Factors influencing ruffed grouse productivity and chick survival in West Virginia

Using infrared video-surveillance systems during 1999–2000, we observed attempts by two individual Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) to depredate female Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and their clutch of eggs. Neither female was captured despite Long-tailed Weasel attacks on multiple nights, but all eggs from one nest were either consumed or cached over a two-night period. Although Long-tailed Weasels have been shown to return quickly to areas of abundant prey, return visit behavior to locations where weasels were unsuccessful or only partially successful are poorly described.

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Factors Influencing the Distribution and Abundance of the Wild Turkey in West Virginia

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.2307/3797175 ◽

1952 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 24 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hans G. Uhlig ◽

R. Wayne Bailey

Keyword(s):

West Virginia ◽

Wild Turkey ◽

Factors Influencing

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Abiotic Factors Influencing Deer Browsing in West Virginia

Northern Journal of Applied Forestry ◽

10.1093/njaf/23.1.20 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 20-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Tyler A. Campbell ◽

Benjamin R. Laseter ◽

W. Mark Ford ◽

Richard H. Odom ◽

Karl V. Miller

Keyword(s):

West Virginia ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Woody Species ◽

Surface Shape ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Deer Browsing ◽

Mature Forest ◽

Central Appalachians ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Forested Ecosystem

Abstract We present a comparison of woody browse availability and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) use among clearcut interiors, skidder trail edges, and mature forest and an evaluation of the relative importance of aboitic factors in predicting browsing pressure within regenerating clearcuts in the central Appalachians of West Virginia. We sampled 810 1-m2 plots in or adjacent to nine regenerating clearcuts (8–19 ha) during the summer of 2001. Availability and use of woody browse did not differ between clearcut interior and skidder trail plots for any species observed. Plots in the adjacent mature forest had less woody browse availability and higher utilization. Overall use of available woody browse in clearcuts was >15%. Combining all woody species, elevation (wI = 0.618) and distance to mature forest (wI = 0.379) were more important than landform index, plot surface shape, aspect, and slope in predicting deer browsing pressure in regenerating clearcuts. We believe that without management activities aimed at reducing deer browsing, in many parts of this region the ability of forest managers to regenerate stands will be jeopardized and the forested ecosystem will be compromised.

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