TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife 2 0 0 3
Research Highlights
, Wildlife Division
Mike Berger Director Ronnie George Deputy Director
Vacant Private Lands & Habitat Branch Vernon Bevill Game Bird Program
John Herron Wildlife Diversity Branch Herb Kothmann Public Hunting Program
2
REGION 3
1 3 5 Regional Director:
NATHAN GARNER
2 3 (903) 566-1626 f(903) 566-3273
11942 FM 848 Tyler,TX 75707
6
1 4 District Leaders:
(5) VACANT
(903) 566-1626 f(903) 566-5538
7 11942 FM 848
4 Tyler,TX 75707
8 (6) GARY CALKINS
(409) 384-6894 f(409) 384-7342
1342 South Wheeler
Jasper,TX 75951
REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 4
Regional Director: Regional Director: Regional Director:
RUBEN CANTU ROY D. WELCH DAVID MABIE
(915) 651-4748 f(915) 651-4752 (254) 867-7970 f(254) 799-2583 (361) 790-0306 f(361) 729-8940
3407-B S. Chadbourne 1601 East Crest 715 S. Hwy. 35
San Angelo,TX 76904 Waco,TX 76705 Rockport,TX 78382
District Leaders: District Leaders: District Leaders:
(1) MIKE HOBSON (3) KEVIN MOTE (7) BOB CARROLL
(915) 837-2051 f(915) 837-5987 (915) 643-5977 f(915) 643-6192 (979) 968-6591 f(979) 968-3086
109 S. Cockrell St. 301 Main St., Ste. D 111 East Travis, Ste. 200
Alpine,TX 79830 Brownwood,TX 76801 La Grange,TX 78945
(2) DANNY SWEPSTON (4) MAX TRAWEEK (8) JOE HERRERA
(806) 655-3782/3975 (830) 896-2500 f(830) 792-6167 (830) 569-8700 f(830) 569-6400
f(806) 655-4045 309 Sidney Baker South 1607 2nd Street
P.O. Box 659 Kerrville,TX 78028 Pleasanton,TX 78064
Canyon,TX 79015
, Wildlife Research
Highlights 2003
Jay A. Roberson, Editor
The Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is continuing to develop a more
coordinated approach to wildlife research. With ever-expanding responsibilities for wildlife
management, the Wildlife Division has recognized the need for additional emphasis on wildlife research.
Our primary objectives for conducting research are to seek answers for important management
questions, train our staff, expand scientific knowledge, publish results and inform the public.
Each year, the Wildlife Division identifies its top research priorities, and research proposals on these
topics are solicited from qualified department and university personnel. A multi-discipline research
review committee selects the best proposals, contracts are prepared and projects are conducted.
Department personnel take the lead on some of the projects; university personnel lead others. In
cases where a university is selected to conduct the research, department biologists are selected to
serve as field advisors, graduate committee staff and publication coauthors.
The Wildlife Division budgeted over $1,533,000 for 70 wildlife research projects during Fiscal Year 03.
Funding for this research has come from several sources including: (1)Texas hunting license revenue,
(2) grants and donations, (3) federal excise taxes, (4) federal endangered species funds (Section 6),
(5) Texas waterfowl, white-winged dove and wild turkey stamps, and (6) other federal funds.
Wildlife Research Highlights 2003 3
, Table of Contents
7 Memoriam
Birds
TPWD Contact
Quail
9 Do Radio Transmitters Affect the Bioenergetics of Northern Bobwhite? A Laboratory Study Steve DeMaso
9 Landscape Changes Related to Scaled Quail Habitat in Texas Steve DeMaso
10 Status, Distribution and Ecology of Gambel's Quail in the Trans-Pecos,Texas Michael Sullins
10 Characteristics of Foraging Habitat of Montezuma Quail at Elephant Mountain Wildlife
Management Area Clay Brewer
11 Nesting Ecology of Scaled Quail at Elephant Mountain WMA Scott Lerich
Rare
12 Effects of Shinnery Oak Control on the Lesser Prairie Chicken in the Rolling Plains of Texas Steve DeMaso
12 Breeding Habitat, Distribution and Population Status of the Black-Capped Vireo in
Northern Mexico Craig Farquhar
13 Gene Flow, Colonization Patterns and Phylogeography of the Black-Capped Vireo Craig Farquhar
13 Winter Ecology of the Black-Capped Vireo Craig Farquhar
14 Census and Monitoring of Black-Capped Vireo in Texas John Maresh
Wild Turkey
15 Juvenile Cohort Movement in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys Mike Miller
16 Population Performance of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys Mike Miller
16 Rio Grande Wild Turkey Poult Habitat Characteristics and Survival Mike Miller
17 Survival, Movements and Habitat Selection of Male Rio Grande Turkeys in
Their Northern Distribution Jack Jernigan
18 Estimating Rio Grande Wild Turkey Populations in Texas Steve DeMaso
19 Ecology and Management of Turkey in Trans-Pecos,Texas Mike Pittman
20 Landscape Changes as Related to Rio Grande Wild Turkey Production and Survival
in the Edwards Plateau of Texas T. Wayne Schwertner
Waterfowl
19 Role of Lesser Snow Geese as Carriers of Avian Cholera in the Playa Lakes Region Bill Johnson
20 Late Winter Feeding Habits and Condition of Female Mallards Utilizing Livestock Ponds in
Northeast Texas Kevin Kraai
White-winged Dove
21 Evaluation of Environmental Contaminants in White-winged Doves from the
Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas Steve Benn
22 A Model Simulation of White-winged Dove Population Dynamics in the
Tamaulipan Biotic Province Gary Waggerman
22 Forage Availability for White-winged Doves in the Rio Grande Valley Steve Benn
23 Survey Methods for Estimating Breeding Population Numbers of
White-winged Doves in Urban Settings Gary Waggerman
23 White-winged Dove Population and Habitat Changes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Mike Frisbie
4 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Wildlife 2 0 0 3
Research Highlights
, Wildlife Division
Mike Berger Director Ronnie George Deputy Director
Vacant Private Lands & Habitat Branch Vernon Bevill Game Bird Program
John Herron Wildlife Diversity Branch Herb Kothmann Public Hunting Program
2
REGION 3
1 3 5 Regional Director:
NATHAN GARNER
2 3 (903) 566-1626 f(903) 566-3273
11942 FM 848 Tyler,TX 75707
6
1 4 District Leaders:
(5) VACANT
(903) 566-1626 f(903) 566-5538
7 11942 FM 848
4 Tyler,TX 75707
8 (6) GARY CALKINS
(409) 384-6894 f(409) 384-7342
1342 South Wheeler
Jasper,TX 75951
REGION 1 REGION 2 REGION 4
Regional Director: Regional Director: Regional Director:
RUBEN CANTU ROY D. WELCH DAVID MABIE
(915) 651-4748 f(915) 651-4752 (254) 867-7970 f(254) 799-2583 (361) 790-0306 f(361) 729-8940
3407-B S. Chadbourne 1601 East Crest 715 S. Hwy. 35
San Angelo,TX 76904 Waco,TX 76705 Rockport,TX 78382
District Leaders: District Leaders: District Leaders:
(1) MIKE HOBSON (3) KEVIN MOTE (7) BOB CARROLL
(915) 837-2051 f(915) 837-5987 (915) 643-5977 f(915) 643-6192 (979) 968-6591 f(979) 968-3086
109 S. Cockrell St. 301 Main St., Ste. D 111 East Travis, Ste. 200
Alpine,TX 79830 Brownwood,TX 76801 La Grange,TX 78945
(2) DANNY SWEPSTON (4) MAX TRAWEEK (8) JOE HERRERA
(806) 655-3782/3975 (830) 896-2500 f(830) 792-6167 (830) 569-8700 f(830) 569-6400
f(806) 655-4045 309 Sidney Baker South 1607 2nd Street
P.O. Box 659 Kerrville,TX 78028 Pleasanton,TX 78064
Canyon,TX 79015
, Wildlife Research
Highlights 2003
Jay A. Roberson, Editor
The Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is continuing to develop a more
coordinated approach to wildlife research. With ever-expanding responsibilities for wildlife
management, the Wildlife Division has recognized the need for additional emphasis on wildlife research.
Our primary objectives for conducting research are to seek answers for important management
questions, train our staff, expand scientific knowledge, publish results and inform the public.
Each year, the Wildlife Division identifies its top research priorities, and research proposals on these
topics are solicited from qualified department and university personnel. A multi-discipline research
review committee selects the best proposals, contracts are prepared and projects are conducted.
Department personnel take the lead on some of the projects; university personnel lead others. In
cases where a university is selected to conduct the research, department biologists are selected to
serve as field advisors, graduate committee staff and publication coauthors.
The Wildlife Division budgeted over $1,533,000 for 70 wildlife research projects during Fiscal Year 03.
Funding for this research has come from several sources including: (1)Texas hunting license revenue,
(2) grants and donations, (3) federal excise taxes, (4) federal endangered species funds (Section 6),
(5) Texas waterfowl, white-winged dove and wild turkey stamps, and (6) other federal funds.
Wildlife Research Highlights 2003 3
, Table of Contents
7 Memoriam
Birds
TPWD Contact
Quail
9 Do Radio Transmitters Affect the Bioenergetics of Northern Bobwhite? A Laboratory Study Steve DeMaso
9 Landscape Changes Related to Scaled Quail Habitat in Texas Steve DeMaso
10 Status, Distribution and Ecology of Gambel's Quail in the Trans-Pecos,Texas Michael Sullins
10 Characteristics of Foraging Habitat of Montezuma Quail at Elephant Mountain Wildlife
Management Area Clay Brewer
11 Nesting Ecology of Scaled Quail at Elephant Mountain WMA Scott Lerich
Rare
12 Effects of Shinnery Oak Control on the Lesser Prairie Chicken in the Rolling Plains of Texas Steve DeMaso
12 Breeding Habitat, Distribution and Population Status of the Black-Capped Vireo in
Northern Mexico Craig Farquhar
13 Gene Flow, Colonization Patterns and Phylogeography of the Black-Capped Vireo Craig Farquhar
13 Winter Ecology of the Black-Capped Vireo Craig Farquhar
14 Census and Monitoring of Black-Capped Vireo in Texas John Maresh
Wild Turkey
15 Juvenile Cohort Movement in Rio Grande Wild Turkeys Mike Miller
16 Population Performance of Rio Grande Wild Turkeys Mike Miller
16 Rio Grande Wild Turkey Poult Habitat Characteristics and Survival Mike Miller
17 Survival, Movements and Habitat Selection of Male Rio Grande Turkeys in
Their Northern Distribution Jack Jernigan
18 Estimating Rio Grande Wild Turkey Populations in Texas Steve DeMaso
19 Ecology and Management of Turkey in Trans-Pecos,Texas Mike Pittman
20 Landscape Changes as Related to Rio Grande Wild Turkey Production and Survival
in the Edwards Plateau of Texas T. Wayne Schwertner
Waterfowl
19 Role of Lesser Snow Geese as Carriers of Avian Cholera in the Playa Lakes Region Bill Johnson
20 Late Winter Feeding Habits and Condition of Female Mallards Utilizing Livestock Ponds in
Northeast Texas Kevin Kraai
White-winged Dove
21 Evaluation of Environmental Contaminants in White-winged Doves from the
Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas Steve Benn
22 A Model Simulation of White-winged Dove Population Dynamics in the
Tamaulipan Biotic Province Gary Waggerman
22 Forage Availability for White-winged Doves in the Rio Grande Valley Steve Benn
23 Survey Methods for Estimating Breeding Population Numbers of
White-winged Doves in Urban Settings Gary Waggerman
23 White-winged Dove Population and Habitat Changes in the Lower Rio Grande Valley Mike Frisbie
4 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
