What Every Waterfowl Hunter Should Know About Sanctuary Disturbance
Waterfowl refuges are controversial among hunters—many believe these protected areas hold ducks and reduce hunting opportunities in nearby areas. This episode explores our large-scale study using over 339,000 shotgun recordings across Tennessee to understand what really drives harvest opportunity. Surprisingly, disturbing sanctuaries actually decreased hunting success by up to 32%, while proximity to undisturbed sanctuaries, dropping temperatures, and rising barometric pressure increased it. The findings suggest that maintaining quiet refuge areas—not dispersing birds from them—is key to creating better hunting experiences.
We take our scientific publications on wildlife and habitat management and use generative AI to turn them into 15 minute podcasts. Enjoy learning about the latest science in wildlife conservation, delivered in an engaging format perfect for your commute or morning coffee.
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