Mallard response to experimental human disturbance on sanctuary areas is mediated by hunting

Wildlife managers often provide spatial sanctuaries for wildlife to escape both lethal (e.g., hunting) and non-lethal (e.g., non-consumptive recreation) human disturbance. However, as societal interest in outdoor recreation continues to climb, many areas face added pressure to allow recreation, yet studies increasingly demonstrate negative effects of outdoor recreation on wildlife. As such, an understanding of how wildlife respond to human activities is essential to develop sustainable outdoor recreation guidelines to preserve multiple benefits for humans, while simultaneously protecting wildlife populations and fitness. We examined GPS-marked mallard responses to three experimental disturbances meant to mimic recreation that could theoretically occur on waterfowl sanctuaries during 1 November–28 February 2019–2022. We evaluated effects on movement, space use, and site fidelity and expected that repeated disturbance would result in habituation. We further evaluated predictions of the ri..., , , # Data for: Mallard response to experimental human disturbance on sanctuary areas is mediated by hunting.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Dataset: Data for: Mallard response to experimental human disturbance on sanctuary areas is mediated by hunting
2. Author Information:

Abigail G. Blake-Bradshaw, School of Environmental Studies, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA

Nicholas M. Masto, School of Environmental Studies, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA

Cory J. Highway, Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA

Allison C. Keever, Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA

Jamie C. Feddersen, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Nashville, TN 37211, USA

Heath M. Hagy, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck, ND 58501, USA

Bradley S. Cohen, Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA
3. Date of Collection 2019-2022
4. G...