Resources related to Human Predation

Biological and Societal Dimensions of Lead Poisoning of Birds in the USA

ABSTRACT.—The ingestion of spent lead shot was known to cause mortality in wild waterfowl in the US a
century before the implementation of nontoxic shot regulations began in 1972. The biological foundation
for this transition was strongly supported by both field observations and structured scientific investigations.
Despite the overwhelming evidence, various societal factors forestalled the full transition to nontoxic shot
for waterfowl hunting until 1991. Now, nearly 20 years later, these same factors weigh heavily in current

Biological and Societal Dimensions of Lead Poisoning of Birds in the USA

Embedded Lead Shot and Infliction Rates in Common Eiders

Wildl. Biol. 12: 257-265.
“As the Eider is a bird very resistant to shot, often 2-3 birds are wounded for each that is shot dead…”
(Müller, South Greenland, 1906)
The large numbers of common eiders Somateria mollissima and king eiders S. spectabilis wintering
in southwest Greenland are subject to intensive hunting, and in addition to direct harvest an unknown
number of birds are wounded and become carriers of embedded lead shot. We conducted the first
assessment of the magnitude of this undesirable side effect of hunting in Greenland by X-raying 879

Embedded Lead Shot and Infliction Rates in Common Eiders

English and American Wildlife Law: Lessons From the Past

1993 Proc. Annu. Conf. SEAFWA
Other laws also gave particular attention to breeding animals: gathering the eggs of birds
was prohibited in 1533 and in 1710, salmon were protected during their spawning runs, so
that they might "become very plentiful and common . . . as they were formerly" (Lund 1980).
Physical changes in animals' defensive abilities were also the occasion for English regulations.
In 1533 birds were protected when "the said old fowl be moulted, and not replenished with

English and American Wildlife Law: Lessons From the Past

Atlantic Flyway Sea Duck Survey

The Atlantic Flyway Sea Duck Survey, conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was established in 1991 to record sea duck numbers using near shore (within 700 m of shore) habitats from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to Jacksonville, Florida. Existing breeding population surveys for North American waterfowl do not cover the core ranges of about half of North American sea duck species. Many species of North American sea ducks breed across vast Arctic regions that are difficult and costly to survey.

Atlantic Flyway Sea Duck Survey

The Pragmatic Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Protecting “Property”

Abstract: In 1916, the United States of America entered into a treaty with the United Kingdom, acting on behalf of Canada, to protect migratory birds from unrestrained killing. Two years later, Congress enacted the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) to give effect to this convention. The United States subsequently entered into similar agreements with Mexico in 1936, Japan in 1972, and the Soviet Union in 1976, which were thereafter incorporated into the provisions of the MBTA.

The Pragmatic Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Protecting “Property”

Jeffrey Foiles, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois Faces Charges in Canada and US

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A federal grand jury in Springfield, Ill., returned a 23-count felony indictment Thursday charging Jeffrey B. Foiles with conspiracy, wildlife trafficking, and making false writings in connection with the illegal sale of guided waterfowl hunts.
The charges relate to alleged violations of Canadian hunting and criminal laws occurring between 2003 and 2007, including:
causing unnecessary pain and suffering to a bird contrary to the Criminal Code;
taking over the daily bag limit of geese;
taking over the daily bag limit of ducks;

Jeffrey Foiles, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois Faces Charges in Canada and US

Duck Poacher Forfeits Gear and Vehicle

Duck Poacher Forfeits Gear and Vehicle,
Barry L. Stokes, of Cape Freels, was sentenced today in Provincial Court in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, for hunting violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
Mr. Stokes received a $1,000 fine, under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, for hunting Eider ducks, which are migratory game birds, during closed season. He was also fined $1,000 for using lead shot to hunt migratory game birds.
In addition, Mr. Stokes received a two-year suspension from hunting migratory birds.

Duck Poacher Forfeits Gear and Vehicle

Where are all the sea ducks?

Where are all the sea ducks? Word is oldsquaw and scoters are very scarce this year. I heard a fellow say the other day at Canadian Tire the best time to hunt Eiders down the shore is March and April. Large groups of them come in on the mussel beds at lower tide to feed providing a great shot. But isn't the season closed in March and April? I also know of hunters who claim to know ducks and call mergansers, sea ducks and believe you can hunt them all winter because they are common in ocean bays in the winter. Something should be done to stop duck poaching in the spring.

Where are all the Sea Ducks

Poachers Hit with Large Fines and Hunting Suspensions for Violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

GANDER, NL -- May 9, 2011 -- A two-year investigation by Environment Canada's Enforcement Branch into the excessive harvest and illegal selling of migratory birds in the Twillingate and New World Island areas of Newfoundland and Labrador has resulted in convictions and heavy fines for local poachers.
Hardy Brian Dove, age 55 of Twillingate, pleaded guilty on April 11, 2011 in Provincial Court in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador to charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Poachers Hit with Large Fines and Hunting Suspensions for Violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

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