ARE BRIGHTLY COLORED MALE DUCKS SELECTIVELY SHOT BY DUCK HUNTERS

In many species of ducks, males are harvested at higher rates than females. Several studies have suggested that particular aspects of the birds' biology may account for this difference, but few studies have attempted to determine the effect of hunter behaviour on the differential vulnerability. The objective of this study was to determine if the bright plumage of male ducks was related to greater hunting mortality. Ducks short from pairs at Long Point Waterfowl Management Unit, Ontario, from September 25 to November 26, 1987, were examined, and questions were asked of hunters who brought the ducks into the Waterfowl Management Unit's check station. Sixty-one percent of ducks shot from pairs were mallards, green-winged teal, or ring-necked ducks. A significant interaction occurred between the degree of dichromatism of plumage and which sex of duck was shot. Approximately equal numbers of males and females were shot when males resembled females. However, when males obtained their full, bright, alternate plumage, a significantly greater proportion of males were shot regardless of which sex was leading. These data suggest that hunters select, consciously or unconsciously, the more distinctive male when he is accompanied by a female. Characteristics of hunters' behaviour while hunting are pertinent to assessing current waterfowl management programs.