The effect of baiting small water impoundments on dock production

A two year preliminary study into the effect on duck production of baiting small impoundments was conducted during the summers of 1962 and 1963. Eleven pond areas in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, were observed during 1962 and the number of broods produced on them noted. In the spring of 1963 whole total, S560 lbs kernel corn was distributed in each of these ponds and the subsequent brood production was noted. Twelve broods were produced in 1962 and fifteen were produced in 1963 showing an increase of three broods in the second year. During the same year Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forests personnel were conducting brood counts in various parts of the Province. Of these counts twenty-eight were felt to be comparable and were used as check areas. A decrease in production was observed on the check areas. In addition vegetative and invertebrate production were censused on the study areas. The changes in duck production were found to be insignificant but in an effort to reduce natural bias, it was recommended that the study be continued for at least three more years with the objective of determining whether or not this may be a useful management technique.