| Duck Hunting -- Waterfowl Conservation and Nest Boxes |
From "The Outdoor Zone"
episode TOZ-105 |
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Waterfowl Conservation Ducks Unlimited is a hunter-created organization that works to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and other habitats for waterfowl. Its efforts help ensure the growth of duck populations, and hence duck hunting. During the last 65 years, Ducks Unlimited (or "DU") has established and restored 10 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the US. They anticipate that they will increase that amount by another 10 million acres in the next 10 years.
One of DU's activities that has helped increase duck populations has been the improvement of waterfowl nesting areas, such as by the construction and placement of nesting boxes (figure A) that are safe shelters for duck hens to lay eggs and rear ducklings. Cavity-nesting ducks such as wood ducks will use these types of nest boxes.
DU encourages citizens to do their part as well, by building and installing nesting boxes around wetland areas and streams in rural areas. Following are the steps for building a nesting box that is suitable for ducks.
Building a Nesting Box
Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection -- goggles or safety glasses -- when cutting wood or working with power tools.
- Using a table saw or power saw, pre-cut the lumber elements of the nesting box. Cedar is the recommended lumber, as it's naturally resistant to weather insects. Number the pieces as shown (figure B).
- Attach the back piece to one of the side pieces using four screws fastened from the back of the box.
- Drill five 1/2-inch holes for drainage in the floor piece.
- Attach the floor (figure C) by fastening two screws through the back and two through the side.
- Lay out marks for an entry hole in the front piece.
- Drill out a pilot hole, then cut out the round entry hole using a jig saw.
- Score several lines across the inside face of the front piece using a power saw (figure D). The horizontal slots will provide toe-holds for when the ducklings get old enough to climb out.
- Attach the front (figure E) using six screws.
- Round the top outside edge of the door using a power sander, and fasten the door at the top with one screw from the front, and one from the back.
- Attach the roof using four screws from the top, and three screws from the back, to complete the nest box (figure F).
- Cavity-nesting ducks do not carry nesting materials, so it's a good to pack four to six inches of wood shavings in the bottom of the box.
Important: Don't use sawdust as nesting material, as it could suffocate the ducklings.
- Install the finished nesting box along the edge of a wetland area (figure G). Install a predator guard on the pole to keep out predator species such as raccoons.
RESOURCES :
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
161 Waterfowling Secrets: Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Model: 0961727926
Author: Ducks Unlimited Magazine staff, Matt Young (Ed)
Full title: 161 Waterfowling Secrets: Time-Honored, Field-Tested Waterfowling Tips and Advice from Ducks Unlimited Members
Ducks Unlimited Inc.
Website: www.ducks.org
Duck Hunting (Hunting & Fishing Library)
Model: 0865730652
Author: Dick Sternberg, Jeff Simpson
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Successful Duck Hunting: A Look into the Heart of Waterfowling
Model: 0873492153
Author: M. D. Johnson, Julia Johnson (Photographer)
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
North American Waterfowl (National Audubon Society Pocket Guides)
Model: 0679749241
Author: Richard K. Walton
Random House (Alfred A. Knopf Inc., Villard Books, Times Books, Shambhala Publications, Ballantine B
Westminster, MD 21157
Phone: 410-848-1900
Fax: 800-659-2436
Email: customerservice@randomhouse.com
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