USE OF MINI-REFUGES BY FEMALE NORTHERN PINTAILS WINTERING IN SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA

The Gulf Coast Joint Venture of the North American Waterfowl Managemen t Plan began contracting private agricultural lands (hereafter mini-re fuges) in 1988 to expand existing sanctuaries for northern pint ails ( Anas acuta) in southwestern Louisiana. Previous research suggested tha t mini-refuges may prove more attractive to pintails than permanent, o pen-water pools (pools) on refuges because mini-refuges provide sanctu ary and food during the day, whereas pools generally provide only sanc tuary (Rave and Cordes 1993). We used radiotelemetry to compare diel u se of mini-refuges and pools (Lacassine Pool and Amoco Pool) by female pintails in southwestern Louisiana during winters of 1991-1992 and 19 92-1993. We examined variation in use of these areas in relation to fe male age (immature or adult), time period (prehunting season, first hu nting season, time between split hunting seasons, second hunting seaso n, and posthunting season), and winter (1991-1992 and 1992-1993). Diur nal use of mini-refuges and peals differed among time periods, but dif ferences were not consistent between winters. Mini-refuges accounted f or <2% of diurnal use by pintails in 7 of 10 time-period and winter co mparisons. Diurnal use of mini-refuges was lower than that of Lacassin e Pool in 8 of 10 time-period and winter comparisons. Diurnal use of m ini-refuges was lower than that of Amoco Pool during first hunting sea son in 1992-1993, but use of these areas did not differ within other r ime periods and winters. Nocturnal use of mini-refuges and pools did n ot differ in relation to female age, time period, winter, or individua l bird. Nocturnal use of mini-refuges ((x) over bar +/- SE = 2.6 +/- 0 .8%) did not differ from that of Lacassine Pool (2.2 +/- 0.7%), but fe males used both of these areas at night more than Amoco Pool (0.6 +/- 0.3%). In contrast to predictions and findings by Rave and Cordes (199 3), we found that: (1) female pintails did not use mini-refuges more t han pools, and (2) female pintails used mini-refuges at night. We beli eve that use of mini-refuges by pintails could be increased if mini-re fuges were: (1) located in areas of traditionally high pintail use, (2 ) increased in size, (3) flooded immediately prior to hunting season, and (4) cleared of dense vegetation by rolling, disking, or burning.