Files
Abstract
The use of predator management to maintain and improve northern bobwhite numbers is not well understood. I performed the first 3 years of a 7-year experiment to better understand the effects of mesomammal predator reduction on bobwhite nesting predation, success and production. It was performed on two separate randomized blocks in South Georgia and North Florida using infrared video cameras and telemetry to monitor nests. We found proportions of mesomammal nest predations varied among all treatment versus control sites. Overall nesting success did not significantly increase on any treatment site compared to control sites during treatment. Mesomammal predation decreased significantly on one removal site during only one year. Non-mesomammal predation was not significantly different among sites any year. Production indices varied during pretreatment, but increased on all sites during treatment years. At this time, I conclude that in certain situations predation management may be useful in improving bobwhite production