March/April 2021 Volume 21, Issue 2

PRACTICAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

MARCH/APRIL 2021 VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Fire Ants and Their Implications to North American Wildlife By Ryan Shurette

Turkeys For Tomorrow Who Is It, What Is It and What Can It Do? By Ron Jolly

Practical Ways for Landowners to Manage Wildlife with Surveys and Data By Seth Basinger

Spring Lake Management By Scott Brown

Wildlife Trends Journal Management Calendar By Dave Edwards MAKE YOUR DIRT WORK G3 ATV Model

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2 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 P.O. BOX 640596 PIKE ROAD, ALABAMA 36064 www.wildlifetrends.com Earl Says… 800-441-6826 PUBLISHER/EDITOR hy do I keep chasing turkeys? Seriously, why do we keep spending so Andy Whitaker much money, time and sleepless days trying to outwit a bird with a W DESIGN brain the size of a walnut? Walker360 2501 East 5th Street Last week I was hunting at my buddy’s property in Central Florida and after Montgomery, AL 36107 doing some careful scouting we knew just where the birds would be roosted (334) 832-4975 in the morning. This was going to be a slam dunk hunt and I would be back CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS at the house drinking coffee waiting on the othe s in camp. Yeah right. Dave Edwards Dana Johnson Brant C. Faircloth The next morning, I did my part and set up perfectly in the woods across Wes and Leslie Burger the pasture from where I believed they would be roosted. The birds did their Dr. Wes Wood part when three gobblers sounded off f om my owl hooter. Within a few Theron Terhune Marion Barnes minutes, the three gobblers were joined on the ground by at least a dozen Ted DeVos hens and/or jakes. Man did those birds put on a show! Only problem was Bryan Burhans they never came closer than 100 yards to me. Talk about frustrating. Keith Gauldin Rodney Dyer Dr. Keith Causey I guess if it was meant to be, I would have given one of those birds a ride Ron Jolly home in the back of the truck. But that’s why they call it hunting and not Dr. Stephen Ditchkoff Tes Randle Jolly killing. And the sad thing is…..I’ll be back! Kevin Patterson Ryan Basinger G. Ryan Shurette D. Clay Sisson Kent Kammermeyer Allen Deese Scott Brown Dr. Larry W. Varner Jason R. Snavely Steve Tillmann Mark Thomas

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Cover Photo by Scott Brown 3 Fire Ants and their Implications to North American Wildlife By Ryan Shurette

G. Ryan Shurette is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Owner/ Guide of DragSmoker Fishing Guide Service. Contact him at 256-404-5814.

The Red imported fire ant is believed to have first arrived in North America by hitching a ride in the cargo hold or ballast of a shipping vessel, most likely in the port of Mobile, sometime between 1935 and 1945. From there it has marched steadily and largely unchecked across the southern landscape. Public domain image by Alex Wild.

f you spend any time outdoors directly, but they also pose southern Tennessee, with a few out- Iyou are probably familiar with significant threats to crops, native lying pockets in the Carolinas and the painful itching sting of the animal species, and even entire food west into Arkansas. The black infamous fire ant. To make matters webs in many parts of the United imported fire ant is thought to be worse they never seem to come States. In this article we will slightly more cold-tolerant and pos- alone. If I had a dime for each of examine the origin and biology of sibly a little less aggressive than its the curse words this little insect has fire ants, discuss their impacts to cousin. The black and red species caused, I would most likely be very native species since their relatively can hybridize, and this does occur wealthy. But the inconvenience they recent arrival in this country, and where ranges overlap. The Red cause to us directly through their provide some considerations for imported fire ant on the other hand occasional stinging is nothing their control. is now widespread and abundant compared to the ecological toll they across the entire Southeast and sev- can have on native wildlife. Many Introduction eral surrounding states. It has people nowadays do not even There are actually two species of recently made its way west into realize that fire ants were imported fire ants in the United Arizona and even California, and it completely absent on the North States. Depending on where in the has not finished expanding its American landscape just a few short country you are located, you might range. This highly invasive species decades ago. We have for the most encounter the Black imported is believed to have first arrived in part just accepted this pest as part fire ant (Solenopsis richteri), or the North America by hitching a ride of living in the South. Truth be more common Red imported in the cargo hold or ballast of a known, however, the fire ant is one fire ant (S. invicta). Both are native shipping vessel, most likely in the of the world’s worst invasive insect to the central and southeastern port of Mobile sometime between species. Its wicked reputation in the parts of South America, in the 1935 and 1945. From there the United States is well deserved. Fire countries of Argentina, Paraguay, Red imported fire ant (hereafter ants simply don’t belong here. Uraguay, and Brazil. The black referred to simply as fire ant) These aliens are not only a nuisance species is thought to be fairly limit- marched steadily and largely to humans, pets, and livestock ed in its invasive range to northern unchecked across the southern Alabama and Mississippi and into

4 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 landscape. Without the threat of vast majority of the colony is made Red imported fire ants have single predation by many its native South up of “worker” ants. All workers queens and some have multiple American predators (primarily ant- are sterile females that are geneti- queens, the latter typically being eaters), the fire ant has not only cally very similar to each other more invasive, with regards to com- become common, it has become (typically sharing ¾ of their genetic petition with native ants and unnaturally abundant in most of its information, whereas human sisters expansion into new areas. new range. According to the USDA typically share no more than ½ of Agricultural Research Service, the their genetic code). This biological In addition to sheer numbers, fire density of the current fire ant pop- strategy of haplodiploidy is ants are equipped with the ability ulation in many areas of the believed to have shaped the selfless to deliver a particularly nasty sting. Southeast is several times higher nature of a colony through time. It Stinging is used as both a defense than the natural densities observed is the worker ant’s sole purpose to mechanism as well as an offensive in its native South American grass- protect the colony as “itself ”, and hunting weapon. When a swarm of land habitats. In heavily saturated forage and fight for the wellbeing fire ants attack an intruder, for habitats in southern states, the of the queen and colony as a example, they have been demon- number of fire ant colonies whole. Male fire ants develop from strated to coordinate (either (mounds) can grow to more than unfertilized eggs and are winged, through mechanical or pheromone 900 mounds per acre, and each col- along with fertile females, which cues) their initial stinging to maxi- ony can contain up to a quarter are produced by the colony to be mize the shock and awe of the million ants. That can spell bad future queens. As both sexes of event. I don’t know anyone who news for many of our native wild- winged individuals take flight dur- just stands in one place when a life species, and even domestic ani- ing the warmer months of the year, couple dozen fire ants initiate the mals. they can often disperse significant signal to strike. The venom of the distances from their home colonies fire ant is chemically engineered to Fire ants, like all other ants, are with the aid of the winds. After immobilize prey and cause pain in members of the Formicidae family aerial mating occurs the males die a defensive situation. The venom is and they are closely related to bees, in short order, and the newly fertil- comprised of a cocktail of insoluble wasps, and hornets (collectively all ized queens tunnel underground to alkaloids (solenopsin) mixed with these related stinging insects belong start a new colony. Some strains of over 45 other known toxic proteins, to the order Hymenoptera). There are believed to be about 20,000 species of ants, with more than 13,000 currently known to science. Like many other ant species found across the globe, fire ants live in large colonies in the soil. Moist habitats are usually favored over dry xeric sites. In many situations the fire ants’ nest will not be visible since it is typically constructed under large rocks, logs, or other objects. If no cover is available, they push up soil and carve intricate tunnel pathways in raised earthen mounds, located above the subterranean chambers and refugia where the queen is (or multiple queens are) found. The vertical structure of the mound and underground tunnel systems allow eggs and larvae to be stationed accord- If no cover is available, fire ants push up soil and carve intricate tunnel pathways in raised ing to moisture and temperature earthen mounds, located above the subterranean chambers and refugia where the queen is (or gradients, and as weather condi- multiple queens are) found. The vertical structure of the mound and underground tunnel systems tions dictate. Like honeybees, the allow eggs and larvae to be stationed according to moisture and temperature gradients. Photo in public domain.

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 5 through the year in the southern part of the US. In the northern extent of the current range, however, (including parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Virginia), as many as 90% colony mortality can occur during cold winters. Fire ants are also able to cope surprisingly well with flooding events and when the nest becomes flooded with rainwater, the colony comes to the top and flees the mound, and worker ants then link themselves together around the queen. They can raft together in floating mats comprised of as many As both sexes of winged fire ants (fertile males and queens) take flight during the warmer months as 100,000 individual ants. This of the year, they can often disperse significant distances from their home colonies with the aid of the winds. After aerial mating occurs the males die in short order, and the newly fertilized queens behavior has been commonly tunnel underground to start a new colony. Photo credit: Lamiot; Pollinator, no changes made. observed following widespread https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire_ant_queens_3589.jpg flooding such as during hurricanes in Texas, Mississippi, and other proteins in the venom are used for coastal states. controlling bacterial growth in the colony or for laying down chemical Effects on Native Species “scent trails” for other workers to Research by Allen et. al. (2004) and follow. Fire ants have strong hori- many others over the past few zontally opposing mandibles that decades has revealed some interest- are used to bite, in order to get a ing, and alarming, trends regarding grip to more effectively deliver the fire ants’ impacts on many native stinging injection from their North American wildlife species. abdominal stinger. Native wildlife often find it hard to cope when they’re faced with an Red imported fire ants are survi- enemy they are not adapted to, and vors. They are omnivorous and didn’t co-evolve with. Much of the opportunistic and feed on a wide research on fire ants has looked at variety of both vegetable and ani- implications to ground nesting bird mal matter. They can survive and species, especially bobwhite quail. effectively multiply by scavenging We know that ants can sometimes on dead animals, fruits, insects, gar- have negative effects on bobwhite bage, as well as larger animal prey. nests, typically predating the chicks When a swarm of fire ants attack an They can also infest and cause sig- when they are pipping, or emerging intruder, they have been demonstrated to nificant damage to many kinds of from the egg (Meyers, et. al., 2014). coordinate (either through mechanical or domestic crops (corn and sorghum pheromone cues) their initial stinging. The The odor of hatching birds causes venom of the fire ant is chemically engineered are just two examples), and their a rapid response from ants if they to immobilize prey and cause pain in a mounds themselves can wreak are in the vicinity. Even native ant defensive situation. The venom is comprised havoc on farm equipment. Fire species are known to predate hatch- of a cocktail of insoluble alkaloids ants are very adaptable to changes ing bobwhite chicks in some cases. (solenopsin) mixed with over 45 other known in weather and environmental con- Red imported fire ants, however, toxic proteins. Photo by USDA. ditions. Although their native South can reach extremely high densities American ranges typically consist and are very aggressive in their some of which are allergens. It is of warm climate zones, the species nature, and therefore may have the these allergens that are capable of is also cold tolerant to some degree. potential to affect bobwhite survival causing anaphylactic reactions in By burrowing beneath the ground, rates and productivity in some loca- some humans. Other antimicrobial most fire ant colonies can persist tions. To investigate these effects,

6 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 Haines et. al., (2017) examined nest that might otherwise be available to by fire ants. There is certainly some predation of radio-tracked bob- chicks, juvenile, and adult bob- variability between these studies, whites in Albany, Georgia and Tall whites. Apparently, even consuming but collectively they suggest fire Timbers Research Station in fire ants in the diet can have nega- ants are capable of having negative Florida. This study looked at over tive effects, including weight loss impacts in some cases on quail. 23 years’ worth of nest fate data and reduced survival, on individual (approximately 3,200 bobwhite bobwhites (Meyers, et. al., 2014). Other ground nesting birds have nests). Their results showed the Allen et al. (1995) examined popu- also been shown to be affected by average nest loss from fire ants to lation trends for bobwhites in Texas fire ant depredation. Species known be about 5% across the Georgia from the mid-1960’s into the early to be impacted include Prairie study sites and only about 2% in 1990’s. They noted stable bobwhite chickens, Least terns, Great egrets, the Florida sites. However, some of numbers in counties that were not Cliff swallows, Wood ducks, and the sites in the Georgia study infested with fire ants and in those others. Late-nesting clutches (laid showed nest loss rates as high as areas that were infested with ants, when temperatures are higher and 15% due to fire ant predation. quail numbers declined significant- the weather is often drier), seem to These numbers suggest that fire ly. In fact, in that same study, 75% be the most impacted. One Texas ants may be fairly limited in their of the declines were statistically study found that a drastic reduction impacts in some locations, and sig- explained by fire ant presence, and (up to 90%) in ground-nesting nificant in others, depending on by time since infestation, for the waterbird clutches (gulls, black rails, soils and other environmental fac- given county. Allen et al. also and herons) was due to fire ant pre- tors. Fire ants can be bad news for showed that by reducing the fire dation. Brown pelicans in Georgia quail in other ways as well. Besides ant infestations across a property, were also observed to abandon outright mortality in nests and bobwhite populations increased sig- their nests when ants moved in. hatching chicks, fire ants can also nificantly, although this might not Interestingly, data about fire ants’ cause injury and stress in young be the case in every situation. In a impacts on Wild turkeys is limited. chicks. And they may also reduce separate study by Dabbert et al., Most biologists assume that there is invertebrate food sources (soft bod- (2002), 38% of the bobwhite chick some correlation between fire ant ied insects and other arthropods) mortality they observed was caused presence and reduction in turkey

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 7 many herp species. Fire ants were observed to predate hatchling gopher tortoises (Landers, 1980) for example as they pipped and emerged from their eggs and attempted to make their way through the soil. Numerous snakes and lizards are known to be negatively affected by the invasion. Rare and declining species like the Texas horned lizard, southern hognose snake, and rough green snake have all been documented as being sus- ceptible to ants. These species were relatively common prior to the widespread fire ant invasion, and they are now all uncommon. I remember seeing and catching doz- ens of docile rough green snakes each summer in central Alabama Fire ants are also able to cope surprisingly well with flooding events and when the nest becomes during the 1980’s, whereas nowa- flooded with rainwater, the colony comes to the top and flees the mound, and worker ants then link days I see maybe one every few themselves together around the queen. They can raft together in floating mats comprised of as many years. This trend is likely at least as 100,000 individual ants. This behavior has been commonly observed following widespread partially due to a decline in open flooding such as during hurricanes in Texas, Mississippi, and other coastal states. Photo by herbaceous understory habitat in National Park Service. this part of the state, but it makes recruitment, but it has been largely from 7% to 13% for the Black- one wonder how much is also due undocumented and seemingly capped vireo at their study sites. to the saturation of those habitats under-researched. With declining Competitive reduction of insect by fire ants. Conners (1998) populations of wild turkeys in the biomass by fire ants is also certain observed significant mortality in the Southeast, there is a need to learn to influence other insectivorous eggs of green snakes from ants, and more about the role they may be birds and mammals. By affecting even observed mound-building on having on recent Wild turkey the net populations of these first top of clutches of eggs. trends. Impacts to birds are not level herbivores, fire ants may have restricted to those species that nest the potential to disrupt entire food Research on fire ants’ impacts on on the ground. Fire ants can climb webs in some ecosystems. sea turtles has probably received onto tree boles and even into the Population declines due to insect the most attention of any category forest canopy, and they have been prey competition from ants has of North American reptiles. Allen documented to prey on songbird been observed in insect-eating birds et al. (2001) found fire ants on 13 nests. Campomizzi et. al. (2009) such as the loggerhead shrike. The out of 18 of the specific known sea conducted a field study to deter- true impacts to the myriad of other turtle nesting beaches in Florida. In mine nest survival in White-eyed species that feed exclusively on a Georgia study conducted by R. vireo and Black-capped vireo in insects and other invertebrates are A. Moulis in 1997 looking at log- central Texas. These birds do not not yet fully understood. gerhead turtles, the researchers typically nest high in the canopy found that even though a small per- but do nest well off the ground. In In addition to having effects on centage (11%) of turtle nests on 2006 and 2007 they monitored 71 many bird species, fire ants have their study sites were infested with nests, (44 White-capped vireo and also been demonstrated to cause fire ants, the impacts on those 27 and Black-capped vireo). They mortality and other life-threatening infested nests were significant. Just experimentally applied insecticide issues for several reptiles and as in birds, fire ants attacked the and physical barriers at the individ- amphibians. Since these animals hatchlings just after pipping and ual vireo nests. These treatments also lay eggs, and oftentimes in caused significant mortality in those increased nest survival from 10% to moist soil habitats, there is a real nests. Parris et al. (2002) also noted 31% for the White-eyed vireo and risk of predation by fire ants for predation of Florida green turtle

8 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 hatchlings, in addition to life threat- of preying on them however the mutualistic behaviors are observed ening injuries such as blinding. ants feed and care for them as they in at least one species of metalmark Even eastern box turtles can and develop and pupate. The Lycaenid butterfly in the Riodinindae family. have been documented as being caterpillars are treated with such Several species of aphids are also killed by fire ants since its natural hospitality only because they “tended” by fire ants for their sug- defense behavior is not to flee, but secrete a sugary substance that the ary secretions also (a substance to hunker down and close its shell. worker ants feed on during the cat- called honeydew). Fire ants can This allows fire ants to swarm the erpillar’s stay in the colony. Similar sometimes also serve indirectly ben- individual box turtle in large numbers and they are small enough to enter the crevices in the shell (Allen et. al., 2004). It is thought that amphibian impacts are just as high as some reptile species. In South Carolina, Todd et. al. (2008) conducted a field study looking at mar- bled and mole salamanders in different forest management conditions. They found that clear-cuts and heavily disturbed forests were much more prone to infestation by fire ants and that the amphibians that remained and attempted to reproduce in these disturbed areas were likely to be predated. Even small mammals are at risk of mortality from fire ant swarms. Masser and Grant, (1986) reported an average of 13% mortality in live- Many ground nesting birds have been shown to be affected by fire ant depredation. Species known trapped rodents. Trapped hispid to be impacted include Northern bobwhites, Prairie chickens, Least terns, Great egrets, Cliff cotton rats, pygmy mice, and white- swallows, Wood ducks and others. Interestingly, data about fire ants’ impacts on Wild turkeys (shown here) is limited. Photo by R. Shurette footed mice all suffered attacks and mortality from fire ants. Some researchers have noted behavioral responses (to stinging fire ants) in whitetail deer fawns that might cause them to be more at risk of predation. While mortality from fire ants to newborn fawns is probably very rare, they were observed to bleat and react erratically, and to move more overall, which could theoretically make them more easi- ly detectable by large predators like coyotes, dogs, and bobcats. Interestingly, fire ants do have mutually beneficial relationships with some species of wildlife. In butterflies belonging to the Lycaenaidae family, for example, the developing caterpillars are sought out and brought into the While adult gopher tortoises (shown here) are generally not at risk, fire ants have been observed to predate the hatchlings as they emerged from their eggs and attempted to make their way up through mound by the worker ants. Instead the soil. Photo by R. Shurette

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 9 eficial roles to humans and wildlife highest fire ant densities would ics juvenile hormone. Individual since they do feed on some undesir- occur. According to the Texas mound treatments using carbaryl able parasites like ticks, flies, mites, A&M Extension Service, fire ant formulations (also known as Sevin and chiggers. They can also effec- populations “can be suppressed in powder), can be used in addition to tively reduce the populations of pastureland for $10 to $17 per acre the bait broadcast treatments. This agricultural insect pests. However, per year application”. Just as with product is also registered for use in these benefits rarely outweigh the herbicides and all other pesticides, agricultural fields and hay pastures. negatives. insecticides are sold with a label Roadside edges, powerline rights of that governs their use and provides way, and food plots are other places Chemical and Biological instruction for their application. where treatments might be made Control of Fire Ants Always follow label directions and depending on infestation levels. Many land managers are interested restrictions for the type of land use Rarely are treatments made (or in preventing fire ants in unoccu- in which you are making the appli- needed) in heavily wooded areas or pied areas, as well as treating them cation. For example, in cattle pas- largely undisturbed forest stands. in infested habitats. While most tures (agricultural lands) there are landowners simply tolerate them on some granular broadcast bait for- Several biological control options their property, in some cases where mulations (including hydramethyl- are also being studied, with some high infestation densities exist (30+ non, s-methoprene, and pyriproxy- showing promise. Typically, a com- mounds per acre), treatments may fen) that can be used on an annual bination of fire ant parasites and be worth the effort if wildlife bene- or biennial routine to reduce the predators are used in these experi- fits are paramount. Chemical treat- number of colonies, whereas ments to shift the competitive ment of large habitat tracts can be fenoxycarb is only registered for advantage from fire ants to native costly, but by focusing on open dis- non-agricultural rangelands. ants. When this shift is made, native turbed lands, borders, and pastures, Fenoxycarb prevents immature ants can outcompete and even the efforts can be focused and con- insects from developing into a search out and predate the fire ant centrated in the zones where the reproductive adult because it mim- queens, suppressing their popula-

10 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 tions. A microscopic protozoan named Kneallhazia solenopsae, for example, infects both Black and Red imported fire ants References in their native South American ranges, and it was recently Allen, C. R., R. S. Lutz and S. Demarais. 1995. Red discovered in Florida fire ants. Research is underway to imported fire ant impacts on northern bobwhite propagate this protozoan so that it can potentially be used populations. Ecol. Appl., 5:632–638. as a biocontrol agent. Several fungi are also being studied, Allen, C. R., D. M. Epperson, and A. S. Garmestani. along with some parasitic insects, including the phorid fly. 2004. Red Imported Fire Ant Impacts on Wildlife: A Solenopsis daguerri, another potentially effective biocontrol Decade of Research. Am. Midl. Nat. 152:88–103. insect, is a parasitic ant species which has a very bizarre Allen, C. R., E. A. Forys, K.G. Rice and D. P. Wojcik. strategy for survival. This species gains access to the fire ant 2001. Effects of fire ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on colony by mimicking the pheromones of the colony ants, hatching turtles and prevalence of fire ants on sea turtle and then seeks out and physically takes control of the queen nesting beaches in Florida. Fla.Entomol., 84:250–253. by clasping her with its jaws and legs. It then deceives the Campomizzi, A. J., M. L. Morrison, S. L. Farrell, R. N. fire ant workers by mimicking the queen’s chemical scent Wilkins, B. M. Drees, and J. M. Packard. 2009. “Red Imported Fire Ants Can Decrease Songbird Nest and it is fed and tended to by the fire ant workers, tricking Survival,” The Condor 111(3), 534-537. them into raising an army of more parasitic ant queens. These parasitic queens eventually emerge and disperse to Conners, J. S. 1998b. Opheodrys aestivus (Rough Green Snake). Egg predation. Herp. Rev., 29:243. infect more colonies on the landscape. These ants are currently being studied for use here in the United States to Dabbert, C. B., R. B. Mitchell, J.M. Mueller, A.R. Forbes help control infestations. Even though there is some promis- and J. H. Treadway. 2002. Northern bobwhite and red imported fire ant interactions in the Texas coastal plains. ing data coming from this and the other chemical and bio- Southwest. Entomol., 25:105–110. logical control trial programs, it is not likely that we will be saying goodbye to this aggressive exotic insect any time Drees, B. M., 2014. Managing Red Imported Fire Ants in Wildlife Areas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service soon, unfortunately. Fact Sheet. ENTO-019: Accessed online 3/10/21 SAFETY EQUIPMENT SCIENCE EDUCATION STORMWATER & SPILL MANAGEMENT Haines, Angelina M.; Sisson, D. Clay; Gitzen, Robert A.; SURVEY EQUIPMENT TOOLS, TRUCK & ATV ACCESSORIES Lepczyk, Christopher A.; Palmer, William E.; and TRAFFIC SAFETY Terhune, Theron M. II. 2017. Impacts of Red Imported WATER SAMPLING WEATHER STATIONS Fire Ants on Northern Bobwhite Nest Survival,” National WILDLAND FIRE FIGHTING Quail Symposium Proceedings: Vol. 8, Article 88. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ARBORICULTURE ARCHAEOLOGY & GEOLOGY Landers, J. L., J. A. Garner and W. A. McRae. 1980. BACKPACKS & GEAR BAGS CAMPING GEAR Reproduction of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR in southwestern Georgia. Herpetologica, 36:353–361. FACILITY MAINTENANCE FIRST AID FISHERIES EQUIPMENT Masser. M. P., and W. E. Grant. 1986. Fire ant-induced FORESTRY & LOGGING SUPPLIES HORTICULTURE trap mortality of small mammals in east-central Texas. INSECT PROTECTION Southwestern Nat., 31:540-542. LABORATORY EQUIPMENT LANDSCAPING LIGHTING & POWER EQUIPMENT Meyers, P., C. R. Allen, and H. E. Birge. 2014. OPTICS & BINOCULARS PERSONAL PROTECTION Consuming fireants reduces northern bobwhite survival POND & SURFACE WATER EQUIPMENT and weight gain. Journal of Agriculture and Urban Entomology. RESCUE EQUIPMENT 30:49-58. MEASURING UP TO Moulis, R. A. 1997. Predation by the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) on loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta EVERY TASK SINCE 1949. caretta) nests on Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge, Whether you’re tagging waterfowl, managing herds Georgia. Chel. Conserv. Biol., 2:433–436. of deer, or just relocating an unwanted masked marauder, we’ve been there and know what it takes Parris, L. B., M. M. Lamont and R. R. Carthy. 2002. to get the job done right. And that’s what you’ll Increased incidence of red imported fire ant find in our master catalog and on our website— (Hymenoptera: Formicinae) presence in loggerhead seas thousands of professional quality products, each turtle (Testudines: Cheloniidae) nests and observations of one backed with our world class customer service. hatchling mortality. Fla. Entomol., 85:514–517. Call 800-360-7788 or go online today to get your FREE catalog. Todd, B., B. B. Rothermel, R. N. Reed, T. M. Luhring, K. J. Schlatter, L. Trenkamp, and J. W. Gibbons. 2008. Habitat alteration increases invasive fire ant abundance to the detriment of amphibians and reptiles. Biological Sales 800-647-5368 | www.forestry-suppliers.com Invasions. 10(4):539-546.

AllMedia_2021_CC17.indd 30 1/14/21 2:19 PM VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 11 Turkeys For Tomorrow By Ron Jolly Who Is It, What Is It and What Can It Do? Photos by Tes Jolly

Ron Jolly (ronjolly22952@ mindspring.com) is an award- winning outdoor writer and video producer living with his wife, Tes, on their farm near Tuskegee, Alabama. Tes (www.jollysoutddorvisions. com) is herself an award- winning writer and outdoor photographer. You’ve seen lots of her work in past issues of Wildlife Trends Journal.

State wildlife agencies are statutorily charged with the management and protection of our wildlife resources and through cooperation with private landowners and other organizations are responsible for one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time, the restoration of the wild turkey.

n June, 2020, a group of veteran That conversation took place on my wife Tes and myself, are long- Iturkey hunters gathered at White Saturday, June 13. In the room,12 time members of the National Oak Plantation near Tuskegee, men and 2 women with a com- Wild Turkey Federation and Alabama for a reunion of old bined turkey hunting experience of support that mission. The first friends. The purpose of the almost 500 years seriously deliber- question that evolved was “is there gathering was to enjoy good food, ated the state of turkey hunting in more we can do to help wild tur- an adult beverage (or two) and their home state and formulate a keys?” catch up on old times. We were also question that he or she felt, if prop- there to discuss the situation facing erly addressed, could improve tur- From that round-table discussion I wild turkeys across the United key populations in his or her area. was able to formulate and write a States. Most of the participants, including story for Wildlife Trends Journal called “What Is Happening to Wild

12 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 Turkeys In The South” It appeared in on the name for the organization, Building on a Solid the July/August 2020 issue. Six Turkeys For Tomorrow. We Foundation months later Turkeys For Tomorrow, a decided we would not be a member Once the Mission Statement was new non-profit conservation group, organization. Instead, Turkeys For finalized, TFT began seeking hatched from that egg. Tomorrow (TFT) considers contribu- opportunities to implement the tors Partners. We decided we would mission. It quickly became appar- A Plan Comes Together not hold banquets or conventions. ent to us that the logical way for- The big challenge in how to go All these decisions were made to ward was to work with universities about addressing the issues wreak- keep overhead low and the organi- and state wildlife agencies. These ing havoc on America’s wild turkey zation debt free. I’d like to tell you professionals already had skin in resource was where to start. Our that was easy but I’d be lying. the game in the form of trained group is all from the southeastern personnel, equipment and ongoing part of the United States; Arkansas, Once the name for the organiza- research. We concluded that all that Alabama, Mississippi and tion was chosen the next step was a was missing was adequate funding. Louisiana. In the aforementioned mission statement. If I said that To secure funding, we went to the article published in Wildlife Trends was simple, I’d be lying again. In source of funding for the most suc- Journal, questions were raised that fact, the mission statement is the cessful wildlife management pro- we felt, if addressed properly, might result of many writes, edits, re- gram of all time, the North reverse the decline in wild turkey writes and discussions. Finally, American Model of Wildlife populations. We all knew we did everyone was satisfied. Turns out Management. That source is the not have the number of turkeys in our mission statement is the glue American hunter. our home states so why not start in that holds Turkeys For Tomorrow our own back yard? together. Hunters have funded all the great wildlife management programs in July and August of 2020 were spent The foundation of Turkeys For the United States since the passage discussing and searching for logical Tomorrow is its mission statement: of The Wildlife Restoration Act ways a small group of concerned We support and promote science, conserva- (Pittman/Robertson Act) in 1937. hunters could unite around a single Hunters voted to approve an 11% cause—helping turkeys. Through tion, education and hunting traditions for America’s wild turkey resource while excise tax on long guns and ammu- that process we quickly realized the nition and 10% on pistols. This tax monumental task we faced. We also working alongside likeminded organizations, state wildlife agencies, hunters, is collected by the federal govern- realized we would need a lot of ment and is shared to individual help. landowners and universities to ensure we all have turkeys for tomorrow. states in the form of a 3-1 match During this time of organizing, we for dollars raised by states through decided to structure our organization with the election of officers and a board of directors. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic we could not meet in person and began vir- tual meetings on a regular schedule. To say those early meetings were chaos would be like saying water is wet but we learned how to move forward our agenda of making a difference for wild turkeys. We gelled as a group and began to function efficiently and make progress as to who we were and what we wanted to be. I had no idea how hard it would be to get to even a good starting point. That came in one of those clumsy Hen turkeys with broods of near-grown poults are vital to the reversal of the downward trend in Zoom meetings when we decided turkey populations across the United States.

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 13 focus its efforts on the southeastern United States. The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) is comprised of 17 states and territories. They are: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, the Virgin Islands, Kentucky and Virginia. Why the southeastern United States? First, that is where the founders of TFT live. The Southeast is where we hunt and where our observations of the Hunters provide the lion’s share of the funds needed by state agencies through the purchase of hunt- decline in turkey populations occur. ing licenses and matching federal funds generated from the Pittman Robertson Act. Additionally, each state or territory in the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies employs at least one turkey and/or upland bird biologist. These experts com- bine their knowledge and expertise into what they call the Wild Turkey Working Group. This group works collaboratively to address and solve issues they have identified. This cooperative effort allows the group to choose issues to investigate and research, and provides a larger view of the issues. State agencies are funded by license sales and matching federal funds. In recent years the decline in license sales has threatened state agencies’ ability to fulfill their obli- gations to manage and protect In recent years some states have adjusted season openers and bag limits in an effort to ensure enough wildlife populations. hens are bred to increase poults on the ground. This is where Turkeys For Tomorrow hopes to help. We want to work the sale of hunting licenses. To life management projects are eligi- with the Wild Turkey Working date, the Pittman-Robertson Act ble for those 3-1 matching funds. Group and let them tell us where has generated over $12.5 billion Raising funds and working with funding is most needed. Once that that has gone to states for the spe- state agencies to identify projects project is identified and approved by cific purpose of wildlife and wildlife and requiring agencies to apply for the TFT board of directors, TFT habitat management. This powerful matching funds and spend the will apply as much funding as possi- tool is how state agencies garner money on the identified project was ble directly to that project. In return the lion’s share of their funding the most practical and efficient we will require the state agency in approach for TFT. Another little-known fact is that which the funding is dedicated to contributions from non-profit orga- A Good Starting Point sign a Memorandum of Under- nizations to state agencies for wild- Initially, Turkeys For Tomorrow will standing stating the agreement

14 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 of cooperation between the state in turkey populations. Those deci- Glynn Harris, Mike Giles, Jill and TFT. Also, the state must agree sions include loss of hunting days Easton and Tes Randle Jolly, the list to apply for matching federal funds, and reduced harvest of birds. goes on and on, will get the word spend the funds only on the identi- These decisions are the last thing out explaining the whys and hows fied project, provide itemized any state wildlife agency wants to of the problems and solutions. accounts of when and where the impose on hunters. It’s a PR night- funds are spent and provide regular mare for those agencies. For years many hunters I know updates on progress. In turn, TFT have suspected there were problems will post quarterly reports of We believe bringing the voices of occurring with wild turkeys. TFT expenditures and progress on our celebrities like Preston Pittman, wants to help state agencies and turkeysfortomorrow.org website. Ray Eye, Jim Ronquest, Donald universities identify those issues. This builds transparency between Devereaux Jarrett, David Cardin, Mississippi has just published that the agency, TFT and our Partners, Coates Head and Kevin Matthews there is a decline in wild turkey Turkeys For Tomorrow will operate on will unite hunters behind the sci- populations in that state. Arkansas an 80/20 split of contributions. ence of those hard decisions and has moved back spring season $.80 of each dollar contributed by help state agencies get the job done opening day three consecutive Partners will be spent to help wild sooner. We believe adding the sup- years. Georgia is considering short- turkeys, $.20 of each dollar will be port of former state agency direc- ening their season and lowering the used to grow and operate TFT. tors such as Corky Pugh (Alabama), bag limit. Alabama plans to reduce Curtis Taylor (West Virginia) and the limit from five to four, move Added Value Mike Knoedl (Arkansas) bolsters opening day back five days, and Another avenue of support TFT the agency that made that hard implement a study on the why and brings to the table is high profile decision and will help hunters how to fix declining turkey popula- men and women in the outdoor accept and support the decisions tions in the state. industry. We believe hard decisions made. Outdoor communicators like will have to be made by state agen- Big Daddy Lawler, Steve Long, Jim In a speech delivered at the Plenary cies to reverse the downward trend Spencer, Larry Rea, Allen White, Session of the Wild Turkey “It’s a Tough World Out There!”

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VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 15 Symposium in 2015, Dr. Jim Miller, Professor Emeritus, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Agriculture, Mississippi State University, expressed concerns about many of the issues suspected to adversely affect turkeys today. The following is Dr. Miller’s letter to Turkeys For Tomorrow: I am not sure just who will see this, however, after reading the TFT newsletter I was reminded of the paper written from which my presentation at the Plenary Session of the 11th National Wild Turkey Symposium was made in 2015. I addressed many of the concerns I saw listed in the “If Not You--Who?? article, and even later at the request of two The mating ritual of a wild turkey gobbler is one of the most beautiful spectacles found in nature. Retired State Wildlife Agency Directors provided them with a more specific list of turkey populations suffered severe phones in our pockets that put GPS reasons why the wild turkey population decline. In 1920 eighteen of the 39 mapping in the palm of our hands has declined and why it is unlikely to ever states that constituted the wild tur- with the swipe of a screen and click get back to that peak level again in most key’s range had totally lost their of an app. Trail cameras capture states. I am attaching the paper for your turkey population. In the 1930’s an images of turkeys as they move review and response with consideration estimated 30,000 birds were all that from place to place in their every- that I think you will find they address were left in the United States. day lives and text the image to your every issue identified. I am delighted to see phone. Bottom line is we are a lot that Turkeys For Tomorrow is taking up As early as 1929 state agencies better at killing turkeys today. the issue of what changes need to be began trying to address the decline made. I think if the attached paper is in turkey populations. Hundreds of Hunters, private landowners, orga- examined, you will see that I previously thousands of farm raised birds nizations like the National Wild tried to share these concerns with the pro- were released into the wild. These Turkey Federation and state fessional wildlife community several years efforts were a total failure to the wildlife agencies brought wild tur- back. Best wishes and I look forward to pen raised bird’s inability to survive keys back from the brink once. We hearing from someone after they have in the wild. In the 1950’s a man are nowhere close to that near reviewed them. named Herman “Duff ” Holbrook disaster today but why ignore the from South Carolina discovered problem any longer? Turkeys For Respectfully, how to trap turkeys using a canon Tomorrow was created to help state Jim net. Since that time more than wildlife agencies and universities James E. “Jim” Miller 200,000 wild turkeys have been solve the problems that are dimin- Dept. Wildlife, Fisheries & Aquaculture trapped and relocated into habitats ishing wild turkey populations and Mississippi State University in 48 states. put resources in the hands of the professionals who can reverse these The paper from which that speech In 2020 there were an estimated disturbing trends. It will take all of was derived can be read in full on 6.5 million turkeys in the United us to accomplish this lofty goal so if the News page at www.turkeysforto- States. Some estimates say that you are one of those people infect- morrow.org. number is down 10-15% from the ed with the turkey hunting disease, heyday in the late 1990’s and early put your shoulder to the task at It’s Not Too Late 2000’s, but that is not the only When European settlers arrived in hand and help us help those who change that has occurred in the America there were an estimated make sure we all have turkeys for turkey woods. Today, there are 6 ten million wild turkeys. Due to tomorrow! million turkey hunters. We have clearing of land for agriculture and developed better calls, camouflage, excessive, unregulated hunting, wild ammunition and decoys. We have

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MEMBER Practical Ways for Landowners to Manage Wildlife with Surveys and Data By Seth Basinger

Seth Basinger is a wildlife biologist on private properties in West Alabama. He received his B.S. in Biosystems Engineering from Auburn University and a M.S. in Wildlife Science from the University of Tennessee. Seth can be contacted at sethbas- [email protected] .

once heard a saying… “It’s hard get a number of animals over a The goal is to be able to compare Ito know where you are if you given area, or a density estimate. In apples to apples, therefore the more don’t know where you’ve been”. I turn, wildlife biologists and manag- things you keep consistent from actually heard that on my ers can use these estimates to effec- survey to survey, the more accurate daughter’s favorite Disney movie, tively direct management efforts. the trends will be. For example, one but it makes a lot of sense when it would likely get varying results comes to wildlife management. Most surveys are merely estimates comparing a deer camera survey Personally, I think the value of of how many animals are on the done pre-season vs. post-season on knowing how far you have come landscape during the survey period, the same property. Two main things from where you started is important but in most cases only God knows may affect those estimates. First, for managers. Not only does it keep the true number. From my experi- the number of bucks in the pre- you involved, but it keeps you ence of using surveys to manage season survey would likely be high- “in-tune” with how management game populations, the primary key er because of hunting mortality in activities can affect wildlife. to success is consistency from addition to natural mortality (fight- Additionally, witnessing progression survey to survey. Controlling vari- ing, rutting, etc.). Secondly, the over time can boost your ables such as time of year, weather, number of does and fawns estimat- confidence levels. bait, locations, etc. can make your ed may be skewed because fawns data a lot less “noisy” and more are harder to differentiate in the For decades, wildlife managers have reliable. When surveys are conduct- photos from adult deer during post- used surveys of some sort to esti- ed over time in the same way, season surveys. mate populations, which in turn trends in the data can become dictates how management activities apparent. Trend data is a very valu- Another example would be con- are implemented. The animal usu- able resource to look at how popu- ducting gobble counts on turkeys in ally determines which method of lations may fluctuate from week to the spring vs. the fall to get an idea survey can be used, whether it’s week, month to month, or, in most of how many gobblers (and yes, I camera surveys for deer, burrow practical cases, year to year which say gobblers and not toms being surveys for gopher tortoises, or elec- mirrors reproductive periods of from Alabama) are using a proper- troshocking for fish. Typically, the most animals. ty. Although I have heard a turkey big picture of the survey is to try to gobble in the fall before, it doesn’t

18 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 compare to a cool, crisp Alabama many ways to survey deer: aerial the deer get accustomed to the bait morning in early April when the FLIR surveys, spotlight surveys, site. The total number of bucks, oak leaves are as big as squirrel ears hunter observation surveys, and my does, and fawns are counted in all (had to throw a Tom Kelly refer- personal favorite and likely most of the pictures and the bucks are ence in close to turkey season!). A appealing to a deer manager, cam- individually identified or “uniqued” little common sense goes a long era surveys. Everyone I know who based on their antler characteris- way when collecting data and con- deer hunts likes to look at trail tics. Using the ratios of bucks, does, ducting surveys. camera pictures and, in my opin- and fawns counted, the number of ion, can cause an eagerness similar does and fawns can be estimated In the past, surveys have mainly to a child opening presents on given the number of unique bucks been used by federal and state Christmas morning. identified and a density estimate agencies to estimate populations. can be achieved given the acreage However, there are many practical Camera surveys can be used to of the survey. This may sound methods that landowners and man- monitor herd health, identify complicated, but it’s really simple agers can use to aid in their man- “shooter” bucks, and get popula- elementary school math once you agement schemes. In particular, I tion estimates, which is very appeal- understand the process. I would will concentrate on practical game ing to most managers who are recommend a Quality Deer surveys for deer, turkey, quail, and practicing Quality Deer Management Association publica- waterfowl and how you can imple- Management. Without going too tion called Deer Cameras: The Science ment them on your property. much into detail, cameras are of Scouting for any landowner look- deployed in a grid-like fashion (usu- Deer ing to conduct deer surveys them- ally a camera per 100 acres) over selves. There are also private con- The white-tailed deer has likely baited sites. Deer are then captured been studied and surveyed more sultants available who will conduct by the cameras for 10-14 days fol- camera surveys on your property. than any animal in the history of lowing a pre-bait period in which the North America. There are

For signed or inscribed copies send check or money order for $30 to: Jolly's Outdoor Visions, 204 Fast Lane, Tuskegee, AL 36083 Be sure to state how you want each book signed. You can also purchase the book online at Amazon with free shipping by searching: Memories of Spring

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 19 Six years of camera survey data showing the number of bucks in each age cohort

With that said, no survey method is his maximum antler growth before of your deer herd. In my opinion, perfect and from my experience, adding him to the shooter list. if you are remotely serious about pre-season camera surveys underes- However, in order to make sure the deer management then you should timate the number of fawns on a bucks with the best potential make be collecting this data anyway. If given property. On the properties I it to maturity, our philosophy the interested, contact your agency to manage, I generally use camera past couple of years has been to see what is offered in your state. surveys to identify bucks, quantify take out inferior bucks (young and buck and doe numbers, and gener- old) that will compete for resources. Turkeys ate shooter lists. I then use early Here is where a shooter list comes Most biologists and hunters agree season hunter observation data to in handy to aid hunters in harvest- that turkey populations have make inferences on fawn recruit- ing the correct bucks. Imagine this declined throughout much of the ment and add that into the equa- philosophy like playing 5-card draw Southeast. I feel like we are at a tip- tion to get a fall deer density. poker. In the end, you can only ping point…much of how we man- have 5 cards, but you can turn in age turkey populations in the near Shooter lists are extremely helpful some of your worst cards along the future may have long-term implica- for buck management. Hunters way for new ones to finalize your tions. With that said, I think it is should have photos readily avail- hand. This may or may not be the extremely important for managers able while hunting to serve as a situation on your property given and landowners to track their tur- guide for bucks that should be har- property size, deer density, or what key populations over time to keep vested. For example, on a 1700- your neighbors shoot. from overharvesting and to see if acre property in West Alabama, we management strategies are working. have found through camera survey Another useful tool private land- trends that we consistently hold owners, managers, and hunting Turkeys are without a doubt my 22-25 mature bucks (4 years or clubs can use to manage their deer favorite animal to hunt and also to older) each fall, no matter how herd is a state program called manage. Since 2014, I have had the many bucks were shot the year DMAP (Deer Management luxury of managing a large proper- before. The property has a high Assistance Program). Most states ty for turkeys and seen the progres- buck density and bucks end up kill- across the Southeast offer this pro- sion unfold in front of my eyes. ing each other or themselves during gram, however each state may have Every year in July and August, we the rut as a result. It’s a “survival of different qualifications and rules have conducted brood or poult sur- the fittest” situation with Mother that are required to participate. In veys to see how successful hens Nature deciding which bucks sur- general, DMAP usually requires were at nesting and brood-rearing vive to the next year. certain data collection such as body that year. weights, doe lactation, hunter We generally wait until a buck is at If you study the graph closely, you observations, etc. in which they will will see that the number of poults least 4 or 5 years old and close to use to make inferences on the status

20 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 place. Therefore, I had a hard time buying into what the poult survey data was showing and pulled in other sources to verify. To test my theory, we analyzed all the photographs from our fall deer camera surveys and counted turkeys in the pictures to see if trends could be detected in the fall population over time. Sure enough, this past year we counted nearly 4 times the number of turkeys compared to where we started in 2014! Based on the increasing number of turkeys we observe on the property each year, it did not make sense that nesting and brood-rearing success could be decreasing so dramatically. Sometimes you have to read between the lines on what data may be telling you and pull in other sources to make your best educated conclusion. Trail cameras can be useful tools to inventory your turkey population without having to be there. There have been several studies recently Example of generated DMAP harvest statistics over a hunting season on using trail cameras to get population estimates for turkeys. we observed per hen has actually Additionally, whenever a hen has Personally, I don’t think the tech- decreased dramatically over the been observed in a recent survey, nology is there yet to accurately do past six years, which is not typically she usually didn’t have a brood, it, but I also don’t think we are far what you want to see when manag- which is probably why she was off either. However, you can get a ing for turkeys. In fact, we have more apt to use the road in the first sense of how many birds may be hardly seen hens at all the past couple of summers during the survey! This caused me to start digging deep to find answers because we were seeing increases in birds during other times of the year. I believe as nesting and brood-rearing habitat improved, especially in the woods after intense timber thinning, fire, and herbicide regimes, hens chose to keep poults away from roads. Roads provide easy traveling for turkeys, but also can expose a mother hen and poults to increased predation risks (bobcats, coyotes, hawks, etc.). As a result, hen observations have declined Six years of poult survey data showing the average number of poults per hen observed during July during the recent surveys. and August

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 21 using an area from using cameras. Quail On the other hand, fall surveys Also, isn’t it nice to get a wad of Similar to turkey gobble counts, revolve around listening for estab- “blown-up” gobblers sent to your annual spring (mating) and fall lished coveys (a social group of phone while you’re in the office? (covey) call counts can be done by 10-20 birds), which is useful in landowners to determine how quail establishing fall/winter hunting cri- Additionally, spring gobble counts are using the property over time. teria. Generally, these covey calls can also give valuable insight to Generally, observers will have a pre- (“koi-lee”) are not as vocal and as how many males may be using your determined route with listening sta- distinguishable as spring “bob- property. This information can be tions approximately ½ mile apart so white” calls. useful in determining harvest quotas that there is no overlap in birds to prevent overharvesting. This is heard. Also, you need to listen with I didn’t go deep into detail, but simply just going and listening at low wind and good weather starting there is a lot more information out daylight when gobbling activity is at daybreak and lasting about an there on procedures for conducting getting ramped up and counting the hour or two. Listen several days in a these surveys. I recommend starting total number of different birds you row to build a good data set and use with your state agency first and then hear gobbling. I suggest listening consistent techniques in subsequent researching information available within earshot of good roost areas, years. online to see what works for you. and using stealth to not “bump” Again, keep track of spring or fall birds. You should also listen on There are benefits to both spring quail surveys over time to monitor quality mornings when it’s not and fall surveys, but they do have how populations may be fluctuating. windy or raining and birds are a lit- their differences which could be tle more vocal. Remember, the goal used for specific purposes. In the Waterfowl is identifying how many different spring survey, the observer listens Surveying waterfowl can likely be birds are gobbling, not how many for the “bobwhite” mating call of the most frustrating and sometimes times a single bird gobbles. single males in search for females. misleading for a manager in the Therefore, after you give one spot The peak mating season may be Deep South (at least it is to me!). 10 minutes or so, move to another different depending on which state Waterfowl numbers are primarily spot. Gobbling activity usually you are in, but generally in driven by weather and everyone decreases as the morning wears on, Alabama, males are most vocal knows that the colder it gets up so it is wise to stop completely after around early June. In my opinion, north, the more migrating water- an hour or so and also to start in spring surveys may be more appli- fowl we get to see. Therefore, it’s different places the next time. cable for landowners because males difficult to quantify if your manage- Compare this data from year to are very vocal and can be heard ment efforts are paying off if you year to monitor which direction easier and longer after daybreak. don’t get consistent weather from gobbler numbers may be trending. year to year.

Trail cameras can give hunters and managers a good idea of how many turkeys (especially gobblers) are using their property

22 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 There are several techniques biologists use to survey waterfowl numbers. Most of the surveying done by state agencies are done aerially. However, you can simply watch or scan your waterfowl impoundments or wetlands with binoculars once a week and count how many you see. Or, you can use observation or harvest logs from hunts as data. Once again, trail camera observations can be used in place of human observations with waterfowl too. Cameras allow you to record waterfowl numbers without having to be there, and without risking getting seen. From my experience, it is most effective to set up the camera on a “time-lapse” setting to take a picture every 30-60 minutes because ducks sometimes have trouble triggering a motion sensor. Additionally, managers can get a sense of the time of day waterfowl are arriving to plan their hunt accordingly. You may have time to get to the “honey-do” list after all! Managers can use the total waterfowl numbers observed or harvested by species from year to year to make inferences on the success of specific management plans. Just be sure to record weather conditions and time of year considering this could have big impacts on the spe- Example of a fall covey survey data sheet obtained online cies and quantity of ducks. that are specific to a given property. check your food plots and they are Final Thoughts However, by surveying your wildlife mowed down like a putting green, Some of the most common ques- before and after you introduce a then you probably either have too tions I receive from managers are management activity (such as har- many deer or not enough food along the lines of… “How many vesting, trapping predators, pre- available. Or, perhaps you haven’t deer should I kill a year off my scribed burning, etc.), then you will seen a turkey track on your roads in property”, or “How many turkeys likely have a good idea if there quite some time, but the roads are can I kill a year and still maintain were positive or negative implica- absolutely covered in sign of preda- quality hunting?” I wish there were tions to what you did. Just remem- tors such as coyotes, bobcats, and concrete answers to these questions, ber, consistency with your surveying raccoons. Don’t make things more but the real answer is “it depends”. methods and examining trends are complicated than they are some- There are several variables that fac- the keys to success. times and use common sense. tor into this equation such as habi- What’s important is putting time in tat quality, reproductive success, Also, realize that surveys don’t nec- the field, paying attention, and predator numbers, property size, essarily need to be scientific to be keeping records to see how your what your neighbors shoot, etc. effective. For example, when you management is paying off.

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 23 Spring Lake Management By Scott Brown

Scott Brown is a Biologist and regular contributor to Wildlife Trends Journal with over 30 years experience in research and managing natural resources throughout the Southeast. Scott founded Southern Sportsman Aquatics & Land Management in 2007 and now has clients from Texas to Florida and into the Carolinas. Contact him at scott@south- ernsportsmanaquaticsand- land.com or (336) 941-9056.

Spring is the best time to get an electrofishing survey done on your lake. It is a snapshot of what species are in your pond and in what numbers. Combined with angling data, this is the best way to evaluate your lake from day one, document progress in the future and allows management techniques to be modified to continue success before problems arise in the population observed during angling. Photo Credit: Andy Whitaker

pring is the busiest time of the Once water temperatures get above may have been affected by lower- Syear for lake managers. Lake 50o F, things start becoming active than-normal Dissolved Oxygen owners in the South have the and alive. Monitoring the severity (DO) levels. However, Copper-nose luxury of working on and enjoying of your past winters helps you bluegill and pure Florida bass may their lakes in winter while determine what may need perish in cold water temperatures Northerners have cold weather and addressing in late winter/early when stocked farther north than even freezes that deter winter lake spring this year. Did you have they can handle. On the opposite work and/or recreation. My excessively warm or cold side of the spectrum, if it was schedule is by far the busiest from temperatures or lack of or excessive warmer than usual, certain species late February through June. We rainfall this past winter? Colder of vegetation may not have died start electrofishing in Central to than normal temperatures may back and possibly grew during South Florida in late February to have caused a fish kill you are winter and is already becoming a early March, and finish spring lake unaware of in forage species such problem before spring is here. evaluations in the Carolinas in Late as threadfin shad and/or golden Besides seasonal weather patterns May/early June. Thank goodness shiners? Threadfin shad have a of hot or cold, flooding and not all areas start spring the same cold-water threshold of about 45o F drought affects your waterbody. time, or else someone like myself and golden shiners about 35o F. Weather may also affect hatcheries who works large geographical areas Species such as largemouth bass, making it harder or impossible for would make it hard to service all bluegill and redear sunfish can a while to acquire certain fish our clients as well as we do. handle ice covering the surface, but species for spring stocking such as

24 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 threadfin shad, mosquitofish, the bottom in the deepest spot. At during other seasons, the poor tilapia, and golden shiners, as we various locations (depending on water quality section may be large will probably experience in spring waterbody size and number of and hindering the success of your 2021 from the extreme cold that inflows) test for ammonia, alkalinity, fish population. If you have a went across the country. carbon monoxide, chlorides, suitably fitted bottom aeration hardness and salinity (if close to the system, the DO will be constant Water Chemistry coast). With the DO meter, throughout the water column During the spring, your water determining if there is a line and at throughout the year. chemistry should be good from top- what depth separates good DO to-bottom particularly DO, unless levels and poor, or if it is constantly If you conduct an annual fertilizing you have major issues. Sampling good or bad from top to bottom is program, or starting one is desired, water chemistry every quarter can important. This will change with begin fertilizing once water o help you understand what kind of the seasons. In a lake with good temperatures reach 55-60 F and swings your waterbody has water chemistry and no aeration continue throughout the growing throughout the year and determine system DO should be good top-to- season. Monitor the visibility every- if any water quality issues are bottom in spring and fall, with it other-week and add fertilizer as negatively affecting your fish stratified (layered like a cake) in the directed on the product label. population. Spring water quality winter and summer. The depth of Desirable visibility with a issues can affect fish growth, health, this separation line will vary fertilization program is 18-36 reproduction, egg hatching success depending on algae blooms, water inches. Any more and you can have and fry survival. clarity and substrate makeup. The submerged vegetation issues, any farther down this line is the better, less can cause a catastrophic fish We recommend testing in the kill should the planktonic algae die morning for water temperature, as there are more surface acres for fish to reside during these times. off all at once. Do not over fertilize DO, pH, and conductivity one foot and do not stop the program mid below the surface and one foot off Checking this in spring only is a mistake as it may look good, but growing season once it is started. If

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 25 the pH is not adequate (above 6.5 cause a fish kill during the startup be determined by historical growth, minimum), we recommend liming process. Spring is a good time to the species of plant and the past in the fall, allowing water chemistry service pumps and clean bubbler winter temperatures whether plants to adjust over winter so you can stones every year. were killed, growth was slowed or start fertilizing in the spring. continued at a normal rate. The Habitat and Vegetation sooner in spring problem vegetation Adding an aeration system in the Once shoreline and submerged is treated, the more successful the spring makes the startup easier vegetation begin to grow, treatment. Know your plant species than if done in summer or winter. immediately begin treating foreseen biology, herbicide, application rates The air temperature is not as hot nuisance aquatic vegetation with and the effects from water while installing the equipment, and herbicides to prevent excessive temperature. the water column DO and growth in summer and large temperature should be fairly steady amounts of herbicides being Some filamentous algae species will throughout making it less likely to required later in the year. This may begin to grow underwater on the bottom before other terrestrial plants begin to grow. If treating filamentous algae is required, treat as soon as you see it appear. Like all other nuisance plant species, treating sooner rather than later is better overall for the lake and your budget. Other early growing species around the shoreline or in the water that has been a problem in the past should be treated as soon Late winter early spring is the time to restart your fertilization program or if pH is right, start one as the plants appear to be growing. for the first time. Once started, it must be followed through the entire growing season, or it can A growing plant receiving foliage cause major nuisance vegetation issues when stopped before fall. herbicide treatments responds much better than a dormant plant. Spring is the best time to transplant soft tissue aquatic vegetation in or around your lake. This allows it a full growing season before winter to root and become established. Make sure plant species chosen and locations around the lake are best for your area, easy to care for, allow bank access and are aesthetically pleasing. Plant species purchased from a nursery specializing in native aquatic plants or a nearby donor site can be sources for your native species. When using a nearby donor site, be sure you properly identify the plant to prevent moving a nuisance or non- native species creating a problem for you in the future. Early spring is also a good time to Most people have quality largemouth bass near the top of their management strategy goals. The add offshore fish attractors and water temperature was 70° F on a spring April morning in Georgia when this girl was collected gravel spawning beds to help by during a lake evaluation. The spawn had just occurred for her, but was still in progress for others. increasing bream and bass Several larger bass were observed that day due to the timing of the electrofishing. spawning areas and providing

26 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 hiding habitat for newly hatched fish and increasing survival rates, especially in waterbodies lacking good natural habitat. We have observed gravel spawning beds being used in less than five days after installation. If you stopped supplemental feeding for winter, begin feeding once per day when water temperatures get above 55o F. Feed during the warmest part of day in 4-6 feet deep water. Begin feeding twice per day when water temperatures are between 60 and 70o F. Increase to feeding four times per day when water temperatures reach above 700 F. In some areas these water temperatures may be Once water temperatures get above 55° F, fish feeding should resume with twice a day feeding and reached in March and others not turned up to four times a day after water temperatures get above 70° F. until June. Hopefully over winter you cleaned feeders, checked timers and recharged batteries prior to restarting the feeders. If all feed dispensed is not consumed within 15-20 minutes, reduce times dispensed to reduce waste. Most feeding attracts fish, so feeding times throughout the day need to remain the same for long periods of time so the fish will be nearby when the feed is dispensed to ensure most is consumed and waste is reduced. Feeder locations can be points to sight evaluate catfish, bream and shiner populations while fish are at the surface consuming floating feed. We recommend feed with various sized pellets and floating and sinking mixed in one bag. There are various brands of feed on the market, whichever you choose, make sure it has a minimum of 30% protein. Both Purina and Sportsmen’s Choice offer a mixed size and floating with sinking feed in the same bag. Be sure the feed is fresh and not moldy, certain feed molds can be toxic to fish. Depending how your batteries are stored over winter Spring electrofishing should be done around the bass spawn in your area. This assures the larger (inside, fully charged when stored bass will be in shallower water during sampling so they can be captured and are represented in the and fully charged again before numbers. Photo Credit: Andy Whitaker

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 27 putting out) replacing old ones in the spring is a good idea to not be down during the critical spring feeding time.

Fish The hatcheries and weather will dictate when they can bring your ordered fish. Some fish are not available all year long, and many not until late spring or early summer, while some may not be available even when promised and once they are, it is too hot to haul them. In some instances, getting to the lake to stock can become an issue due to heavy spring rains. The best made plans can become very Early spring is a good time to add fish habitat, especially for juveniles after the spawn to protect fluid when it comes to stocking, so them and increase recruitment success. be understanding and flexible. But, getting your order in as soon as possible helps to get your fish. The later you get entered on a stocking list, the more people in front of you and the fewer fish for customers closer to the bottom than the top of that list, no matter the species. As stated earlier, some years there are no fish in certain species available due to winter die offs at the Spring stocking of forage species such as threadfin shad and this golden shiner helps with bass supplying hatchery or natural growth and alleviates pressure on small bream already in the lake, or soon-to-be newly hatched in waterbodies where the species are the lake. collected. If it does not look like your desired species will be recommendations that includes Again, for this task, spring is the available one year, consider stocking before the summer heat best time, followed by fall then selecting another available species arrives. summer and winter, when it as a substitute. There are usually becomes harder to catch bass. The spring is a good time to alternatives, but the cost may be remove largemouth bass with rod- I once had a college professor tell more or less depending on the and-reel from the designated slot the students that if you liked alternate choices. and numbers recommended for the hunting more, become a fish The spring is the best time to year. This also alleviates predator biologist and if you like fishing more conduct an electrofishing survey, numbers for post spawn survival of become a wildlife biologist, because followed by fall. Spring, just before forage also hatching during the fish biologists work more in the or post largemouth bass spawn spring. Most bass management spring and wildlife biologists work assures most bass will be in the strategies for largemouth have a more in the fall. That was definitely shallower water and more likely to bass removal component in it, and some great, accurate advice. I am be included in the sample, which the bass are easier to catch in really busy in the spring as many indicates how weak or strong the spring after a winter of eating very landowners with fish and lake work, population is. Sampling at this time little and coming off the spawn. however, he did show us fish allows for your lake manager to Many clients do not use this biologists how to schedule work compile the data, create a opportunity and then find around spring turkey hunting, management strategy and get summertime fishing harder to catch because everyone deserves to do a started on implementing the the numbers that were prescribed. little bit of that too.

28 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 Wildlife Trends Journal

Management Calendar Dave Edwards

Dave Edwards is a certified wildlife biologist and regular contributor to Wildlife Trends Journal and other hunting/ wildlife publications. Dave was honored as QDMA’s 2007 Deer Manager of the Year and nominated in 2011 as Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Conservationist of the Year. Dave is President of Tall Tines Wildlife & Hunting Consultants, Inc. Contact him at [email protected] or 912-464-9328.

If you are not fortunate enough to have commercial agriculture on your property or nearby, planting summer crops will benefit your deer herd if adequate acreage is planted.

Check, clean and send trail or liquid gas) often used to dust/ now you will avoid delayed service cams in for repairs clean computer keyboards. A tooth- times later due to the typical “fall Late spring is a great time to per- brush is a good tool to clean small rush” in late summer/fall when form normal maintenance to trail debris from these areas as well. most hunters start thinking about cameras. Generally speaking, this is Never store camera with batteries in deploying cameras and remember the period I use my cameras the them. If your camera has a rubber or realize they have issues. A few of least. Taking care of cameras now seal around access compartment the more common problems I’ve will ensure they are ready to be doors (most do), pull them and encountered include flash not work- deployed in late summer to begin clean them good. I often wipe them ing properly, photos having a halo assessing bucks or conducting cam- down with Vaseline to lubricate/ around white out areas (like reflec- era surveys in early fall. With over condition them which gives them a tive deer eyes) and being out of 20 years of experience using trail better seal. If the rubber seal is dry focus. These are problems that only cameras and currently owning rotted, simply order a new one from the manufacturer can fix. roughly 150 cameras, I can assure the manufacturer. This is also a you that giving them a little TLC great time to send “broken” camer- Inspect and manage recently goes a long way in extending their as back to the manufacturer for planted hard and soft mast life. I normally perform a detailed repair if needed. Obviously, there fruit trees cleaning of each camera. Focus are many things that can break in Most soft and hard mast tree plant- deep cleaning efforts on the user trail cameras. Although we all try to ing takes place during winter. Now panel (where you adjust settings), handle them carefully, we are taking that it has been a few months since battery compartment, lens, and them into rough and bumpy envi- these trees have received attention it flash areas. I use an electronics ronments so occasional issues will is time to check on them. With spray duster (can of compressed air occur. By sending them in for repair growing season in full swing, late

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 29 spring is a good time to revisit these trees to provide TLC and ensure they are set for a good first summer. Take time to inspect each tree to make sure the tree and tube is properly staked and upright. If fire ants have built a mound inside the base of the tube, treat them. Make sure zip ties are secure on stakes and tubes. If trees were mulched (recommended), inspect the mulch and add more if needed to reduce weed competition. Speaking of which, late spring/early summer is a good time to spray glyphosate (RoundUp) around the base of each tree to kill grasses and weeds that compete for water and nutrients. Depending on the type of fertilizer (if any) was used when the tree was planted, now is a good time to give the tree a boost. Taking care of young trees during their first couple summers is important and will result in optimal growth and strength.

Plant summer food plots for wildlife Throughout most of the Southeast, April and May are the desired planting periods for many summer crops such as millets, sorghum, peas, corn, soybeans, etc. Because many of the seed producing grass type crops that benefit birds are Late spring is a great time to perform normal maintenance or repairs to trail cameras summer crops, wingshooters devote a lot of energy and effort into planting during this time of year. Deer hunters are well aware of fall food plots because they are so attractive to deer during hunting season, which helps hunters observe and harvest deer, but often overlook the benefits of summer crops for deer. If you are not fortunate enough to have commercial agriculture on your property or nearby, planting summer crops will benefit your deer herd if adequate acreage is planted. Many nutrient draining biological processes such as fawning, milk production, and antler development are taking place during summer. Most summer plantings for deer are Spring green up is a great time to move and deep clean feeders.

30 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 very nutritious and high in much successful planting starts with test- an excluder is simply a piece of 4’ needed protein. Commonly planted ing the soil and applying required tall close wire fence rolled to make a summer crops for deer include fertilizers and lime to ensure good 3’ diameter tube then staked to the many varieties of peas, soybeans, soil quality. Create a clean, smooth ground. It prevents deer from corn, lab lab, vetch, and clovers. seed bed and plant under favorable browsing plants inside the cage One of my “go-to” summer plant- conditions. Favorable conditions which allows you to assess crop suc- ings for deer in the Southeast is for- mean adequate soil moisture and a cess and deer use. age soybeans. One mistake I often good chance of rain after planting see made is trying to plant these takes place. As you can imagine, Screen property lines where crops on small food plots. Because weed control poses more problems needed to prevent or reduce they are so attractive and will in summer plantings because of the poaching. receive heavy browsing pressure, warmer soils and good growing Most landowners or hunting clubs plots need to be at least a couple conditions. Therefore, it is essential that are aggressively managing their acres in size, preferably more. Even to monitor summer food plots for property for wildlife have many at low densities, deer can apply too weed encroachment and treat as resources invested into developing, much grazing pressure on small needed for optimal forage produc- managing, and/or maintaining plots and in many cases eat all tion. I also recommend placing a their property. Regardless of where plants shortly after germination deer “excluder cage” on each food your property is, efforts should be before the crop has a chance to plot to monitor crop production made to reduce or eliminate poach- establish. Regardless of whether and deer use. Most of you have ing. This includes properly posting you are planting for birds or deer, a used or seen these in the past, but your property, having secure gates, and fencing if needed. These activi-

If possible, schedule timber harvests for late winter or spring. Doing so gives these areas the entire growing season to re-vegetate resulting in better wildlife habitat.

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 31 ties relay the message that you are serious about trespassing and will curtail most trespassing. Something that many landowners or hunting clubs often overlook is using crops, shrubs, or other plants to provide natural barriers or screens to keep people from seeing into your property. Obstructing the view of your property from adjacent landowners, hunting clubs, or along highways or roads may not eliminate poaching, but will reduce the temptation. Most properties only have a few key areas along their border that need to be screened. Some of my favorite “natural screens” include evergreen trees such as cypress, cedars, or pines. These species grow well in many soils and climates and because they are evergreen, they provide good screen during the winter months. Unless you are planting Creating 1/2 to 1 acre thickets within relatively open quail habitat provides increased habitat diversity as well as loafing and escape cover. containerized trees, such as 25-gal- lon potted trees, most trees should upcoming summer. Deep cleaning have a nutritious food source. be planted in the winter. An alter- for us means hauling a feeder back Whole corn should be avoided native, and something I often do, is to the shop to clean all old feed and when possible unless you are “train- to plant strips of spring/summer debris out, then pressure washing ing” deer to use new feeding sta- crops that will grow tall enough to using a bleach solution. As new veg- tions. As a side note and tip, deer do the job. Many of these crops can etation begins to mature or “harden will spend more time at and use/ be planted in April and May up” it will be less nutritious and consume more feed (which is the depending on your location. Corn, attractive to deer and feed con- goal) at feeders that are located in Egyptian wheat, sorghum Sudan, sumption will increase. Although remote/isolated areas verses those switchgrass, or some of the taller supplemental feed should be provid- in the open (e.g. food plots). native warm season grasses not only ed throughout the year (or at least Another tip is to never hunt over a make good screens but add wildlife when it is legal), April through supplemental feeder. A supplemen- value to your property. If you September is the most critical peri- tal feeder should be a safe place for choose this route, ensure the strip is od to ensure deer have a quality deer where they feel very comfort- wide enough to provide a good diet. Supplemental feeding is partic- able and secure. Remember, you screen once crops mature and ularly beneficial to deer herds in want deer to spend as much time at brown up during fall. I often make poor quality habitats such as coastal a feeder as possible. This seems these strips 25 feet wide if the situa- plain areas or areas with deep sandy obvious, but I commonly see sup- tion allows. soils. There is simply a larger nutri- plemental feeders in sight of deer tional gap to fill on these less fertile stands. Take these temptations away Move, clean & keep supple- habitats. Many biological processes from hunters by ensuring feeders mental feeders full for deer. such as antler growth, fawning, and are not seen from stands. Lastly, For those that implement a supple- milk production occur in deer dur- remember that supplemental feed- mental feeding program for deer, ing this period. Later in summer is ing is just what the name implies – you have probably noticed a signifi- also the period in which quality nat- a supplement to properly managing cant decrease in feed consumption ural food source are often at its low- the natural habitat and deer herd. It during the spring green-up period. est. Providing a quality nutrient rich is often the highest hole to “patch” This is a great time to move (in the feed that contains a proper level in your management bucket, mean- same general area) and deep clean and ratio of protein, calcium, phos- ing everything else should be in all feeders in preparation for the phorus, fiber, etc. will ensure deer place before a supplemental feeding

32 800-441-6826 • MARCH/APRIL 2021 program is undertaken or imple- habitats. It may be worth noting life habitat. Timber areas that are mented. that this is a “fine-tuning” strategy harvested late in the growing sea- to enhance wildlife habitat once son, say July, do not have much Lime and fertilize roadsides. other “big picture” items such as growing season left to recover or re- Many landowners concentrate their woods, fields, etc. are being actively vegetate which results in poorer efforts in the woods or food plots and properly managed. If you have quality wildlife habitat until the next but overlook roadsides when man- undesirable vegetation or exotic growing season when plants can aging a property. Roadsides can plants along roadsides such as reestablish. Having said this, the account for a great deal of acreage sweetgum trees, privet, cogon grass, wildlife value of thinning or across a property. Liming and fertil- etc., a consulting wildlife biologist clearcutting timber is more impor- izing natural areas along roads dur- or forester may be useful in helping tant than the timing of the harvest. ing spring/early summer will to determine the appropriate That is, do not delay a harvest sim- enhance plant growth, attraction mechanical and or chemical strate- ply because it will occur during late and nutrition of these areas for gies to apply to remove these and summer. However, when possible, wildlife. These areas not only pro- promote wildlife friendly plants. schedule timber harvest in late win- vide quality browse for deer, but ter or early summer. create ideal nesting and escape Conduct timber harvests early. cover for turkeys and quail. Because If you have a timber harvest sched- Establish photo points. wildlife are attracted to these areas uled for this year, late winter or Early summer is a great time to it also increases wildlife viewing early summer is the preferred time begin assessing habitat response opportunities while riding around to conduct these activities. from management strategies you the property. This strategy is well Harvesting timber during winter, if have employed over the past year. suited for widened roadsides that your property is dry enough, or Photographs are a great way to are currently being managed (by during early summer will give these monitor and document the progress mowing, disking, fire, roller chop- areas the entire growing season to of these habitat enhancements. ping, etc.) for early successional re-vegetate resulting in better wild- Examples of areas to monitor

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VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 • WWW.WILDLIFETRENDS.COM 33 include areas that you have burned, ing or some combination of these. from time to time to set back suc- harvested timber, applied understo- The goal of this management is to cession and prevent trees from ry control, strip disked, planted fruit set back plant succession to an earli- encroaching. While every property tree orchards, and food plots. er stage. Plant succession is the nat- is different, I commonly design/cre- Depending on where management ural progression that takes place as ate these areas to be ¼ to 1 acre strategies are being applied, several plants reoccupy a site over a period and ensure they are distributed photo points should be located of years. Annual plants such as rag- roughly 150 yards apart throughout throughout the area and maybe weed, broomstraw, croton, partridge the areas being managed. If fencer- across your property. Make sure to pea, wild millets, etc. are considered ows and/or ditches are present, take notes or mark on a map where “early successional species” and are leaving a 15-20 yard buffer on each each photo point is located so that some of the first to occupy a site side will create similar habitat and you can take the same photo over after a recent disturbance. A mature often creates a travel corridor or time. Many landowners take a pic- forest is in a “climax” or late succes- escape route for quail. For areas ture from each location every 6 sional condition. Quail are consid- that receive fire every 1-2 years, months. Photographs taken over ered a species that prefers early suc- simply install a firebreak around the time from these locations will reveal cessional habitats. However, while thicket areas to keep fire out. We habitat changes and progress made. these strategies provide overall great often refer to these as “ring- early successional habitat for quail it arounds” – areas we have installed a Establish thickets for quail is also important to “protect” some firebreak around to prevent fire If you actively manage your proper- habitats/areas to provide increased from consuming vegetation within ty for quail hunting consider estab- habitat diversity and escape cover the area. To manage the “ring- lishing protective “thickets” within within the actively managed areas. arounds” and keep them from get- these areas to provide quail with Doing so will allow larger plants ting too overgrown we just create quality escape and travel habitat. and shrubs to establish creating new ones somewhere else every 2-3 Generally speaking, areas intensive- excellent overhead escape, loafing, years and allow fire to set back suc- ly managed as “quail woods” for and roosting cover. Having said this, cession in the original areas protect- hunting are maintained through these areas need to be “disturbed” ed when we burn. annually burning, disking and mow- Woodland Mulching: It Can Be Addictive! Land Clearing- Logging Clean-up - Firelanes - Roads call us at 334-269-2224

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