Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Lesser Scaup Depredation And Economic Impact At Baitfish Facilities In Arkansas, M. Chad Philipp, Michael D. Hoy

Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings

During the winters of 1994-95 and 1995-96, unusually large numbers of diving ducks were observed on baitfish facilities in Arkansas. Historically, lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) inhabited baitfish ponds with little reported impact on minnow production, and thus little attention was paid to the birds. Unfortunately, minnow crops in the spring of 1995 fell short of expectations and immediate attention became focused on the role lesser scaup may have had on that minnow shortage. Subsequently, lesser scaup were collected from baitfish facilities in an effort to determine their effect on commercial fish farms. Two hundred and twenty-three lesser scaup …