Search

ABSTRACT: The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) has established a model for wildlife conservation planning over the last 3 decades. Management at a continental scale, leveraged funding, regional partnerships, and a strong science basis have been notable features. Periodic updates to the NAWMP occurred since implementation in 1986; however, a fundamental revision was accomplished in 2012 after extensive stakeholder engagement. An explicit fundamental goal for waterfowl conservation supporters was added in 2012, complementing existing goals for sustainable populations and sufficient habitat found in previous updates. We present a synopsis of progress toward implementation of the 2012 NAWMP and challenge the waterfowl management community to continue with meaningful steps toward achieving NAWMP goals. Adding goals and objectives for supporters increases potential relevance of NAWMP; however, it also presents a level of complexity that was not entirely anticipated. Additionally, the 2012 NAWMP recognized that traditional support from waterfowl hunters alone will not be sufficient to support waterfowl conservation in the future. Simultaneous consideration of multiple objectives, although implicit before, now is a specific focus for habitat and harvest management affecting hunters and other users of the waterfowl resource. The waterfowl management community is faced with revisiting objectives and management actions related to harvest regulations, landscape priorities, habitat conservation, and public engagement to garner broader support. These persistent management challenges are tangible and relevant candidates for greater integration. Ultimately, the structures and processes supporting waterfowl management also will need to be reconsidered. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: In the final decades of the nineteenth century, concern was building about the status of migratory bird populations in North America. In this literature review, we describe how that concern led to a landmark conservation agreement in 1916, between the United States and Great Britain (on behalf of Canada) to conserve migratory birds shared by Canada and the United States. Drawing on published literature and our personal experience, we describe how subsequent enabling acts in both countries gave rise to efforts to better estimate population sizes and distributions, assess harvest rates and demographic impacts, design and fund landscape‐level habitat conservation initiatives, and organize necessary political and regulatory processes. Executing these steps required large‐scale thinking, unprecedented regional and international cooperation, ingenuity, and a commitment to scientific rigor and adaptive management. We applaud the conservation efforts begun 100 years ago with the Migratory Bird Treaty Convention. The agreement helped build the field of wildlife ecology and conservation in the twentieth century but only partially prepares us for the ecological and social challenges ahead. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines variation in female mallard survival rates from nonhunting sources across Canadian Prairie Pothole Region. Influence of age on survival probability; Relationship between female survival and periods of nesting season; Importance of female survival in mallard population.

Presents a study that investigated relationships between survival and philopatry of female redheads breeding in southwestern Manitoba. Examination of band reporting and fidelity rates; Analysis of survival rates; Evaluation of resighting rates.

Presents information on a study which investigated the factors which limit the population growth of scaup in North America. Methodology; Results of the study; Implications to wildlife management.

Discusses a study that examined factors affecting the probability of recruitment into breeding populations by juvenile ducks. Detection probability of adult female canvasbacks at Minnedosa, Manitoba; Relationships between detection probability of juvenile canvasbacks and adjusted hatch date relative to wetland conditions and breeding status of individuals; Distribution of hatch dates and recruits for canvasback ducklings.

Presents a study which discusses the effects of reproductive success and female survival of the local population density of canvasbacks. Fluctuation of local populations of prairie-nesting canvasbacks; Similarity of the indices of canvasback density; Detailed information on the breeding philopatry by females.

Presents studies on brood and canvasback duckling survival during 1983-90 and overland brood movements during 1988-89 near Minnedosa, Manitoba. Effects of canvasback brood density, presence of parasitic redhead ducklings, hatching date, and pond water levels on survival; Absence of between-block differences in mean daily survival rates; Total overland distance of travel.