Wildlife Management: Waterfowl
Many species of waterfowl are discussed in the publications listed below. Information on managing different duck habitat types is given as well as directions on how to build different types of boxes for ducks. Food management for waterfowl is also discussed.
These resources have been compiled from various resources and agencies and are provided here for educational purposes only. Please
if you find information that needs to be updated, broken links, or if you have an additional resource you feel is pertinent.
Wood Ducks in Mississippi
Mississippi State University Extension Service.
A physical description, habitat information, life history, molt information, the duck’s diet and predators, and management suggestions are given in this publication.
- Wildlife Food Planting Guide for the Southeast
Mississippi State University Extension Service.
This guide provides information on food planting and habitat management practices. It covers disturbances that can benefit wildlife if handled properly including disking, mowing and prescribed burning. The importance of openings is also discussed. Habitat and food necessities for white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkeys, bobwhite quail, mourning doves, and waterfowl are given. A combination of supplemental forages in food planting is often necessary, as well as testing soil quality, fertilizing and liming. The location, size and shape of food plots as well as how to prepare them and which plants to use is included. An extensive guide on planting materials is given.
- Waterfowl Management Handbook
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This handbook contains links to publications about the gadwall, northern pintail, wood duck, blue-winged teal, redhead and black brant. It also has links to articles about waterfowl population and habitat management and the ecology of wetlands
- Build a Duck Nest Box
Ducks Unlimited. Many types of ducks are nest in cavities. This publication gives the directions on building a nest box for these cavity nesters. These directions include what materials are needed, the construction procedure, where to put the box and how to protect it from predators.
- Wetland Management for Waterfowl Handbook - Natural Resources Conservation Service (can be ordered by calling 601-965-4903)
- Winter-flooded rice fields provide waterfowl habitat and agricultural values
Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University. Rice is not only important to people but also to many species of waterfowl. This publication covers how flooding rice fields in the winter benefits the environment and saves money for farmers. Winter-flooding conserves soil and makes the fields easier to prepare in the spring. It also provides food and habitat for migrating waterfowl. Also provided in the publication are instructions for winter-flooding rice fields and charts and graphs on suspended solids, decomposition of rice straw and the growth of weeds.
- A New Nest Box for Wood Ducks
Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University. This publication discusses building a nest box that is about half the size of a normal nest box. These smaller boxes are less expensive to construct, lightweight, and prevent hens from laying too many eggs in one box. The type of wood and screws to use is discussed, as well as where to locate the box and how to avoid predators, and when to clean the boxes and check them to get data.
|
Waterfowl Management Tips
Extended Flooding- For best
results, leave wetland areas
shallowly flooded until late May or
early June. This will greatly enhance
beneficial wetland grasses, which
are highly useful to overwintering waterfowl.
Drawdown Timing – Beginning in late May, drop
water levels about 1 foot per week until each area
has released all seasonal water.
Forage plantings – Although the native vegetation
in these areas is adequate for providing ideal feeding areas for waterfowl, some banded plantings of
grain crops can increase the attractiveness of these
impoundments. Use banded plantings of corn, rice, if
irrigated, and a mix of millet seed to increase overall
seed abundance. Check planting guides for planting
and maturation dates.
Mechanical treatments – Light disking may be
used to stimulate germination of native grasses in
areas where unwanted vegetation like broadleaf
weeds, young saplings, and broomsedge persists. For
best results, use this technique in June and early July.
Herbicide application – During July and August,
use selective and targeted herbicides, as labeling
indicates, to control problem weeds like Bermuda
grass, buttonbush, and others. Spot spraying is the
best technique for controlling problem weeds without
harming beneficial vegetation.
Water - Irrigate, if available, during July and August
to increase the growth of native grasses and increase
seed abundance.
Fall Mowing - Banded mowing of native plants can
promote use by waterfowl throughout the season. For
best results, mow several 10 to 15 foot alleys in the
native vegetation prior to fall flooding.
Fall Flooding – Begin flooding these areas in
early September to attract Teal and shorebirds. For
waterfowl season, you can flood 1/3 of your acreage
in seasonal shallow water every month beginning
in November. Ideally this means that all seasonal
shallow water areas will be at full pool by the first
week of January. |