37.87 0.32 kj/bird/hr) (F 1, 1252 = 6.24, = 0.013) (Figure 3.7). was also greater P HEE in early season for both mallards ( = 40.31 0.29 kj/bird/hr) and pintails ( = 34.91 0.24 kj/bird/hr), compared to late season (mallard = 35.97 0.33 kj/bird/hr and pintail = 31.85 0.30 kj/bird/hr) (both 70.58, < 0.001). was greater for both male mallards ( = F P HEE ≥ 40.86 0.32 kj/bird/hr) and pintails ( = 35.97 0.28 kj/bird/hr), compared to females (mallard = 36.15 0.29 kj/bird/hr and pintail = 31.51 0.23 kj/bird/hr) (both 92.87, < F P ≥ 0.001) (Figure 3.7). Hunt day did not have an effect on mallard (F 1, 1252 = 1.74, = P 0.189), or pintail (F 1, 1306 = 1.65, = 0.199) (Figure 3.7). P HEE DISCUSSION Hunting disturbance possibly reduced foraging time for dabbling ducks in early season 2011 on wetlands open to hunting, which is further supported by our results of no difference in overall behaviors among hunting categories in late season of the same year, when hunting encounters drastically declined on study wetlands. Our late season behavior results also indicate potential differences in habitat among study sites were not likely responsible for observed differences in dabbling duck behaviors between hunting categories in early season 2011. In 2012 dabbling ducks spent more time foraging in both early and late seasons in wetlands open to hunting, indicating potential differences in habitat quality may have influenced our results for dabbling duck behavior this year. Migration chronology occurred over a shorter time frame in 2012 and with individual birds spending less time in the RWB area, it is possible hunting disturbance may not have affected dabbling duck behavior this year.
37.87 0.32 kj/bird/hr) (F 1, 1252 = 6.24, P = 0.013) (Figure 3.7). HEE was also greater in early season for both mallards ( = 40.31 0.29 kj/bird/hr) and pintails ( = 34.91 0.24 kj/bird/hr), compared to late season (mallard = 35.97 0.33 kj/bird/hr and pintail = 31.85 0.30 kj/bird/hr) (both F ≥ 70.58, P < 0.001). HEE was greater for both male mallards ( = 40.86 0.32 kj/bird/hr) and pintails ( = 35.97 0.28 kj/bird/hr), compared to females (mallard = 36.15 0.29 kj/bird/hr and pintail = 31.51 0.23 kj/bird/hr) (both F ≥ 92.87, P < 0.001) (Figure 3.7). Hunt day did not have an effect on mallard (F 1, 1252 = 1.74, P = 0.189), or pintail (F 1, 1306 = 1.65, P = 0.199) HEE (Figure 3.7). DISCUSSION Hunting disturbance possibly reduced foraging time for dabbling ducks in early season 2011 on wetlands open to hunting, which is further supported by our results of no difference in overall behaviors among hunting categories in late season of the same year, when hunting encounters drastically declined on study wetlands. Our late season behavior results also indicate potential differences in habitat among study sites were not likely responsible for observed differences in dabbling duck behaviors between hunting categories in early season 2011. In 2012 dabbling ducks spent more time foraging in both early and late seasons in wetlands open to hunting, indicating potential differences in habitat quality may have influenced our results for dabbling duck behavior this year. Migration chronology occurred over a shorter time frame in 2012 and with individual birds spending less time in the RWB area, it is possible hunting disturbance may not have affected dabbling duck behavior this year.
Dinges_Thesis-1.docx