Further Evidence of Biases Associated with Hunter-Killed Mallards

Abstract

Assessment of waterfowl management strategies depends upon data that evaluate hypotheses that mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) killed by hunters are similar to those in the general population. Moreover, data are needed to provide further insight into mallard molt progression, the apparent influence of body mass on survival, and direct and indirect mortality caused by lead shot ingestion. Thus, we compared body mass, percentage completion of the prealternate molt, and presence of lead shot in gizzards between mallards killed by hunters (hunter-killed) and those concurrently collected by researchers (researcher-collected) from the free-living population in the Mingo Basin of southeastern Missouri. Researcher-collected mallards were heavier (P < 0.05) than hunter-killed mallards of the same age and sex