SEAFWA 2018

AUTHORS: Mark J. Gudlin, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Adam S. Willcox, University of Tennessee; Kirstin E. Fagan, University of Tennessee; Roger D. Applegate, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency

ABSTRACT: The CRP State Acres For wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) practice in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Tennessee is targeted to help restore native habitats to benefit bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) and other declining early successional wildlife. A survey of participating landowners was conducted to assess landowner perceptions of and experiences with the practice and perceived wildlife response. The survey response rate was 58% (73 of 126 surveys mailed). Most of the respondents indicated they had received about the right amount of information prior to signing the SAFE contract (over 90%) and technical guidance during implementation. Almost half (46.2%) of respondents experienced no barriers to establishing SAFE vegetation. Strip disking was the approved mid-contract practice most commonly applied to manage the herbaceous vegetation (72.7%) and prescribed fire the least used (16.9%). Respondents most frequently reported that they encountered problems with controlling unwanted tree saplings or other woody vegetation (45 respondents; 80.4%), invading agricultural weeds, and failure of planted shrub seedlings. Respondents most frequently reported increased populations of cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), bobwhites, and songbirds once SAFE vegetation was established (41.9–66.2% of respondents). Half of the respondents (49.2%) perceived bobwhite covey numbers had increased on their SAFE tract, and only 6.2% perceived a decline. General landowner satisfaction with the practice, level of technical guidance, and perception of bobwhite and other wildlife response warrant continued efforts to improve the practice and increase participation.