Nonconsumptive effects of hunting on a nontarget game bird

Abstract

Human hunting activity and disturbance can significantly impact prey species through both consumptive and nonconsumptive effects. The nonconsumptive effects of rabbit hunting on Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite) are currently unknown. Increased perceived risk of predation by bobwhite during rabbit hunting events may elicit antipredator responses among bobwhite that impact fitness via changes in behavior that ultimately impact population growth. We estimated the nonconsumptive effects of rabbit hunting on bobwhite behavior using telemetry across varying rabbit hunting intensities. Movements were analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical modeling with a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) design to determine the effect of rabbit hunting on bobwhite. We observed an overall reduction in bobwhite movement in the presence of rabbit hunting, with a 38% (Posterior Overlap = 0.01) increase in bobwhite step length in the absence of rabbit hunting. We also observed bobwhite maintaining closer proximity to hardwood and escape cover under high rabbit hunting intensity, with a 59% (Posterior Overlap = 0.03) increase in distance from hardwood and a 28% (Posterior Overlap = 0.14) increase in distance from escape cover when rabbit hunting was removed. Synthesis and applications. Heightened antipredator behavior through decreased movement may assist with bobwhite predator avoidance. However, decreased movement and increased use of poor habitats may also have negative effects as a result of reduced foraging time or increased susceptibility to other predators. Future research should attempt to quantify the effect of decreased movement on bobwhite fitness through the evaluation of foraging time and survival in order to continue to improve management efforts for the species.

Landscape characteristics and predation risk influence spatial variation in auditory courtship of an upland game bird

“…Our findings contribute to a growing body of literature demonstrating that game species alter behaviors in response to hunting to avoid real or perceived predation risk (Ordiz et al 2012;Gross et al 2015;McGrath et al 2018;Mohlman et al 2019;Wightman et al 2019). Given that hunter activity is highly correlated with landscape features that facilitate ease of access, such as trails (Diefenbach et al 2005;Karns et al 2012;Gerrits et al 2020), we were not surprised that predicted gobbling activity increased with increasing distance from public access areas.…”

Effects of human and nonhuman predation risk on antipredator movement behaviors of an upland game bird

“…Our findings contribute to a growing body of literature demonstrating that human predation risk from hunters results in changes in resource selection and movement behaviors of the hunted species (Gaynor et al, 2018; Gross et al, 2015; Little, Webb, et al, 2016; Mohlman et al, 2019). Proactive movements of male turkeys suggest that after the onset of hunting, males selected areas farther from public access and closer to private property, both are associated with decreased hunter activity and risk (Gaynor et al, 2018; Gerrits et al, 2020; Karns et al, 2012).…”

An applied ecology of fear framework: linking theory to conservation practice

“…Harvest can also have unintended implications for the conservation of non‐target species, which may exhibit costly fearful responses (Grignolio et al ., 2011). For example, rabbit hunting with dogs led to increased movement among northern bobwhite in Georgia, USA (Mohlman et al ., 2019), and boat fishing disturbed the activity budgets of migrating water birds in Oklahoma, USA (Schummer & Eddleman, 2003). Mitigation of these unintended risk effects on non‐targets may include restricted hunting areas or dates, particularly during important reproductive periods.…”