Geology topics

Steven D. Cordts

Publications and source records attributed to Steven D. Cordts.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2020

Shallow lake management enhanced habitat and attracted waterbirds during fall migration

Lake water levels are often managed in shallow lakes in order to improve water quality and promote aquatic vegetation that presumably benefits water birds. We aimed to understand whether waterbird abundance and species richness during fall migrations were positively influenced by managed lake water levels at 32 shallow lakes over 10 years. We conducted annual waterbird surveys that totaled 6 million birds counted and we repeatedly measured several in-lake habitat variables. Lakes with water level management had lower water depths, greater water quality and clarity, more submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and more wild rice (Zizania palustris) compared to unmanaged lakes. Redundancy analysis and regressions revealed that the waterbird community and several waterbird species were positively correlated to water level management and SAV; however, waterbirds were apparently responding principally to abundant SAV regardless of water depth or management. Two presented case studies of turbid-state lakes also highlighted that water level management rehabilitated lake habitat and waterbird use for a few years. We concluded that water level management can be an effective tool for increasing SAV and migrating waterbirds but noted large bird communities can also occur on unmanaged, deeper wetlands with existing SAV coverage of >80%.

Minnesota↗

USGS2019

Clarifying how hunt-specific experiences affect satisfaction among more avid and less avid waterfowl hunters

Marketing research methods could enhance understanding of hunter satisfaction, a key metric for state wildlife management agencies. We use three marketing research approaches—revised importance-performance, importance-grid, and penalty-reward-contrast analysis—to examine the determinants of waterfowl hunter satisfaction. These methods have seen limited application in research on hunting and other outdoor recreation activities. Using results from a 2015 mail survey, we examine the implicit and explicit motivations and overall satisfaction of Minnesota waterfowl hunters. We also differentiate how experiences relate to satisfaction for more avid and less avid hunters, differentiated by self-reported importance of the activity. Seeing ducks in the field was important to satisfaction for both avidity groups. Bagging ducks each day in the field was more important to satisfaction for less avid hunters, while bagging a lot of ducks over the season and attracting ducks with decoys were more important to the satisfaction of more avid hunters. The methods that we employ here illuminate differences between explicit and implicit motivations for participation in waterfowl hunting, clarify factors crucial to satisfaction, and identify asymmetric influences of experiences on satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Minnesota↗

USGS2017

How hunter perceptions of wildlife regulations, agency trust, and satisfaction affect attitudes about duck bag limits

This study explored how factors, including the function of bag limits, agency trust, satisfaction, hunting participation, and demographics, related to opinions about duck bag limits. The results are from a survey of 2014 Minnesota resident waterfowl hunters. Analyses identified four dimensions of attitudes about functions of bag limits, including that they: (a) are descriptive in defining the acceptable number of ducks that can be bagged, (b) are injunctive in establishing how many ducks should be allowed to be bagged, (c) ensure fair opportunities for all hunters to bag ducks, and (d) reflect biological limitations to protect waterfowl populations. Descriptive and fairness functions of bag limits were related to opinions about bag limits, as were factors related to agency trust, satisfaction, ducks bagged, experience with more restrictive bag limits, hunter age, and hunting group membership. Agencies may increase support by building trust and emphasizing the descriptive and fairness functions of regulations.

Human Dimensions of Wildlife↗

USGS2014

Legitimization of regulatory norms: Waterfowl hunter acceptance of changing duck bag limits

Few studies have examined response to regulatory change over time, or addressed hunter attitudes about changes in hunting bag limits. This article explores Minnesota waterfowl hunters’ attitudes about duck bag limits, examining attitudes about two state duck bag limits that were initially more restrictive than the maximum set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), but then increased to match federal limits. Results are from four mail surveys that examined attitudes about bag limits over time. Following two bag limit increases, a greater proportion of hunters rated the new bag limit “too high” and a smaller proportion rated it “too low.” Several years following the first bag limit increase, the proportion of hunters who indicated that the limit was “too high” had declined, suggesting hunter acceptance of the new regulation. Results suggest that waterfowl bag limits may represent legal norms that influence hunter attitudes and gain legitimacy over time.

Human Dimensions of Wildlife: An International Jou↗

USGS2013

Identification and specialization as a waterfowl hunter

Like specialization, identity offers a way for differentiating and understanding recreationists and for gaining insight into the question of participant progression in an activity. We examined how identity related to measures of specialization among lapsed and current waterfowl hunters. Lapsed hunters included those who had purchased a Minnesota waterfowl stamp between 2000 and 2004, but not since this time. Current hunters had purchased a 2010 stamp. Results suggested that some waterfowl hunters specialize and progress toward a waterfowl-hunter identity. Others, however, either hunt for years but never specialize and identify as waterfowl hunters, or move toward but do not attain a waterfowl hunter identity. Individuals who achieve a waterfowl hunter identity may also later relinquish this identity. Identification was associated with increased specialization and resistance to change from a preference for waterfowl hunting. Individuals who had relinquished their identity retained social and knowledge-based commitment to waterfowl hunting, whereas attraction and centrality declined.

Leisure Science↗

USGS2012

An application and extension of the constraints–effects–mitigation model to Minnesota waterfowl hunting

This study extends modeling work on the leisure constraint negotiation process from physically active leisure and celebrity fandom to hunting. We test a model derived from the constraints–effects–mitigation model of leisure participation. The model is examined in the context of continued Minnesota waterfowl hunting among a sample of Minnesota residents who purchased a North Dakota waterfowl stamp. Results are from a mail survey conducted in 2006. In our modeling, successful constraint negotiation fully mediated the constraints–participation relationship, while involvement had both direct and indirect effects on participation. Hunter motivation was positively related to involvement. Results advance understanding of the relationships among factors that influence leisure participation, and suggest that constraint negotiation may differ among recreation activities with different participant profiles.

Human Dimensions of Wildlife↗