VULNERABILITY OF CANADA GEESE TO TAXIDERMY-MOUNTED DECOYS

Effects of waterfowl hunting methods and equipment on waterfowl popula tions have rarely been quantitatively evaluated. Therefore, we compare d vulnerability of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) in Maryland, Novem ber 1989-March 1990, among 3 decoy types: taxidermy mounted, shell, an d full bodied. The proportion of necks attracted from long distances ( less than or equal to 274 m) to 46 m from blinds did not vary by decoy type for all seasons combined (P = 0.243), or for early (P = 0.454), late (P = 0.491), or post- (P = 0.247) hunting seasons. However, flock s that approached to 46 m from blinds were nearly twice as likely (P < 0.001) to continue closer and land among taxidermy-mounted decoys (72 % of necks) than among shell (34% of necks) or full-bodied decoys (37% of flocks). Given that waterfowl hunters are more likely to harvest w aterfowl at close rather than long ranges, we concluded that taxidermy -mounted Canada goose decoys can increase success rate of goose hunter s.