General Information | Objectives | Sponsor Information | Application (pdf)

Program Information

Program Introduction

During the winter and early spring of 2006 the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will begin a research project that involves placing satellite transmitters on mallards. These transmitters are small (less than an ounce) backpack-type devices that communicate the duck’s location to satellites that orbit around the earth. The small transmitter is programmed to activate for a short period of time every two to four days. This ability to program transmission maximizes battery life and allows data to be obtained from each mallard for approximately a year. The data from the transmitter allows specific locations to be obtained from each satellite tracked bird. These data are then sent to the MDWFP where the mallard’s locations are mapped using Geographical Information System (GIS).

Why is the MDWFP interested in tracking mallards?

The MDWFP Mallard Tracking Program objectives are diverse. The ability to follow these birds will allow migration chronology of Mississippi mallards to be better understood. Habitat use, spring and fall staging areas, spring and fall migration corridors, nesting and post-nesting locations can be determined. Specific habitat and movement location of these mallards in Mississippi will provide mallard winter habitat preference data that may lead to improved ability to provide winter habitats that are more desirable to birds migrating to the Magnolia State.

How many mallards will be tracked in 2006?

During the initial stage of this project the MDWFP plans to trap and equip 30 mallards with the satellite transmitters.

Will it be illegal to harvest one of the ducks outfitted with the satellite transmitters?

It will not be illegal to harvest one of these mallards. However, the MDWFP would like to know if you do harvest one of these birds. The transmitters can be refurbished and used again the following year at a considerable savings compared to purchasing a new transmitter. Hunters who may happen to harvest a transmittered bird will be provided with a replica transmitter that they can proudly display on their mounted “space duck.”

How can interested waterfowlers monitor the position and movement of the monitored mallards?

The position of each monitored mallard will be readily available for viewing on the agency’s web page. Regular updates will be viewable during the entire life of the bird and the transmitter. The location will be available anywhere in the world that the mallard may travel.

Program/Research Objectives

1. Monitor and track movement and migration chronology of spring migrating mallards from Mississippi.
2. Identify habitats/regions of spring staging areas.
3. Identify spring migration corridors.
4. Identify nesting and post-nesting areas of adult female mallards migrating from Mississippi.
5. Monitor and track movement chronology of migrating mallards in fall.
6. Identify fall migration corridors, staging areas, and dispersal of fall migrating mallards returning to Mississippi.
7. Monitor and track winter movements of mallards within Mississippi relative to habitat use.

The MDWFP is offering the opportunity for corporate or private sponsorship of the agency’s Mallard Tracking Program. Sponsorship will help offset the cost of the state-of-the-art technological mallard tracking program.

Sponsor Information

Cooperate Sponsorship cost of one of the satellite transmitter-equipped mallards is $5000. Private or individual $3000.
• The sponsor’s payment is 100 percent tax-deductible.
• The cooperate sponsor will be allowed to accompany an MDWFP biologist and assist in attaching a transmitter on one of the satellite-tracked mallards.
• The cooperate and private sponsor will be allowed to name one of the ducks. Names must be approved by the MDWFP. Due to the nature of working with wild free-ranging migratory birds, there is no guarantee of how long the duck will live or how long the transmitter will remain functional.
• The cooperate sponsor will receive logo recognition in the 2006-2007 Mississippi Hunting Digest.
• The cooperate sponsor’s logo will be placed on the Mallard Tracking Web Site.
• The cooperate sponsor will get a link on the Mallard Tracking Web Site.
• The cooperate sponsor will also receive logo placement on all informational materials used to promote the program.

Anyone wishing to become a sponsor or desiring more information about the program may contact Larry Castle at 601-432-2196 or e-mail him at larryc@mdwfp.state.ms.us. An application in PDF format can be downloaded here.

Visit the Mallard Tracking Web Site