Wildlife News Volume 6, Issue 5 – September 2011

Louisiana Wildlife News Volume 6, Issue 5 – September 2011

Don’t forgot the Needy Use Caution When Providing Corn for Deer Anyone who will be using corn as a supplemental feed for wildlife this this Hunting Season hunting season is advised to use caution when purchasing the grain. Dry Various “Hunters for the weather conditions over a large portion of the state this past summer have Hungry” organizations will be caused conditions to be favorable in isolated areas for the formation of dan- active this fall in collecting gerous aflatoxin levels. frozen game and fish from hunt- Aflatoxin is a toxin produced by common fungi called Aspergillus flavus. ers and fishermen for donation These fungi live in the soil and on decaying plant material and when condi- to local food banks. tions are right for aflatoxin to grow, the food safety of the corn itself can be compromised. Even though studies have shown that aflatoxin levels as high These programs, known as as 800 parts per billion (ppb) did not harm white-tailed deer when fed corn “Clean-Out-the-Freezer-Day,” as a short-term supplemental feed (during the hunting season), there are have been ongoing for many still reasons to use caution. Even levels of aflatoxin much lower than 800 years now. What originally start- ppb caused subclinical liver damage in white-tailed deer fawns. This higher ed as a way for outdoorsmen to susceptibility in young deer along with unknown long-term effects in deer of all ages may cause problems whereby stressed deer could succumb more make room in their freezers for readily to other diseases and parasites. The use of aflatoxin contaminated game and fish to be harvested corn also poses a much greater health risk to non-target bird species such as during the upcoming season has wild turkeys, which are much more susceptible to the toxin. grown over the years to be one of the major suppliers of frozen Even corn that is removed from the fields with safe aflatoxin levels must be handled properly to avoid future contamination. Corn exposed to wet meat products to food banks conditions by either improper storage or by dispersing more than what deer across the state. can consume prior to moisture exposure can lead to dangerous aflatoxin Closely tied into the levels. Anyone planning on using corn as a supplemental feed this hunting season should make certain that they purchase their grain from a reputable “Clean-Out-the-Freezer-Day” is source that sells certified corn with aflatoxin levels below 20 ppb. a program where deer hunters can donate a whole deer (minus the tenderloins and backstraps which they can keep) to a local Changes in Proposed Dates for 2012 Turkey Season processing facility for a fresh The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has amended meat donation to local food its original plans for opening dates of the 2012 turkey season. The initial banks. Processing fees are proposal called for dividing the state into a north and south zone with differ- handled through private dona- ent opening dates. Based on public comment, officials now will revert to the same area designations used for the 2011 spring season. Plans now call for tions and food bank operating a uniform statewide opening date on the fourth Saturday in March. Newly budgets. proposed designated areas and dates include: The Baton Rouge area Area A: March 24 – April 22 “Clean-Out-the-Freezer-Day” is set for Sunday, Sept. 25. Check Area B: March 24 – April 15 local papers for the many drop- Area C: March 24 – April 8Daily and season bag limits remain at one and off points of frozen items as two gobblers, respectively. well as the dates and locations A special private land youth hunt for individuals 17 years of age and for other similar events in cities younger, as well as hunts for wheelchair confined hunters, will take place on across the state. March 17 -18, 2012, in all areas.

Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 6, Issue 5 1 Wildlife Species Profile Eastern Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

The eastern coral snake is a fairly long snake, reaching lengths of up to 45 inches. Many specimens found in Louisiana are much shorter than this however. Regardless of their total length, eastern coral snakes are easy to distinguish from almost all other snakes in our state by the distinct pattern of alternating black, yellow and red rings across the body. The yellow and red bands are always in contact with each other and the tip of the snout is always black. The only other species that can possibly be mistaken for an eastern coral snake are the milk snake, scar- let snake and scarlet king snake. In all these other species, the alternat- ing red and black bands make contact with each other. A good Both subspecies are primarily inhabitants of forested areas although rhyme to remember this pattern they have been collected in open pastures and grasslands. My only personal is “red on yellow, killer fellow; red collection of an eastern coral snake occurred in Washington Parish in a piney on black, friendly jack.” Also if one woods area on the LSU Lee Memorial Forest between Franklinton and Boga- can remember that when driving lusa. This snake was located under a raised foundation building in several and approaching an intersection, a inches of pine needle litter. stop light will turn yellow and then red; in the same way if one sees a Coral snakes will quite often have a mild disposition and even when snake with distinct yellow and red handled freely, they may not attempt to bite. If bitten, however, serious bands touching each other, one consequences will result. Their venom is more potent than any other of should stop and use caution. The our poisonous snakes and is known as neurotoxic venom, which attacks eastern coral snake has a statewide the central nervous system. All other poisonous snakes in our state possess distribution except for areas along hemotoxic venom, which affects the blood and organs. Coral snakes also the coast. They are also extremely lack fangs and deliver their poison into a victim by chewing vigorously, thus rare in the Florida Parishes. A sepa- forcing the poison into multiple wounds. rate subspecies known as the Texas coral snake occurs west of the Mis- Coral snakes feed primarily on a variety of small terrestrial snakes and sissippi River and is characterized lizards. The speckled king snake is a major predator of coral snakes in Loui- by more numerous black markings siana. Reproduction occurs by females depositing five to nine elongated within the red rings. eggs, usually in the spring.

2 Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 6, Issue 5 Plant Species Profile Cow Oak (Quercus michauxii)

The cow oak is one of our most distinctive white siana champion cow oak having a diameter of almost 5 oaks, commonly occurring on moist or wet loamy feet. Other common names for cow oak include swamp soils which are inundated for short periods of time chestnut oak and basket oak. The name basket oak in the fall or winter. It is often found in association most likely came from its use in making basket splits. with sweet gum, water oak, willow oak and American Like other white oaks, the wood possesses closed tylo- elm. The leaves of cow oak are deciduous and 7 to 8 ses which allow it to be used for barrel construction and inches long. They are broadly obovate with a distinct liquid storage. crenate to coarsely dentate margin. Similar to other oaks within the white oak classification, the bark of Cow oaks produce the largest acorns of any oak in cow oak is scaly and whitish to ashy gray. Louisiana. The fruits are short-stalked and ½ to ¾ inch in length. It has a bowl-like cap with thickened scales The lumber quality of cow oaks is excellent. It that encloses ¼ of the nut. Acorns have a low tannin is usually a well-formed tree with a straight trunk content which, makes them a preferred food choice for that averages 60 to 80 feet in height. It commonly a variety of wildlife species. reaches diameters of 2 to 3 feet with the current Loui-

Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 6, Issue 5 3 Louisiana Wildlife News

Dr. Don Reed Professor (Wildlife) Idlewild Research Station (225) 683-5848

Reviewers: Dr. Andy Nyman Associate Professor School of Renewable Natural Resources

Dr. Dearl Sanders Professor & Resident Coordinator Idlewild Research Station

Visit our website: www.lsuagcenter.com

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center William B. Richardson, Chancellor Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station John S. Russin, Vice Chancellor and Director Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director

The LSU AgCenter is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

4 Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 6, Issue 5