Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Physiological Condition of Northern Bobwhite in South Texas

Doerr, Ted B.; Silvy, Nova J.

doi:10.2193/0022-541x(2006)70[517:eosfop]2.0.co;2

Cited by 17 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…However, we found no significant difference in the relative abundance of raptors or activity of mammalian predators on each study site in either year. Doerr and Silvy (2002) also found no difference in relative abundance of predators (avian and mammalian) between sites with and without supplemental feed. However, our predator survey results may be due to the fact that baiting was too brief (2 months on single-road bait) to result in a difference in predator abundance or activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…For example, Robel and Kemp (1997) documented that number of days with snow cover of >10 cm and temperatures < -5 o C during January were correlated (r>0.69) with bobwhite mortality and were the best predictors of winter mortality. Townsend 406 Wildlife Society Bulletin 2004, 32(2):401-411 Doerr and Silvy (2002) reported that winter sur-vival in southern Texas (Jim Hogg and San Patricio counties) was not greater on supplemental feed sites compared to control sites. However, during our study in year 2, survival was higher on the treatment site compared to the control site during the post-feeding period.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of road baiting on home range and survival of northern bobwhites in southern Texas

Haines¹,

Hernández²,

Henke³

et al. 2004

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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An increasingly common practice in southern Texas is baiting roads with grains such as milo (Sorghum spp.) and corn (Zea mays) to facilitate northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) harvest. However, baiting roads might have a negative impact on bobwhite survival by increasing predation or harvest rates. The objective of this project was to determine the effects of road baiting on bobwhite survival, home‐range size, and predator abundance. The project involved 2 study sites (baited=treatment and nonbaited=control) that were monitored over 3 periods, pre‐baiting (September‐October), baiting (November‐December), and post‐baiting (January‐February), during 2001–2002 and 2002–2003. We captured, radiomarked, and monitored bobwhites (n = 60 [treatment site]; n = 58 [control site]) in Jim Hogg County, Texas. We assessed relative abundance and activity of avian and mammalian predators using scent‐station and road surveys, respectively. The effects of baiting roads varied between years. During 2001–2002, a relatively dry period, bobwhite survival (Š = 1.00±0.00 [control site]; Š = 0.68±0.10 [treatment site], P=0.01), covey home‐range size (15.6±1.43 ha [control site]; 12.7±2.22 ha [treatment site], P=0.046), and covey distance to roads (193±24.6 m [control site]; 95±41.57 m [treatment site], P≥0.001) were lower on the treatment site during the feeding period in contrast to the control site. A nonsignificant trend was noted for higher avian predator abundance on the treatment site during the feeding period. During 2002–2003, a relatively wet period, no difference in bobwhite survival, covey home‐range size, and covey distance to roads was found between sites and time periods due to baiting, and no trend in predator abundance was found between pastures and time periods. The practice of baiting ranch roads does not appear to benefit bobwhites in southern Texas, and during dry conditions the practice might be detrimental to bobwhite numbers by lowering survival. Baiting or other methods of dietary supplementation are more likely to benefit bobwhites in more northern climates with colder winters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of road baiting on home range and survival of northern bobwhites in southern Texas

Haines¹,

Hernández²,

Henke³

et al. 2004

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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“…Bobwhites prefer to use habitats with extensive woody cover, presumably because predation risk is reduced (Williams et al 2000, Guthery et al 2001. Provision of supplementary food in feeders or food plots may increase winter survival if bobwhites are better able to cope with inclement weather with additional food or body reserves Kemp 1997, Doerr andSilvy 2006). However, potential benefits of improved cover and supplemental feeding could be negated by higher mortality rates if hunters or natural predators concentrate their effort near food plots or habitats preferred by bobwhites (Roseberry 1979, Williams et al 2000, Madison et al 2002, Haines et al 2004, Hardin et al 2005).…”

Section: Sensitivity Of Demographic Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Demographic Sensitivity of Population Change in Northern Bobwhite

et al. 2008

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The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is an economically important gamebird that is currently undergoing widespread population declines. Despite considerable research on the population ecology of bobwhites, there have been few attempts to model population dynamics of bobwhites to determine the contributions of different demographic parameters to variance of the finite rate of population change (Λ). We conducted a literature review and compiled 405 estimates of 9 demographic parameters from 49 field studies of bobwhites. To identify demographic parameters that might be important for management, we used life‐stage simulation analyses (LSA) to examine sensitivity of Λ to simulated variation in 9 demographic parameters for female bobwhites. In a baseline LSA based on uniform distributions bounded by the range of estimates for each demographic parameter, bobwhite populations were predicted to decline (Λ = 0.56) and winter survival of adults made the greatest contribution to variance of Λ (r2 = 0.453), followed by summer survival of adults (r2 = 0.163), and survival of chicks (r2 = 0.120). Population change was not sensitive to total clutch laid, nest survival, egg hatchability, or 3 parameters associated with the number of nesting attempts (r2<0.06). Our conclusions were robust to alternative simulation scenarios, and parameter rankings changed only if we adjusted the lower bounds of winter survival upwards. Bobwhite populations were not viable with survival rates reported from most field studies. Survival rates may be depressed below sustainable levels by environmental conditions or possibly by impacts of capture and telemetry methods. Overall, our simulation results indicate that management practices that improve seasonal survival rates will have the greatest potential benefit for recovery of declining populations of bobwhites.

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“…For many, the supplementation of feed during these periods has seemed a logical step in addressing resource concerns (Hernández et al , Rollins ). Using bobwhites as a model species and survival as a proxy for the overall fitness of individuals, researchers have tested whether supplemental feeding, as a management strategy to address food limitations, can provide appreciable survival benefits for local and regional populations (Ellis et al , Doerr and Silvy , Buckley et al ). Traditionally wildlife managers have used food plots (Joselyn , Robel , Robel et al , Madison et al ), stationary feeders (Dumke , DeMaso et al , Guthery et al ), and road baiting (Haines et al , Hernández et al ), or a combination thereof (Townsend et al ), to improve the survival rates of northern bobwhites or enhance hunting opportunities (Schulz et al ); the results have been mixed with a majority of studies indicating conventional feeding regimes are not a viable strategy.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Broadcast supplemental feeding and northern bobwhite demographics in Texas

et al. 2018

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Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) abundance is declining. Food limitations have been hypothesized to exacerbate the boom and bust cycle exhibited by bobwhites, with supplemental feeding advocated as a way to mitigate this annual variability in demographics. A new technique (i.e., broadcast feeding) has exhibited positive effects on the seasonal survival of bobwhites. To ensure the safe adoption of any management practice, replication is necessary. We employed a randomized, crossover experimental design to evaluate the effect of 3 different supplemental feed rates (full [69.1 kg/km], half [34.6 kg/km], control [no feed]) on bobwhite survival and used the known‐fate data type to assess the fate of radio‐marked individuals within the Rolling Plains of Texas, USA. We assessed temporal (biological vs. calendar season) and treatment‐level (feed vs. control) effects on survival. Our top temporal model included an interaction between year and calendar season as the most parsimonious model. Survival was lowest during winter. The most parsimonious treatment‐level model included an interaction between feed and winter, plus the additive effect of snow depth. The application of the full and half feed treatments had positive effects on survival during winter compared to control units in both years, across all pastures. Our data indicated there was no difference between the full and half feed rates. Snow accumulation had a negative effect on survival in both years. Broadcast feeding improved winter survival rates and subsequently, the number of females available entering the breeding season. Broadcast feeding serves as an additional management tool for wildlife managers within a strategic management program to benefit bobwhite survival during periods of physiological stress. We recommend the continued use of this management technique in regions where similar range and weather conditions exist to further evaluate its effectiveness. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

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Effects of Supplemental Feeding on Physiological Condition of Northern Bobwhite in South Texas

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Effects of road baiting on home range and survival of northern bobwhites in southern Texas

Effects of road baiting on home range and survival of northern bobwhites in southern Texas

Demographic Sensitivity of Population Change in Northern Bobwhite

Broadcast supplemental feeding and northern bobwhite demographics in Texas

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