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Publications

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center staff publish results of their research in USGS series reports and in peer-reviewed journals. Publication links are below.  Information on all USGS publications can be found at the USGS Publications Warehouse.

Filter Total Items: 1907

Waterfowl production on stock-watering ponds in the northern plains

In a 5-year study of stock-watering ponds in western North Dakota, pond size was found to be the major factor influencing duck use. As pond size increased, total pair and brood use per pond increased. Pairs used ponds as small as 0.1 acre in size, but broods were seldom seen on ponds of less than 1.0 surface acre. Dam-type ponds larger than 1.0 surface acre comprised only 29% of all man-made ponds
Authors
J. T. Lokemoen

Selective predation by mink, Mustela vison, on waterfowl

Predation by mink (Mustela vison) on three types of ducks (captive, pen-reared-released and wild) was documented in two studies at the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota. In the first study, 36 of 60 flightless adult and juvenile ducks held on eight 0.1-acre experimental ponds disappeared between 10 July and 4 August 1969. Available evidence indicated that all were
Authors
Alan B. Sargeant, George A. Swanson, H. A. Doty

An upland nest of the redhead far from water

Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
J. T. Lokemoen, H. F. Duebbert

Migrational homing by a pair of mallards

It is generally assumed that wild, North American female dabbling ducks (Anatinae: Anatini) select new mates each year and may return to the same nesting areas in consecutive years (McKinney 1964, Wildfowl 16: 93). Lincoln (1934, Bird-Banding 5: 151) first documented migrational homing in a female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), and Sowls (1955, Prairie ducks, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Stackpole Co.
Authors
T.J. Dwyer, S.R. Derrickson, D.S. Gilmer

Land use and prairie grouse population relationships in North Dakota

The relationship between prairie grouse and land use was studied during the period 1964-71. Prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido) declined from 48 males in 1964 to none in 1971. Sharp-tailed grouse (Pedioecetes phasianellus) declined from 166 males in 1964 to 57 in 1971. These declines were related to the decline in vigor and eventual loss of Soil Bank habitat on the study area. Two new courtship
Authors
L.M. Kirsch, A.T. Klett, H.W. Miller

Collars for raccoons

Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
E. Fritzell

Maternal nesting behaviour by male mallards

Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
C.W. Dane, W. Steffen, P. Caldwell

Waterfowl investigators bug ducks

Abstract has not been submitted
Authors
D.S. Gilmer, T.J. Dwyer, S.R. Derrickson

A method to determine waterfowl shooting distances

Long-range shooting at ducks and geese frequently results in a high crippling loss, unretrieved birds and frustrated hunters. A principal problem has been the general inability of hunters or observers to properly judge distance of birds. This paper describes a reasonably accurate method developed to determine shooting distances to geese. Two observers utilized transit-mounted 4X hunting scopes to
Authors
D.A. Davenport, G.A. Sherwood, H. W. Murdy

Analysis of radiotracking data using digitized habitat maps

A method is described that provides a rapid and accurate analysis of habitat used by radio-equipped animals. The digitizer (basically an X-Y plotter in reverse) converts maps into digital form by describing each habitat unit as a polygon that closely approximates the actual shape of the unit. The coordinates of each polygon are then stored on magnetic tape. Habitat classification data and other in
Authors
D.S. Gilmer, S.E. Miller, L.M. Cowardin