Do Resident and Non-Resident Northern Bobwhite Hunters Self-Regulate Harvest Based on Population Size?

A variety of factors influence the relative strength of additive and compensatory mortality of harvest on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) including covey dynamics, habitat fragmentation, and timing of harvest. State wildlife agencies have long believed regulations could be liberal because hunters will self-regulate effort when populations decrease. A confounding observation is that with lower population abundances, hunter skill and harvest rate increases because the more novice hunters do not participate. This raises the question whether non-resident small game hunters could have a larger impact at lower population levels if they have (1) more money to dedicate to out of state licenses and travel/lodging, and (2) time to dedicate to the hunting experience? We examined long-term bobwhite population and harvest data from Kansas (1966–1999) to learn if self-regulation differed between resident and non-resident small game hunters. The number of resident and non-resident small game hunters was related to their respective harvest of northern bobwhites. Decreasing October population index was associated with a decline in the number of resident bobwhite hunter days and harvest. Conversely, increasing numbers of non-resident hunters participated in the hunting season with higher hunter efficiency and a larger harvest at lower October population index levels. Total relative harvest decreased overwinter (Oct–Jan) survival. The Kansas resident bobwhite harvest is probably self-regulatory but non-resident harvest is not. Future harvest regulations should consider the impact of non-resident harvest

Nutritional Value of Seaweed to Ruminants

We compared the nutritional quality (apparent digestible dry matter (ADDM), crude protein, total phenolics, gross energy), of 3 seaweed species (Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosis) to that of 3 woody browse species{Acer rubrum, Thuja occidentalis, Abies balsamea), lichen (Usnea spp.), and winter rye (Secale cereals) for ruminants. The ADDM's of the 3 seaweeds (63-80% DM) were 11-167% DM higher and crude protein contents (12.1-14.6% DM) were 68-186% DM higher than the 3 browse species. Seaweeds had lower total phenolics (5.5-10.3% DM) and gross energy (12-15 KJ/g DM), and moderate digestible energy (DE) contents (9-10 KJ/g DM) compared to the browse species. The 3 browse species had ADDM's of 30-57% DM, crude protein contents of 5.1-7.2% DM, total phenolic concentrations of 11.6-16.4% DM, and DE contents of 6-12 KJ/g DM. Winter rye and lichen had the lowest total phenolic concentrations (1.3 and 1.9% DM) of forages examined, and had lower ADDM's (35 and 40% DM), DE contents (6-7 KJ/g DM), and crude protein (7.8 and 5.7% DM) than seaweeds. The relatively high DE and protein contents of seaweed may explain high deer densities of Maine coastal islands where browse availability and use appears to be low

Seventy years of wildlife research : publications of the Center for Wildlife and Plant Ecology and predecessors, Illinois Natural History Survey

Ope

Do Movement Patterns and Habitat Use Differ Between Optimal- and Suboptimal-sized Northern Bobwhite Coveys?

The group size of social animals and spatial structure of the environment can affect group behavior and movement decisions. Our objective was to investigate movement patterns and habitat use of northern bobwhite coveys (Colinus virginianus) of different size. Using radiotelemetry, we continuously monitored covey group size, daily movement, and habitat use on 12 independent 259-ha study areas in eastern Kansas, USA, during the winters between 1997 and 2000. We used correlated random walk models and fractal dimension models to determine if covey size affected movement characteristics or habitat selection. Intermediate-sized coveys (9–12 individuals, close to optimal covey size) exhibited daily movements that were substantially smaller and weekly home ranges that were more composed of woody escape cover than coveys of smaller or larger sizes. From the fractal dimension analyses, these coveys exhibited movement in between linear and a random walk at small spatial scales but very linear at large spatial scales. Large coveys had increased daily movement and tended to move in straighter lines (as indicated by the high proportion of turning angles [i.e., the angle between an initial direction and a new direction] around 0° and 180° and their multiscale fractal dimension) and they incorporated more cropland into their range, presumably to meet the feeding requirements of a larger group. In contrast, small coveys (1–4 individuals) tended to move more and increase the size of their home range, travel with a greater diversity of turning angles, and show movement patterns that were largely tortuous across a greater number of habitat patches at larger spatial scales (700 m). Small coveys have lower fitness and add new membership to increase fitness so it is possible that the movement behavior we observed represented a shift into a foray mode where bobwhites were searching for new membership. For areas with small populations and covey sizes, this information will help biologists better plan for habitat management to assist these coveys with their winter fitness

Free-ranging, Northern Bobwhite Submissions to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (1982-2015)

There are concerns regarding population declines of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) over the past 4 decades (Palmer et al. 2011). Infectious and noninfectious diseases are among the limiting factors that potentially influence bobwhite demographics (Applegate 2014). The last update of diseases of bobwhite was presented at the Second National Quail Symposium in 1982 (Davidson et al. 1982). Since that report, scientists at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) have examined 133 wild bobwhites from 13 states. The SCWDS is a cooperative between states and the University of Georgia and obtains cases from the cooperating states. In this update, we focus on the diagnostic testing results from wild birds and exclude other cases that were examined during this period. We searched the SCWDS database for all bobwhite cases 1985–2016 and examined the individual case reports for 133 wild bobwhite quail. During this period, the majority of cases originated from Florida, Georgia, and Kansas, where research was being conducted on bobwhite populations. A diagnosis could not be clearly identified in all cases and some otherwise healthy bobwhites were submitted for screening; therefore, we have narrowed the focus of this report to a subset of 78 bobwhites. Wild bobwhites that were submitted by SCWDS state cooperators had an approximately even distribution between male and female birds (26 F: 19 M; 2 unknown sex). Adults (20 F, 10 M) predominated over juvenile birds (6 F, 7 M, 2 unknown sex). Trauma (physical injury) was the diagnosis in 17 female and 38 male bobwhites submitted during this period. Three each of male and female birds were considered to have no health problems. Some of the most frequent findings in diagnosed bobwhites were possible Physaloptera sp. infection (n = 9, 17.0%), avian pox (n = 7, 14.9%), intoxication (lead and carbamate; n = 5, 10.6%), corneal opacity (n = 4, 8.5%), Sarcocystis sp. infection (n = 3, 6.4%), and fungal pneumonia (n = 2, 4.25%). Some parasitic infections (e.g., coccidiosis) were thought to be associated with mortality based on necropsy and laboratory findings while a number of the parasites were determined to be incidental findings (e.g., Sarcocystis and Physaloptera) based on necropsy and laboratory findings. Corneal opacity was found in 4 birds, but the cause was not determined. The most striking findings were that trauma (e.g., physical injury) or avian pox were among the most common causes of mortality in free-ranging quail. Iatrogenic (researcher) causes of mortality (n = 5, 10.6%) associated with complications from radiotransmitters and small mammal trapping also occurred. This latter urges careful consideration among bobwhite researchers. The cause of population declines in bobwhites are likely multifactorial. We hope that morbidity and mortality investigations can provide some insight into potential limiting factors for bobwhites and assist wildlife managers with population management decisions

Distance-Based Habitat Associations of Northern Bobwhites in a Fescue-Dominated Landscape in Kansas

Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have a wide distribution across North America which influences its’ associations with habitats in a variety of landscapes. We used radio-marked bobwhites and Euclidean distance to characterize land cover associations of bobwhites at generalized level 1 and specific level 2 land cover classifications during the reproductive (15 Apr-14 Oct) and covey (15 Oct-14 Apr) periods in southeastern Kansas from 2003 to 2005. Habitat associations occurred during the reproductive (Wilkes’ k 1⁄4 0.04, F6,36 1⁄4 143.682, P , 0.001) and covey (Wilkes’ k 1⁄4 0.056, F6, 29 1⁄4 81.99, P , 0.001) periods. Ranking of the reproductive period habitats indicated bobwhites preferred locations in close proximity to fescue (Festuca spp.) over all other habitats. Coveys preferred locations in close proximity to woody cover. Bobwhites were found to associate with specific habitats at the level 2 land cover classification during the reproductive (Wilkes’ k 1⁄4 0.006, F16, 26 1⁄4 284.483, P , 0.001) and covey (Wilkes’ k 1⁄4 0.004, F16, 19 1⁄4 276.037, P , 0.001) periods. Bobwhites preferred locations in close proximity to fescue pastures and roads equally over all other habitats during the reproductive period. Coveys preferred locations in close proximity to roads and Conservation Reserve Program lands during the covey period. Fescue pastures may be avoided by bobwhites during the covey period, provided adequate cover is not provided, but bobwhites are strongly associated with them during the reproductive period because they meet nesting and brooding needs not met by other habitats