Past studies using penned deer provide conflicting results on the age when reliable predictions about antler growth potential in white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) can be made. We captured wild whitetail males via aerial net gun on 12 ranches in 5 counties in south Texas, USA, from 1999 to 2007 to determine if a reliable juvenile‐to‐adult relationship in antler development existed. We individually marked and released captured animals at the trap site after we took antler and body measurements. We recaptured marked animals as possible in subsequent years or until we obtained final measurements after legal harvest. Amount of growth in the first set of antlers in whitetail males was a poor predictor of antler growth at maturity. By 4.5 years of age there were no differences (P > 0.05) in antler measurements regardless of the amount of development of the first set of antlers at 1.5 years. We concluded culling of yearling males based on number of antler points would have little positive effect on overall antler quality in future years.

Characteristics of nesting and wintering habitats of goldencheeked warblers (Den&o&z chrysoparia) were studied from 19'73-lY78. Golden-cheeks are obligatively dependent on Ashe juniper (funiperus ashei) for nesting materials and singing perches, but are equally dependent on scrub-oak (Quercus durundii breviloba) for foraging substrates. Golden-cheeks preferred to forage (73.6% of total observations) in hardwood species. Stepwise discriminant analysis suggested that quality nesting habitat differs from poor nesting habitat by having older (240 yrs.) Ashe juniper, lower juniper densities and higher densities of oak (juniper-oak ratio= 1.35 to 1). Structure of scrub-oak (mostly Q. oleoides) in the wintering habitat (La Esperanza, Intibuca Dept., Honduras) was structurally similar to that in the nesting habitat. Golden-cheeks were observed feeding in the shrubby understory. The golden-cheeked warbler (Derzdroicu chtysopuriu) is a rare bird inhabiting the so-called "cedar brakes" in the Edwards Plateau region of west-central Texas. Golden-cheeks have been the center of controversy involving clearing of Ashe juniper (Jwziperus ushei) for range improvement and commercial harvesting for fence posts and aromatic oils; yet, no study to date has dealt quantitatively with habitat requirements of these birds. Pulich (1976) conducted an in-depth study on the natural history of golden-cheeks. He noted that the warblers are obligatively dependent on Ashe juniper for nesting habitat, and that golden-cheeks require large blocks of mature (~50 years old) Ashe juniper. He further noted that: "Only older cedar brakes with some variation in age provide the necessary requisites of warbler habitat. ' ' Previous studies by Johnston et al. (1952) and Huss (1954) characterized the vegetative composition of golden-cheek nesting habitat as juniper-oak; juniper composition ranged 14-50% (of stems per acre), while oaks made up 20-70%. My study was initiated to obtain quantitative data on nesting and wintering habitats of golden-cheeks, as well as, to develop a habitat management strategy for these rare birds. Methods Meridian State Park Study Area Meridian State Park is located in Bosque County, approximately 83 km west of Waco, Tex. (Fig. I). The park contains 203.2 ha, about one fourth of which is inundated by Lake Bosque. The eastern portion

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