Louisiana Wildlife News Volume 3, Issue 6 – Movember 2008

New Waterfowl Restrictions Cougar Sightings Verified in Louisiana for Upcoming Season The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries followed up on photographic evidence of two reported There will be a closed season cougar sightings in the state, confirming that the photo- on canvasback ducks in 2008- graphs were authentic. 09 within the entire Mississippi The trail camera photos came from Natchitoches, La. flyway. Breeding waterfowl surveys on September 4, 2008, and Allen Parish, Louisiana on showed a decline in canvasback September 29, 2008. The two areas were approximately populations below the 500,000 100 miles apart, leading to the speculation that the two threshold level that was needed photos were of the same animal. Both pictures indicate to open the season. Louisiana a young cougar with the same general appearance. The hunters harvested 40 percent of all animals could have originated from either dispersed canvasbacks taken in 2007 within individuals within West Texas cougar populations or from the Mississippi flyway. This was the escaped captives. largest number taken by any state within our flyway. In other changes, It is illegal to possess a cougar in Louisiana without Mississippi flyway hunters can add proper permitting from the LDWF. In Louisiana, cougars an additional wood duck to their are protected under state and federal laws. For more daily bag limit. Three wood ducks information on the life history of cougars in our state, are now allowed to be taken on a refer to the May 2008 issue of Louisiana Wildlife News. daily basis. Weevils Introduced to Control Aquatic Weeds The Inland Fisheries Division of the Louisiana Depart- ment of Wildlife and Fisheries is currently using weevils as a biological control management tool against common salvinia in Louisiana. The weevils were brought in from Florida on common salvinia plants from lakes located at similar latitudes from which the insects will be released in Louisiana. The weevils are host-specific and will only feed on common salvinia plants and not damage native vegetation. It is expected to take up to five years before the relocated insects are able to reach sufficient numbers to serve as a viable control method for a body of water. Releases were made in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Blind River, Pearl River, Cheniere Lake, Lake St. John and Bundick Lake.

Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 3, Issue 6 1 Wildlife Species Profile Red Fox (Vulpes fulva)

The red fox is one of two fox with open areas of farmland and and small livestock where avail- species found in Louisiana. It, like pastures. They often travel fence able. the gray fox, is a small dog-like rows and ditch banks in search of Fox hunters value the cun- canine that is easily recogniz- rats and mice. They are excellent ning and craftiness of red foxes able from the latter species by swimmers and can easily escape over that of gray foxes. Red foxes its predominately reddish-yellow any potential predator by taking to are better able to elude a pack of color from head to tail. The only the water for safety. hounds, along with being less likely exception to this is the last 4 to 5 Female red foxes or vixens will to tree when pursued. Its value inches of tail length which is black usually excavate a den in a bank or as a furbearer has been greatly and tipped with white. Red foxes gully. Some simply take over the reduced in recent years as has most average about 3 to 4 feet in length den of other animals such as arma- all fur-bearing animals in our state. with the tail comprising about 12 dillos, enlarging and extending the The 2007 take of red foxes in the to 17 inches of this total. existing cavity to suit their needs. Louisiana fur trade amounted to The red fox is nowhere abun- Breeding takes place in the fall or only 17 individuals with an aver- dant in Louisiana and, although early winter and two to 10 young age value of $13.08 each. During widely distributed throughout the are born following a gestation this same period, 306 gray foxes state, it generally occurs in much period of approximately 53 days. were taken at an average value of fewer numbers than the gray fox. The young are weaned at about 2 $17.00 each. Both gray and red Both species are absent from our months of age and usually leave foxes are extremely vulnerable to extreme southern parishes. Red the den when around 6 month old. rabies, which can reach epidemic foxes received a big recruitment More than half of a red fox’s proportions, especially in areas boost into our state as a result of diet consists of small mammals – where favorable habitat and lack introductions by fox-hunting clubs, mainly rabbits, rats and mice. The of utilization as a fur source, cause which some believe to be the main balance of what is eaten includes populations to reach high num- reason for its presence in Louisiana. wild birds, carrion, insects and bers. Red foxes prefer mixed oak- plant material, along with poultry pine wooded uplands interspersed

2 Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 3, Issue 6 Critter Corner Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius)

The plains pocket gopher is a medium-size gopher, 8 to 10 inches in total length. They are among the most highly special- ized of all rodents with many structural modifications enabling their subterranean existence. They are rat-like in appearance with massive shoulders and arms along with heavily clawed forefeet which enable them to dig their underground burrows. Short body hairs, along with small eyes and inconspicuous ears, are further adaptations for an animal spend- ing most of its time beneath the ground. The gophers’ poor sight and hearing are compensated by a nose and tail that are very sensi- that one usually has of catching house cats, skunks, bobcats, hawks tive tactile organs. Fur-lined cheek them above ground. Once dirt and owls prey on pocket gophers. pouches and large incisor teeth lie is expelled from a tunnel, the These predators, however, are outside the mouth cavity, adding gophers quickly plug the opening often unable to reduce pocket to the unique appearance of these leaving no trace of the entrance. gopher numbers to a level that animals. Pocket gophers usually lead prevents damages from occur- In Louisiana, pocket gophers a solitary and highly territorial ring. The gophers’ vegetarian diet are found in the western portion existence with only one individual causes the destruction of trees, of the state from the Arkansas occupying a single system of tun- shrubs and other plants, mainly by state line as far south as northern nels. When breeding season cutting and eating root systems. Cameron parish. Except for small approaches, males will extend their Other vegetative matter are isolated populations, they are not tunnel system in search of one destroyed, too, during tunnel con- found east of the Ouachita and occupied by a receptive female. struction. Trapping and poisons Little Rivers. They are only able to Breeding usually occurs from early are the two most successful control dig their subterranean tunnels in to late spring and, following a measures. Traps and poisons sandy loam soils, which are gener- gestation period of 18 or 19 days, should be placed within the main ally not found along river bottoms young are born primarily from burrow that is usually located 12 to where the soils are heavy and high March through June. In Louisiana, 18 inches away from plugs located groundwater levels exist. litter size is usually no more than on top of each mound. Openings made in the tunnel system for Evidence of pocket gophers 2 or 3 individuals. Young grow rapidly and are very intolerant of trap or poison placement should in an area are the mounds of dirt be closed with dirt to finalize the that the animals bring to the each other and their parents. This causes an early dispersal of the operation. Several rodenticides are surface from their underground labeled for pocket gopher control excavations. The pocket gophers young into other areas, usually before they are even one-third and most utilize some type of themselves are seldom seen, grain-based carrier. Decomposi- however, since they rarely leave grown. Pocket gopher density can be as high as 20 individuals per tion in damp burrows is the main the safety of their tunnels. Their drawback to these grain baits so infrequent above-ground feedings, acre with an average individual live span of around 2 years. new poison formulations in paraf- (mainly at night), or a quick appear- fin blocks have been introduced to ance to shovel out the dirt from Control Measures. Numerous increase the effective life of these their tunnels are the only chances predators, including coyotes, foxes, products.

Louisiana Wildlife News - Volume 3, Issue 6 3 Plant Species Profile Louisiana Forage Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Wildlife News Forage chicory is a perennial forb in the family Asteraceae that has become quite popular in recent years as a planting in deer food Dr. Don Reed plots across the southeastern United States. In the deer food plot Professor (Wildlife) business, “Puna forage chicory” is the major variety marketed in Idlewild Research Station the United States. While a relatively new forage crop in the United (225) 683-5848 States, chicory has been used in other countries for hundreds of years. The plant originated in Central Europe, and much of the breeding for improved forage characteristics was done in New Zea- land. Reviewers: Forage chicory is best suited to well-drained or moderately Dr. Michael Chamberlain drained soils with medium- to high-fertility levels and a pH of 5.5 Associate Professor or higher. It produces a leafy growth that, if managed properly, School of Renewable Natural is higher in nutritive and mineral content than alfalfa or any cool- Resources season grass. It has a deep taproot that provides tolerance during periods of drought along with allowing enough nutritive uptake to Dr. Dearl Sanders produce an average of 50 pounds of forage per acre per day. The Professor & Resident Coordinator best growth usually occurs from April to October. Idlewild Research Station During winter, forage chicory appears as a low-growing rosette plant with broad leaves, appearing much like a dandelion. As temperatures warm in the early spring, it produces a large number of leaves, and if ungrazed, will reach heights of 6 feet by late spring while being covered with bright blue flowers. In Louisiana and throughout the Southeast, forage chicory should be planted from September to October at a seeding rate of 3 to 4 pounds per acre. Although considered a perennial plant, forage chicory is short-lived and will usually only survive for 2 to 4 years. In several food plot field trials at the Bob R. Jones- Idlewild Research Station, Puna forage chicory has performed well in its browse toler- ance characteristics in light of deer showing a strong preference for the plant. Visit our Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center William B. Richardson, Chancellor Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station David Boethel, Vice Chancellor and Director Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

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