WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN

Waterfowl Working Group

Randy Wilson, LMVJV OfficeChad Manlove, DU – Southern Regional OfficeAndrew James, AGFCRich Johnson, AGFCTom Edwards, USFWS – ArkansasAlan Stacey, ODWCJim Neal, USFWS – TexasScott Durham, LDWFPat Stinson, USFWS – MississippiKevin Kraai, TPWDBill Bartush, DU – East Texas

Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations

BiologicalFoundation

Identify Species of Concern

Establish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting Factors

Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors

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American Black DuckAmerican WigeonMallardGadwallGreen-winged TealBlue-winged TealNorthern PintailNorthern ShovelerWood DuckMottled Duck

CanvasbackRedheadRing-necked DuckScaup (greater and lesser)Bufflehead

Identify Species of Concern (Wintering)

???

Mottled Duck

Black-bellied Whistling Duck

Hooded Merganser

Wood Duck

Identify Species of Concern (Breeding)

Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations

BiologicalFoundation

Identify Species of Concern

Establish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting FactorsEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors

North American Waterfowl Management Plan62 Million

Breeding Ducks

What Proportion ofBreeding PopulationUtilizes the WGCP?

Establish Population Targets

Establish Population Targets

Step 1. Winter Distribution of Ducks Among States

Mid-Winter Inventory Data January 1970-79

Step 2. Winter Distribution of Ducks Within States

Harvest Data January 1970-79

Selection of Counties for Calculationof

Waterfowl Population Goals

LMVJV Boundary

WGCP BCR

Questionable Counties

Targetstate = Pstate * PWGCPstate * Goalcontinental

0.85 (winter mortality rate)

Establish Population Targets

ArkansasLouisianaOklahomaTexas

Total

131,050457,53031,560

188,000

808,140

313,8711,300,583

138,544778,393

2,531,391

444,9211,758,113

170,104966,393

3,339,531

StateDabblers & Divers

WoodDucks Total

Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations

BiologicalFoundation

Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population Targets

Discern Limiting FactorsEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors

Discern Limiting FactorsFactors Limiting Carrying Capacity

Disease

Predation

Environmental Contaminants

Disturbance

HabitatForaging

Non-foraging

Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations

BiologicalFoundation

Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population Targets

Discern Limiting FactorsBiological ModelEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors

Biological Model

Assume all ducks are Mallard-sized

Assume that ducks stay for 110-day wintering period

Conserving, Restoring, and Maintaining WGCP Capacity to Winter Mid-Continent Waterfowl Populations

BiologicalFoundation

Identify Species of ConcernEstablish Population TargetsDiscern Limiting FactorsBiological ModelEstablish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors

3.7 kcal/gram

Relating Food Requirements to Foraging Habitat :

292 kcal/day

Harvested Croplands Rice

SoybeansMiloCorn

752121849970

HabitatDuck-Use Days per Acre

Moist-soil Area

Forested Wetlands 50% red oaks

1,386

32180 kg/acre

Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factor

Habitat Objectives = 110* winter daysTarget state

Habitat Objectives in Duck-Use Days

Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factor

ArkansasLouisianaOklahomaTexas

Total

14,415,50050,328,3003,471,600

20,680,000

88,896,300

34,525,804143,064,069

15,239,75185,623,268

278,452,892

48,941,304193,392,37018,711,351

106,303,268

367,348,293

StateDabblers & Divers

WoodDucks Total

Key Waterfowl Issues

1. Identification of Species of Concern

2. Discern Limiting Factors

3. Establish Population TargetsInclusion / Exclusion of Counties

4. Develop Biological Models

5. Establish Objectives to Counter Limiting Factors6. Measure Existing Conditions (e.g., conduct habitat inventory)

Habitat Inventory

Important Habitat Types in the WGCPBottomland HardwoodsMoist Soil WetlandsAgricultural CropsSubmerged Aquatic Vegetation

What are the current management capabilities onPublic Lands?Private Lands?

Habitat Inventory

How much naturally flooded habitat can be expectedin a given year?

How many acres of open aquatic habitat are available?Ponds (small, medium, large)LakesReservoirs

Current research?Waterfowl Use of stock pondsForaging BehaviorFood Availability

Summary of public lands allocation.

Total Current Acres 6,412Total Current DUD 7,434,541Total Planned Acres 450Total Planned DUD 241,300Total DUD (current+planned) 7,675,841Total DUD Deficit 186,787Moist Soil Acres Needed 135

Allocation of duck-use days in OklahomaDabbler DUD Target = 15,120,439

Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed Private Managed% Allocation 20% 15% 60% 40%DUDs Needed 3,024,088 2,268,066 5,896,971 3,931,314DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 7,560 5,670Annual Performance 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 7,862,628 7,862,628Accomplishments 7,434,541 6,972,273DUD Surplus / Deficit -428,087 -890,355DUD / acre value 1,386 693Acres Surplus / Deficit -309 -1,285Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).

Managed Habitat65%

9,828,285

Allocation of duck-use days in TexasDabbler DUD Target = 53,214,026

Habitat CategoriesNatural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed MIP MOP

% Allocation 50% 10% 20% 60% 20%DUDs Needed 26,607,013 5,321,403 4,257,122 12,771,366 4,257,122DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 66,518 13,304Annual Performance 75% 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 5,676,163 17,028,488 8,514,244Accomplishments 2,466,774 4,300,000 13,860,000Planned 2,302,146DUD Surplus / Deficit -907,243 -12,728,488 5,345,756DUD / acre value 1,386 1,386 1,386Acres Surplus / Deficit -655 -9,184 3,857

Managed Habitat40%

21,285,610Private Managed

Summary of public lands allocation.

Total Current Acres 3,061Total Current DUD 2,466,774Total Planned Acres 1,661Total Planned DUD 2,302,146

Total Planned and Current DUD 4,768,920Public lands still needs 907,243 dud (655ac of moist soil)to meet its objective on public lands.

Allocation of duck-use days in LouisianaDabbler DUD Target = 51,093,649

Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed Private Managed% Allocation 30% 25% 50% 50%DUDs Needed 15,328,095 12,773,412 11,496,071 11,496,071DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 38,320 31,934Annual Performance 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 15,328,095 22,992,142Accomplishments 7,031,606 3,331,654DUD Surplus / Deficit -8,296,489 -19,660,488DUD / acre value 1,386 693Acres Surplus / Deficit -5,986 -28,370Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).

Managed Habitat45%

22,992,142

Summary of public lands allocation.

Total Current Acres 5,383Total Current DUD 6,546,506Total Planned Acres 350Total Planned DUD 485,100Total DUD (current+planned) 7,031,606Total DUD Deficit -8,296,489Moist Soil Acres Needed -5,986

Allocation of duck-use days in ArkansasDabbler DUD Target = 32,730,860

Habitat Categories Natural Flood Open Aquatic Public Managed MIP MOP% Allocation 20% 10% 60% 30% 10%DUDs Needed 6,546,172 3,273,086 13,746,961 6,873,481 2,291,160DUD / acre value 400 400Acres Needed 16,365 8,183Annual Performance 75% 75% 50%DUD Target w/ Perf. 18,329,282 9,164,641 4,582,320Accomplishments 13,981,489 10,634,804 27,720,000DUD Surplus / Deficit -4,347,793 1,470,163 23,137,680DUD / acre value 1,386 693 1,386Acres Surplus / Deficit -3,137 2,121 16,694Note: We used 1/2 the moist-soil energetic value of 1,386 dud/ac on private landsdue to a consensus of poor management practices (food production).

Managed Habitat70%

22,911,602

Summary of public lands allocation.

Total Current Acres 48,461Total Current DUD 12,970,111Total Planned Acres 2,023Total Planned DUD 1,011,378Total DUD (current+planned) 13,981,489Total DUD Deficit -4,347,793Moist Soil Acres Needed -3,137