Brock, Daphne C.

Heidt, Gary A.

Majors, Tommie J.

ScholarWorks@UARK

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of ScienceVolume 50 Article 251996Mail Survey to Determine the Status of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, Ringtail Cat, Long-Tailed Weasel,Badger and Eastern Spotted Skunk in ArkansasTommie J. MajorsUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockDaphne C. BrockUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockGary A. HeidtUniversity of Arkansas at Little RockFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaasPart of the Zoology CommonsThis article is available for use under the Creative Commons license: Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0). Users are able toread, download, copy, print, distribute, search, link to the full texts of these articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking priorpermission from the publisher or the author.This General Note is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the ArkansasAcademy of Science by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu.Recommended CitationMajors, Tommie J.; Brock, Daphne C.; and Heidt, Gary A. (1996) "Mail Survey to Determine the Status of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit,Ringtail Cat, Long-Tailed Weasel, Badger and Eastern Spotted Skunk in Arkansas," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 50 ,Article 25.Available at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol50/iss1/25<<«««««i127 ?AMailSurvey to Determine the Status of theBlack-tailed Jackrabbit, Ringtail Cat, Long-tailed Weasel, Badger andEastern Spotted Skunk inArkansasTommie J. Majors, Daphne C. Brock and Gary A.HeidtUniversity of Arkansas Little Rock, Dept. ofBiology2801 S. University, LittleRock, Arkansas 72204Surveys have long been used as a tool in wildlifeman-agement studies (e.g., Filion, 1980). In Arkansas, Baileyand Heidt (1978) used mailsurveys to determine the sta-tus and distribution of the nutria (Myocas tor coypus). Morerecently, Blumberg (1993) used surveys to examine pre-sent mammal distributions inSouth Dakota.Heidt et al. (1996) discussed a number of mammalsinArkansas for which littleinformation is known. To sup-plement these data we employed a mail survey to docu-ment five of the more well known of those conspicuousspecies: the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus),ringtail (Bassariscus as tutus), long-tailed weasel (Mustelafrenata), badger (Taxidea taxus), and eastern spotted skunk(Spilogale putorius).The basic questionnaire format used in this surveyincluded a brief introduction and statement of purpose.A table format was used for responses; counties withinthe state were listed individually, as were species of inter-est to the survey. A list of possible responses was provid-ed; A- abundant, C-common, E-extirpated, H-suitablehabitat present, N-not historically present and P-present.A separate section for responses dealing with wildlifemanagement areas was provided as was a section for com-ments. The survey sent to trappers differed slightly inthat we asked ifthey would be willing to save specimensthat they trapped during the year. Because of subjectiveopinions, we feel that in the future, respondents shouldnot be asked to supply data on the abundance or historyof a species. Ifpossible, it might also be useful to includedescriptions or pictures of the species in question.A total of 274 surveys with self addressed stampedenvelopes were mailed statewide in the spring and sum-mer 1995 to selected state biologists (Arkansas Game andFish, U.S. Forest Service, and timber company biologists)and members of the Arkansas Trapper's Association. Ofthese, 116 were returned for a total return rate of 42.3%(142 and 61 for biologists, and 132 and 55 for trappers).Response rates for mail surveys are largely determined bythe group surveyed, length of survey and whether or nota stamped return envelope is provided (Linsky, 1975).The individual response rate of 42.9% for biologists wassomewhat lower than those reported by Blumberg (1993);however, the 41.6% response rate by the Arkansas trap-pers was higher. The combined response rate for this sur-vey was higher than that ofBlumberg's survey and higherthan most surveys of this type audience conducted with-out follow-up (Kanuck and Berenson, 1975).The range of the black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus califor-nicus) is restricted to 8 northwest counties in Arkansaswith specimens only recorded from Benton andWashington counties (Sealander and Heidt, 1990). Mostresponses were within the expected range (Table 1).Some respondents indicated that they had seen the black-tailed jackrabbit in the past, but not in recent years. Weare skeptical of responses for 2 counties, Calhoun andPike because of their distance from the known range ofTable 1. Survey response for black-tailed jackrabbit(Lepus californicus)ReportedStaleTrappersCountyAssociation Biologists SpecimensXRCRRCXWASHINGTON R,PA"Abundani OCommon RmRareP-Present, species status unknownx=Actual Specimensjackrabbits and the possibility that swamp rabbits(Sylvilagus aquaticus) may have been mistaken for jackrab-bits. Multiple responses were consistent with reportedspecimen counties.The ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) appears to be a rareand elusive mammal in Arkansas. However, based on onerecord and other sightings Sealander and Heidt (1990)proposed the range to include the eastern two-thirds ofthe Gulf Coastal Plain. The survey response for Polk andHoward counties was provided by a trapper who gavedetailed accounts of his sightings as well as a descriptionof a ringtail having been killed by a hunting dog. Othernumerous sightings were reported in and aroundSebastian County (Table 2). Suitable habitat exists in the11ENTON R,Pc:alhouncrawford rfranklin i\rHOWARD 1>JOHNSON PLOGAN PMADISON RMARION PMONTGOMFRYPIKE PSEBASTIAN RProceedings Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol.50, 1996127Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 50 [1996], Art. 25Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1996XommieJ. Majors, Daphne C Brock and Gary A.HeidtTable 2.Survey response for ringtail cat (liassarisms astutus)County Trappers State ReportedAssociation Biologists SpecimensBENTON RBRADLEY XCRAWFORD P P,RFRANKLIN P RFULTON RHOWARD PIZARD R RLOGAN PMADISON RPOLK PPOPE PSEBASTIAN P RSTONE RIASHINGTON R=Abundanl C"Common R"Rare'Present, species status unknownActual SpecimensEsa where both trappers and biologists report their pres-ce, but at present the species is unconfirmed. Thus,ere is a possibility ringtails are more widespread inArkansas than previously thought.Sealander and Heidt (1990) list the long-tailed weaselflustela frenata) as occurring statewide, but there are fewtua specimens. Both trappers and biologists haveFable 3. Survey response for long-tailed weasel (Mustela frenata)County Trappers State ReportedAssociation Biologists SpecimensARKANSAS CASHLEY R XBAXTER R,PBENTON R,P PBOONE R PCALHOUN RCARROLL R R,P.ARK R)NWAY PRAWFORD P,R PRAIGHEAD XROSS XALLAS RREW XRANKLIN P R.PULTON R\RLAND PIANT POT SPRING P)WARD P,RARD RCKSON XOHNSON P P.AFAYK1TE PITLERIVER RLOGAN PMADISON R PMARION PMILLER R XMONTGOMERY PNEVADA RNEWTON R POUAGHITA RPERRY R RPIKE P,RPOLK R PPOPE P PSALINE PSCOII PSEARCY R,P XSEBASTIAN PSEVIER RSTONE R,PUNION RVANBUREN PWASHINGTON R,PWOODRUFF XYELL P,R RA»Abundanl OCommon R=RaieP=Presenl, species status unknown x=Ac(ual Specimensreported the occurrence of long-tailed weasels in an addi-tional 41 counties (Table 3). Allrespondents, with theexception of one, indicated that long-tailed weasels weresimply present or that they were rare.Most reports ofbadgers (Taxidea taxus) (Table 4) havebeen consistent with areas surrounding known localities(Benton, Franklin and Stone counties); The record forStone County was a roadkill (Cartwright and Heidt,1994). Badger sightings have been closely associated withFable 4. Survey response for badger (Taxidea taxus)County Trappers State ReportedAssociation Biologists SpecimensBAXTER RBENTON RCARROLL R RCRAWFORD R.C RFRANKLIN C,P,A P XHOT SPRING PHOWARD R.C.AJOHNSON PLAFAYETTE PLOGAN CMADISON R RMARION PNEWTON RPIKE R,CPOPE PSEARCY RSEBASTIAN R,A RSTONE R,P XWASHINGTON R,C,P R XYELL A,P,R,CA=Abundanl C~Common R=RareP-Present, species status unknown x-Actual SpecimensProceedings Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol.50, 1996128128Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 50 [1996], Art. 25http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol50/iss1/25Long-tailed Weasel, Badger and Eastern Spotted Skunk inArkansas1?pocket gophers, one of their major prey items. Some bad-ger sightings may be the result of confusion with mar-mots (Marmota monax). A few badger pelts annually haveshown up at the Arkansas fur sale.PULASKI P \\\1RANDOLPHSALINESCOTT P,R P,C ?SEARCY P,ATraditionally, the range of the eastern spotted skunk(Spilogale putorius) has been statewide, except possibly forthe eastern most portion of the state. The responses forthe spotted skunk have been the hardest to explain (Table5). The only documented records occur in the uplandswhere spotted skunks are associated with rocky outcropsand rugged terrain. A large number of counties, especial-ly in the uplands, had positive responses from both trap-pers and biologists. However, we suspect that somerespondents, particularly those in the coastal plainSEBASTIAN P \ «SKVIER R,C,ASHARP R *STONE A,RUNION PWASHINGTON R.CA C,P XWHITE RYELL A,P,R,P I' «A=Abuiulani OCommon R=RareP=Picscnl, species stains unknownx=Actual SpecimensTable 5.Survey response for eastern spotted skunk(Sf)'doga le pittorius) regions of the state may have responded only to "skunk",therefore also including the striped skunk (Mephitis mephi-tis). Thus the results for this species are confusing and inCounty Trappers State ReportedAssociation Biologists Specimens »need of further study.We feel that the data from this study provide thebasis for further investigation into the status and distribu-tion of these Arkansas mammal species. However, as withall mail surveys, results must be regarded with cautionand used with other sources of data. Data gathered by amail survey may be used to indicate good localities fromwhich to begin subsequent investigations into species' sta-tus.{ASHLEY RBENTON R.C.P I'P\BOONE RBRADLEY RCALHOUN CCARROLL R,P P.A.CCHICOT RCLARK R I*PCLEVELANDCON WAY R Acknowledgments. —We wish to thank biologistswith the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, theUnited States Forest Service and those associated with theArkansas timber industry as well as members of the *Arkansas Trappers Association for their help with thisproject.CRAIGHEAD RCRAWFORD R,C R,P XDALLAS R P1'DREW RFRANKLIN C,P,AFULTON R PGARLAND P I'.RGRANT P?GREENE RHEMPSTEAD R,A Literature CitedHOWARD C,A,R C,P,R ?INDEPENDENCE XX Bailey,J. W. and G. A.Heidt. 1978. Range and status ofthe nutria, Myocastor coypus, in Arkansas. Proc. Ark.Acad. Sci. 32:25-27.IZARD R K ?JEFFERSON pJOHNSON P C,RLAFAYETTE P Blumberg, C. A. 1993. Use of a mailsurvey to determinepresent mammal distributions by county in SouthDakota. Unpubl. M. S. thesis, South Dakota StateUniv. 136 pp.LAWRENCE R XLINCOLN RLITTLERIVER R,ALOGAN CCartwright, M.E. and G. A.Heidt. 1994. Distributionalrecords of the badger (Taxidea taxus) in Arkansas.Proc. Ark.Acad. Sci. 48:248.MADISON R P.CMARION PMILLER R,A *MONTGOMERY C,P,R C,P,R Filion,F. L. 1980. Human surveys in wildlife manage-ment. Pp. 441-453. In S. D. Schemnitz, ed. Wildlifemanagement techniques manual. The WildlifeSociety, Washington, D. C.NEVADA R I1 *NEW ION C C,PPP,RP,COUACHITA RPERRY R,CPIKE R,C Heidt,G. A.,D. A.Elrod, and V. R.McDaniel. 1996.POLK C,P,A Biogeography of Arkansas mammals withnotes onPOPE R•Proceedings Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol.50, 1996 <¦129Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 50 [1996], Art. 25Published by Arkansas Academy of Science, 1996130Tommie J. Majors, Daphne C. Brock and Gary A.Heidtspecies ofquestionable status. Proc. Ark. Acad. Sci.50: inpress.rnuck, L.,and C. Berenson. 1975. Meiil surveys andresponse rates: a literature review. J. Mark. Res.12:440-451Linsky, A.S. 1975. Stimulating responses to mailed ques-tionaires. Public Opinion Quart. 39:82-101fealander, J. A.and G. A.Heidt. 1990. Arkansasmammals. Their natural history, classification, anddistribution. Univ. Ark. Press, Fayetteville. 308 pp.Proceedings Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol.50, 1996130Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science, Vol. 50 [1996], Art. 25http://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol50/iss1/25

Mail Survey to Determine the Status of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, Ringtail Cat, Long-Tailed Weasel, Badger and Eastern Spotted Skunk in Arkansas

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Mail Survey to Determine the Status of the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, Ringtail Cat, Long-Tailed Weasel, Badger and Eastern Spotted Skunk in Arkansas

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