Browsing by Author "McGinnes, Burd S."
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- A 15-Year Research Summary and Hunting Harvest Data Evaluation of the Broad Run Management AreaWeekes, William Dickey (Virginia Tech, 1974)This thesis is serving as a study report on 15 years or wildlife research performed at the 11,422-acre Broad Run Wildlife Research Area, also known at the Broad Run Management Area, in Craig County, Virginia, Incorporated in this thesis is a synthesis of all pertinent data, conclusions, evaluations, and recommendations emanating from the 17 theses written from studies undertaken at Broad Run. From these 17 theses there has been gleaned 193 results which are included in this thesis. These results took the form as either facts, summary conclusions, distilled background discussions, or as evaluations on information unearthed or research performed. Five works emanating from studies at Broad Run concerned attempts to quantify browse and mast. Four theses concerned the wild turkey, its movements, distribution, and abundance as influenced by wildlife management practices. Three theses concerned deer, its abundance and the influence, if any, on its population by dogs. Two theses were concerned with such wildlife practices as agricultural clearings and herbicide use, while the remaining theses were on the subjects of wild grapes, birth control in foxes, climate as an influence on the deer hunter, and the influence of forest habitat on songbird populations.
- Analysis of the spatial and temporal occurrence of deer spotlighting violations in VirginiaKaminsky, Michael Arthur (Virginia Tech, 1974-07-05)Interviews with 20 conservation agents of the Virginia Commission of Game and Inland Fisheries provided information on 70 cases of deer spot-lighting violations in 1969 and 1970. An additional survey produced information on 41 deer spotlighting cases in in 1971, The number of spotlighting violations was observed to increase during the month of October, peak in November, and decrease in January, The average time of arrest for spotlighting was 11:37 p,m,, and the largest percentage of arrests were made on Saturday evenings. The various aspects of the violation were described including such factors as the weather; characteristics of the violator; weapon, spotlight and vehicle used; violation site; and apprehension site. Estimation of the extent of spotlighting in Virginia was made. Using two methods 6000 and 9000 violations per year were obtained, There were no significant correlations between legal deer kill or miles of road with the number of spotlighting arrests. Correspondence with several other states indicated violator and violation characteristics were similar to those found in Virginia. The sociological and criminological aspects of the violation were discussed, and a typology of the spotlighting violator was developed based on the assumption that the spotlighting violation occurred as the result of a decision made by the violator.
- Breeding bird populations in relation to the vegetation structure of abandoned contour mines in Southwest VirginiaChapman, David L. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1977)Twelve study areas on abandoned contour mines in southwest Virginia were surveyed to investigate relationships between breeding bird population parameters and structural aspects of the disturbed area vegetation. The territorial mapping method was employed to census bird populations. The number of breeding species, number of breeding pairs, bird species diversity, and number of observed species (breeding or visiting) were determined for each disturbed area, the marginal undisturbed forest, and each total study area (marginal and disturbed areas combined). Vegetation was sampled within units of similar vegetation on each disturbed area; 17 vegetation parameters were recorded for each unit. These were weighted by the size of each vegetation unit and averaged for each disturbed area. Linear and multiple regressions of each population variable were performed on 51 vegetation and site-factor variables. Bird population parameters of the disturbed and total study areas showed positive relationships with several aspects of disturbed area revegetation. However, among forested orphan mines, decreases in bird populations were observed when canopy closure apparently affected a reduction in understory vegetation. Bird populations of the marginal areas decreased with the reforestation of the disturbed areas, apparently reflecting a decrease in the edge effect. Several sets of equations for population parameters of the disturbed and total study areas are presented for use in habitat evaluation. Relationships revealed for bird population parameters of the disturbed and total study areas suggest that reclamation efforts should strive to achieve a high degree of vegetative cover, increase the amount of ground layer vegetation, and provide for the future development of higher vegetational strata. These vegetational features should be introduced in a manner which will augment existing vegetational heterogeneity.
- Estimated hunting expenditures in VirginiaThompson, Emmett F.; Gray, James M.; McGinnes, Burd S. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Research Division, 1967-01)A report on estimated hunting expenditures in Virginia
- Evaluation of some cottontail rabbit management procedures as applied in Piedmont VirginiaWoronecki, Paul Peter (Virginia Tech, 1961-06-05)Seasonal population fluctuations of the cottontail rabbit were measured by evening roadside counts and trapping. During the latter part of July, roadside counts showed a rather marked and drastic decline in the number of rabbits. This decline was forecast by the low number of rabbits seen in the field and the low number of rabbits the investigator was able to trap. Further confirmation of this decline came during the first week of the 1960-61 hunting season. A 42 per cent decrease in the number of rabbits killed occurred in spite of a 10 per cent increase in hunting pressure. By the end of the hunting season a 60 per cent decrease in the rabbit harvest was recorded.
- Impact of clearcutting on indigenous mammals of southwest VirginiaBlymyer, Michael Jerre (Virginia Tech, 1976-02-05)Three areas of similar physiographic characteristics were investigated; a control (60 to 100-yr-old forest) and 2 clearcuts (a 2-yr-old and 6- to 7-yr-old cut). These areas were located in the Craig Creek watershed of Montgomery and Craig Cos., Virginia. Two growing seasons after clear cutting it was evident that the shrub stratum had not caught up to the uncut forest i n the number of stems per acre, however, the 2 herb strata had surpassed the uncut forest jn density. These floristic changes apparently influenced the make-up of the faunal segment of the community. Mammals generally associated with older plant communities were either absent in the 2-yr cut, or were infrequently captured and rarely observed during the snow track counts. Other species increased in relative numbers over the uncut the more shade tolerant herbs. This sere also evidenced the largest the more shade tolerant herbs. This sere also evidenced the largest populations of 6 mammal species. Additionally this successional stage showed the highest overall population of small mammals. White-tailed deer used the entire area of both clear cuts, however, use was predominantly in the first 61 m from the forest edge in the 2-yr cut and from 30.5 to 122 m in the 6- to 7-yr cut. It was recommended that clearcuts be limited to 20 tO₃0a(8.1 to 12.1 ha) in size and that the cuts should be linear in shape with a width of approximately 183 m. populations of 6 mammal species. Additionally, this successional stage showed the highest overall population of small mammals. White-tailed deer used the entire area of both clear cuts, however, use was predominantly in the first 61 m from the forest edge in the 2-yr cut and from 30.5 to 122 m in the 6- to 7-yr cut. It was recommended that clear cuts be limited to 20 tO₃0a(8.1 to 12.1 ha) in size and that the cuts should be linear in shape with a width of approximately 183 m. forest, and 3 mammal species characteristic of early ·plant succession, which were not present in the uncut forest, reached their highest relative numbers in the 2-yr cut. By the 6th or 7th yr after cutting woody regeneration had generally replaced herbs as dominants. The shrub stratum was denser than either the 2-yr cut or the uncut forest. The partial crown closure of this stratum apparently favored the more shade tolerant herbs. This sere also evidenced the largest populations of 6 mammal species. Additionally, this successional stage showed the highest overall population of small mammals. White-tailed deer used the entire area of both clear cuts, however, use was predominantly in the first 61 m from the forest edge in the 2-yr cut and from 30.5 to 122 m in the 6- to 7-yr cut. It was recommended that clearcuts be limited to 20 tO₃0a(8.1 to 12.1 ha) in size and that the cuts should be linear in shape with a width of approximatelY 183 m.
- Resident and migrant blackbirds in southeastern Virginia: Agricultural depredations and winter roost locationsHardy, Joe Wayne (Virginia Tech, 1961-06-05)In an effort to determine type, extent, and distribution of agricultural damage by blackbirds, county-wide damage appraisals were conducted in the fall of 1960. Crops checked included corn, peanuts, and milo. Based on the 96 fields examined throughout Nansemond County, the average monetary loss to the corn crop was slightly less than $.05 per acre. This loss can be reduced by planting a variety with a high degree of ear drooping and planting as early as possible. The peanuts appeared to be the crop most heavily damaged. An estimated 50 per cent of the crop was picked before blackbirds arrived. Of the part of the crop left exposed after the arrival of the blackbirds, only a small portion sustained damages amounting to above $5 per acre. By harvesting peanuts at an early date, losses to blackbirds can virtually be eliminated. The 1960 milo crop was not damaged by birds nearly so severely as previous crops were reported to have been. Anthracnose, a fungal disease, accounted for about 86 per cent of the damage previously called "bird damage." An estimated 15 per cent of this crop was destroyed by anthracnose, insects, and birds. In the case of all three crops, it was noted that the first and most severe damage was to those fields nearest nesting and roosting habitat.
- Stress detection in loblolly pine using relative apparent temperaturesAlger, Larry Allen (Virginia Tech, 1979-05-05)The hypothesis that stressed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) could be distinguished from non-stressed loblolly pine by increased foliage temperatures was tested. The foliage temperatures of seedlings and trees were measured with an AGA Thermovision 680 system, imported by the AGA Corporation, Secaucus, New Jersey. The AGA Thermovision 680 system is a simple, easily transported remote sensing system for detecting relative apparent temperatures of plant foliage without direct contact with the leaves. This system is sensitive to infrared wavelengths in the 2-5.6 micron region of the electro-magnetic spectrum. Foliage temperatures in loblolly pine seedlings increased within one week of stress induced by drought, flooding, or severing. Increased temperatures of stressed seedlings were associated with reduced needle moisture content prior to visual symptoms of stress. Foliage temperatures of loblolly pine trees stressed by severing the bole were warmer relative to neighboring control trees. Increased temperatures were detected within one week after severing. Previsual detection of stress can be achieved by measuring foliage temperatures of loblolly pine. The AGA Thermovision should prove to be a useful tool for non-destructive sampling of plant stress, for locating stressed trees, and potential bark beetle infestations.
- A survey on the status of the coyote (Canis Latrans) in GeorgiaFisher, Robert Melvin (Virginia Tech, 1977-06-05)Coyotes Canis latrans are known to have caused damage to the agriculture industry of Georgia since 1958. Since that year that threat has grown as the population increased. To determine the magnitude of the coyote problem a study was begun in 1975. The objectives of this study was to determine the coyotes population and distribution, physical characteristics, and damage activity in Georgia. In 1975-1976, coyote surveys were run throughout Georgia using tape recorded howls to establish the distribution and relative density of this species. Minimum densities based on howling responses ranged from one coyote/60.9 km2 in the Upper Coastal Plain to one coyote/333.3 km2 in the Lower Coastal Plain. No coyotes were located from the Piedmont northward. Weights, standard body and skull measurements were obtained from 27 coyotes in an effort to determine the form of Georgia coyotes. Males were significantly larger and heavier than females. The coyotes collected in Georgia were consistently lighter and smaller than coyotes reported from eastern Texas. Attempts to classify the skulls to the subspecies level was not feasible because of lack of comparative information. The analysis of skulls did show that specimens from Georgia seem more properly referable to coyotes, although some dental characteristics indicated a relationship to dogs. One hundred and forty-four County Extension Offices replied to a coyote damage questionnaire. Only 16 reported coyote damage in their counties. Analysis of the replies indicated that coyote damage was increasing. In general, damage was concentrated in south central Georgia and most was judged light to insignificant. Pigs and cattle were the livestock most frequently damaged and watermelons were the most damaged crop. The economic value of coyote damage is estimated to be $50,000 annually.
- Vegetational change resulting from forest conversion in the central Piedmont of Virginia and their implications for wildlifeFelix, Antone Costa (Virginia Tech, 1981-05-15)Conversion of natural forest to loblolly pine plantations has become a common practice on commercial forest land in the central Piedmont of Virginia. To gain insight as to bow habitat conditions for wildlife vary over time, vegetation composition and structure were quantified in 21 converted stands at two state forests. The stands represented three replications of seven developmental stages ranging in age from 1 to 22 years. Six natural forest stands Which typify sites presently being converted were selected for comparison. The seral process can be exemplified by comparing vegetative changes in species richness, evenness, and vegetative coverage in the ground stratum (<1m). Richness and vegetative coverage showed the same trends: high values in stands 1 to 5 years of age followed by a decline from 5 to 15 years, at Which point canopy closure was complete and these variables were relatively stable for the next seven years. Evenness over time was fairly constant, except for three-rear-old stands where a decline occurred due to predominance by Andropogon virginicus. Trends in richness and evenness differed from the old-field successional model due to a diverse reservoir of propagative units at the initiation of succession and the rapid closure of the canopy by co-developing pines and sprout hardwoods. From an analysis of habitat variables, it appeared that one-year-old stands satisfied requirements of bobwhite quail and wild turkey; stands aged three years were deficient in food plants and probably too densely vegetated. Nine-year-old stands still provided browse for white-tailed deer. Post-canopy closure stands (15 to 22 yrs) were of little value to wildlife. In native forest stands (72 yrs), understory forage production was comparable to the post-canopy closure stands, while mast production, as estimated by Oak basal area and density, was more than adequate for good deer and turkey habitat. The present value of converted stands to wildlife depends on their size and interspersion with native forest and other cover types. Their future value could vary significantly depending on the silvicultural treatments applied.