchgrass habitat. We hypothesized that bobwhites nested in prickly pear because it served as a deterrent to nest predators thereby increasing probability of nest success (nest-protection hypothesis; Slater et al. 2001). We experimentally tested the nest-protection hypothesis by providing 50 wild-caught, captive raccoons (Procyon lotor) with combinations of simulated, bobwhite nests. Nest combinations included either 1 nest in bunchgrass (e.g., little bluestem [Schizachryium scoparium]) and 1 nest in prickly pear cactus (partial [75%] or full [100%] protection), or 2 separate nests in prickly pear (partial and full protection). Raccoons depredated 97%, 33%, and 14% of simulated nests constructed of bunchgrass (n = 35 nests), partial protection prickly pear (n = 30 nests), and full protection prickly pear (n = 35 nests), respectively. Prickly pear nests that provided full protection exhibited better survival against raccoon depredation than other nest types. Our study provides support for the nest-protection hypothesis regarding why northern bobwhite possibly nest in prickly pear cactus

Habitat Selection of Northern Bobwhite in the Rio Grande Plains of Texas

From June 1987 through September 1988, we determined habitat selection by northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in the Rio Grande Plains of south Texas. Habitat components were evaluated at a large scale (100-m circular plots) and fine scale (8-m circular plots) levels of resolution at radiomarked bobwhite locations and at random sites. Data was collected during summer 1987, fall-winter 1987–88, and spring-early summer 1988. On both scales of resolution, during each season, bobwhites were found in more patchier areas than were available. Distance to roads was the only important large scale habitat variable identified. Forbs appeared to be the most important fine scale habitat variable. Grass, shrubs, and bare ground were also identified as important habitat variables. Important fine-scale and large-scale habitat variables were not correlated with one another. Therefore, it is important to examine habitat variables at different scales when studying habitat use by northern bobwhites

Impact of Inclement Weather on Overwinter Mortality of Montezuma Quail in Southeast Arizona

Inclement weather such as droughts or hard freezes are known to negatively impact quail species and population viability models exist which have evaluated northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) response to summer and winter catastrophes. Previous research suggests inclement weather may be an important factor that contributes to mortality of Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae), but few data have been collected to evaluate actual rates of overwinter mortality. We evaluated the overwinter mortality of Montezuma quail in southeast Arizona following an episode of severe winter weather consisting of 27.54 cm of precipitation, which occurred from January to March 2010. Overwinter mortality for radio-marked birds (n 1⁄4 23) was 95.6%. Total abundance using flush counts at a control site estimated an 88% reduction in the population following the episode of above-average precipitation. Post-hunting season flush counts across multiple study sites throughout the Coronado National Forest also support this trend. The 3-year (2007–2009) average (6 SD) (41.67 6 4.73) of birds flushed was ~ 80% higher than number of birds (n 1⁄4 8) flushed in the 2010 post-hunting season

Questions about Groundwater Conservation Districts in Texas

44 pp., 4 figuresGroundwater conservation districts (GCDs) are being created in many parts of Texas to allow local citizens to manage and protect their groundwater. This publication answers frequently asked questions about groundwater and GCDs

A Comparison of Two Quail Abundance Indices and Their Relationship to Quail Harvest in Texas

Surveys are used to monitor status and trends of animal populations. However, different surveys may give conflicting results for the same species and population being surveyed. Therefore, we compared results of the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) roadside counts for scaled quail (Callipepla squamata) and northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) in Texas. Surveys were compared on both an ecoregion and statewide basis. The BBS and TPW surveys gave similar trends for bobwhites and scaled quail for 5 of 8, and 3 of 5 ecoregions, respectively. Survey trends differed at the statewide scale for both species. We compared estimated statewide harvest as an independent index of quail population status in Texas with results from both surveys. The TPW roadside survey was more closely related to estimated statewide harvest for northern bobwhites (R2 = 0.86, P \u3c= 0.001) and scaled quail (R2 = 0.75, P = 0.0001) than the BBS survey (R2 = 0.60, P = 0.001; and R2 = 0.35, P = \u3c0.0001, respectively). Survey methods, sampling frameworks, and issues of scale are important variables to consider when interpreting survey results. The BBS provides useful data on quail populations at a multi-state or national scale. However, most state wildlife agencies require surveys that provide information at finer spatial scales