Response of bobwhites to short duration and continuous grazing in South Texas

Date

1985-08

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Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

A study was conducted during 1983-1984 on the Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Refuge, San Patricio County, Texas, to evaluate the response of bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) and their habitat to short duration (SDG) and continuous grazing (CG). Line transects were established within SDG and CG treatments to determine bobwhite densities. There was no difference (P 0.08) in mean annual bobwhite densities between the two grazing treatments during either 1983 or 1984. Bobwhite densities within SDG paddocks were not affected (£ 0.09) by cattle rotation through the paddocks.

The structural profile of vegetation was evaluated in each grazing treatment with a visual-obstruction pole during 1983. Visual obstruction was greater (P 0.01) in the CG treatment than the SDG treatment during spring and summer and similar (P 0.06) in the two treatments during fall and winter. Bobwhites flushed from cover that was lower (P 0.05) than that randomly available in the grazing treatments. Sites with vegetation profiles suitable for bobwhites were more frequent (P 0.005) in the SDG treatment than the CG treatment during spring and summer and similar (P 0.25) between grazing treatments during fall and winter.

Vegetation coverage, frequency, and biomass were similar (P >0.05) between the SDG and CG treatments during 1983. Several key forage plants of bobwhites were more common on the CG treatment than the SDG treatment in various seasons.

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